Phish | Colorado | Review | Pics

Words & Images by: Mike Hardaker

Phish :: 09.02.11 :: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park :: Commerce City, CO

More pics below review!

Official Colorado Poster by LandLand

Music fans from around the country gathered together at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to witness Phish kick off what shaped up to be a legendary three night run of music. The band showed just how diverse they can be, playing an entire show of only songs that start with the letter “S.” It was midway into the first set before most caught on to the “S”imilarities.

Prior to the show, rumors had been floating around the Phish community that long-time friend to the band Carlos Santana would join the boys on stage before his run at Red Rocks Amphitheatre over the weekend. As it turned out, the “S” show concept was simply one of Trey’s inspired notions. Phish ally/lyricist Tom Marshall explained after the show at Phantasy Tour, “The S set. What does it mean? Well, it’s nice if people found a meaning for it…because frankly, it was just a funny idea. Trey first mentioned it to me right after the UIC Chicago shows. We have been in touch a lot planning a writing trip later this month. I said it sounded absolutely perfect. “

Mike Gordon by Mike Hardaker

The S Show gave fans a unique opportunity to try their luck at “calling out” what “S” song would be played next. The first set kicked off with “Sample In A Jar,” followed by “Sparkle,” and then my first time hearing the song “Sloth.” At this point, I walked out to put my camera gear in the car and unfortunately missed the next two tunes, “Sweet Virginia,” a Rolling Stones cover, and “Suskind Hotel.” Upon returning, however, everyone knew something special was happening.. First set kept rocking with Phish favorites like” Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley,” and Trey Anastasio took over midway through and melted the place during “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan,” as well as a really funky “Split Open and Melt” with Mike Gordon hammering his bass guitar.

Second set kicked off with “Sand,” followed by “Soul Shakedown Party,” “Suzy Greenberg,” “Silent In The Morning,” “Sanity” and more. Phish ended the second set with an a cappella version of “Sweet Adeline.”

At this point everyone was wondering what the band would encore with. Trey lead the charge with a very familiar guitar riff as the band joined in and crushed a rendition of the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.” As for the venue, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is the perfect place in Colorado to hold large outdoor concerts. It looks like Colorado may have found a new home for bands that can bring 20,000-plus people to town. The venue was easy to walk around, had plenty of restrooms, and you could avoid long drink lines as long you were clever.

Setlist
Set 1: Sample in a Jar, Sparkle, The Sloth, Sweet Virginia, Suskind Hotel, Strange Design, Stash, Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley > Sparks > Scent of a Mule, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Shine a Light, Split Open and Melt, The Squirming Coil

Set 2: Sand > Simple -> Steam > Soul Shakedown Party -> Seven Below > Suzy Greenberg > Scents and Subtle Sounds > Slave to the Traffic Light > Silent in the Morning > Sanity, Sweet Adeline

Encore: Sabotage

Phish Tour Dates :: Phish News

JamBase | Mountain High
Go See Live Music!