Hello everyone. I
hope you are enjoying your summer. My summer has been mostly crying, healing,
and getting ready to move to Burlington VT. Since my almost ex-wife told me she
was leaving me, I have cried at least a little every day since April 30th,
and it is incredibly therapeutic. Just to let you know. But I am not crying
now, because it’s all about my last show as Pennsylvania Dave Kemp (as opposed
to the Montana Dave Kemp). So without further ado, here is my take on Phish, Live
at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA on July 19th, 2017.
Went out solo as
this was somewhat of a journey. While I have been to A LOT of shows solo, this
was the first one in over 3 years (when I met my 40 days until official in the
eyes of the Law) ex-wife. No reason to go solo then. But I needed to get back
in the game and roll out for the almost 4 hour long drive. I parked and Uber’d
it to The Double Wide Grill where I chowed down on some great vegan wings.
Their selection of vegan and vegetarian is outstanding. But they also have pulled
pork and brisket.
Meet up with my
friends, 2 current members and one former member of the Winter House Band. Yes,
when I go to see Phish, I always have a backup musical plan.
Soundcheck: Home, Come Together
(this soundcheck is possibly incomplete)
SET 2: Punch You In the
Eye > Mr. Completely > Mercury -> Come Together[1], Contact, Axilla > Steam > Backwards Down the Number Line
[1] Phish debut.
This show featured the Phish debuts of Marissa and Come
Together. Mr. Completely was played for the first time since July 15, 2003 (380
shows).
You can stream it here
We were behind the
stage and might have had the most unique view I have ever had at a show. I’ve
been behind the stage before (most memorably at 12/17/99, Hampton) but I could
see all the faces of the crowd on the floor, probably because I wasn’t
preoccupied seeing lots of other things, some of which might actually be in
this reality. It was almost like being on the stage itself.
The place was really
small and intimate. The first highlight of the opening set was Divided Sky. The
pause seemed to go on even longer than normal. And the crowd was really loud. I
mean really, really, loud. I also got to witness what the band sees. Some
people were screaming right off the bat. I saw a few that just stood there,
then slowly get worked up. A few looked like they were crazed demons ready to
attack something, anything. I am not overstating how loud and crazy it got for
this moment. When Trey finally hit that not, all the pressure and tension was
released. I have seen Divided Sky 20
times but this was the peak version. Yes, even better than the first night of
Clifford Ball.
The set proceeded
until Prince Caspian. I figured this and a quick, high energy song would end
the first set. Nope. Definitely the best Caspian since the Tweezerpants of
MagnaBall, and probably the best stand-alone Caspian ever. It went deep and had
those fantastic peaks trey has been able to conjure up the last few years. And
Mike was all over it with his Taurus pedal. What a way to end a set!
The setbreak seemed shorter
than usual. Punch was a nice high energy
start to the show, even if I was really sure we were getting Tweezer. And then Mr.
Completely. I knew they hadn’t played it in a good, long time. I wasn’t
surprised as it seems they have been playing more TAB tunes. And then about 4
minutes in, it was obvious that this was going to be different. I counted three separate jams. My favorite is
the one at about the 11 minute mark. Pure bliss for over 20 minutes. That was definitely
the highlight of the second set. I liked the different song placement but I
know people are going to bitch about normal first set songs being played late
in the show. Oh well. Nice triple encore!
Official video
Drove straight back home, much easier when
listening to a podcast. But I had to do it. So that is my last show as Dave
Kemp PA. But you know what? Dave Kemp Vermont has a nice ring to it. Farewell PA,
too many memories to remember.
Dave Kemp
PhD Rock and Roll
BA American Studies
