All Shows Reconsidered: Wook+ Selects 10 Top Phish Concerts Of 2023

While on paper it may be somewhat difficult to fully appreciate this show, the vibe radiating from the Nutter Center this night carried an inexplicable energy that elevated the entire experience. “Set Your Soul Free” started the show with a pretty sizable jam, which has not happened very often this year. The bliss-adjacent exploration in the opener set the stage for an improvisationally rich night, which would really come to a head in the second set.

The show highlight was the second set 30-minute “Ruby Waves” in the two slot. This multi-movement version included a couple of climaxes, some deep space exploration, a bit of bleeps and bloops, and a persistence that could only result in a great jam. Though the show is #10 on this list, this jam very well could be a contender for Jam Of The Year.

Night two at The Mann can best be described as a classic “rocker.” With a vintage of 1997, the setlist from this night was fan service in the best possible way. We particularly loved the “almost” traditional “Mike’s Groove” accentuated with a solid version of “Boogie On Reggae Woman” right before the turn into “I Am Hydrogen.”

The second set, two-slot “Carini” poured gasoline on an already fire show. After settling into a nice ambient jam, guitarist Trey Anastasio introduced a bliss riff reminiscent of the MSG “Tweezer,” which then seamlessly transitioned into a distorted rhythmic jam that demonstrated how locked in the band was. The rhythmic interplay continued with a syncopated build that ultimately resolved in a half-time rock jam.

Another aspect of this show that I am very fond of is the strong closers. Wrapping up the first set with “Fluffhead,” the second set with “Harry Hood,” and the show overall with “Run Like An Antelope” is pretty much as good as it gets.

Though this show certainly had a strong first set, it is really the jam clinic delivered in the second set that elevates it into my Top 10 list for the year. The two-slot of the later set once again held the highlight of the night with a gargantuan “Tweezer” that reminded us just how damn good this band really is. Clocking in at 43:39, this “Tweezer” is the fourth longest song played in band history (excluding ambient festival jams), and even at that ridiculous length, the band was able to hold our full attention with truly inspired playing.

The 20-minute “Simple” out of the “Tweezer” was equally inspired, and with the beautiful segue between the two, we were treated to a full hour of improvisational greatness. I guess the easiest way to express why this was a special night is simply “four-song second set” (though it just as easily could have been three).

There is a part of me that wants to consider Syracuse as the show of the year, and if it had occurred in 2022 it very well may have been, but this year has had no shortage of great shows. Still, the Syracuse show was special and delivered that little extra something that had been missing from Star Lake the two nights prior.

Once again, the show highlight landed in the two-slot of the second set with yet another monstrous “Tweezer” which was, among other things, a polyrhythmic masterpiece. Shortly after teasing “That’s All” in the middle of the jam, the “Tweezer” riff returned – only this time it swung. All four members of the band proceed to play with the feel of the groove, alternating between swung and straight, independent of what the other musicians are doing yet still being fully locked in. The result was a unique “Tweezer” jam that has become one of my favorite go-to tracks this year. Almost better than the “Tweezer” was the dark “Oblivion” that it seamlessly segued into.

Phish came out swinging on the second night of Alpharetta with a stellar rendition of “Runaway Jim.” This “Jim” was especially noteworthy as it was one of the few times all tour that the opening tune was properly jammed. This set the tone for a fun exploratory first set, which among other gems, also featured a spectacular “Set Your Soul Free.”

Similar to my previous two entries on this list (Syracuse and The Greek), Alpharetta night two also enjoyed a fantastic second set two-slot “Tweezer” that clocked in just over 29 minutes. This version of the classic jam vehicle was built from the ground up and gave us yet another fresh take on a “Tweezer” jam. It would ultimately sandwich a rather tasty “Golden Age” into “I Always Wanted It That Way” combo that appropriately featured the chairman, keyboardist Page McConnell.

The Derek Trucks sit-in from this night may very well go down as the best sit-in in band history… At least in a very long time.

A combination of great song selection, Derek’s insane talent, and a full commitment from everyone in the makeshift ensemble rewarded the audience with a truly exceptional experience.

Kicking off the show with “Ghost” let us all know that we were in for a special night. Pretty much the entire first set hit perfectly, but my personal favorite was the mid-set “Timber (Jerry the Mule)” that paid homage to Jerry Garcia’s birthday. As is often the case with Timber, the band was instantly locked in with drummer Jon Fishman’s high-energy tom groove, which led to some driving up-tempo jams.

Much like the first set, the second set got started with the longest jam of the respective set in the form of a sublime “Sample.” This was followed by a satisfying “Kill Devil Falls” and a Summer 2023 MVP candidate, “Golden Age.”

“Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley” into “Twist” brought back the funk and “You Enjoy Myself” was the perfect closer. “Wilson” went funk then hard rock celebration before a powerful “Character Zero” brought the night to a dynamite conclusion.

The highlight of the Fall Tour, and nearly of the year, Chicago night one had no shortage of great jams. The Friday the 13th show kicked off with the band entering the stage to the Bulls’ intro music which led to a solid spooky “Carini.” After a few more staples, we were treated to a masterful “Ghost” which was taken out for a walk – albeit a shorter stroll. Overall, outside of an awkward “Albuquerque” and a faintly flubbed “Foam,” this first set was locked in.

As strong as the first set was, it was the second set that brought real re-listenability to this show. The set opened with a classic version of “Sand” filled with late-1990s loops accompanied by bleeps and bloops. Though not my favorite “Tweezer” of 2023, this particular version was still exceptional with its triumphant blissed climax, which led into a crazy “Crosseyed & Painless,” which fully delivered over its entire length. The second set wrapped in spectacular form with a “Harry Hood” into “Talk” back into “Hood” sequence that still brings a smile to my face.

I would also like to give a quick shout-out to the “Izabella” encore which served as the perfect conclusion to an outstanding show.

Unlike the rest of the shows on this list, the second night at the Hollywood Bowl did not earn its spot with a handful of extra-long type two jams (although the second set “Chalk Dust Torture” did get there); rather, it was a consistently well-executed show with a fantastic setlist that continued to deliver throughout the night.

In a show with no lowlights, the highlights included a fantastic “Split Open and Melt”, a monster “Chalk Dust,” and a super funky “Sneakin’ Sally.”

In my humble opinion, the “Mike’s Song” into “Sand” into “Crosseyed” may be the best 50 minutes of Phish experienced in 2023, and on its own would make the penultimate night of the MSG run a contender for top show. Luckily for all of us, this night also featured Jam Chart versions of “46 Days,” “Birds of a Feather,” and “Halley’s Comet.”

Beyond just the jamming, this show also featured a respectable ‘95 vintage, a great bust out in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and some pretty fun antics with the “Weekapaug” encore completing “Mike’s Groove.”

It was a great show top to bottom, and for the time being it is my favorite of 2023. Hopefully, this upcoming NYE run will prove to be even better.