Musically speaking, this Exile set is right up there with some of their greatest performances ever. The set after Exile was excellent as well; For this band, the final 2 sets of the Halloween show was about as close to perfection as you can get for the 2009 incarnation of Phish!

Sharon Jones is incredible, she should be on the cover of RS!

Soul Survivor, Casino Boogie, Turd On the Run and Let It Loose, may not have been performed by the Stones in concert before.

And maybe it was a first for Phish.

But come on… I’m sure those songs have been performed in concert by plenty of other bands before. It’s a classic album that’s been around for about 37 years. I’m sure last night wasn’t the first!

AWESOME

Damn, I wish I was there. That’s probably my second favorite album of all time. Behind only the masterpiece Beggar’s Banquet

PHISH are fucking terrible I hope their idiot fans with bad taste enjoyed watching PHISH rip off a great band.

Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers are better.

Who’s Phish?

Erik- Please go somewhere else with your negative comments. So lame.

I don’t like things, especialy music. art sucks too, what is this fish that they are talking about? Good thing I never leave my house or speak to other humans. At least Im safe from learning and experiencing new things

The greatest live band ever lives on. PHISH!

I listened to some of the show on Sirius and thought they sounded like crap trying to cover the Stones. Nobody in this band can sing.

thanks thanks

Phish is sick, tore up Exile, had a ridiculous set.. the whole weekend was just pure nastyness and Phish is ridiculously awesome. Suck it, Erik.

Agreed. Phish is amazing. So glorious.

Yeah right phish is sick, totally beasted Exile, ridiculous set before and after.. Just an all around weekend of nastyness. Phish is amazing. Erik can suck it. Phish 09 W00000000000000000000! HATE ALL YOU WANT LOSERS, PHISH IS GREATNESS

PHISH PHISH PHISH PHISH!!!

Phish is Phish.
For the people who hate, I used to care and try to defend…cause let’s face it there’s a lot of you…but then I came to realize that it part of what makes it all so good…those of us who get it just get it! If you went to Indio, may be you’d get it too. But we’re not missing you at all!

The Finest in the Nation!

Phish is an American institution. I love them for the same reason I love the Grateful Dead and Kiss. It’s because its american culture at its finest. They might not sing well enough for you but they play their instruments on a level that few others can even see never mind attain. If I need ti explain any further you probably wouldn’t understand.

erik you must have alot going on in your life to take time out to read a article and write a comment about a band you hate.sad.
trey greatest guitarist alive

Who are Phish?

“PHISH are fucking terrible”

ty erik for my new sig pic ….ROFL

One of the things I love most about Phish is that after being one of the biggest touring acts for nearly two decades, people are still asking ‘who’s Phish?’…

Killer sets all around. I didnt get to go to this halloween show but I was lucky enough to see them play the white album and remain in light. If you habent heard of Phish then your probably into mainstream pop music or whatever but, I must say Phish is one of the most popular nonmainstream bands that dominates the live show experience hands down. If your curious about how popular they really are then do a google search anout the band and youll find some awesome live jam experinces such as Big Cypress, IT, Clifford ball, and The Great Went…….Whatever you do if your a hater go hate somewhere else because negativity just plain sucks man

i wish i was a stoner burnout so i could enjoy phish too.

I wish I were an ignorant, cynical d-bag so I could slag off on a band I know nothing about just to annoy others.

I’m not a stoner burnout and I love Phish! They are one of the all-time best American bands. 8 Magical Sets this weekend!! I hope they stay in it for the long-haul like Bruce and KISS.

Yes, “Let It Bleed” is a LOT better than “Exile…” and who in Phish supplied a young Jagger’s swagger, and Keith/Charlie’s groove?

Another fine performance from the world’s best cover band….

Steve P. just owned shane.

ROCK N ROLL PHISH

:wookdance:

Somebody needs to remove Erik’s comment. Not sure why anyone would bother to post such a negative comment. I guess not everyone is capable of enjoying music as an art form rather than a commodity.

the following days first ever acoustic set was amazing…. simply bliss

If I had kids, I would have left them for dead for this concert.

I too am not a stoner or burnout. Phish changed my life from the first show I ever saw at the Triad center in June 1994 in Salt Lake City, Seen them over 60 times in 16 different states. Just like Co. forbin said, those of you that put them down is the reason I love them even more. Just go listen to your typical radio bullshit and dont bother writing ridiculous comments. Trey, in my opinion is one of the best guitar players alive, Phishman has got to be one of the best drummers ever, Mike and Page are also 2 more of the best musicians alive. Keep on hating and us PHISH fans will just keep on loving!!!

BEST….BAND…EVER!

They have been the most killer act around for over 10 years. Improvisation is where you really see the talent of a band and these guys are just that..talent all the way around. Go back to your rap and one-dimensional hip hop groups. If you disagree with me then your obviously a gay fish

epic! wish i was there. i did get to go to the gorge shows though. epic!

PHISH is The Greatest Of All Time !

Mick being there would have been the only thing that could have saved it. It really was boring and uninspired.

What do you Haters listen to that is so cool you feel you can put down a Band like PHish. There are better acts out there I just doubt its whats on your IpoD.

I’M THE COOLEST PERSON IN THE WORLD, and I can vouch, Phish KICKS ASS.

no third comment necessary…

3 days
8 sets
98 songs
0 repeats
sounds like a stones tour minus the same 20 songs you hear every night

Not a fan of Phish at all (like the Dead or, say, Radiohead, I just don’t get it)but any band that takes the time and effort to perform Exile is ok in my book…

I’m a stoner burnout and love phish!

Phish is awesome. Festival 8 seemed like a blast. Wish I was there.

Erik sucks.

Phish covers the Rolling Stones = BORING…

When are all u wannabes going to finally call it a day with this senseless noise…

Phish fans are the equivalent of Dead Heads of the modern age:

they have no idea what they’re listening to since it’s “forced” psychedelia; they smoke pot before concerts so they can think the music is actually inspiring for their high; they can’t listen to anything else since they’re completely brainwashed…

learn some music appreciation, high school drop-outs…

Must have this bootleg…anyone know how to get it!!!???

it takes some brain power to appreciate phish for what it is, obviously JJGG had a lobotomy and only listens to lady gaga and tayor swift. I’m sorry the whole phish experience is over your head pal. Now go and listen to some of your kanye cds and stare at yourself in the mirror.

oh…and moron, lots of people smoke pot before concerts, not just phish, you toolbag.

and also…JJGG…most of us have MASTERS DEGREES, Doctorates, PHD’s ect. So take your high school diploma and choke on it fool.

This was the first Halloween concert I did not attend. I am bummed since I wanted to hear Exile at every one I attended. But I listened to the show this weekend with my 5 year old son and we both loved it.

I put Phish and Pearl Jam at a tie for best live performers going

erik and JJGG stop trashing the Phishheads, you will have more time on your hands to listen to your nickelback CDs.

u have no idea what ur talking about. so shut up. everyone smokes pot not just phish-dead heads and every concert (even gay ass country) has tons of pot smokers. i really wish i could hit ppl like u with my car!!! ur lucky this is the internet. go listin to ur gay ass shit that u call music same to u eric u tool

Joyful music … what’s not to like

I’ve never been on a Phish board without the generic hippie hating ignorant douchebags, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

All I can say is that I couldn’t be happier that any of you musically ignorant fudge monkeys were not present on the Polo fields this weekend with me to ruin my buzz. And no, I didn’t do any crazy drugs. MY buzz was from hearing about 16 hours of the most amazing music in the most perfect setting I could imagine, and what a beautiful buzz it was! Anyone that was on the field with me that day – you know exactly what I’m talking about! Had a great time with all of you! Until next time.

Oh, and Erik – enjoy the Creed show.

One thing about Phish heads is that they are so so sensitive when people rip on their favorite band.

All the people ripping on JJGG are just as big tools as that JJGG. Why even give him the time of day? Not everyone digs Phish, lyrically, musically, and b/c they’re so damn popular.

Those of us who get it know that Phish transcends music and there will NEVER be a band as legendary and innovative as Phish. For those who don’t get it, your loss… Enjoy Music.

I actually prefer acid or molly before the show.

Guilty for looking at some of these comments. This is why I cancelled my ’scrip to RS magazine. The “masses” think music comes from a fucking rockband vidio game.

Why does all the Phish sux stuff sound so much like…(you guessed it)…the Grateful Dead suck? If they weren’t so derivative of that scene, I’d probably like them more. Still, someone has to do it and they do have their moments…But…did you all know there are even other bands than Phish and the Dead? I know…I found out recently and was stunned. Good for Phish for trying to teach some of the younger phans about the origins of their musical culture…Oh yeah…that means they are a bitchn cover band!

P.S. Went to Asheville, Knoxville, St. Louis, and Chicago- those who were there know. There is no other touring band that brings the noise…AND the funk.

Haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love, Trey dont even want none of the above, cuz he will piss on you. He’ll pee on you he’ll piss on you, Mike will piss on you.

stop hateing on the music. dont make ppl like me say dont wast ur time hatin bc no 1 cares what ur bitch ass think!! the music of the dead and phish is what i look forward to in any part of the day, nothen like some Franklin’s Tower when making eggs. just so smooth

i wish it was just trey for the acc set not the whole band. thats just me thou, it was still good im just saying.

My comment on Phish, the GD, and Phish fans derives from extensive music listening, which, by the way, includes Phish music.

Judging by the heat I got from some no good being so defensive about this musical obsession of his, let me point out that one can not really criticize expression, so my opinion stretches mostly to Phish fans, I know quite a few of them.

I wouldn’t consider them music fans, they seem cult followers…the music is just an excuse.

…and by the way, this comment being directed towards the idiot who wants to run me over with his car…

I have a Masters in Performance, I play the guitar, I know a thing or two about music, don’t you think…?

I went to a Phish concert on Dec. 28, 1998, when probably most of you freaks were still shitting on the floor of your crib…

Personally, I find the music WAY overrated, and Phish fans are fake hippy wannabes looking for cheap thrills at festivals around the country so they can emulate their loser parents who realize ONY NOW they never made an impact on society…

You’re all a bunch of

DUMB ASSESSSSSSSSS……….

I suppose it makes sense that there are people hating on this comment board. It takes a certain kind of listener to appreciate Phish – someone that has acquired a taste for complex and sophisticated songwriting. The truth is this: they are the most technically talented instrumentalists and songwriters in popular music. People that don’t like Phish simply don’t understand it. It’s not spoonfed background music. It requires you to engage and pay attention, much like jazz. It’s musicians’ music. In any case the Phish songbook is a collection of masterpieces that will be enjoyed by music lovers forever.

BTW- I don’t wear patchouli, I shower daily, I have a 9-5 job, and I have a short haircut.

JJGG, Not every Phish show is great, I’ve seen countless shows, more at Nectar’s than many have seen period, however arguing against the incredible musicianship these guys show 90% of the time is just silly. If you don’t get it, if it’s not your (loving)cup of tea, fine, your loss. For me, when they’re on and I’m locked in is about as close to bliss as I’ve come in 40+yrs. Maybe you find that in other music, good for you, but don’t belittle the experience of others because you don’t understand. Different strokes, my brother, different strokes.

WOW! you went to one phish show and you passed judgement. Your a powerNOOB. Obviously, your so called masters in music didn’t teach you how to appreciate the art and process in which great live music is created. I can understand not liking an band, but dude, you in the minority here. Why waste your time trying to convince all of us millions of people who like this band that they suck because you say so? You are an idiot sir. Go do something productive with your time. Go read a book or make a baby or something.

What happened? your girlfriend ditched you to follow phish around because your a lame ass loser and you never got over it so now you spend you days trolling comments sections to get your revenge? lmfao at you!

BTW FWIW, i’m not a stupid hippy and i don’t emulate my parents. I go to see phish because i know in my soul the music does things that other music fails to achieve. It frees your soul. If you had a soul you would have felt this. Millions of people love this band, sorry if they don’t float your boat, but your stereotypes of phish and phish fans shows your true lack of understanding. Basically, what i’m trying to say is that your a toolbag and a moron. Good day sir. Enjoy the prison you’ve built for yourself as you travel this life you love so.

The terrible thing about hell, is that when your there you can’t even tell.

that set rocked hard. one of the best sets of 09 by far. really powerful. eric you are a dork.

I’d think to obtain a master’s degree in music like JJGG claims he has, it would require that a person take several music appreciation classes. To obtain a master’s in music you must be objective and open to newforms of music. That means that you learn to appreciate music that you wouldn’t normally associate with or even “hate.” All music, weather you liek it or not, has some qualities that someone appreciates. That is why it is quite obvious that JJGG dosen’t have a master’s degree in music. Most people with a masters in music appreciate phish for what it is: quality live music for live music’s sake. Even people who “hate” phish have to at least give them credit for their massive catalog, amazing improv skills, and on the spot creativity. JJGG is just a hater…and i doubt highly that he has a degree of anytype besides a master’s degree in BS!!

I love phish music and have listened to every live performance since they got back together. I have been to one Phish show. I have a Ph.D. and work at a tier 1 research university. I have never taken drugs.

-The music is fun, of high quality and exciting
-The singing is not good

JJGG–You have a Master in music? What instrument do you play? How many recitals have you performed? When was the last Halloween show you played? Where was it? How many people came?

I have a Master in Urban Planning. Drop the soap in your shower and F888 yourself.

Festival 8 was my first ever Phish concert and I think it was some of the best live music I’ve ever heard. The Exile cover was amazing!

Really Mr/Ms JJ?? I can do that too. Just name something you enjoy and I’ll just say that everyone who enjoys it is a drooling retard. There, critical thinking complete, on to shit on something else I don’t like. I’ve been a Phish fan for 15+ years and have never taken any illegal drug, so your hypothesis is flawed – watch out for absolutes there, buddy. I also have friends who have doctorates in music AND make a pretty good living at it performing internationally and holding academic jobs, and I’ve enjoyed a Phish show or three with those folks. Funny that I never heard the kind of vitriol you’ve spewed out here. Leads me to conclude that it derives from your personality (self-important, pompous etc.) rather than your substantial musical knowledge and skill.

Phish is not for you…more room for me to dance

Slayed Exile!!!
Incredible weekend!
Played so wonderful and tight…it was cool how the only covers of the weekend was in Set 4…all the rest was good ole Phish…really, really, good!
Maybe now, after the best comeback of all time, huge Spring and Summer tours, EPIC Halloween, Rolling Stone will consider putting the best act on the Planet on their cover.

I just wanted to make a little comment about the mistake of making absolute statements. “All people who like Phish are idiots”, “all people who smoke pot are stoners”, “all white people are racist.”

Not everyone in any one group behaves in the same way, and if you don’t like the music, fine. Feel free to give your opinion, I would give mine but I would mostly be restating what a lot of others have already said.

But you don’t need to make assumptions and hate on EVERYONE who likes something. That is just silly. If everyone who listens to Phish is a moron and everyone who smokes pot is a stoner, then everyone who hates on Phishheads is an asshole and everyone who drinks is an alcoholic.

Really liked the soul comment by “master’s degree….whatever!” btw.

hands down best festie i’ve ever been to.
this weekend was full of great music, fantastic weather, and absolutely awesome people!
people can hate but i dont care. i know PHISH is awesome, cuz i was THERE!

Loving Cup should never be played again. Phish will never play a better version!! It was a great time and was food for the soul!! It seem like some people on here have not found their soul yet.

6′1″ 185 lbs. short hair. upper managment postion in manufacturing. Smoke a little pot and drink some good beer. The last sentence must be the only reason I like Phish ehh

Almost no other covers – they played When the Circus Comes.

Investment Management. Don’t do drugs. Don’t listen to too much Grateful Dead. Love Phish since I was 15 years old b/c they give me something no other band can, JOY.

I do not find musicians who do not take risks to be enjoyable to see live. There’s nothing exciting about a “dance routine” to go along with a studio version of a song. There’s nothing cool about that at all. Creating a small village for 60,000 people in the mountains of CA for people to enjoy music and people is greatness.

The way I sum it up: Phish is probably the best bar band you could ever hope to hear on a saturday night. That being said, Trey Anastasio performed at Carnegie Hall last month with the Philharmonic. Phish knows musical theory, but most importantly, they brings energy.

One more point, music is not a commodity. I rather listen to a village boy in Peru play a hand made drum than listen to Aerosmith. Had to get that off my chest!

Don’t respond to negative comments and Don’t Jersey Vermont!!!

Style remains….
Build a home for your youth in Sugarloves* which the best club for rich single!

“Almost no other covers – they played When the Circus Comes.”

LOL – ya beat me to it, buddy.

I count 77 original tunes and 2 covers (give or take a few) outside of the 18 song Exile set which was a huge treat on Halloween. I hope all that don’t get this band continue to not get them so that I can have line free bathrooms and beer stands at Indio.

I don’t know who sucks worse, the band or it’s fans. Wake up losers, phish suck, always have, always will.

Well done Phish. Good times.

Maybe JJBB can set in with you next time and bring some quality to your music.

you have really opened our eyes joey c. Thanks man. What would we do without you?

I listened to most of the festival on sirius. They sounded like they worked hard to prepare for the weekend, which was great! For those of you who have been catching a lot of shows in 09, I ask you this: have all the STASH’s sounded as good as the one they played at FEST8?
If so, it’s safe to say that 09 could go down as the year of the STASH! That was a truly great version this past weekend…

Totally agree on the Stash! I think it’s been pretty good all year, but this one was particularly good. More importantly, everything sounds better than ‘03-’04.

all you haters are right! phish sucks soooo much that they only had the #1 highest grossing tour in the nation this past summer. Phish sucks sooo much that every venue sells out in a matter of seconds. Phish sucks sooo much that they sold out the Cumberlnad County Civic center faster than any other band in that venue’s history. Yeah, phish really sucks…idiots.

The mind of a hater: “I don’t like or understand something, so it must suck. I can’t grasp musical concepts that are too advanced and over my head that it automatically sucks and everyone else must think this same way because when i try and grasp these concepts, it makes my brain hurt. So basically, i have given up on trying to understand why phish is so popular because it actually takes some time and commitment to understand the music or why people enjoy it. Everyone must think like i do or i get upset. So since i don’t understand something that wasn’t taught to me when i got my “masters” degree in music from the university of pheonix online, then everyone else who does understand it and has a good time at phish shows must suck, because they are different from me” — from the mind of a hater.

Oh boy… I personally think we should just kill the internet so people can’t express their opinions. That’s not sarcastic, that’s honest opinion. I feel like it takes a certain type of person to be a troll, and that if you are simply on a thread to troll around then why bother?

I brought my boyfriend and niece to Festival 8 and they are now Phish phans for life. Every time I’ve seen them in concert, and that’s about 36 times, I’ve brought new people and they always leave Phish phans. Unless you’ve seen them in concert, no need to comment.
Phestival 8 was a rival for Big Cypress, I know, ’cause I was there.

F8 was an all around fantastic experience. And the Exile performance was one for the ages -unbelievably good. Phish knows how to seriously trick AND treat!

I guess I would like Phish more if the Phish fans I know were not such complete and total idiots.

good for you tim!! feel better?
Way to base things that you like on other people. i’m sure you are easily swayed like a sheep. Baah! Baah!

From a pretentious Phish fan:

“someone that has acquired a taste for complex and sophisticated songwriting.”

Umm okay I’ll bite.

Ghost:
I feel I never told you
The story of the ghost
That I once knew and talked to
Of whom I’d never boast

Wow its like Blowin in the Wind and The Times They Are A Changin’ had a baby.

Golgi Apparatus:

Golgi, oh, woe is me
You can’t even see the sea
Golgi, olgi, oh ooo olgi
Golgi
Golgi

You know its the sophisticated use of complex images and rhyme schemes that make this chorus sore to the heights of transcendental poetry.

Piper:

Piper, Piper, the red, red worm
Woke last night to the sound of the storm
Her words were words I sailed upon

These lyrics are so powerful, so moving, so sophisticated that the entire song consists of just these lyrics. Its the repetition of the word “word” that just makes the listener contemplate his place in the universe.

Is Phish the greatest band in the world? The answer to that depends on if you like Phish. Its a subjective question not an objective one. The thing I hate about Phish fans is their insistence that every show is “sick” and that hearing another 25 minute version of Reba is exciting. As for this specific tour, its been bloated, uninspiring, and boring. Their set list, a thing which used to be fluid, is now so set that the shows are just mechanical. Exile on Main Street? That’s about the safest choice they could make.

And as for those listeners of Phish who somehow have a unique relationship to music, so much so that the rest of us “just don’t get it.” No Phish follower can give a credible defense of Trey as a singer. His voice is out of tune, horrible, and if you close your eyes you hear ever bad bar band singer in the world.

If the haters need to stop hating, then you cult-like fans need to get over yourselves.

obviously you’ve never tripped balls and listened to phish you tool!

i guess you gotta have some balls first to trip balls, MP!

Thank you for proving my point waxy. Cognitive dissonance with you guys is something to behold. You’re basically saying that Phish sucks so bad, you have to be tripping to enjoy.

Fest 8 was great!

The music is one thing….the Experience to go with it is another.

See y’all in Cincy!

Phish songs get silly because Tom Marshall and Trey, among others, really like silliness. So do Phishphans.
People who got their lunch money taken away, got publicly dumped, made poopie in their pants at the party, got cleaned at the blacjack table, went bald, bred foul children by accident too soon, or…HATE FUN – the cheap hating on Phish and their fans is right up your filthy stinking alley. Have at it. You waste your own time, yet at the same time make yourselves out to be just the kind of human waste product described above. That you go out of your way to troll a review of a show just to show your true malevolent colors is amazing yet unfortunately expected.
40,000 at Festival8 and not a hater in the bunch, not even the Indio cops. A massive effort all around, with all manner of sights, sounds, and accomodations for the people who went to great lengths to make it to this show. And it was abso[F-ing]lutely worth it. Check the YouTube results and more reviews if you don’t believe it. Phish rocked that whole weekend, much like Big Cypress, but with even more artwork, microbrews, Halloween weirdness, and great improvisation all around. They’re definitely not perfect. And that’s just fine. Neither is true greatness.

You know whats funny JJGG?Phish doesn’t have degree’s, but yet they are more successful, richer, and have more fans than you will ever come close to ever having in 10 of your live times.

So I’m think they must be doing something right and you must be doing something wrong.

Think about that when you cry yourself to sleep on your cock shape pillow at night.

Been listening to them off and on for 15 years,
they still SUCK! Cant sing, boring solos that never resolve, goofiest looking band ever,
they’re whiter than wonder bread and just as tasteless.

I loved the Stones way before I discovered Phish. My issue with Phish is that while they’re great musicians, and their jams can be really inspiring, their songwriting skills are limited at best.

But the way they interpreted Exile is simply amazing. They respect the spirit of the album and the structure of the songs, while giving them the “phish” noodling treatmeant. A great achievement. I downloaded the show (available at Phish’s web site) and it’s very pleasant to listen to.

i only listen to bands that “look good” like the good dolls and lady gaga. This phish dosen’t look good so i don’t like them. I only like music made by pretty people because i’m a shallow, superficial, soul-less, self centered person that wouldn’t know good music if it slapped me in the face. I really wish the hair bands like cinderella and twisted sister would come back because they were pretty and only people who are pretty can make “good” music.

phish all have degrees in music.

Still, your on the right side! that JJGG guy is the biggest tool in the shed.

“The thing I hate about Phish fans is their insistence that every show is “sick” and that hearing another 25 minute version of Reba is exciting. As for this specific tour, its been bloated, uninspiring, and boring. Their set list, a thing which used to be fluid, is now so set that the shows are just mechanical. Exile on Main Street? That’s about the safest choice they could make.”

There are many critical Phish fans out there who know when it’s working and when it isn’t. And believe me, the band gets called out on it when they ain’t gettin’ it done. Seen it – heard it. Trey gets an earful from the folks up front when he flubs. All of them do.

No need to harsh on everybody who’s enjoying the fact that this band is back together. Your opinion is your own and point well taken. Yet I’ve been very inspired by this tour and I haven’t been “tripping balls” or smoking weed to get that inspiration. For many of us, their reunion is a return to a special place and it gets us excited for the music to come in the future. And it doesn’t mean that our musical standards are low because we like this tour and their playing and singing. It may mean that our standards are different, such as what makes the jam work or the relative importance of spot-on vocal harmony to the overall vibe, but it doesn’t mean our standards are lower.

This is about feel and the irresistible urge to flow with and through the music, the vibe, the energy, the creative spirit, whatever. Some will get it. Some will not. But those that don’t get are just wasting their time with the judgments and criticisms. It won’t change a thing. You still won’t get it (fair enough) and we’ll still be surrendering to the flow.

To me, they’re an amazing band and they inspire me to be a better person. Nothing wrong with that.

Phish covering Exile is akin to Carrot Top recreating Richard Pryor…….Keanu Reeves taking Henry Fonda’s part as Tom Joad..
….Leroy Neiman repainting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon…Dom Deluise dancing Najinsky’s part in Rite of Spring…..Goggles Piazanno taking the last lap for AJ Foyt……..

Hey let’s pretend it’s 1969 ! Like a Woodstock theme park ! We’ll pick up a $25 tye dye t-shirt from the guy manning that booth over there, the guy with the braided soul patch who smells like curry. Man, this is awesome ! Just like Woodstock man ! Hmm ? The stage announcement ? Something about “stay away from the brown rice crispy treats people”. Hey man ! Man ! Woodstock ! Awesome ! When’s Jimi coming on ? What ? He’s dead ? BUMMERRRRRRR !! Who are these guys ? Phish ? Trippy name man !! Who they opening up for ? Sly ? What ? they’re the only band playing man ?? For like 5 hours ? Bad trip man ! BAD TRIP !!!!!!!!

Phaux Hippies…

anyone who hasn’t heard how they sound these days, especially when trey is on fire and mike is slapping that bass….well, that’s your loss. download ’suzy greenberg’ – the encore after exile, with sharon jones, and then let’s talk, thanks.

I went to the festival 8 and I just had a blast. I myself have ate some mushies or smoke some weed, but that has nothing to do with the music. This was one of the best put together festivals that i have been at. I mean what phish fan can remember going to a fest without sitting in hours and hours of traffick. the lighting of the palm trees was unbelievable, you have got to give credit to phish’s light guy. They know how to put on a performance. To be quite honest a missed note or a cracked voice here or there never really bothered me because i was singing and dancing myselfhahah Phish is great and I love people who hate on them because do you realized you just missed and will continue missing some of the best performances as well as parties ever. Halloween 2009 will forever go down as one of the best in my life. I dont hate on the haters because they are probably the same people listing to heavy metal screaming and telling me it sounds better. What ever floats your boat. Phish keep on keepin on I will be in it for the long haul if your guys are.

MP, I can respect your opinion. Phish lyrics are often very silly and ridiculous, but I don’t always need serious and deep lyrics, if I want that I can listen to Radiohead or Elliot Smith. Phish is different from The Dead in that their music isn’t to be taken so seriously, but they can improvise like its NOBODIES business. Some of their songs are VERY impressive, I’d like for you to find me another band that can both
A)improvise better than them
B) write 15 minute songs with a classical music structure, and do this in a rock n roll setting

what say you?

nevermind

Man, what was I thinking, I wrote that comment after dropping some ’shrooms and eating an entire box of white grape juice flavored rice cakes !

With their damn newsletter at 80,000 and counting, the growth of their economic base is impervious not just to criticism but to any eventuality that doesn’t involve the breakdown of the American transportation system. So give ‘em 10 years, and don’t worry you’ll miss something in the meantime. Phish isn’t a classic two-guitar jamming band like the Allmans or those guys from Marin. It’s a keyb-guitar-bass-drums quartet, its music dominated conceptually by the high-cholesterol chords and florid arpeggios of Page McConnell’s piano. Occasionally there’s a good song–naif that I am, I like the one called “Simple.” But they’ve never put more than a couple on one studio album.

Stereotypes influence everything i do in my life. I don’t experience anything for myself, but rather only rely on old, worn out stereo types to guide me on my journey. I have never seen a phish show, but people tell me that they suck, so that must be true. I once saw a south park where cartman killed dirty hippies, so that is how i picture a phish show. I’m not willing to try new things. I’m sheltered. I’ll go through life with my head in the sand making broad assumptions based on what others think. I have no mind of my own. If i don’t like somethine, or if people are different than me, then they just SUCK! period, end of story. I don’t like to make up my own mind. Other people influence me because i buy into BS and stereotypes. I’m a cool guy and your not. Everything you like sucks because i know the stereotypes. Stereotypes guide me and nothing else. I’ll never know true joy, but that’s ok because i’m an idiot and i like it that way. Nothing can compare to real music like lady gaga or the goo good oles because i say so.

They should consider covering “Priest=Aura” or “Heyday” from The Church.

Phish fans would absolutely love it!

jon phishman-best concert drummer ever
trey anastasio-best studio guitarist ever
page mcconnell-best rock n roll pianist ever and a very good vocalist
mike gordon-weirdo

“Let The Music Relax Your Mind…”

Let it Loose could easily become a long time cover for them…Just listening to the tapes and the horns and Sharon add so many dimensions! What’s amazing about Phish is that the practiced tirelessly to cover this and most bands can’t even play their own material half as good as this…

Phish’s lyrics have always been secondary to the music, the best songs are often the silliest. They lose me when the lyrics jump up front (waste, God never listens…). I’ve always thought of the lyrics as another instrument complementing the other sounds vs. having meaning beyond the tune. Trey’s voice may be an aquired taste to some, but it fits the band and the silly parts perfectly.
mike gordon-weirdo, lmao.

I am pretty sure that there is a recording of Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough playing Exile in entirety live. They play in Todd Snider’s band the Nervous Wrecks. I think both are pretty renowned Nashville studio guys.

The Gratephul Dead….

Was not at festival 8 though many of my friends went from all over the country. I am not a stoner burn out, have a masters degree and have actually attended many of there shows with friends of mine who have Ph.D’s and are currently instructing at MAJOR research universities across the country. The stereotypes of the phans kill me though i can understand why they exist (Much like NASCAR, Busch heavy and Marlboro Reds?). If you don’t like phish thats fine, you do not need to but i seriously doubt you will ever see a phish ‘head’ take time out of their day to spread senseless negativity after a story about any ‘popular’ band. Those of you who feel the need to get on here and do so probably are so narrow minded that this kind of music scares you because you cannot wrap your head around it. I have to say my favorite artist of all time was Frank Zappa and he never did drugs in his life. People did not like him because he was a free thinker, intelligent, artistic, driven, and therefore DANGEROUS. People fear what they don’t understand but just because i don’t enjoy something i think it is useless to waste my energy to drag it down. Why not use that energy in a positive way…like getting a better job, education, volunteering or political awareness. THe only thing i would try to “Drag down” are the useless stereotypes and misconceptions of things that people have no idea about. Don’t bitch if you dont vote and don’t hate if you don’t go (to the phish show!). Peace from UPSTATE NY.

My first Phish Fest and definitely not the last. Have I ever been in a field with 40,000 raging fans that were for the most part all about unity and love surrounding their beloved band? Nope. That is why I will continue supporting Phish. Been to many Indie concerts and have never once grown attached to a vibe nd energy like Phish fans have. Thank you all for making my experience the most memorable so far, that is until they do it again!!

“all you haters are right! phish sucks soooo much that they only had the #1 highest grossing tour in the nation this past summer. ”
…and as we all know 200,000 stoned white yuppie losers can’t be wrong

No doubt about it….Fest8 was hands down the best Phish festival ever. Been to 6 of the 8, and I think this one definitely topped Big Cypress! For all the haters…suck it you lame-ass trolls…you probably wouldn’t know good music if it slapped you on your forehead (right beside the large mushroom stamp!) Bitches!!!

The Halloween set was phenomenal!!! Sharon Jones and company should work with Phish more. Her pipes with Trey and company’s musical skills would be an amazing bill to see. The festival went off perfectly, and as a festival goer, I couldn’t have asked for more. Even the shuttles running to the hotels 24 hours a day, all weekend, always seemed to be sitting and waiting on us no matter the time of night. Thanks, Phish!!!

Oh and to this JJGG all of my Phish family are successful individuals. Just to list those who made the festival this year, I’m a practicing CPA, an aerospace engineer, corporate finance officer, chef, and current graduate student. We also have a wide variety of musical background, and we’ve traveled to see the band MANY times when we vacation from our 9 – 5’s. Weak attempt at stereotyping, though.

I wonder if it too late to respond to this self-proclaimed musical genius…

Dear JJGG,

No one, absolutely no one cares about your alleged “Master in Performance” or the fact that you play guitar or if YOU think Phish is overrated or that you are God’s gift of enlightenment to the musical world. Older does not necessarily mean wiser. Because you are unable to appreciate a band for their individual talent as well as their ability to play together as a group wonderful, funky, edgy, creative, and original music (with incredible improvisations that you as a guitar player should know is the most difficult aspect of the instrument), I and the rest of the world will never take your musical opinions into any sort of consideration.

Sincerely,
One who CLEARLY knows more about music than you.

Ps. Anyone can play guitar. Trey does is much better than you could hope to ever play. And did he go to school to prove that he could play guitar with a sheet of paper that says “Good, just not good enough”?

Phish is amazing. I am dying to see them.

I love this band. So so so much.

Phish are the best at what they do. Period.

They should never play Indio again because it would be tough to top Ocho.

Thank you Phish. This is from a lot a decades old fans that had been down and hung on but missed you for a while.

You are almost back but could not have played a better festival at a better place.

That being said you should probably never play another festival outside of Indio.

Sober and loving it.

Jon,Your lady/boyfriend says that YOU are fuckin’ terrible.
If everybody liked the same melieu of music,there wouls be NO progress
in it’s eveolution.
Where is Devo when they are needed?

my burned out stoner ass received word that i passed my state’s bar exam the morning i flew out to palm springs. what an amazing weekend indeed.

People can talk all the sh*t they want about phish but please name me one band together right now that could but on a 3 day festival by themselves all the way on the southwest corner of the country and get 50,000 plus there? Only the dead with Jerry could do something like that. This is what makes Phish Phans the best in the world, glad I could be in Indio with all of you! O and Pearl Jam is the only other band out there now that could hold a candle to Phish
-peace

phish is the best band of all time i’ve seen em 15 times and one of those times it was dark side of the moon but im very sad i missed exile trey rules the night air! also jon, erik, get bent you dont know shit you should go see em before you knock em

For fuck’s sake….who cares what anyone thinks…despite what side you fall on. I love phish, and have for years…I also have a lot of friends who don’t like them. That’s fine, it’s not the end of the world, it’s a difference in opinion. Accusations of what people listen to if they don’t like Phish is just as close minded as people belittling the band for some inane reason. If you like a band then fine, like them but don’t feel like you have to go off on idiotic diatribes b/c someone disagrees with you.

I can say, I’m listening to the final set from the festival, enjoying it immensely and I’m not on any form of drug. You don’t have to be wrecked to enjoy them.

Yes, sometimes their lyrics are dumb (to me personally) but I still adore them and think they’re one of the quintessential acts of our time.

No need to take personal shots at JJGG just because he’s not on board. And maybe just maybe he’s a better guitarist than Trey (I doubt it) but seeing as I’m sure no one responding to his posts has ever heard him play before, it’s hardly fair to assume he’s shit.

JJ, while I don’t agree with what you said…I’m kind of on your side.

Not Really a Phish fan, but not a hater. Exile is my favorite album of all time, and “I Just Want To See His Face” is the key track, IMHO, because there’s nothing else like it. Was skeptical, but I have to hand it to Phish for doing right by the album and the great grooves on IJWTSHF.

I love their voices. They harmonize so good.
For Realz

I thought Exile was a boring lazy choice. Standard old bluesy BS and not the best Stones Album by far, but Phish did play it good, despite the fact they can not sing. I enjoyed the regular electric sets the best. All solid, with a great selection. I would have rather heard Electric Ladyland or Hunky Dory. Even thriller would have made a better party atmosphere (although it didn’t make the final list) Everyone was prepared to be into whatever it was they played for halloween. The songs on exile are much more simple than any of the final contenders. As soon as it started I was looking forward to the next set. If you are wanting to hear good singing Phish isn’t your best bet, but if you want to hear some of the best rock and roll musicianship, you will find it there.

They were busting tanks at the gate. Almost everyone was very much into the music this time. I did not see any total crazy homeless type drunks. There was very little NO2 around. I managed to find and consume some special K, shrooms, LSD, DMT, molly, pot, xanax, soma and heroin over the course of the 3 day festival. But it took all my efforts to find it all.
The drugs were very helpful getting through 12 hours of bad singing and loud guitars

people suck.

well to all the phish hater..this is so lame to waste time posting how much you hate this band here… i discovered phish a few month ago and i just can’t stop listening to them and i wish i were here on halloween. what i ilike about them is they can rock for four hours long without being annoying, they have this skll to create a special vibe, a cool feeling that just makes you be happy for the rest of the day..

Silly Hippies…listen to some real music. Nickleback 4 lyfe.

Sharon Jones melted a few faces during Suzy Greenberg!

Why are people so offended that others like phish? (”I hate phish fans, they’re so stupid, blah blah”).

We don’t care if you don’t like ‘em, actually, we’d prefer if you didn’t, more room for us to get down.

Secondly, anyone who compares Phish to the Dead has never taken the time to actually understand either band, they are nothing alike at all. Only thing they have in common is some fans, but most old-school deadheads I know are not in to phish.

And BTW, you’ll find a broader range of music in the average phish fan’s collection than anywhere else, so that whole “phish fans only listen to phish” argument really holds no water.

phish’d

Festival 8 was just plain amazing. I felt at home again there…..kinda like Clifford Ball………..free and floating again!!!!
Thank You Phish!!!!!!!