Photo Credit: Dave Vann

After a straightforward start to their summer tour on Friday evening, Phish followed up Saturday, July 20, with a first-time pull from their latest studio album. While the band’s kick-off (July 19) also exuded Evolve originators, funk-leaning “Hey Stranger” and “Pillow Jets,” the foursome went deeper during night two, introducing the audience to a new feature of their live catalog by debuting “Human Nature.” Notably, during Mike Gordon’s solo tour stop in mid-June, he and his band provided the initial live performance of the bass-dominated jammer. 

Page McConnell’s ponderous keys opened the night, catching a spark that would soon kindle into a hot “Theme From the Bottom.” Before the coals could cool, a warm Massachusetts breeze kept the flames lit as the band sequenced the night’s start with ”Back on the Train,” allowing Trey Anastasio time to empty his “bucket full of thoughts.” The group paused before resuming set one with a pairing of “Sand” and “Bouncing Around the Room.” The last time Phish partnered “Sand” and “Bouncing” was during their July 27, 2014 concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion. 

The infrequent match gave way to “Backwards Down the Number Line.” On the other side of the well-seasoned tune was Phish’s debut of “Human Nature.” Prior to the full-band performance, during Gordon’s June 14 stand, he and his touring band provided the first-ever live run-through of “Human Nature.” That concert occurred on the same night as the venerable Drew Carey sit-in when the group revisited the Sphere blender saga onstage. Saturday’s “Human Nature” clocked in at a mid seven minutes while proving its potential as a funk-infused jam catalyst at concerts to come. 

Maintaining their current concert motif by serving their album, Evolve, in a live setting, Phish returned to the tracking list during the concert’s second set. After a rare “You Enjoy Myself” set opener, which was positioned in slot one, frame two for the first time since June 4, 2022. Sans trampolines, a la the band’s NPR Tiny Desk appearance, they went with the 11th-ever play of “Oblivion,” all while remaining steadily on their feet. 

Ensuing “No Men In No Man’s Land” was undoubtedly the improvisational peak and, in time, merged into “Monsters” before a particularly stunning “2001.” “Chalk Dust Torture” served as the final song of the frame, which tapped out around the 75 minutes marker. On the other side of two main frames, Phish unleashed their encore, but not before introductions and repartee. 

Following the initial concerts in Mansfield, Mass., Phish will perform one last gig tonight at the Xfinity Center. Tickets remain on sale.

Phish 

Xfinity Center – Mansfield, Mass. 

June 20, 2024

Set I: Theme From the Bottom > Back on the Train, Sand > Bouncing Around the Room, Backwards Down the Number Line, Human Nature+ > It’s Ice > Wolfman’s Brother, Drift While You’re Sleeping

Set II: You Enjoy Myself > Oblivion > No Men In No Man’s Land > Monsters, Also Sprach Zarathustra > Chalk Dust Torture

Enc.: When the Circus Comes, David Bowie > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

Notes: 

+ Debut 

Setlist via phish.net.