Phish Unleashes Jaw-Dropping ‘What’s Going Through Your Mind’ In Pittsburgh

Phish arrived at the second stop of their summer tour following an epic show on their final night in New Hampshire. In the Granite State, the band played a “Tweezerfest” that contained three distinct “Tweezer” jams inside a well-constructed second set. The three-night tour opening run was strong and featured deep improvisational playing in each show. Last night, fans were hoping for continued momentum as Phish took the stage at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh at 7:58 ET.

The band opened with one of their oldest songs, “AC/DC Bag,” and stretched it out for ten minutes, driven by some pretty peaks from guitarist Trey Anastasio. Forgoing this year’s trend of playing songs within a tight rotation, the first two of three “bust-outs” followed. “Dogs Stole Things” made its first appearance at a Phish show in three years, and “Paul and Silas” was played for the first time in 322 shows, last time played July 22, 2016. Both were well played and kept up the energy of the set.

“I Always Wanted It This Way,” written by keyboardist Page McConnell from the album, Big Boat, was played for the 22nd time and pushed to 12 minutes. Initially funky and effect-heavy, drummer Jon Fishman drove the propulsive nature of the jam on the ride cymbals. Bassist Mike Gordon sounded great in the mix, and his new positioning closer to Anastasio (a return to a stage setup they last used in 2012) allowed them to get closer in conversation. “Water in the Sky” was the final “bust-out” of the night, last played on July 15, 2022, followed by a tight “Ya Mar.”

“Gumbo” resurfaced as a jam vehicle at Bethel Woods in the summer of 2022. The last time played was the longest version in over 20 years and was the marquee jam in a strong first set this spring in San Francisco. Last night’s version was over 13 minutes long, just short of that distinction, but worth hearing as the band finds some optimistic, connected improvisation throughout the second half. The band closed the 76-minute set with a classic set one closer, “Walls of the Cave.”

Set two started at 9:41 ET and opened with “You Enjoy Myself.” Anastasio almost tripped on his guitar cord during the trampoline segment, but caught himself and continued jumping in time with Gordon. Gordon played an impassioned solo leading into the vocal jam.

“What’s Going Through Your Mind” has had impressive performances since its debut last August. Last night’s version was the longest to date and the 6th longest Phish jam of all time, coming in at over 42 minutes. Initially unsettling and dark, the band found an effortless groove with some swelling and textures from McConnell’s warm synths.

About halfway through, the band followed a more familiar trajectory, building to a sunny peak with Anastasio’s crystal clear soloing. We saw a lot of this style of improvisation this spring with Anastasio leading the band to a big classic peak with sustain and little effects. But in last night’s version, the band toyed with discordant and shredding sounds to add depth to the climax. It’s an interesting diversion to take a classic Anastasio/Phish peak and distort it to send the jam in a different, darker direction. Lighting designer Chris Kuroda assaulted the stage with flashing red and black lights while Fishman kept a rolling beat.

The jam hit a dystopian noise jam 30 minutes in with Fishman’s beat the only thing tethering it to reality. A soundscape from a distant planet where rhythm and space synths are the native tongue held the crowd in rapture. The band slowly wound down this dramatic segment like an evil four-piece machine. Patient and exploratory, this was the longest jam Phish has played since they performed a 43-minute Tweezer on April 17, 2023 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. “Prince Caspian” and “Julius” followed, and the second set closed with a rocking “Blaze On.”

The band has been playing longer encores on this tour and last night’s was almost 20 minutes long. A funky dance party in “The Howling” off their Sci-Fi Soldier album and a “Ghost” that built to a wild peak ended an unforgettable show in Pittsburgh. Phish travels to Austin next for their first show in Texas in ten years. Livestreams of all remaining shows can be purchased at LivePhish.com.

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