August 6, 2021 at Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN
Phish plays the type of music to which I can’t help but listen. I first started listening to Phish 9 years ago, a catalyst to forming one of my closest friendships. I remember those first concerts vividly, especially how easy it was to get lost in the sound and how elegantly the sound developed and flowed within the beat of the world. There was also an undeniable and lovable element of ridiculous sprinkled in (more so poured in but that’s up for debate) that added to the intrigue.
Now to the review of the show. This was my first live [in-person] concert in a year and a half and my first Phish show in nearly 4 years. Phish started their summer tour a little over a week prior so to this point they were warmed up and ready to jam. This was also the first 3 night series at a single venue of their summer tour – a good indicator of something good to come. Beginning with the drive into the venue, sitting in traffic and seeing passersby, it was obvious I was at a Phish show. The personalities are eclectic, sharing a common love for the music. For those moments, there’s a shared definition and love of the world. Ruoff Music Center has a capacity of nearly 25,000 people, not counting all those chilling outside the venue. The energy from that capacity was palpable and ready to amplify everything that Phish would bring to the show.
If you’re interested, check out the setlist at the link here.
Phish opened the show strong and crescendoed to an unforgettable second set. The Blaze On played on this night will be one I never forget. It was a jam unlike any I remember with the structure and sound a perfect auditory summation of the energy of the crowd – I wasn’t the only one having gone a long time without a live show. This jam itself would have made the night perfect, but Phish wasn’t done throwing down. They busted into another type 2 jam with Simple, which was again an incomparable symphony of sound. They followed with a song I was hoping to hear and ended the second set on an incredible high.
The four year gap between Phish shows couldn’t have been ended with a better show. This will be a show I relisten to regularly, especially the second set. Even if you’re not a Phish fan now, have an open mind and give it a listen. It’s an experience that’s unlike any other. I’ll be relistening to the show here, and you can too. If you’re not feeling the whole concert, at least skip ahead to Blaze On in set 2 and give that a listen.
