Last night, Phish began their seventh three-night Labor Day Weekend run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. An annual end-of-summer tradition that stretches back to 2011, Phish’s performances at the Denver-area soccer stadium have garnered a hallowed reputation among fans. Phish loves Dick’s, and Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Page McConnell always treat the run accordingly, serving up setlist hijinks and, most importantly, consistently incredible improvisation.

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In years past, fans came to have certain expectations for Dick’s. However, heading into the 2017 edition, the impending run was as much a mystery as it has ever been. Though there were undoubtedly plenty of surprises to behold (like the “Squirming Coil” bass solo…#neverforget), last year marked the first year the band ditched the setlist themes. These shows also mark the first performances by the band since their triumphant 13-night Baker’s Dozen run at Madison Square Garden earlier this summer, where they planned a special theme for each night and–oh yea–didn’t repeat a single song.

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Would the band bring back the setlist spelling tricks, or is that whole concept a thing of the past? Would they try to continue their “no repeat” streak, or did the end of the Dozen signal the pressing of the proverbial “reset button?” After the truly unique and impressive undertaking of the MSG residency, could the 2017 Dick’s run possibly be as special as the thirteen shows that preceded it? Night one would not answer all the questions that swirled around in the days and weeks that preceded the tour-closing weekend, but it would answer the most important one: Despite the apparent absence of theatrics and themes and donuts and literary puzzles, Dick’s in 2017 is still can’t-miss Phish.

The band hit the stage at roughly 8pm local time and launched into “Blaze On,” the first of four selections from 2016’s Big Boat played on Friday night. The tune immediately answered one of the biggest pre-run uncertainties: Phish would not be carrying their New York “no repeat” mission over to Colorado. In fact, every song played on Dick’s night 1 was also played at some point during the Baker’s Dozen–though there were surely no complaints on this night. Don’t worry, kids, this is good news: all your favorite songs are back in play.

The show-opening “Blaze” wasted no time, as Trey led the band into major key improv, before the focus shifted to a groove built on funky Page grand piano riffs and reverb-laden Gordon pops. The bright, arena-rock guitar lead returned from there, as Red peppered in dextrous lead lines as he rode the cresting sonic wave to its breaking point. 15-minute “Blaze On” jam to kick off the run? Oh yea. Not a bad way to start…

You can watch Phish’s get the Dick’s weekend started with a bang with pro-shot footage of the show-opening “Blaze On” below, via LivePhish:

After a longer than usual discussion, the band opted for a straightforward “555,” which quickly led into “Breath and Burning.” Though often maligned for its “dad rock”-ness since its debut last year, the song continues to improve in the live setting. Perhaps the most confident rendition of the tune to date, “Breath and Burning” featured some nice organ work from Page and even began to approach improv territory before returning to the theme and, in turn, oozing into “Theme From The Bottom.”

“Theme” got some delicate yet precise flourishes from Trey throughout each of the song’s verses, before those same licks helped draw it up from the depths for a big white-light peak. The fan-favorite also evoked the first of many feelings of admiration toward Kuroda’s 2017 light rig that would arise over the course of the evening. Just as much as the marionette-type behemoth seemed like it was made for MSG, it felt particularly at home in the broad expanses of the Dick’s field, providing some breathtaking vistas for those of us tuning in from the couch.

Next, Trey signaled the start of “Free,” which moved quickly from the song’s structure into a breezy, textured jam. The song’s bridge was this rendition’s highlight, as Gordon led a low space-funk groove accented by sci-fi adornments via Trey’s Kaoss pad, which is beginning to rival the Marimba Lumina as his favorite new toy.

After another long pause, “Tube” got the call. This “Tube” was not created equal, quickly moving beyond the song’s structure into impeccably tight plinko-funk from Page, with Trey adding staccato texture. Page’s synth and Fishman’s motor-like backbeat created a dark and dirty ambiance, which bubbling fervently into bona fide Type-II space before building to a big rock peak. A fantastic and unique rendition unlike any in recent memory, this rare extended “Tube” jam is surely not to be ignored.

The “Tube” jam transitioned smoothly into “Roggae,”which was typically high-flying and beautiful, the lights twinkling alluringly. The third Big Boat tune of the night, “More,” brought the set to a close, and once again it was tighter and played with more confidence than its last performance. And we’d better get used to it. Considering how clearly they enjoy playing it–and the potency of its euphoric major riff and hopeful theme–this is bound to be a staple set closer for years to come.

With a strong first set in the bag, the band came out for set two with another tried-and-true Big Boat jam vehicle, “No Men In No Man’s Land.” Stretching to nearly 25 minutes in length, the fast-paced synth-funk jam moved through several sonic spaces–from funk-synth 80’s jazziness, to reverb-laced and echoing dissonance, to cascading robotic sci-fi flourishes, to almost Radiohead-like pulses pushed by Fishman’s immaculate percussion. More Kaoss pad Trey, cavernous echoes from Mike and, finally, a well-earned peak…This jam was creative, patient, and potent, as the band took a slow, scenic route to a massive musical payoff before returning to the song’s theme.

You can watch the extended “No Men In No Man’s Land” opener from Dick’s Night One below, via LivePhish:

“Carini” came next, offering the second 20+ minute improvisational odyssey of the set. After a brief “vocal jam” on the song’s first “lumpy head” line, the band kept things dark and murky where many great “Carinis” of late have eventually found their way into blissful major-key territory. Laser-like effects laced the extended jam, which hinted at a resolution to major space before Mike took the reigns and led the outfit back into dark, minor-key weirdness. Trey took the band on his back from there, piloting the ship to the biggest, most euphoric peak of the night to that point before settling into a “Have Mercy”-like reggae groove (with faint hints of “Manteca”) that finally relented into the opening notes of “Ghost.”

Like the two songs that preceded it “Ghost” went deep into Type II territory, with everyone adding a little extra fire power from the get-go. By the time the jam hit the 10-minute mark, the “hose” was on full blast, and would remain there for several glorious minutes before returning to the “No Men” theme to raucous applause. By the time the dust had settled, and the band had kicked into “Harry Hood,” the set had already cemented itself as one of the best of the summer, with an hour-plus stretch (“NMINML” > “Carini” > “Ghost”) of top-of-the-line Phish fireworks that will surely be on many fans’ playlists for years to come.

After a beautiful (if relatively generic) “Hood,” the band capped their rare 5-song second set with a sing-along “Cavern.” An appropriate Horse > “Silent In The Morning” got the call in the encore slot. After all, this exact thing did happen to us just last year. But that’s only partially true: Phish in 2017 is not the same beast as Phish in 2016…not really. This summer has been an embarrassment of Phish riches, and with two more shows to go, and a Night 1 as strong as this one, the smart money is on that trend continuing the rest of the weekend. Buckle up: Dick’s is swingin’, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

You can see a gallery of photos from Dick’s night one below, via photographer Jeremy Scott.

SETLIST: Phish | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park | Commerce City, CO | 9/1/17 

SET 1: Blaze On, 555, Breath and Burning, Theme From the Bottom > Free, Tube > Roggae > More

SET 2: No Men In No Man’s Land > Carini > Ghost > Harry Hood > Cavern

ENCORE: The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Character Zero