@nichobert said:

"They're 50 yr. old men improvising and musically communicating at a depth that essentially seemed impossible for them for over a decade. Don't get too angry if it takes a lot out of them..."

You know I agree with the sentiment and I understand your deeper point, but c'mon, I'm the same age as those guys and I work a full time job and run business and raise a family and I'm tired most of the time and my body hurts and I still am expected to go at it every day and perform with excellence regardless, for a lot less money and glory. Let's not go overboard with superlatives and excuses.

With the amount of time they have off and the resources at their disposal, they have no excuse if they're not "fresh" for every show. After a run of six or seven straight shows I can understand an off-night, but an off "weekend", when they had three weeks off previous? I don't buy the age thing at all. It's irrelevant. They just came out flat. Has nothing to do with age and a lot to do with human nature and our built up expectations for them, as well as their expectations for themselves.

But make no mistake.....they choose their own tour schedule. They pick the venues, to a large degree, book the dates and agree to the agenda. We have every reason to expect, under those circumstances, and within reason, that each show is going to be excellent. I've never been to or heard a show I didn't like because I love Phish, but I'm not apologetic about criticizing them on this forum if I think they fall short of the mark. I've long since gone past the point of wondering if they care about us or if they care about the music. They don't have to play another show ever and they'll be fine and I'll be fine. It's all gravy now.

Just don't tell me that you can't be on your game every single day just because you're middle aged. A lot of are in real trouble if that's the case.