Phish returned to Bangor, Maine, for the first time in two years last night,(July 16), for a show at the Maine Savings Amphitheater. The band treated the audience to a jam-filled performance and a powerful second set complete with an almost 30-minute “Down With Disease.”
Phish started the night off with fan-favorite “Free,” which saw bassist Mike Gordon laying down the groove with huge bass fills and in-the-pocket rhythm. “Free,” lead the band into “Never Needed You Like This Before” before they started the first big jam of the night, “555.” A fast and funky number, “555” led directly into a complete shredfest of “Possum.” Phish cooled things off a bit with their next song of the night, “No Men In No Man’s Land.” Next up was “Ocelot,” a fun, joyous tune that saw the audience roaring in approval. Phish held no prisoners towards the tail end of the first set as they launched into a “Reba” that was highlighted by guitarist Trey Anastasio’s melodic, blissful fretwork. The band continued with a rocking “Axilla (Part II)” that melded into “Run Like An Antelope” to close out the set.
Phish kept the energy going in the second set, which was completely segued, opening with a jammed-out “Sigma Oasis.” The spacey sonic journey–complemented by keyboardist Page McConnell’s drippy synth tones and Gordon’s dissonant playing–led right into a Homeric “Down With Disease.” The nearly 30-minute jam brought the audience on an interstellar voyage as the band’s thematic playing went everywhere from the ambient to the shattering with tones that were both gritty and lush; the exploratory performance of the track arguably ranks as among the most unique in the song’s almost 30-year history.
The audience had little time to collect themselves before the band launched into deep space once more with “What’s The Use?” which was highlighted by Anastasio’s tension-filled playing. The band quickly shifted into the symphonic “Fluffhead,” which led into “Twist,” before they bookended the set with a reprise of “Sigma Oasis.”
Phish returned to the stage for an encore of Ween’s “Roses Are Free,” the second in the band’s history that led into “First Tube,” which saw an energetic Anastasio jumping on stage and left the audience buzzing with energy for hours to come.
Phish will continue their tour on Tuesday, July 19, for two nights at the TD Pavillion at the Mann in Philadelphia. Tickets for their upcoming shows are available to be purchased here.
Phish
Maine Savings Amphitheater – Bangor, Maine
July 16, 2022
Set I: Free > I Never Needed You Like This Before, 555 > Possum, No Men In No Man’s Land > Ocelot > Reba, Axilla (Part II) > Run Like An Antelope
Set II: Sigma Oasis > Down With Disease > What’s The Use? > Fluffhead > Twist > Sigma Oasis
Enc.: Roses Are Free > First Tube
