Photo by @jesse_faatz

Last night, Phish graced the stage at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., marking the beginning of the end of their historic 2023 summer tour. The start to the beloved annual Labor Day Celebration was lush with fan favorites, extended jams, homages to fans and the pristine playing that fans have so closely tuned in to over the summer.

Phish’s performance took flight with “Carini,” which began after guitarist Trey Anastasio said, “Welcome, welcome, This one’s for Frenchie,” a dedication to Tim “Frenchie” Gazaille, also known as the naked dude who famously ran around during a weather delay at last year’s gathering at Dick’s. Notably, Gazaille was honored during the band’s New Year’s Eve gag at Madison Square Garden and sadly passed away since.

“Carini” unfurled gently, with a rocking melodic riff that sparked a lively conversation with Page McConnell’s piano. They continued to flex until around the 15-minute mark; the jam took an angular turn, driven by Jon Fishman’s rhythmic shifts and Mike Gordon’s robust basslines. The captivating 20-minute opener and jam paved the way for a brief but delightful rendition of “Halley’s Comet.” The mood then turned celebratory as “Blaze On” charged in, with Anastasio playfully altering the lyrics to pay homage to the venue.

Continuing their musical journey, “Prince Caspian” made its fourth appearance in the first set this summer, flowing seamlessly into a cool, collective jam that concluded succinctly. Next up was the return of “We Are Come To Outlive Our Brains,” which has been absent from the stage since 2021. McConnell’s airy vibe on the Wurlitzer electric piano added depth to the chilled-out performance. “Mercury” then appeared for its second appearance on the summer setlist – the song stayed true to form without veering into uncharted territory.

The crashing waves of “Ruby Waves” then made their way to the proverbial shores just outside of Denver. Next, Phish launched into an intense, spirited jam that surged with momentum, navigating effortlessly under the mesmerizing lights controlled by Chris Kuroda. The jam’s second act elevated the intensity, culminating in a pulsating and frenzied apex before gracefully returning to the song’s thematic core before the first set came to a rocking conclusion with “Character Zero.”

“Set Your Soul Free” set the stage for the second set with its straightforward, positivity-spreading groove. It was then time for “Tweezer” to take center stage, delivering a flowing, linear improvisation. Fishman’s dynamic fills and Gordon’s evolving bass lines complemented McConnell’s piano runs and Anastasio’s tastefully aggressive riffing. As the jam progressed, layers of effects intertwined, creating a sonic tapestry teetering on the edge of chaos, but the jam was swiftly refocused. “Beneath A Sea Of Stars Part 1” followed lush with sorrowful swells.

Among the standout originals from the summer, “Oblivion” made its fifth appearance, adding depth and freshness to the second set – a compact yet engaging jam elevated the song. The vibe of “Oblivion” flowed over as they ventured into improvisation during “Light.” Closing the set on a poignant note was “Slave To The Traffic Light.”

The summer tour has featured exceptional encores and memorable finales, and Thursday’s encore was no exception: “Show Of Life” provided a reflective moment, followed by the intergalactic “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” rounding out the setlist without any covers.

Phish
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, Colo.
Aug. 31, 2023

Set I: Carini > Halley’s Comet > Blaze On^[1], Prince Caspian, We Are Come to Outlive Our Brains, Mercury > Ruby Waves > Character Zero

Set II: Set Your Soul Free, Tweezer > Beneath a Sea of Stars Part 1, Oblivion > Light > Slave to the Traffic Light

Enc.: Show of Life, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

[1] Lyrics changed to “we’ll be dancing here at Dick’s.”

Trey dedicated Carini to Frenchie (Tim Gazaille), a fan who had passed away earlier in the year and was the “naked guy” during the rain delay at Dick’s the previous summer. Trey teased San-Ho-Zay in Halley’s Comet. Blaze On’s lyrics were changed to “we’ll be dancing here at Dick’s.” We Are Come To Outlive Our Brains was performed for the first time since August 6, 2021 (109 shows).