After a quick and professional intermission, the band returned to the stage after about a half hour. The group opened up the second set with “Corona,” another new song that debuted earlier this tour in Detroit. The second set took a quick turn to a high-energy dance party when the band chose to go into “Burlap Sack and Pumps,” a fast semi-instrumental number that showcases the horn sections ability to take control. “Pigtail” followed with another positive response from the crowd. This particular song has become a beloved favorite in both the Phish and TAB community. “Pigtail” was written by Trey Anastasio and Tom Marshall and was debuted as a Phish song in 2010 but that group has still only played this song live once. This song is unique as it features beautiful backing vocals by Hartswick and Cressman that really help complement the overall theme of the song.
“Night Speaks to a Woman” followed “Pigtail” and featured Tony Markellis keeping a steady heartbeat bass line as Cyro Baptista provided some crucial percussion interludes, adding more life and flavor to the song. Anastasio and Paczkowski took turns trading licks as Paczkowski stood up from behind his plethora of keys to play his covenant Clavinet, a type of elctro-mechanical keyboard instrument with heavy funky effects and ranges (think intro to Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”). This was one of the musical highlights from the entire evening. “Valentine” > “Sand” followed and was full of energy complimented by a flawless transition. “Sand,” much like its cousin, “Gotta Jibbo,” is another rockin’ Phish original that is well enhanced by a steady horn section. This particular version of “Sand” featured “Last Tube” teases.
“Plasma “ > “Liquid Time” > “Let Me Lie” slowed down the mood but didn’t deteriorate from the quality of music in any way shape or form. The energy was picked right back up when Trey counted off “Clint Eastwood,” where Hartswick left the crowd captivated by her vocal range. It seemed as if the whole crowd was joining her in a sing-a-long belting out every word only to pause to cheer during the improvisational musical interlude that followed. While this number never really reaches past the five-minute mark, it’s still five minutes of pure musical gold. The band closed out the show with “Traveler” > “Tuesday.” The self-titled track off the new album seems to flow well into “Tuesday” and it seems as if the band has noticed the same thing because this two-song transition became a recurring theme to close out a set. Anastasio and company stayed on stage longer than expected to smile and wave at the adoring packed house before leaving the stage. Anastasio even took time to shake a few fans hands in the front row.
The band returned for a two song encore of “Sultans of Swing” > “First Tube,” because one fan had requested the Dire Straits’ original, “Sultans of Swing”, via a sign in the front row. Anastasio responded, “We’ll play this one as long as you get rid of those damn signs.” Both songs were well played and left the fans more than satisfied.
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