Review written by Alex B., @tom_volk, and Brad and RJ.
Phish, 5.16.95, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MA
Set 1: Don’t You Want To Go?*, Ha Ha Ha* > Spock’s Brain*, Strange Design*, Reba, Theme From the Bottom*, Hold Your Head Up > Lonesome Cowboy Bill* > Hold Your Head Up, Free*, Glide II*, You Enjoy Myself, Sweet Adeline, Sample in a Jar
Encore: I’ll Come Running* -> Gloria*
*Debut
Very unique show. Part of a “Voters for Choice” benefit, a one-off show before the real Summer ‘95 tour started in early June out West. Phish doesn’t do many outwardly political events, but this was an exception. And the people there were in for a treat.
This show featured TEN new songs out of 15 played, which is insane. Alex B. called it “like a prehistoric 10.31.13, just laying all this new stuff on us.” Alex was invited to this show but couldn’t make it—you know what they say, never miss a Tuesday one-set benefit show!
The fun of this show is the informality of a lot of it, including Fish being so interactive with the small crowd—and on top of that he and Trey plot out a song title and even probe the audience for names.
Tom notes that the opener, “Don’t You Wanna Go,” comes across as loud and rocking, right off the bat. Definitely sets the tone. And many more debuts, including most notably “Theme From the Bottom” and “Free.”
As Brad notes, the “Reba” from this show has that normal Reba beauty, but then it just absolutely soars. There’s a bit of start/stop from Trey, and then he just takes it to an incredibly beautiful place. Even for Reba. I feel like this song was a break from the pressure of the new songs debuted earlier in the set.
Following “Reba” is the first “Theme From the Bottom,” and it’s clear that this song will become a favorite of Trey’s. This version has very melodic and engaging playing from Trey, a very very good debut version. Oh, they also play “YEM” later in the set!
For a one-off benefit concert, they really bring the new tunes to what must have been a pretty concentrated set of fans. A very memorable show, anchored by a wonderful “Reba.” And what a start to 1995. Take a listen and comment here with your thoughts.
