The undeniably talented Vermont jazz rock quartet Phish played with heart in San Francisco's legendary Golden Gate Park as headliner of the Outside Lands music festival. Mr. Anastasio reminds us he's different by explaining (as we all knew) that Phish would play two sets -- but only Mound, Steam, Hydrogen, and Life on Mars were new to this six-show west coast swing. Phish has been absent from The City since the '90's, so at least give them credit to be brave enough to plug-into the home turf of Bob and Jerry -- and do it justice 44 years later. Summer of love indeed.
At the Gorge, we suggested Phish's management was writing the setlists as a profit deal. Do Phish's turn-key appearances at Bonaroo and Outside Lands demand sets not just pre-programmed, but likely RLM focus-grouped? Small price to pay for the awe-inspring fog-cooled historic sylvan escape of Phish at the Golden Gate Park polo grounds-- with main-stage VIP cabanas if you wanted one. Phish achieved its management's goal in spades: e.g. one newcomer couple with a combined age over 100 from 3 blocks away (lured in part by Thursday's soundcheck) is certain to be seen at future shows. Just one example from the sea of impressed normal people at the show.
Trey wore his generallissimo jacket; Fish had a hoodie under the mumu; Dr. McConnell was sporting specs; and Mike had the fully dressed look of a son with a concerned mother.
We respect Phish customarily shunning video, so maybe Page has always worn glasses, or maybe Mike has always worn a wedding band and we just never noticed? But these two were the clearly-pixillated MVP's of the night: Page communicating with the numerous music majors on the field, and Mike holding the show together with the heavy steady slap.
Set I:
Kill Devil Falls -- Even Bob and Jerry had runs of predictable openers.
Wilson -- So much for the people comparing MGMT to Phish.
Funky Bitch -- Each tune draws another 2% of the field into dancing.
Moma Dance -- Have you seen these back-to-back before? Maybe an East Bay/Jerry Brown shout out.
Peaches en Regalia -- Another 2% are aroused and the show is on track with the computer modeling, continually re-programmed in real-time via rfid. Like with Bloomsday, Outside Lands knows where you are when (plus your pulse.)
Sample in a Jar -- If you have seen a song too many times at a Phish show, it's your own fault.
Possum -- "Awesome?" asks the enthused newcomer. "No, Possum." "Oh, Possum, like road-kill?" "Yes, precisely, enjoy."
Tweezer -- Longer than you might expect. Another 2% of the field is impressed.
Mound -- Even at the Grateful Dead there were times to ask "Shouldn't I be returning some phone calls right now?"
Suzy Greenberg -- with "yah yah yah's." Another 2% in the creel.
Axilla -- "I turned to face the furry thugs..." Trey must notice the numerous (male and female) hipsters in bear and porcupine hats.
Mike's Song -- Mike keeps his cool while blowing away the polo grounds.
I am Hydrogen -- The one you missed from 8/6/10 at the Berkeley Greek Theater.
Weekapaug Groove -- You know its the closer.
Set II:
Rock and Roll -- Not the gorgeous version from 8/5/11, but a nice present for those who haven't verifiably wandered off.
Steam -- Phish uses special effects?
Piper -- Hyperkinetic
Roses are Free -- Plenty of lasagna for $15 a square.
Julius -- "I haven't decided..." Another 2% hooked.
Life on Mars -- Despite trying, neither Page nor Trey is David Bowie.
Birds of a Feather -- Yes you've seen it before, but you've also seen Two Versions of Me, so be grateful.
Fluffhead -- The magnificent forest canopy silhouette surrounding the polo grounds must have been the template for Russ Bennett's pink-topped trees (and opener hint) at the birth of Phish 3.0 in Hampton VA.
Backwards Down the Number Line -- Like Time Turns Elastic, you just have to wait.
2001 -- If you thought Tahoe's 2001 would spoil the chance for this obvious Outside Lands' pick, you were incorrect. Another 2% on board.
Chalkdust Torture -- Ms. Anastasio is having fun and not just because he's on camera.
E:
Cavern -- "Whatever you do take care of your shoes."
Tweezer Reprise -- "Are they playing this because it's so cold (here in the San Francisco Fogust)?" "Maybe..."
The 10pm-on-the-dot curfew was honored and at least some of the departing Phishheads were seen respecting the neighboring Richmond District. But it seems doubtful Phish will be back to The City anytime soon, so 8/12/11 was a treat in the magnificent 1000 acres of the "outside lands" of 150 year old Golden Gate Park. Like its (free) cousin Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the Outside Lands festival has its eco-heart in the right place, but don't forget, not all San Francisco stereotypes are true:
See you in Colorado!