Phish Surprises Fans With Rare Cover Songs

Phish fans have come to expect the unexpected from their beloved Vermont foursome, and Saturday night, the packed crowd at Wisconsin's Alpine Valley Music Theater received a pair of truly rare treats.

Walking onstage around 9 p.m. (EDT), the funky bunch, led by a smiling Trey Anastasio, broke into a rapid-fire version of Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On," a first for Phish. Many in the audience danced and sang along in amazement, but little did they know that song wouldn't be the final surprise of the night.

After playing two full sets of favorites like "Mike's Song," "Esther," "Tweezer," "Wilson," "Fluffhead" and "Chalkdust Torture," Phish re-emerged for a well-deserved encore. Once again tossing the eager crowd a bone, Mike Gordon threw his bass into overdrive as fans recognized the familiar licks of Jane's Addiction's "Been Caught Stealing," another Phish first.

In addition, JAMTV and the Rolling Stone Network brought the show to Phish fans worldwide through the only live webcast on this tour. More than 20,000 fans logged on from as close as Chicago and as far away as Australia and France to catch three hours of streaming audio and video.

Phish is currently in the middle of its annual summer tour, which will conclude with a two-day free-for-all at the Lemonwheel on Aug. 15 and 16 in Limestone, Maine. The band also just announced dates for its fall tour. That run will begin on Oct. 29 in Los Angeles and will include a two-night Halloween fiesta at the Thomas & Mack center in Las Vegas and a three-night stint at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago Nov. 7-9. For complete fall tour dates and mail order information, head to the official Phish website.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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