Phish @ Red Rocks 7-30-2009

Phish:

07/30/09 Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Morrison, CO

1: The Divided Sky, Ocelot, The Wedge, Poor Heart, The Moma Dance, Horn, Stash, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Possum

2: Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Ghost*, Wolfman's Brother, Limb By Limb, Billy Breathes, The Squirming Coil, David Bowie

E**: Loving Cup

(Courtesy of phish.net)

Just got back from an unbelievable trip to Morrison, Colorado to see Phish play at Red Rocks. It was unbelievable. Being able to see them in such a beautiful venue was mind blowing. I thought they sounded the best they have since their return. Night One (7-30-2009) was a blast; the setlist was unreal and well played.

Highlights for me were a well played Ocelot. I think this is the best of their new tunes. The Wedge was definitely appropriate as the band sang "Take the Highway through the great divide." Many people traveled great distances to see these shows and The Wedge was a great way to loosen up everyones car legs. An extra funky Moma Dance got the crowd dancing after a quick Poor Heart. The Stash was long and spacy but ended up nicely as Trey and Fishman reeled the band back in. The first set ended with rollicking high energy Possum.

After Trey introduced Mike twice, the band hopped right into Mike's Song. Mike's Song>Hydrogen>Weekapaug was placed perfectly at the beginning of the first set. It got the energy up and people dancing as a glow-stick war ensued... the Highlight of my first night was most definitely the 18:00 minute Ghost. They where definitely linked into a groove and rode it out. Other than the 'Sand' from the 6-7-2009 Camden show I felt like Phish made it to some areas that haven't been reached since they have returned from their five year hiatus. The level of playing over the course of the weekend has definitely elevated since the first leg of the Summer Tour. After Ghost, Wolfman's Brother was next and it was like having a back-to-back home-run. Wolfman's, in my opinion was played very well. The second set never let up until a much needed breather of Billy Breathes.... A nice Coil was played before wasting no time with a compacted Bowie. Loving Cup was also played as the encore at the Asheville show I saw earlier this summer but I couldn't have cared less. I was rocking on Page Side Row 23 at Red Rocks Amphitheater! Night one was truly special! Off to the Paramount Cafe for food!

Photo taken by Jay Blakesburg.