Dayton, Ohio - October 10-11, 2023
The weather for the two days was perfect, sunny with temperatures in the upper 60’s, perfect for the pregame show in the parking lot- Shakedown Street. I avoided the long lines and messy organization of the parking madness that is common at the Nutter Center. Instead choosing to come in through the back entrance, no traffic and the first lot I found was Shakedown. There was a lot going on, at least 50-60 vendors: food, clothing, and music. The crowd was cool both nights, no fights or drama from what I saw. The police presence was at a minimum, everyone was out enjoying the weather and anticipating the shows to follow, there was a really good vibe flowing through the parking lot both days. I met a lot of cool people in the lot and in the show.
This was a nostalgia moment. I grew up in the area, attending many shows that came through the area in the 80s and 90s, and the last time I saw Phish perform indoors was their two-night stand in Cincinnati in 1999. These last two nights of Phish at the Nutter Center reminded me of days when I was a younger man.
Getting into the Nutter Center is not for the weak of heart coming out of Shakedown, the 8 flights of stairs ascending to the Nutter is a bear to climb, leaving even the hardiest of Phish phans sucking wind (or nitrous for that matter). What makes it even more cruel is having general admission (GA) floor tickets and once inside, having to descend a rather steep flight of stairs to the floor area. And then having to navigate the same stairs during set break/end of show.
Before getting into the songs, special mention goes to the lights during the show. Incredible! Whatever rig was brought in for this tour, is simply out of this world. I spoke with many phans and kept bringing it up, ‘the lights’ added something special to the whole evening. The sound was impeccable, at times loud and definitely that old school arena rock feel, ‘Arena Phish’ is good Phish.
Highlights from Night 1, included a second set “Weekapaug Groove” and “Slave to the Traffic Light" and an extended encore that included “Wilson” and “First Tube.” I also experienced a few songs that I haven’t seen live including “The 9th Cube” and “Cool Amber and Mercury.” This was a fun show, the band seemed to be enjoying themselves on the stage, with each member having their time to shine on the stage and the crowd was eager to show their affection.
By the second day, word must have gotten out around town about Phish. Shakedown Street seemed to be more crowded, once again the weather was perfect and the crowd was abuzz in the parking lot. I made the trek back up to Mt. Nutter, saw some familiar faces and settled in for round two.
Night 2 started off with a rousing “Set Your Soul Free” to get the crowd shaking and moving on the floor, this was followed up with a first set highlight for myself ‘Funky Bitch’ graced the stage, followed by ‘Roggae’ slowing it down for a few before jumping into ‘Kill Devil Falls,, into a slightly dark ‘Steam’ into one of my favorites ‘My Friend My Friend’ rounding out the set with ‘Crazy Sometimes’ and ‘Walls of the Cave’.
The second set of the night may have been the set of the Fall tour so far, opening with the crowd pleaser ‘Down With the Disease’ at 17 minutes, it was a warm up for the monster that came next. ‘Ruby Waves’ enters the show at 30 minutes, if you have not listened to it yet, do yourself a favor and have a listen. Intricate and deep this version of Ruby Waves will take you on a journey, Jam of the Year? Perhaps. Coming out of Ruby Waves was a well placed ‘Lifeboy’ and ‘Piper’ before revving up the crowd again with ‘Backwards Down the Number Line’ before ending the set with a jaw dropping rendition of the Beatles “I am the Walrus’. Did somebody order eggs? ‘Egg in a Hole’ started us off, with many mentions of Chicago (their next stop) working the crowd up into a frenzy before sending them home happy with the crowd pleasing ‘Possum’.
Phish at the Nutter was an incredible two nights with Night 2 Set 2 becoming one for the ages, Phish wraps up their Fall tour in Chicago this weekend (10/13-15). You’ll have to throw that finger up in the lot if you want in, all three nights are sold out.
N1 Set List
Set 1
Sigma Oasis, The 9th Cube, Theme from the Bottom, Cool Amber and Mercury, 555>Bathtub Gin, Broken Into Pieces, Reba>Chalkdust Torture
Set 2
Mike’s Song>Prince Caspian>No Men in No Man’s Land>Prince Caspian>It’s Ice>Pillow Jets>Weekapaug Groove,Twist>Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore
Joy, Buffalo Bill, Wilson>First Tube
N2 Set List
Set 1
Set Your Soul Free, Funky Bitch, Roggae, Kill Devil Falls, Steam>My Friend, My Friend>Crazy Sometimes>Walls of the Cave
Set 2
Down with Disease>Ruby Waves>Lifeboy>Piper>Backwards Down the Number Line, I am the Walrus
Encore
Egg In a Hole>Possum
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