Countdown to Phish: Day 4

OK everybody, this is really happening. We are in for the ride of our lives. The word excitement barely begins to describe the way I feel right now. Have I said that before? More than a few times, I know!

So let's discuss the topic of Phish and Excitement for a moment here. I've loved Phish for more than half my life. Looking back, I remember feeling over-the-moon excited for almost every show. Of course a few stick out as major peaks on my excitement-scale, such as Big Cypress and the last time they came back and played after a long hiatus at Madison Square Garden on New Years Eve in 2002. That was a night alright. Take the energy of NYC, factor in the buzz of New Year's Eve, the proximity to Times Square, and especially the fact that Phish hadn't played a show in 2+ years.

Back then there were significantly fewer pacifiers to tide us through the dryspell: no YouTube, fewer shows on DVD, no Live Phish releases. Did we even have iPods? Those were tough times. Kind of like the Great Depression (just kidding!). I remember my brothers and I just plain aching for their return. We'd listen to the archives, reminisce on elated memories, and dream for the day that Phish would play again. We'd get teases here and there from the side projects and have great times at other concerts, but it was never quite the same.

During the first hiatus, and the one that's about to end, I've thirsted and craved for that irreplaceable rush I feel when those lights first go down. At that moment, I know that for the next 4 hours I'm on a ride, a real adventure. There is nothing else to worry about -- the outside world may as well not even exist. From that moment on, all there is to do is focus on the music and let it rock you. Dance and move and jump and soar. Surrender. Explode. Fall in love. Cry. It's OK. You are part of a happening, a time-out-of-time, moving to the music with amazing people who are there for the same reason. Phish shows are journeys. Every single one is different. I love that.

So finally, we were sitting Page-side in 2002, the lights went down, and that was VERY VERY exciting. The cheering in that building could have been measured on the Richter Scale. We're talking SERIOUS EXCITEMENT people. One hell of a night.

So now it's been almost 5 years since Coventry. What are we in store for on Friday in terms of Phish and Excitement? Well, take in a few of the factors from that post-hiatus experience, add about 3 more years of no live Phish, and throw in the loaded question: "will they ever play again?" which was never even a consideration back in the early 00's. Add in the band's new intention of sobriety, some well-loved & re-visited audio components from the old days like Trey's Ross Compressor pedal & cabinets, and all the fresh new hope for Phish 3.0.

It's gigantic. Phish is ready to play again. This is not gonna be a nostalgia act. This is not a hyped-up reunion for the media. This is not about ego. Phish is bringing out their redemption songs. Beginning a new chapter. Reversing regrets, taking risks, paving fresh territory for the future. Each member has grown tremendously on their own and has new chops to bring to the table. The band we see on stage in four days will be a band that we know and love so dearly. But this band will also be different. Their music will sound effortless yet intentional, triumphant yet humble, evolved yet open to fresh starts. Phish 3.0 is so relevant to our time right here, right now on the planet; politically, spiritually, technologically. Hope. Change. New Beginnings. Sound familiar? Coincidence? Absolutely not. Phish, we are ready for you. Let Us Rock.

These pictures were taken this morning by bailedwiththehay. He drove by the Coliseum in time to catch the trucks pulling up for the load-in...nice one!