On Saturday night, Phish took the stage at Saratoga Performing Art Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for their second and final performance to benefit Vermont and Upstate New York’s recovery efforts after extreme weather caused floods and damage in July. After flexing their instrumental prowess the night prior, the band was ready to reemerge and close out their Upstate stand. To the audience’s surprise, Phish had arranged for a special guest to help conclude their run. Derek Trucks arrived three songs into the second set and assisted on the last tunes of the latter frame and the evening’s encore.
Before their guest’s arrival, Phish traversed a myriad of satisfying musical movements, beginning with a fittingly played “Free,” which was a loose and open composition constructed for the tune’s specific built-up structure. An ensuing take on “Wolfman’s Brother” delivered a brief but exciting jam, met with layered lyrics from the core four. Jon Fishman brought out “Maze” next, adding its signature beat to kick off the fan-favorite before Trey Anastasio’s guitar solo took the number to new heights.
Phish eventually worked into “Sigma Oasis,” which produced a melodic jam and twisted into “Pillow Jets,” giving Page McConnell time to show off his work on the keys before a fast take on “Tube.” A brief jam resulted in a stellar “Twist” helmed by Fishman’s backbeat before the last song of the frame: “Harry Hood.” The band returned, ready to cut into the night’s second half. Mike Gordon sounded off the start on bass, working into a partial display of “Down with Disease,” which merged into a fast-paced “Ghost,” clocking in around 14 minutes.
Fishman marked the start of “2001” by shuffling into the number. The night’s cover of TV On The Radio’s “Golden Age” beckoned Trucks’ arrival–emanating a rousing welcome from the crowd. Once situated, Trucks’ slide guitar skills began to bounce effortlessly off Anastasio’s riffs as the two ignited the night with an effortless display of instrumental power. “Everything’s Right” stretched for 16 minutes, producing dueling guitar virtuosity and blended vocal moments that showed off what this group of greats could do. “A Life Beyond The Dream” continued to allude to the ensemble’s shared might–Trucks’ slide guitar added a twangy finish, which felt like pedal steel mockery at times.
For the final song of the latter frame, the Vermont foursome and their special guest closed the set with “First Tube” before returning and cutting into the evening’s encore, “Possum,” which once again felt elevated with Trucks’ signature slide adding a twangy whine to the otherwise jammed-out number. Watch the full concert below.
Following the performance, the band shared a press release announcing they had raised $3.5 million for flood recovery efforts. “We are so grateful to everyone who donated their time and resources to make these benefits possible, and those that attended the shows or watched online,” said McConnell. “The joy in the room at these concerts was undeniable. But for the people affected by the flooding, it is an ongoing struggle. That’s why we are continuing to accept donations, raise awareness and distribute the funds.”
Visit Phish’s official website to learn more about their upcoming concerts. Tedeschi Trucks Band will take part in the highly anticipated Garden Parties this fall at TD Garden in Boston on Sept. 27, followed by New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sept. 29. During the two-city trek, the band will welcome Lukas Nelson + POTR and a few friends. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Phish
Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
August 26, 2023
Set I: Free, Wolfman’s Brother, Maze, Sigma Oasis, Pillow Jets, Tube > Twist > Harry Hood
Set II: Down with Disease& > Ghost, Also Sprach Zarathustra > Golden Age+ > Everything’s Right+%, A Life Beyond The Dream+, First Tube+
Enc.: Possum+
Notes:
& Unfinished
+ With Derek Trucks on guitar
% Trey Anastasio teased “If I Only Had a Brain”
Setlist via Phish.net
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