Phish Comes Home To Bonnaroo

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Phish might technically be a Bonnaroo rookie, but the band's first performance at the Tennessee music festival had the feeling of a homecoming.

Phish performed a highly anticipated 3-hour set Friday night, playing until the early morning hours. The Vermont-based band, which reunited earlier this year after a five-year hiatus, is a double headliner, also performing Sunday evening.

"I'm so incredibly happy to be here," said singer and guitarist Trey Anastasio, beaming in front of the giant crowd.

All of the members of Phish _ Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman and Page McConnell _ have previously played Bonnaroo. In fact, festivals in 2007 and 2008 were the only times in Bonnaroo's eight years that a member from Phish didn't play.

Further, Bonnaroo _ held annually on a remote country farm about an hour's drive from Nashville _ was in many ways modeled on the destination concerts Phish has hosted through the years in locales like an old airstrip in Maine.

"To have them finally appearing at the festival as Phish, it feels like something's come full circle," said Ashley Capps, the co-founder of Bonnaroo and president of AC Entertainment _ which produces the festival with Superfly Productions.

Phish fans, among the most ardent in music, have come out in droves to see the band at Bonnaroo, considerably boosting the festival's attendance. Figures for the festival have not yet been announced.

The crowd was immediately cheered with the band's opener: the rocking fan-favorite "Chalkdust Torture." Across nearly three hours, Phish performed a number of their classic, multipart jams, including "Harry Hood," Divided Sky" and "You Enjoy Myself" _ which included a sideways trek to their song "Wilson." They encored with their frequently played Beatles cover of "A Day in the Life."

Phish's performance Friday capped the festival's jam-packed first full day. The lineup included Al Green, Beastie Boys, David Byrne, Santigold, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Lucinda Williams and Ani DiFranco.

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On the Net:

http://www.bonnaroo.com

Comments

[Hrothgar121]

Phish was phenomenal. I'm a noob as far as phish goes( was my first, and second, time seeing them). In my opinion, the only band Ive seen live that comes close is Radiohead. They were phenomenal, it was great to have them on the farm, and it was a BLAST. Trey is a monster on guitar, and the vibe was beautiful.

[faretheewell]

Phish. Great jam band. Lousy lyrics. It would have been fun, but Bonaroo is trying to be everything to everyone. All Good is a better choice for me.

[CtheB]

Check out D.S.O. if you have the chance...

[NHBill]

I have been fortunate enough to attend some of the greatest rock concerts in history.
But I have learned that people's eyes glaze over when you try to talk about it.
What's the point.
You were there I wasn't.
Music does not translate to verbal communication very well.

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Phish should just do a 120 minute version of You Enjoy Yourself, and go home!

Phish is cool, but they have very little in common with the Grateful Dead musically other than both bands like extended jamming.

Phish is more like prog rock and Zappa.

The Dead has more folk, blues, and country elements in their music. Personally, I like the Dead's studio efforts better than the live stuff. Their lyrics were better than Phish's as well.

[Hrothgar121]

if you like the (grateful) dead in studio better than in concert, i feel like yo completely miss the point of the band...

[sheilaofmiami]

Wannee was wet too. Glad I am home and dry. Phish is great, wish I was young again.

[Paw1]

How does that bumper sticker go again?...

Jerry's dead
Phish sucks
Get a job

[imagine21]

Amen

[3dtrix]

I've got a better bumper sticker - Nobody Cares What You Think...

[gifu]

What jobs?

[stepper]

That's right. Now go and buy a Jonas Brothers CD. If a band isn't popular today they never mattered.

[wwja]

Yawn.