Phish brought the jam session to a soaking wet, rain-delayed crowd at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan.
It was just the second Midwest stop of the jam band’s summer tour, and the excitement among the group’s famously diehard fans was obvious as they tailgated outside the classic Detroit area venue. Even when a heavy band of thunderstorms delayed the start show by two hours, fans still remained in high spirits knowing that Phish has often rewarded their crowds with extra special jam sessions when the weather tries to rain on the parade.
Lead vocalist Trey Anastasio opened the night with “I Never Needed You Like This Before,” a newer song off his 2020 solo album Lonely Trip. It was an inventive yet relatively straightforward performance of the classic rock-styled tune that transitioned into “Everything’s Right” from Phish’s 2020 Sigma Oasis studio album. The song carries an uplifting message that helped many fans get through the worst of the COVID pandemic. Tonight, it may have been used to assure them that a few storms would not put a damper on the party. Considering the sheer number of people dancing joyously on the lawn of the amphitheater, it certainly did not.
Bassist Mike Gordon led the group down a funky and winding road throughout the more than 15-minute jam session of a song, which was the longest of the night. The band had really started to hit a groove when Trey moved his fellow members into an extended version of “Kill Devil Falls.” Just as the group started to slow the pace, they then quickly picked it back up again with a funky rendition of “Camel Walk.”
Up next, they moved into “Stash.” Despite the song being a longtime favorite of the group, they somehow continue to find new ways to keep it fresh. Drummer Jon Fishman, wearing his trademark dress, provided the structure as keyboardist Page McConnell and guitarist Anastasio worked together to stack peak upon peak into the song.
The group then dug into their 90s catalog starting with their shortest two songs of the night, “Bouncing Around the Room” followed by “My Friend, My Friend.” Fans were then offered up another classic in “David Bowie.” While this was not the extremely stretched-out version like the group usually does, it was still deliciously jammy.
The set ended with another Anastasio solo project song in “Drift While You’re Sleeping” from his 2019 Ghosts in the Forest album. Trey closed out the set by handing his pick to 9-year-old girl Jovi who he had called on stage to sing “Bug” with him at his solo Grand Rapids concert back in June.
It was a hint for things to come as Phish launched into “Bug” once again to start the encore, with the crowd joining the group in raising their fists in the air during the chorus. The rain had finally tapered off when the band capped off the evening with the bluesy jam “Possum,” proving that a little inclement weather can’t get in the way of a good time when there are positive vibes and great music to be had.
PHISHWebsite Facebook Twitter
