Phish 8.29.24

Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Commerce City, CO

Words & photos by Nicholas Stock

Phish played like it mattered this summer while simultaneously reinventing the pastiche of "FOMO" one show at a time. This summer has been nothing short of historic when it comes to the massive jams, musical output and the way in which Phish is approaching their sets. With the release of their new album Evolve, the boys from Vermont have fresh fuel in the tank. This tour we’ve witnessed the interweaving old and new in a jam jambalaya that has been above and beyond expectations. Their summer consisted of only multi-night runs primarily bouncing around the Midwest. They wrapped up Mondegreen, their first festival in nine years, in Delaware before closing out the summer with four nights at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park!

Dick’s has become a tradition. With 42 shows at the now famed soccer arena, only three venues have been played at more: The Front, Nectar’s and MSG. It’s kind of crazy to think about, but Dick’s has arrived. First nights at Dick’s include the famous “S” Show and the “Fuck Your Face” Show, but recent years have lacked the dazzle. This time they come out swinging with an extended version of the Talking Heads’ “Cities.” They wasted no time as Mike began punching his bass violently meaning only one thing, “Down With Disease.” I was in Phish’s photo pit for the first time since 2017 and let’s just say it went quick. “Ether Edge” was our first “new” tune of the weekend although it seems to be getting a fair bit of rotation lately. For me the new song is not about the words so much as what they do with it musically. In this case it was a good stretch and they are beginning to push the potential of this tune. “Llama” on the other hand was far too short for my liking.

Phish kept the night rocking with a powerful “Theme From The Bottom” that featured some amazing finger work from Page. Gordo got his shot on a quick “Sugar Shack.” This one has fallen off the setlists recently, so it was a nice touch on Thursday. The lights raised and lowered giving the band a massive backdrop that at times transformed into a tight ceiling. It was simply mesmerizing to watch. The bouncy “Ocelot” made an appearance before the “Golgi Apparatus” shook the rafters. Again this is a band with just shy of 400 original songs and more covers than you can shake a stick at. With relative ease they can play any of those 800+ tunes meaning that the setlists have continued to become more and more varied over the years. This night was no exception. They closed the first set of the run with a very tasty “Blaze On.”

The first set felt like we were just backing out of the driveway. Set two was all gas and no brakes. The lights faded quickly before Phish ripped into a chunky “Ghost.” They’ve been pushing the Type II jams further and harder this summer with some stellar results. Six of the longest twenty plus minute jams this year happened at Dick’s. “A Wave of Hope” was a nice segue into a huge “Sigma Oasis.” “Pillow Jets” was a beautiful second set peak for the fans. The jam was smooth until a darkness crept in. That darkness was “2001.” They closed with an amazing “Harry Hood.” They kept the jam alive by pushing towards a massive crescendo to end it. The band returned to encore with a quick but appropriate “S.A.N.T.O.S.”

Just when you think you know this band and what they have to offer they flip the script. The last few years on tour have felt like Phish was just playing Phish. This year they truly shook off the dust and blew minds nationwide. Their summer tour in 2024 will go down as a high point and a wonderful era of musical creativity for the boys from Vermont. The concert industry has suffered low sales across the board this summer. Phish has not been immune, but they’ve done their level best to push the envelope and draw in the crowds. In doing so, they’ve turned yet another page in their illustrious career. With no upcoming tours and just Mexico 2025 on the books, it is unclear when we will see Phish next. What is clear is that when the time comes, Phish will be more than ready to melt faces.

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Set One: Cities > Down with Disease, Ether Edge > Llama, Theme From the Bottom, Sugar Shack, Ocelot, Golgi Apparatus > Blaze On

Set Two: Ghost, A Wave of Hope > Sigma Oasis, Pillow Jets > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Harry

Hood

Encore: Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

Phish 2024-08-29 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO