Photo by @rene_huemer 

On Sunday night, Phish’s triumphant three-night 2023 Fall Tour kick-off culminated at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The show was defined by several bust-outs, including the band’s first rendition of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” in six years.

The first set commenced with the high-octane instrumental “Buried Alive,” which set the tone for the evening. “AC/DC Bag” followed suit in the second slot, but fans hoping for an extended jam were met with a concise rendition as Trey Anastasio smoothly jammed into the unmistakable opening climb of “Free.” The jam continued with Mike Gordon’s thick basslines and Jon Fishman’s rhythmic drumming, while Page McConnell’s keyboard wizardry added vibrant layers to the performance. Next, the rare gem, “Sightless Escape,” made an appearance. It was last heard in September of 2019 during Anastasio’s Ghosts Of The Forest performances.

The set took a playful turn with “Undermind,” followed by Gordon taking the lead on “Ya Mar,” where Anastasio playfully introduced McConnell’s solo as “Ladies and gentlemen, my grandpa on the organ: Leo!” McConnell then showcased his original composition, “Beauty of a Broken Heart,” marking the first rendition of the song by Phish since 2021. The set continued with the contemplative rock tune, “Hey Stranger,” from Anastasio’s solo album, mercy, followed by the laser-sharp precision of “Taste.”

“Evolve,” served as the first set’s penultimate tune of before “Ghost” served as the closing piece, maintaining the song’s groove while the band ventured into uncharted territory with a repeated melodic sequence, showcasing their improvisational prowess.

The final set of Phish’s tour-opening run in Nashville ignited with “Birds Of A Feather,” sparking a Type I jam conversation between Anastasio and McConnell. They skillfully built upon themes from “Birds” until reaching a satisfying resolution that seamlessly transitioned back into the song.

“A Wave Of Hope,” followed, solidifying its status as a catalyst for potent improvisation. The band explored a range of melodic passages with urgency and focus. In a nod to the 25th anniversary of sharing the stage with Neil Young, Phish treated the audience to a cover of “Cinnamon Girl.” This song, first covered by Phish in 1989, had not appeared in their setlist since July 29, 2017, during the Baker’s Dozen run at Madison Square Garden, marking a 219-show gap.

In Nashville, “Cinnamon Girl” was paired with a rendition of TV On The Radio’s “Golden Age,” which led to an exploratory jam that was peppered with Fishman’s complex drum fills. Out of this jam emerged “The Well,” a standout from this summer’s new song debuts, which transitioned from love and light to evil territory. Closing the second set was the familiar and beloved “You Enjoy Myself,” delivering a solid performance with funky elements and start-stop dynamics.

Continuing the trend of multi-song encores, the Music City finale treated fans to “The Howling,” eliciting smiles and fist pumps from Anastasio before the night concluded with a highly charged rendition of the classic “Suzy Greenberg.”

Phish will head to Dayton, Ohio, following their stint in Nashville, with shows at the Wright State University Nutter Center. The Dayton shows and the upcoming three-night run in Chicago are available for livestreaming via LivePhish.com.

Phish
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tenn.
Oct. 8, 2023

Set I: Buried Alive > AC/DC Bag > Free, Sightless Escape, Undermind > Ya Mar, Beauty of a Broken Heart, hey stranger, Taste, Evolve, Ghost

Set II: Birds of a Feather, A Wave of Hope, Cinnamon Girl > Golden Age -> The Well, You Enjoy Myself

Enc.: The Howling > Suzy Greenberg

Sightless Escape was performed for the first time since September 1, 2019 (138 shows). Cinnamon Girl was last played July 29, 2017 (219 shows). Trey sang part of Seven Below’s melody in the YEM vocal jam.