Phish performing at the Allstate Arena on Oct. 26, 2018
Imaginative improvisations with the power to transport the audience beyond the astral plane highlighted Phish’s first of three Chicago-area stops on the 2018 Fall Tour on Oct. 26. A cosmic first set called into question the perceptions of time and space before the Vermont quartet expanded the reach of experimental jams during the second half of the upbeat performance.
Kicking things off with the light and bouncy “Punch You in the Eye,” it was clear from the start of the Friday night concert that Phish was in a playful mood. Guitarist Trey Anastasio toyed with some perky riffing as Page McConnell set a light-hearted tone on the keys. The rhythm section of bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman anchored the opening tune, saving their more exploratory arrangements for later in the night. Uniting cries of “Hey,” involved the crowd right out of the gates and a bit of synchronized dancing from Anastasio and Gordon only added to the fun.
Phish performing at the Allstate Arena on Oct. 26, 2018
The show was full of satisfying jams – “Limb by Limb,” “Reba,” and “Martian Monster,” the latter of which foreshadowed the upcoming Halloween holiday – as Anastasio, Gordon, McConnell and Fishman wordlessly created an atmosphere that transcended the here and now. The timeless, dateless vibes appeared most notably on the epic song of existence that is “Mercury” which complimented flowing, flowery guitars with funky, jazz-influenced basslines. McConnell’s jangly chords led dynamic changes in volume while Fishman was focused and precise frequently prioritizing his cymbals as the tune progressed to a rock and roll climax perfectly leading into a welcome cover of “Moonage Daydream.”
Phish performing at the Allstate Arena on Oct. 26, 2018
The futuristic David Bowie tune – the first of three covers also including “A Day in the Life” and “Golden Age” – was triumphant as each musician thrived in their own right. The Ziggy Stardust track could have been a set closer, but Phish soon led fans to the primitive era of stone-age storytelling with “Walls of the Cave,” conjuring up a lyrical nod to Stanley Kubrick’s history-making time jump in 2001: A Space Odyssey a move which further solidified the galactic vibes of the show.
The second set opener of “Tweezer” exceeded 20-minutes in length allowing Phish to transition from a traditional jam to a light and airy interlude with an almost poppy guitar lead that begged to be written into its own tune. McConnell, later, drove things to a heavier place of instrumental investigation as Fishman’s snare lines and cymbal accents were rooted in jazz.
Phish performing at the Allstate Arena on Oct. 26, 2018
Phish delivered on the promise of a “Tweezer Reprise” in the encore along with the fan favorite “Wilson.” Further highlights from night one in Chicago included “Possum,” “Axilla” and a honky-tonk take on “My Sweet One.”
The 2018 Fall Tour wraps-up with a four-night stand in Las Vegas ending on Nov. 3. Check out photos from Phish’s Oct. 26 performance and head over to Phish.com for more information.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)