Photo by  @rene_huemer

On Friday night, over a month following the close of their summer tour, Phish made their indoor debut in Nashville, Tenn., with their first-ever show at the Bridgestone Arena. The show, likely their 2,000th according to bassist Mike Gordon, locked right back into the magic that propelled the band through summer.

Phish started the performance with “Julius,” a song that opened Phish’s fall tour two years ago in 2021. Next came “Back On The Train,” before they launched into “The Moma Dance.” The groove flowed, without pause, dipping into the band’s older repertoire as “Moma Dance” transitioned into the “Axilla,” which was flavored with an “Axilla II” outro jam at the end of the song. The energetic “Axilla” led into an equally fast-paced “Maze.” On the latter, Trey Anastasio’s guitar playing overshadowed any vocal expression. A powerful “Wolfman’s Brother” saw a tease of “Dave’s Energy Guide” before a brief burst of “My Soul” paved the way for the 2023 revival of the rare gem “Destiny Unbound” before the set concluded with “Character Zero.”

The second set, which was almost a complete segue, opened with a seamless blend of the live staple “Gotta Jibboo” and the newcomer and favorite from summer 2023, “Oblivion.” This combination marked the improvisational peak of the evening, featuring a mesmerizing build in “Gotta Jibboo” and a layered, melodic journey in the 22-minute “Oblivion.”

A tribute to The Rolling Stones followed as Phish played “Torn and Frayed” for the first time since the summer of 2021. The honky-tonk and country Exile on Main Street cut was inspired by Nashville’s Gram Parsons, who was in the studio with The Rolling Stones during its recording and left his mark on the Nashville world. The band then charged through “Light,” “Fuego,” and “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.,” maintaining an energetic momentum throughout, enhanced by a spectacular light show.

Returning for an encore, Phish began with “Bouncing Around The Room” and heated up with “46 Days” and “Run Like An Antelope,” providing a thrilling conclusion to the first night of their fall tour in Nashville.

Phish will return to the Bridgestone Arena for two more nights of jamming on Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, fans could follow the tour via live video webcasts and audio replays on LivePhish, with audio promptly available after each show.

Phish
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tenn.
Oct. 6, 2023

Set I: Julius, Back on the Train, The Moma Dance > Axilla^[1] > Maze, Wolfman’s Brother, My Soul, Destiny Unbound, Character Zero

Set II: Gotta Jibboo -> Oblivion, Torn and Frayed, Light -> Fuego -> Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

Enc.: Bouncing Around the Room > 46 Days > Run Like an Antelope

[1] Contained Axilla II ending.

Axilla contained the Axilla II ending. Trey teased Dave’s Energy Guide in Wolfman’s Brother. Torn and Frayed was played for the first time since August 27, 2021 (105 shows).