Phishing phenomenal

By Wes White

From the psychedelic vibes sent out by the four middle-aged men jamming away on stage to the bluish-purple haze floating through the compact arena, Phish put on anything but a typical concert last Wednesday night in Worcester, MA.

Nearing the end of their one month tour, Wednesday night’s show was the tenth in Phish’s twelve show-run across the U.S. After ending 2002 with a New Years Eve show in New York and kicking off 2003 with three consecutive gigs, fans were more eager than ever to get their hands on tickets for their February streak.

After a grueling wait outside the Worcester Centrum Centre for over an hour the doors finally opened and an ocean of tie-dyed fans streamed into the building. Once packing into the small, just over 14,500 seated venue, paces quickened and food lines shortened as the noise came to a lull in the lobby of the arena.

Fans already at their seats started a roar to shake the building.

The ones still filing in and getting food knew that Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman, and Page McConnell had taken the stage.

With the introduction of one of Phish’s most notorious tunes, “You Enjoy Myself” fans crammed up the staircases and piled on top of seats in order to view the God-like performers. Not worrying how far away their real seats were, one of the most diverse crowds to ever flock to the same show started to groove.

As heads moved to the off-beat rhythm of the group’s opening few songs and the distinctively smooth aroma of Vermont’s finest, the epic show was underway.

Though based 99.9% around playing good music, Phish also had a few eye pleasers (besides the excellent light show which followed the music note for note perfectly) such as the trampolines.

Trey and Gordon both broke out the mini-trampolines and simultaneously jumped to face all parts of the crowd while jamming away on their respective instruments.

The lights, also helping to stimulate certain individual’s euphoric state of mind, were mind-bowing and only added to the enthusiasm of the show.

Wrapping up the first set with “Final Flight” and “Maze,” Trey led Phish off the stage and the lights arose again. The sight was astounding with huge smiles, blood shot eyes and an overall room full of some of the happiest people in the world. Breaking for only a short while, Phish entered and again the lights lowered and up and down the crowd almost rose all together.

The second set was well constructed leading in with “Stash” and following closely behind with “Makisupa Policeman,” “Prince Caspian,” “Frankenstein” and “Golgi Aparatus.” Even the most die-hard fans in attendance bowed their heads and wondered if what they just experienced was real or not.

After leaving the stage for a second time, the band was tossed flowers and pieces of paper (undoubtedly with phone numbers) until they were out of sight.

Shrieking, whistling, and cheering were all rolled into one angelic sound as an enormous roar filled the auditorium felt almost jungle-like with steam and heat. After only minutes the group walked back out to encore with “Loving Cup” and again the place was absolutely ecstatic.

Once Phish left the stage for the last time (which I should mention that the manner in which they exited was very humble and loving of the crowd) the lights again came on and a slum of hippie-looking people gathered towards the stairs. The night was over.

With so many new bands popping up only to make their big break and collect money, very few still stand on the side of music lovers. Phish is truly one I can say is only in this for the creation of music and will be in it for the long run.

Phish truly is great to their fans and much of the money drawn in from albums and concerts goes to charity. Though hard to come by, I strongly urge any music lover (of the jam-band scene or not) to at least try to get tickets to a Phish show.