Live in Chicago
FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
July 18-20, 2014
By Elliot Fisher:
Phish’s three night run at Chicago’s Northerly Island proved that the band has evolved throughout the tour. While some people complained of a lack of deep exploration and solos throughout the second sets, I witnessed a different Phish than I experienced in New York. All four were very high energy and very excited to be in Chicago and with this excitement they all worked very well together to bring a different sound than at Randall’s.
Friday night highlights included a “555” opener (a good sign for the Fuego lovers), “Reba” in the first set and first set closer “Squirming Coil.” In this particular version Mike made Trey laugh when he gave out some ultra high-pitched notes in the chorus, but all laughter aside, it concluded when Page wooed the crowd with an emotional piano solo as the other three members quietly left the stage. Second set highlights included the first “Mango Song” of the tour, “Piper” > “Halley’s Comet” and a remarkable “Wombat.” Fishman laid a steady methodical beat, which allowed the others to slow the song down into a Type 2 jam. As the “Wombat” slows, and the groove deepens with all four members contributing equally and off each other, Mike drops a bomb as the Chicago skyline seems to stop to witness this first ever work with the song. Just as they begin to hypnotize, in addition to some great light work by Kuroda, Trey ups the tempo and takes the song in a different direction. The near 12-minute version produced Friday night is a definite must hear. In addition to the “Wombat” highlight, Friday July 18th was also long time Phish artist Jim Pollock’s 50th birthday.
A buzz surrounded Saturday’s show and as “Wingsuit” began in the first set, coinciding with a pink sunset to the west over the skyline (“Paint the Sky…”), we were about to get an incendiarynight of music ahead. “Wingsuit” in particular is a song of epic proportions because of its slow and gradual buildup. A powerful “Free” and meditative “Roggae” were also exceptional. “Run Like an Antelope” closed the first set as Fishman provided the additional lyrics of “Istanbul Not Constantinople.” A monstrous “Carini” opened the second set and joined an incredible “Fuego.” This second set was great as more combined jamming was installed instead of simply relying on Trey’s guitar work. “Twist” and the very rewarding “Harry Hood” included very pleasing and surprising “Fuego” teases – almost as if Trey was adding fire to the two songs. The delightful three song encore included “Grind,” tour debut of “Bug” and a powerful “Suzy Greenburg.” The second night in Chicago saw yet another powerful “Fuego”. While some complain that the song has been overplayed, it is still a song that has taken a new life of its own this tour, and I mean that in a good way.
Sunday’s show included the rare “Tela” and to summarize the togetherness of the band throughout the weekend, all members accompanied Fishman on the drums during “Scent of a Mule.” The delightful second set included some great transitions and a remarkable 14-minute “Wedge” that further solidifies the bands combined improvisational work. “Mikes>Ghost>Wedge>Weekapaug” with an enjoyable “Ghost” tease kept the second set rolling. Sunday’s show second set is a highlight of the entire weekend as the band played great versions of all the songs, but be sure to listen to the astounding, methodical, and almost meditative groove in Chicago’s “Wedge.”
Phish approached Chicago with a more group focus as seen in “Wombat” and “The Wedge” in particular as well as the physical demonstration during “Scent of a Mule.” Be sure to listen to these, but the entire run deserves at least one full listen as well. Until Charlotte, enjoy the music!
The songs that stand out the most to me are the ones where all four members are tightly interwoven in improvisation. Trey did not steal the show with a particular solo, nor did a song exceed 25 minutes, but combined together they did prove that they can still create music differently and with a different style than before.