Phish returned to the Barcelo Maya Beach, playing the second of three nights along the Mexican shores. The band continued their pace of strong performances, keeping the mood energetic as they wove in big jams, fan favorite songs, and an all-around effort to cater to the beach location.
Wasting no time, the band opened up the show with the classic Trey Anastasio composition, “The Curtain With.” The song set the pace for a great first half, as Phish executed the technically challenging song with ease. The lyric “we follow the lines going South” certainly influenced the decision for Phish to play this relative rarity, as they also performed it in Mexico last year.
Watch the official video of “The Curtain With” below, courtesy of LivePhish.
They kept the energy up high with “AC/DC Bag,” before bringing out their first Big Boat song of the weekend, “Breath and Burning.” The choice was all too appropriate, considering that Trey wrote the song with inspiration from last year’s Mexico trip. A short but sweet “Poor Heart” followed, before a pair of Fuego tunes in “Halfway to the Moon” and “The Line” came next. The band kept up the 3.0 originals with the Mike Gordon original, “Waking Up Dead.” The funky number was played for only the fifth time, and it’s certainly finding its footing within Phish’s setlists.
The set continued with the funk rocker “Tube,” a song that has been delightfully jammed out ever since the Chula Vista performance last summer. This was tight and groovy, a perfect dance-athon for the first set. Phish then pulled out the ballad “Fast Enough For You” for the first time in 33 shows, before bringing back “Ocelot” after its inclusion in the Madison Square Garden New Year’s performance. The real stand out of the first set was its finale, as Phish left the crowd speechless with a noteworthy version of “Chalk Dust Torture.” Where most first set “Chalk Dusts” are short and to the point, this was a patient, extended version that dropped into deep space before returning with its powerful ending. What a great end of the set!
The band got right to work in set two with a cover of Talking Heads’ “Crosseyed And Painless.” The Jon Fishman-led song always indicates a big second set ahead, and this was no exception. The band locked into a great jam that mostly worked off the song’s driving melody. They continued the jamming by bringing out “Blaze On,” and the song’s island rhythm was a perfect fit for the shores of Barcelo Maya, keeping everyone smiling throughout the jammed out version.
Watch the official video of “Crosseyed and Painless” below, courtesy of LivePhish.
Right as “Blaze On” ended, Trey started up the chord progression for the fan favorite, “Meatstick.” The song has been played at the band’s last three multi-night runs now (Mexico, MSG, and Vegas), but its always a welcomed addition to any show. The band took their time throughout the song, giving this version a little more oomph with some tight funky improvising that teased “Crosseyed and Painless”. They followed that up with a lengthy “Winterqueen,” bringing the slower ballad for a cool down moment within the second half.
The set continued with “Mercury,” a welcomed addition in the middle of the set. The song has been a favorite among fans since its 2015 debut, and it’s been nice seeing the band incorporate it into more of their shows despite not putting it on the newest album. This was a great “Mercury” that was played well, and jammed even better. The song’s final movement definitely has a lot of room to explore, and the band unleashed a funk-fueled dark jam to close out “Mercury.”
Phish then brought some “Light” to Mexico, as they showered the beaches with the uplifting number. This was a great “Light” jam that mostly stayed in uplifting territory, as the band took the song for a 16-minute journey. They ended the set with “Wading In The Velvet Sea,” a nod from Page McConnell to the ocean-wading members of the audience.
After a second set that mostly touched on nature themes (Blaze On, Winterqueen, Mercury, Light, and Velvet Sea), the band brought their show to a close with a cover of The Who’s “Drowned.” The band included some teases of “Crosseyed and Painless” in “Drowned” as well, as the band started singing the “Still waiting” refrain as they jammed out. With just a little more time, Phish brought out “Rocky Top” for a lighthearted finale.
Phish’s last scheduled performance will occur tomorrow night, as they close out the three night run in Mexico. Check out the Phish.net setlist, posted below. All photos taken on night one, and appear courtesy of Chad Smith.
Setlist: Phish | Barcelo Maya Beach | Riviera Maya, Mexico | 1/14/17
Set 1: The Curtain With, AC/DC Bag > Breath and Burning, Poor Heart, Halfway to the Moon, The Line, Waking Up Dead, Tube > Fast Enough for You, Ocelot > Chalk Dust Torture
Set 2: Crosseyed and Painless > Blaze On > Meatstick > Winterqueen, Mercury > Light > Wading in the Velvet Sea
Encore: Drowned