Phish kicked off their spring tour in Seattle on Friday, April 18, and concluded in San Francisco on Wednesday, April 23, showcasing their exceptional ability to keep each performance unique and thrilling.
Over the course of five shows at three distinct venues, the band managed an impressive feat: performing 88 different songs without a single repeat, totaling around 15 hours of music.
This remarkable diversity in setlists is a testament to Phish’s expansive concert repertoire, which continues to captivate fans—fondly known as Phans.
It’s this extensive range and their improvisational skills that make attending multiple Phish shows such an alluring experience, as no two performances are ever the same.
After delving into more recent material in the earlier nights of the tour, Phish delighted fans with a nostalgic set filled with beloved classics during the sold-out night at the Bill Graham Civic Center.
Despite the term “greatest hits” typically denoting songs with significant sales or radio play, for Phish, it refers to fan-favorite tracks from their earlier albums, primarily those preceding the year 2000’s “Farmhouse.”
Coinciding with their recent nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Phish’s performance was met with excitement right from the start.
Taking the stage just after 8 p.m., the band opened with a sparkling 12-minute rendition of “Simple,” which quickly transitioned into an energetic “Punch You in the Eye.”
This was followed by a funk-infused “Gumbo” and a sprawling “Reba,” displaying an impressive blend of musical prowess and improvisation.
The synchronized dance moves of Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio during “Punch You In the Eye” added a visual flair, while the collective effort of all band members resulted in an explorative and expansive jam for “Gumbo.”
Anastasio showcased breathtaking guitar work in the nearly 14-minute version of “Reba,” expertly concluded with the song’s signature whistle jam.
These four tracks alone stretched close to 50 minutes, setting the tone for an incredible night ahead.
After a brief pause for the newer song “The Well” from their latest album “Evolve,” the first set closed powerfully with a dynamic double feature, “David Bowie” and “Character Zero.”
With a 35-minute intermission, Phish returned refreshed and ready for the second set, which ignited with the familiar sounds of “Sample In the Jar.”
Following this opener, the legendary “Tweezer” had the crowd buzzing, with fans anticipating the always-cherished “Tweezer Reprise” during the encore.
However, the original “Tweezer” itself was nothing short of spectacular, featuring some of the night’s most thrilling jamming and clocking in at over 30 minutes.
The performance included a thrilling cover of Talking Heads’ “Crosseyed and Painless,” sandwiched between the Anastasio solo piece “Lonely Trip” and “Pillow Jets,” pulling the audience into a trance before launching into the climactic “You Enjoy Myself” for the set’s finale.
As the show wrapped up, Phish delivered a concise two-song encore that showcased contrasting styles.
Despite fan hopes for “Tweezer Reprise,” the encore began with the beautifully mesmerizing “Velvet Sea,” transitioning to a high-energy closer with “First Tube,” leaving the audience ecstatic.
Setlist:
1. “Simple”
2. “Punch You in the Eye”
3. “Gumbo”
4. “Reba”
5. “The Well”
6. “David Bowie”
7. “Character Zero”
Set 2:
8. “Sample in a Jar”
9. “Tweezer”
10. “Lonely Trip”
11. “Crosseyed and Painless”
12. “Pillow Jets”
13. “You Enjoy Myself”
Encore:
14. “Wading in the Velvet Sea”
15. “First Tube”
image source from：https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/04/24/review-phish-accomplishes-something-so-impressive-in-san-francisco/
