This was my 27th show. I went to 12/29 and 12/30, thinking I didn’t need to be here for the gag and theatrics of the NYE show. I had my best friend with me for his first three shows.
I thought might as well go if I’m in New York. Scored a pair of lower bowl tickets. Little did I realize I was in for the best phish show I’ve ever seen.
On paper, it is near impossible to put forth a logical argument that this show is not among the greats (just considering Set 2 -> Set 3 -> Encore). As I’m riding out of the city on the train and listening to the show again, it is also hard to be critical of anything these guys played last night. (Even first set). They were on fire.
As a younger Phan, you kind of know that the prime is gone. You wish you could have been at those 97’ 98’ shows that everyone cherishes. Therefore, you do not expect that seeing a top 5 show ever is possible. Last night is making me seriously reconsider.
Not only did they do gamehendge, they played an incredible show musically. Listen to the ACDC Bag jam, SOAM, and YEM. Listen to the crowd roar at the gamehendge announcement. I just don’t know what more you could ask for. The fact that they are still together after 40 years selling out the world’s most famous arena and lighting it on fire is hard to fathom. What an awesome time and way to ring in the new year. Thank you Phish.