I don't think I'd go as far as to say this show would clear 4.2 stars in the 90s, but this was definitely a strong first show for the band's 40th year. Tunes were well-rehearsed, a few really nice jams, song selection was popular, and for the love of god you could hear Mike! That said, I think the fellas are just setting their toes in the sand with this one, as they typically do with these Mexico welcome sets. Excited to see what else we get this weekend.

Hood opener always bodes well. Fishman crushes throughout, and Mike works some beautiful descending reharmonizations in the early jam. Moma intro jam is especially funky; the band sounds really tight and warmed up (especially Fish, again). I was a bit disappointed with the ripcord to MFMF since the BOTT jam sounded like it really could've gone somewhere. Nevertheless, the couple minutes of quiet serene jamming they hit at the end is a moment of beauty to be enjoyed. Sand is the first big highlight of the night, catching stride in a pleasant, breezy jam with some YPC teasing from Trey (not even sure if it's a tease anymore because he seems to work this chord progression into many jams these days). Probably not on purpose, but at 10:00, Trey starts a lick that sounds a lot like the one that makes up much of the wonderful DwD from the first Mexico run (1/17/16). Sample and Ya Mar are great happy beach tunes, as is Roggae, which gets an especially pretty and serene jam. Fishman ditches the swing for a straight-on groove for a nice unique moment in there. Page and Trey really crush on Cars Trucks Buses. Blaze On is the big jam of the night, beginning with a cool descending (but not MLB) pattern and featuring some cool Page synth work. The back half is a majestic celebratory jam. Sounds an awful lot like they're heading into Piper, but instead Trey brings out Twist (still a nice segue). Twist gets a star from me: sleazy quiet intro and a very pretty, laidback jam. Fishman works some excellent ride work in there, and Mike dials in a tone that sounds an awful like the Gorge 2011 Rock and Roll jam (again, thank god they mixed Mike in). The jam builds up a bit to a dark space and Trey thinks for a bit to head back to Twist before extending his solo a bit longer. Page retains the minor feel. Excellent short jam. Bouncing is noteworthy for being (up until this point) the most frequently played Phish song yet to make a Mexico appearance, and the Free jam isn't exactly standard. We get some new effects from Trey with a pitch-shift/delay combo; Mike sounds great and Trey's solo is wonderfully dramatic. 46 Days encore gets a fantastic peak to the jam.

Highlights: Sand, Cars Trucks Buses, Blaze On, Twist