Diary of a Phish Newbie

Over the summer, I discovered the greatest band ever: Phish.

It has happened to me…I am officially a Phish-head, or whatever phans call themselves. My sister used to listen to Phish when we were in high school but I was pretty focused on Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos and Liz Phair, so back then, my response was probably something like, “Oh, hippie music. That’s cool,” before going back to listening to Exile in Guyville for the 500th time.

“A Live One” is the album I started with as I received a proper Phish education from a dear friend of mine. I quickly realized that I had previously dismissed an epic jam band that plays every genre of music that I love. Jazz, rock, blues and funk converge in sounds that simply make you smile nonstop. By the way – they jump on trampolines, coordinate dances and chase each other around onstage all while playing this amazing music.

As I started to explore the Phish catalog by downloading the band’s Live Phish app, I started diving into playlists from 1995 and beyond, discovering that every time a song is played, it’s completely changed and evolved. It is truly amazing how this band improvises during 20 minute long songs that you’d imagine were composed by a late great classical musician from some far off place and time. It also finally made sense to me why someone in their right mind could see this band 84 times – because it’s never the same show.

I was lucky to discover Phish right before their summer tour. I am completely obsessed after watching live webcasts from Merriweather in Maryland, Blossom in Cleveland, and their last show at Dick’s in Colorado. I became so used to listening to and downloading their nightly shows via the app, that now, I just cannot wait for them to announce their next tour! I need to experience Phish in person as soon as possible!

Here are my top 5 songs (they’re all tied for first and if I could add 20 more songs to a Top 5 I totally would) from the Phish Summer 2015 Tour:

It’s Ice – Aug. 7, Cuyahoga Falls, OH (Feel the funk!) Waste – Aug. 1, Atlanta, GA (My personal favorite. The sweetest song ever.) Weekapaug Groove – Aug. 4, Nashville, TN (The jam on this song is epic. You can’t not move to it.) Tweezer – Sept. 6, Commerce City, CO (I will never get sick of this song and I will listen to every version out there.) You Enjoy Myself – Aug. 16, Columbia, MD (This song is so multilayered it is mind blowing. It’s a real musical masterpiece that deserves your full attention from start to finish.)

Download the Live Phish app and check these bad boys out! You can browse by date and easily find my top five list.

If you are a music lover, you will love Phish if you give them a real chance and a real listen. I am looking forward to my first show and will report back when that dream comes true!