Mondogreen II Review

First off, for the second set! That "My Friend, My Friend" opener? Holy cow! It might not have reached the stratospheric heights of some of this summer's versions, but it was the perfect cosmic launchpad for the interdimensional voyage we were about to embark on. The boys were clearly tapped into some higher frequency right from the get-go, setting the stage for a late 3.0 extravaganza that had us all grooving in another dimension.

But hold onto your hats, because that "No Men In No Man's Land" > "Ruby Waves" combo was where things really took off! This wasn't just your run-of-the-mill jam, folks. This was Phish operating on a whole other level, weaving a tapestry of sound so intricate, it felt like they were rewriting the very fabric of reality.

Now, let's talk about those jams. This wasn't about face-melting solos or easily digestible hooks. No sir, this was all about the vibes. Trey, Mike, Page, and Fish transformed into sonic shamans, guiding 50,000 souls through a landscape of pure, unadulterated groove. It was like they tapped into the collective consciousness of the crowd, channeling that energy into a transcendental musical experience.

That "Ruby Waves"? It transcended, phans. But here's the beauty - they knew exactly when to pull back, let it simmer, and then BAM! "Pillow Jets" came crashing in like a comet from another galaxy. If you were there, you know what I'm talking about. It was like the lovechild of Bethel and Michigan got together and threw a cosmic dance party.

And can we talk about that "Your Pet Cat" for a second? We were deep in Tube territory, and I swear, that Pet Cat noise had some of us looking around for an interdimensional feline friend. But here's the thing - if you were deep in a trip (and let's be honest, many of us were), that meow might've been just the grounding force you needed to bring you back to this plane of existence.

The boys weren't just playing music last night, phans. They were conducting a spiritual journey, channeling some serious Ram Dass "Be Here Now" energy. It was 50,000 souls, four nights of music, camping, and experiences that words can barely describe. Trey wasn't just a guitarist; he was a musical guru, leading us all on a path to enlightenment through the power of groove.

Harry Hood followed, featuring some of the most inspired collective playing of the evening. The jam began with delicate interplay between Trey and Page, their notes dancing around each other before Mike and Fish gradually increased the intensity. The peak was nothing short of euphoric, with Trey's soaring leads backed by Page's cascading piano runs and Mike's thunderous bass bombs.

The set was a tour de force of Phish's improvisational and compositional prowess. Fluffhead was a blast with the band navigating its intricate changes with precision before launching into a soaring jam. Trey's guitar work here was particularly noteworthy, his phrases building in intensity and complexity as the jam progressed. Page's piano complemented Trey's leads beautifully, adding depth and texture to the sound.

Ghost closed out the mini suite in spectacular fashion. The jam started in familiar funky territory but quickly veered into a spacey, ambient section. Mike's bass was prominently featured here, his deep, resonant notes felt as much as heard. Fish's drumming was particularly impressive during this section, his subtle cymbal work and shifting rhythms guiding the band through multiple peaks and valleys.

In the end, this show wasn't just about the individual songs or jams. It was about the collective experience, the shared consciousness of thousands of phans all tuned into the same cosmic frequency. If you were there, you know. If you weren't, well, the tapes might capture the notes, but they'll never fully convey the sheer magic of being present in that moment.

Last night was a reminder of why we keep coming back, why we chase this band from venue to venue, festival to festival. It's not just about the music - it's about those transcendent moments when everything aligns, and for a brief, beautiful moment, we're all one with the universe

But stepping back in time to the first set; Overall Night 2 at Mondegreen was a mind-bending journey that showcased Phish at their most exploratory.

The secret set and first set, in particular, delivered some of the most impressive improvisation of the evening, setting a high bar that even the stellar second set struggled to surpass.

The main show began with Bouncing Around the Room, an unusual but effective opener. The harmonies were tight, and the band seemed energized right out of the gate. Kill Devil Falls followed, and while it didn't reach the heights of some recent versions, it featured some nice interplay between Trey and Page in its compact jam section.

Peaches en Regalia was a welcome bust-out, its complex arrangement showcasing the band's tight musicianship. While Trey's execution of the unison part with Page wasn't perfect, the energy and intent were there, and the Zappa cover added a nice flavor to the setlist.

Free is where the first set really found its groove. Mike was the star here, his bass lines providing a deep, funky foundation for the others to build upon. The jam started fairly standard but evolved into a dark, brooding exploration. Trey's use of effects here was particularly impressive, creating soundscapes that pushed the boundaries of the song's structure.

Twist and Tube both featured exceptional moments. In Twist, the band achieved that elusive 'hose' quality, with all four members locked in and ideas flowing freely. The jam ventured into a blissful, major-key space before descending into a murky, rhythmic section driven by Fish's inventive drumming. Tube, while shorter, was tight and funky, with Page unleashing some greasy clavinet licks that had the crowd moving.

Divided Sky in the main set somehow managed to surpass the secret set version. The composed section was flawless, and the jam reached truly transcendent heights. Trey's playing here was nothing short of masterful, his phrases telling a story that words can't capture. The interplay between all four band members during the jam was remarkable, each contributing equally to the overall sound. Divided Sky was arguably the highlight of the First set. The pause was electric, the anticipation palpable before the band launched into the final section. Trey's tone was crisp and clear, his runs up and down the fretboard both precise and emotive. The improvisation that followed pushed into uncharted territory, with Page's organ work providing a rich backdrop for Trey's exploratory leads.

Mountains in the Mist provided a beautiful breather, its delicate arrangement allowing the band to showcase their subtle interplay. Trey's vocals were particularly emotive here, and his guitar work in the song's closing moments was achingly beautiful.

Reba c Even without the whistling, this version stands as one of the best of the year. The composed section was nailed, and the jam was a thing of beauty. It started slowly, with Page's piano setting a contemplative mood. Gradually, the energy built, with each band member adding layers until it reached a blissful peak that had the entire venue floating. Reba came next, its composed section executed flawlessly. The subsequent jam was a masterclass in tension and release. Mike and Fish locked into a hypnotic groove, providing a solid foundation for Trey and Page to explore. Trey's playing here was patient and melodic, building themes gradually before hitting a transcendent peak.

The transition into Tube was smooth, and this Tube jam was one for the books. Fish and Mike locked into a groove that wouldn't quit, while Page and Trey traded licks with telepathic precision. The funk was deep and dirty, with Page's clavinet work standing out as particularly impressive.

Twist may well have been the jam of the night. Starting from its typical funk groove, it quickly veered into uncharted waters. There was a moment about 10 minutes in where the bottom dropped out, and the band found themselves in a sparse, almost ambient space. From there, they slowly rebuilt, with Fish's subtle hi-hat work providing a foundation for the others to explore. The resultant peak was nothing short of euphoric, with Trey's guitar soaring over the locked-in groove of his bandmates.

Character Zero brought the set to a rocking close, with Trey unleashing some of his most fiery playing of the night. The typically straightforward rocker was extended, giving each band member a chance to shine before bringing it home with a series of massive peaks.

In summary, Night 2 at Mondegreen was a showcase of Phish at the top of their game. The unexpected song choices, deep improvisational excursions, and locked-in playing combined to create a show that will be talked about for years to come. The secret set and first set, in particular, demonstrated the band's ability to weave complex musical narratives and push their improvisational boundaries. If this is what we're getting on Night 2, one can only imagine what the next two nights will bring. The bar has been set high, but if any band can surpass it, it's Phish.