The Phish Experience

Soon after pulling into the already crowded parking lot at Toyota Park, it became apparent that the impending Phish concert would be something astronomically different than anything I had been a part of before. After a few weaves to dodge some puddles after a brief bit of rain the night before, I was able to find refuge in a very spacious parking spot that wasn’t quite tapped yet as a spot for pre-show tailgating. Spacious that is, until the giant white van on my left opened its doors to reveal not one or two, but six or seven inhabitants with their game faces on. Their Phish game faces on. It is also important to note that the giant white van also had a kitchen table inside of it. It was painfully obvious that these folks had done this before, many times before, and couldn’t be more excited to do it again. So, they came pouring out of the van and even before I had turned off the car, my trunk became a coffee table of sorts for beer cans, drink glasses, and cigarettes. Like most, my first reaction was of a little annoyance and frustration, but after opening the car door, stepping out, and breathing in the atmosphere, that frustration immediately turned into understanding. Instead of saying something put offish, my comments were of a welcoming tone and an understanding took over that screamed, “this is how we do things here.” Repeatedly, that very theme popped into the evening.

When we made it to our seats, it took less than 30 seconds for our neighbors to chime in, poke their head over, and ask all about us. Where we were from, how old we were, and how many Phish concerts we had been to amongst a slew of other things. It wasn’t just our neighbors either. Everyone around to our left, right, and backs were doing the same thing, getting to know the people they would be spending the next few hours with. The concert began and the raucous crowd welcomed the band to the stage with a response normally saved for a heavy metal rock show. Jumping, screaming, and chanting with the occasional clap interspersed.

The music began and from the second the first note was played, it took over. Nothing else in the world mattered; just the dancing, singing, drinking, and overall present state of enjoyment. Some in the crowd hurled glow sticks across the general admission seating, others sat with eyes closed, and the majority just danced and danced in front of their chair. There even was a small group that decided the best way to enjoy the music was to hoola hoop to the songs. In addition to greatly enjoying each and every song, it was hard not to notice the state of mind that everybody was in. Yes, it’s no secret that close to one hundred percent of the audience was inebriated in some fashion, though that isn’t the state of mind that was most prevalent. The state of mind I’m talking about is one of pure enjoyment. From the beginning to the end, the crowd was mesmerized by their own happiness. Hats off to Phish for creating and harnessing that type environment through their music.

After Friday night’s concert, I really wish I could say that I had been listening to Phish for the last 15 years and have dozens and dozens of experiences to back it up. However, this show was my first Phish experience and what an experience it was. Trey and the band are outstanding musicians and even better stage commanders (something that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a jam band group).

Obviously, I’ve heard the Phish hits like Heavy Things, Bathtub Gin, and Wading In The Velvet Sea. However, now after seeing this show, I’ve learned, first hand, what I missed along the way. I have a lot of catching up to do, and like the white van people, I couldn’t be more excited to do it.