Phish
DCU Center, Worcester, MA
6/8/12

Phish brought a barn burner to DCU on night two of their opening pair of indoor summer shows in Worcester. The show boasted a number of notable highlights in both sets, and saw Trey really come into proper form; by the second set last night he was hitting notes with vision, directing jams and laying extra flourishes all over the place. The energy was infectious and it was hot (and crowded) in there.

The band reprised their 2011 New Year’s run opener with a fine “Free,” and then “Kill Devils Falls” to warm up. A big, emotional “Roses are Free” followed, which some speculated was played given Ween’s recently breakup. This version of the song had a lot of energy from the get-go given this implied nod, and it carried over almost out of necessity into a gorgeous jam – the first time in ages they’d taken outside the gates, so-to-speak. “Roses” has a history in that room; not ony was it played recently during the 2010 New year’s run, but it was also given experimental treatment during the fall 1998 tour closer on 11/29/98.

A first set jam of that nature is always a good sign (especially in a song that hasn’t yielded a proper jam in some time), and they continued to deliver with a blistering “Maze,” “Bathtub Gin” combo to close the set. Page had a fabulous show in all respects and this “Maze” is a great showcase of that (Trey yelled “Leo!” more than once on this night). “Maze” also has some history in Worcester, having appeared with first-set fervor on 11/28/97, 11/29/98 and 2/26/03, and this one didn’t disappoint in the slightest.

“Maze” could have easily ended the set but instead Phish doubled down and brought out “Bathtub Gin.” This vintage version started slow and chunky, almost “Ghost” -like, and had a patient build to the frenzied rock climax that managed to hold onto just enough of its funky groove. In fact the boogying grooves Trey seemed to find the previous night in the “Ghost” > “Boogie” echoed throughout much of last night’s show. Using a cross between Hendrix machine gun riffs and quick funk jabs, he seemed intent on making the rock show a bit more slick and dance friendly.

Set two opened with what’s become their go-to second-half starter: “Down with Disease.” This one mirrored the previous night’s “Ghost” in its different-ideas-on-the-funky-dartboard manner, hitting some nice highs, and even going into “Twist” -like territory before settling down and yielding to “Sand.” Arguably the show’s highlight (in one that boasted many), this “Sand” went outside its usual domain quickly, and found it’s way into a disco-ish funk groove that Mike and Fish devoured. Trey by this point was starting to hit some pretty hot notes and bringing great ideas to the table without crowding the rest of the band. Sexy, slick stuff that should instantly put this version among the top versions of “Sand” ever played, despite it being somewhat on the short side. The quick two-hit funk riffs made for an easy launch pad or a seamless segue into bluegrass number “Nellie Kane.”

The late set “Mike’s Groove” was no slouch either, again featuring ferocious 1993-style Trey-led energy and vision – a short but slamming “Mike’s” that deserves your attention. Trey even took the liberty of showing off a little confidence and creativity toward the end of “Makisupa Policeman” with some really tasteful and agile high notes; indeed fans of his delicate and dexterous playing of the mid-‘90s should really hear this whole set. As if a nicer than usual “Weekapaug Groove” weren’t enough, the initially laid back and patient “2001” saw even more excursion from the norm, hinting at both the funky “Sand” jam and the fiery “Mike’s Groove” in its second half that had the whole room getting down.

The band loves closing with “Character Zero,” and you couldn’t fault them with much on this night (including breather-ballad “Velvet Sea” ), even if their game at times is a bit easier to call than it once was. It was fitting then that they christened the encore with “The Oh Kee Pah Ceremony,” classically pairing with it “Suzy Greenberg.” They made for a nice contrast; the former tight and concise, the latter loose, loud, and a just a little bit sloppy, like any good “Suzy” should be after a night of that much fun.

Phish certainly came to play for keeps last night. They seem busted-out and ready to hit the open air. Next stop, Bonnaroo.