BMPHS: Phish Torches Van Andel With Billy Strings Sit-In

In Phish‘s first visit to Michigan’s Van Andel Arena since 1998, they delivered an instantly memorable show with a host of jams and a very special “little local musician.” We’ll get to the music, but first, let’s acknowledge the monster in the room — the force of nature that is Billy Strings, sitting in with Phish for nearly an hour of music.

First, some context. In the last 12 years, we’ve had only four real sit-ins. Bob Weir (October 18, 2016), Dave Matthews (February 24, 2022), Derek Trucks (August 26, 2023), and Billy Strings last night. To me, the difference between what we saw last night and those other sit-ins is that in Grand Rapids, we got as close to an endorsement of the next generation as anything you’ll see from Phish.

There was a lot of talk about “torch passing” during the TAB / Goose tour, a lot of which was for fun and memes. But Phish is different than TAB. We all know that the space the four of them hold on stage together is sacred, and it’s not a place that’s easily broached by even the most revered musicians.

As Trey and Billy were exchanging repetitive licks during “The Moma Dance” jam (similar to how Rick Mitarotonda and Trey would exchange licks during the jams on the TAB / Goose tour), I had a thought, and you’ll have to forgive the Grateful Dead comparison.

But last night, Trey did what Jerry couldn’t (or didn’t) do, which was to give fans his take on where future of improvisational music. Having Billy sing the lead on “Possum” and more or less lead the band through the “Everything’s Right” jam, we saw a bit of a nod to the future, from the guys who created the modern touring improvisational band. And even though Billy Strings can sell out Van Andel Arena and bigger venues on his own, to be put in the middle of the stage with Phish is validation that very few musicians ever get.

Okay, back to the music. After a really nice “Sigma Oasis” jam in the two-slot, we got the first “Peaches En Regalia” since 2022 (115 shows). There were also “Stash” and “Bathtub Gin” pillars in this set, making a really fun and varied set with a huge peak to end set one and set us up for set two.

Seeing Phish for the first time this tour, I was again reminded about how much Trey and Page are in sync, following on the heels of the December and January albums they did together. The jamming of course benefits from all four band members’ contributions, but I see Page and Trey interplay being more prominent this tour.

Read on after The Skinny for the rest of the recap and more.

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Everyone knew that Billy was going to sit in, and as we got into the set, with standard versions of “Free” and “Sand,” you thought maybe they would just wait until the sit-in to jam.

But wait! Perhaps the most reliable jam vehicle of the last few years, “Ruby Waves,” gave us an 18-minute adventure into the sea of love. Like a lot of the jams this tour, we got a celebratory, upbeat jam, with some diversions into the darker, more effects-heavy universe. With the imminent sit in, we still got a patient and exploratory journey on this one.

“Harry Hood” acted as a kind of set closer before the sit-in, appropriately placed and nailed.

Billy Strings came on and they immediately dropped into what is the longest “The Moma Dance” to date. This hour of music can’t quite be explained, but just listen.

If you’ve ever spent any time with Trey, one thing you’d notice is that he focuses intently on the person he’s in conversation with. That was how I saw Trey throughout the Moma jam with Billy. So into the conversation. So focused, and so humble and generous with the musical space.

Although Trey was providing the cues throughout the jam, Billy was shining, and the interplay between Billy and the rest of the band was really impressive.

You may know that “Possum” is not my favorite song (I know, I know). But with Billy on vocals, and leading the jam, this really brought the house down. This song was made to be played and sung with a guy like Billy up front. I could actually picture him driving his pickup around rural Michigan at night, seeing a dead possum in the road.

It seemed like nobody wanted this to end, and “Everything’s Right” provided another opportunity to explore together. An excellent peak to end a truly unique set.

The encore featured “Nellie Kane” and “Beauty of My Dreams” in a bluegrass combo that threw us back to the Fall 1994 tour where we saw bluegrass mini-sets, including shows in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Whether this 20 year anniversary was intentional or coincidental, it worked.

Finally, a blazing “Carini” to close the encore. One more thing I want to say about Billy is that his electric guitar is LOUD. Carini is the perfect vehicle for his sound, his effects, and the pure power he brings to the stage.

Throughout the hour of Billy playing with Phish, I of course noticed the contrast in how Trey and Billy approach their playing. Billy is fast, loud, but respectful. Trey is the wise teacher — a master of space and timing, unique voicings, and a touch and feel that’s unmatched. They were both learning, and sharing, and listening.

Maybe no torches were passed, but there was a torching in Grand Rapids.

Phish returns to Grand Rapids tonight and then heads to Bethel, New York to start a three-night run at Bethel Woods on Friday. Livestreams are available at LivePhish.com..

Photos by Abby Fox Photography

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