24 Comments
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Gibbons MIchael's avatar

I needed a review that was neither overly worshipful nor overly critical ---- this was it

A buddy who hadn't seen them in a long time asked me how they were these days and all I could think of was how a perfectly aged Bordeaux would be compared to the same once in its youthful exuberance and pretension

And at least they played an Ozzy song over the speakers --- the day after Dickey died I saw them at Sphere and was waiting for something, anything, but alas nothing

Too bad bc I think I hear mountain jam / Duane / Dickey at least once per show when they perform

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Alan Paul's avatar

Thanks... yeah, they shoulda thrown a MTN Jam tease in there, but I think Trey planned those Sphere shows down to the T.

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Doug Israel's avatar

I lived in Forest Hills for 23 years until I left in 2024 to move to Texas. I used to walk to that venue from my house. Saw many great shows there and the best one of all without question was the Phil Lesh Q. In fact that was one of the best concerts I ever saw period.

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Alan Paul's avatar

Amazing... saw a lot of amazing Q shows but not there... Roseland, Beacon, Philly

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Harrison's avatar

so jealous

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Matt Amsden's avatar

Awesome, thoughtful review, AP! I'm not a Phish-head, but I have heard repeatedly what a great show they put on, so bully on them. And since I dig tennis and all the history behind Forest Hills, I gave your respect-filled review a read. Glad I did, and I learned that Forest Hills was where the Beatles made their U.S. debut. Sweeeeeeeeet!

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Jeff rosenberg's avatar

Was present Tuesday night. Beautiful night for a concert. I was one of the last to lose the sun. Was really hot until then. Show started a bit slow but the sigma oasis and Wolff mans jams were great first set. Second set carini over 1/2 hour. Whole set was great to my ears. On mikes side mid stands. Got a redound or could hear the back speakers from fish s drums which was annoying sinxe it was a split second off. My only complaint !!

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Alan Paul's avatar

Sounds annoying. I was on that side, section 201, and definitely did not hear this.

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Stan Taylor's avatar

Hey 50 Years ABB played 31 August 1975 Superdome. Marshall Tucker,Charlie Daniels,Wet Willie.

At 80,000 attendees, was largest gathering for a while.EAT A PEACH.

Take a break from Epstein.

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Alan Paul's avatar

Will honor it on 8/31!

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Cary Murphy Herold's avatar

I'm neither a Deadhead nor a particular Phish fan, though I've seen Trey on more than a few occasions and have always had a good feel about him. The stage setup to my eyes was distracting as hell, so your take that it wasn't overpowering I'll accept on faith. Likewise, your description of their playing as "super locked in", "on top of their game", and with "a point", I have to admit sounds right up my alley. I further have to admit it makes me think of the early Allman Brothers -- and many other versions of the Allman Brothers for that matter. In that regard, I guess I'm wishing I were there tonight!

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Kid Charlemagne's avatar

Back for N2

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Alan Paul's avatar

Enjoy!

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Joe's avatar

Never seen so many typos! Must have been a really long night. Chalkdust Torture is always my favorite of theirs.

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Alan Paul's avatar

Nah, I was home early. Scattered mind today, though, and the staff is... me. Just me.

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Joe's avatar

Thanks for all you do, love your work.

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Kid Charlemagne's avatar

Could not have asked for better weather last night

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Alan Paul's avatar

That is true. I could have mentioned the weather as a co-star.

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Kid Charlemagne's avatar

Came here last year for 1st time for NYCH. Last night’s weather was stellar compared to that and a typical July evening in NYC

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Thea Wood's avatar

I’m one of the minority of Deadheads who is not a Phish fan. Weird, right?!? But I do really like Trey’s band. Not sure why it appeals to me more. Any insights on that? I haven’t figured out what it is that’s different.

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Alan Paul's avatar

Sure. I don't think it's that uncommon for Deadheads to not love Phish... DH whose fave song is Terrapin or whose fave member was Phil love them, because Phish has a real prog rock lean. TAB is more roots oriented in a broad sense. The horns, the percussion, the straight-forward grooves.

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Keith Baker's avatar

Interesting, and I’m unsure of hearing that before, but it helps explain my 70s tastes that puzzled even me—Capricorn and Asylum acts, and English prog and prog-adjacent. But how many others have said, “I like all genres, as long as it’s good.”?

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Alan Paul's avatar

Pretty much how I am but not sure I was as open minded in my youth. We put ourselves in tribes by what we listened to. Young people today are more open I think, judging by my kids.

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Thea Wood's avatar

Maybe that’s it. Prog vs roots. But I love prog rock as a genre, so maybe it’s just Phish’s interpretation that just doesn’t grab me. I’ll ponder while listen to TAB 🎏

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