Photo Credit: Dean Budnick

Last night, Phish arrived at the Star Lake venue in Burgettstown, Pa., for the final stand, after opening up a two-night run on Friday evening. Saturday’s performance started with the Trey Anastasio composition, “I Never Needed You Like This Before,” from the musician’s COVID-19 era LP, Lonely Trip. Before working into the second number of the night, Anastasio thanked the audience for showing up at the outdoor amphitheater 25 miles west of Pittsburgh and then added “Turtle in the Clouds,” performed for the first time in 364 days. 

In a playful mood, Anastasio provided multiple introductions for drummer Jon Fishman, who performed a few seconds of the “Llama” intro before stopping and allowing the guitarist to continue his fun. After calling the backbeat by his nickname, “Henrietta,” the group launched into a fast delivery of the aforementioned tune. Prior to the start of the show, during sound check, the group jammed on “Clear Your Mind,” which was played next (and merged into a fast “Sample in a Jar”). “Clear Your Mind” was initially performed live during the band’s Halloween 2021 gig at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Last night marked the fourth time this group has run through it in front of an audience.

In continuation of the set, the Vermont foursome picked up “Taste” before jamming into “Ocelot.” “Julius” featured an extensive display of keys from Page McConnell and heightened vocals from Anastasio before a fuzzy ending scuffled into “Saw it Again,” which was paired with “Sparkle.” The first 2023 performance of the staple song, “Ass Handed,” came next, with an introduction provided by the songwriter, Fishman, who joked it was a companion tune to “Sparkle.” For the final song of the first part of the night, Phish dialed into “Sand.” 

“Everything’s Right” marked the initial song of the second frame and provided room for the group to noodle and explore before notes of “Soul Planet” emerged and unlocked another jam that poured over into “Twist.” Extended instrumentals continued with “Most Events Aren’t Planned.” A high point of the night occurred next, with the debut of “Monsters,” a trio tune from Anastasio’s side project with Dezron Douglas and Fishman. The well-rehearsed number received backing from McConnell and Gordon, who assisted with vocals during the chorus. 

For the final songs of the later set, the group delivered “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” followed by a fiery, fast-tempo take on The Velvet Underground classic, “Rock & Roll.” The quartet exited the stage, eventually returning for the night’s encore, which commenced with the a cappella “Grind,” complete with statistics pertaining to how many days each band member had lived and a grand total count. After thanking their attendees, Phish added a pairing of “Tube” with “Ghost.”

Following last night’s concert, the band is scheduled to perform at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse, N.Y. Tickets remain on sale. 

Watch all of Phish’s Summer Tour from the comfort of home via LivePhish in 4K or HD + 48 hours of unlimited replay here.

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist via phish.net.

Phish 

Star Lake – Burgettstown, Pa.

July 23, 2023 

Set I: I Never Needed You Like This Before, Turtle in the Clouds, Llama, Clear Your Mind > Sample in a Jar, Taste, Ocelot, Julius, Saw It Again > Sparkle, Ass Handed, Sand

Set II: Everything’s Right > Soul Planet > Twist > Most Events Aren’t Planned, Monsters@, Also Sprach Zarathustra > Rock and Roll

Enc.: Grind, Tube > Ghost

Notes:

@ Debut