c,

Interesting take. As a guy who has seen Phish 20 times spread out since 96...hahaha...chill out, I am just kidding. Seriously though, I have. No really, you kind of have a point, but you take it too far. I think you actually are forgetting what makes our community so great. The majority of fans, certainly the ones that are involved enough to check in with this website on a regular basis, love Phish because we know they are on an entirely different level than anything else in the music world. Because of this, and the likely way our brains are similarly wired, we fans bitch, moan, rave, fawn, and obsess over every note, segue, and setlist that this band puts out. It is our way of connecting and appreciating the greatness of the band. It is this type of blog that sets us apart from fans of the garbage that comes out of the radio. By the way, Mariah Carey might be great to see live...Hero is a fucking awesome song and I sometimes tear up when I hear it...seriously. Everyone has their own way of showing their love for Phish. REAL old heads (those fools must be pushing 50!) bitch about the band sounding too commercial after Hoist. Old heads pine for the DWD-Mike's segue from Walnut Creek 97. 2.0 oddballs yearn for a 25 minute loopy Scents, and the noobs insist that every single BDTNL is SICK! Everyone is right and everyone is wrong, but everyone is still IN. The push and pull from the band and its fans defines this scene. We are intertwined and have ultimate mutual respect. So, I must respond and say that you should not get so upset by our chatter. It is healthy, smart, funny, and what sets us apart.

Now, I agree with you wholeheartedly about the notion of expectations and I have worked on that myself and truly enjoyed three solid 3.0 shows. Too many older fans go to a show with a preconceived notion and inevitably end up disappointed. It is their loss. I shed expectations and knew that I would not see the Bowie-Day in the Life-Gin-Lizards-YEM-Rotation Jam-Sixteen Candles-YEM-Harpua-Champagne Supernova-Harpua second set that I saw at my first show. I was up for anything and it paid dividends. I am more engaged in the band now than I have been since 2000. Seeing them live is incredible and they seem happy, healthy, and in a good place right now. I do agree with the original review and have to say that I have seen some real promising jams abruptly cut short in 3.0. It's ok, though. Overall they have been great, but we are allowed to critique. I think they can take it.

To sum up my way too long rant, I just want to say that you make some good points. Fans sometimes let their expectations and nostalgia ruin an otherwise really great show. Still dude, you take it too far. The robust criticism and observations make this fanbase amazing and the band must appreciate it because they know we care.

Keep the conversations going.

Dosque