Photo Credit: Dave Vann

Phish returned to Bridgestone Arena last night, Oct. 7. The show served as the 2,001 documented concert for the ensemble–though there are likely some forgotten shows from the 1980s–as a nod to the numerical happenstance the band opened up their concert with “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” which is often called “2001” by fans, and used the favored presentation as a vehicle during the ensuing set, which inevitably ebbed and flowed with compositional complexity brought on by four veteran jammers. 

Without pausing the drift of the night’s presentation, “Gumbo” arrived after “2,001.” The pulsating rhythm was a desirable prelude to another memorable moment as the band worked into a homage to their location with the Tennessee stables, Del McCoury Band’s bluegrass number, “Beauty of My Dreams.” Previously, the cover had been in regular rotation for this group of players but only presented a handful of times since their 2009 reunion; most recently, it was played on Oct. 15, 2021 show at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. 

To follow, the band added the Mike Gordon original, “Mull,” which appeared on his recent solo release, Flying Game. The song has become a setlist staple for this ensemble and was possibly included in last night’s set due to its mention of Russell Batiste, with the line: “We might see Russell chomping on a late set.” Notably, Batiste passed away on Sunday, Oct. 1. Rather than come to an all-out stop, the band arrived back at the start of the set with more “2,001,” which dipped back to “Mull” before arriving on “Dirt.”

The first half of the night rolled out memorable renditions of “Stash,” “Ether Edge,” “About to Run,” and the final song of the frame, “Split Open and Melt.” The group resumed the latter half of the evening with the jammed-out new tune,  “Life Saving Gun,” from Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell’s album January. The entire set featured several notable segues, including Talking Heads’ “Cities” prior to an alternate arrangement of “Llama.” To follow, Phish reeled in a rendition of “I Always Wanted it This Way” and ended the set with “Bug.”

The core four pulled out “Lonely Trip” to start the night’s encore, eventually closing their Saturday night stand with fan favorite, “Harry Hood.” After last night’s memorable concert in Music City, Phish will return for one final show this evening at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Tickets remain on sale and can be purchased here. 

Phish 

Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tenn.

Oct. 7, 2023

Set I: Also Sprach Zarathustra* > Gumbo, Beauty of My Dreams, Mull -> Also Sprach Zarathustra -> Mull, Dirt, Stash, Ether Edge, About to Run, Split Open and Melt

Set II: Life Saving Gun -> Sand > Everything’s Right -> Cities -> Llama+, I Always Wanted It This Way, Bug

Enc.: Lonely Trip, Harry Hood

Notes:

* Performed on what is believed to be their 2,001 show

+Performed in an alternate arrangement.
Setlist via Phish.net.