This show is another example of the poor playing that has been the hallmark of this tour so far. Another setlist that looks like big fun on paper, yet doesn't translate to the music itself. I agree with the majority of the posters on here when they say that something feels off about the band this summer. I also agree that it probably isn't internal strife. As someone else points out on here, bands with chemistry issues don't churn out new material at the rate this band has been. I have come to accept (and Trey has touched on this point numerous times in interviews) that bands of this nature need to be playing together constantly in order to maintain the type of quality playing for which Phish is famous. The extended breaks they've been taking make this difficult to say the least, and at their age I don't see it changing. The days of 2-3 major tours every year are over, for better or worse. I'm not angry about the lackluster performances, mind you, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.

What I am getting annoyed with are the posters throwing a temper tantrum every time a long time fan calls it like they see it. To suggest we don't have the right to critique a show as we see fit is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Whether your a newbie or a long time fan, if you went to these shows or simply listened to them at home and enjoyed them, well, more power to you. No-one is trying to convince you that you shouldn't be having fun at them or enjoying listening to them. It's just that some of us know that this particular band is capable of so much more than they're dishing out at the moment. I was lucky enough to be a teenager living in New England in the mid 90s when Phish was really picking up momentum. My first show? That epic Sugar bush '94. I was hooked after that, and attended probably 60-70% of the shows they played from 95-00. I realize that we will probably never see them return to that sort of form on any consistent basis, and I truly do try to appreciate each performance on its own merits, and not try to use those epic mid 90s shows as a bench mark. I can forgive a lack of improvisation on some nights. I get it. Inspiration strikes when it strikes. It's not gonna be magic every time. What I have a hard time with is the sloppy playing, and that's something I can't overlook. It's really lame to make vacation plans, buy tickets, book hotels, pay for flights and rental cars, only to see a band that struggles to play their composed material properly.
That said, if your looking for tight playing and mind blowing improvisation, I highly recommend Umphrey's McGee! They're always tight, the music is super complicated, and if Phish played a show these days that had as much T2 jamming as an average UM show does ppl would be losing their minds. Seriously. If your not hip to them, you need to get on it. They NEVER disappoint. It's just varying degrees of awesome. I'll always go to Phish show, and there is nothing quite like catching them on an inspired night. But when I wanna get down to business these days, I go right for the Umph, and never look back.