Lockn’ Festival seemingly pulled off the impossible when they booked Phish, a band that rarely plays festivals. Not only did promoter Peter Shapiro bring Phish to his event, but he engaged the band’s members with unique super group jams throughout the weekend. Between their jam-heavy show on Friday and sets with the live music scene elite on Saturday, the Phish crew were warmed up and ready for a Sunday show to close out the festival.

Of course, Phish weren’t the only band who played the fest’s final day. The band followed greats like Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Phil Lesh & Friends and Gary Clark Jr., making for a dream day of live music. By the time Phish opened their show, fans were full of great music and beyond ready for the band’s headlining stage. The main stage was packed to the brim. 

The band opened their set with “Sample In A Jar,” setting the pace with an upbeat rock and roller. They found their way into a funky “Martian Monster,” and kept the energy high with “Axilla” and “The Moma Dance.” “Moma” had a nice jam section, and the band kept the energy up with “Halley’s Comet” and “AC/DC Bag.”

Far from finished with their first set, the band slid into the relative rarity “Fuck Your Face.” Though the band played it last month, the Mike Gordon original is always a welcomed addition to any set. The short classic bled into “46 Days,” which saw the band stretch their legs before bringing out Fuego track “The Line.” 

After the slow down moment, the set kept rolling with “Limb by Limb,” nailing the song and its intricate vocal workings. Trey Anastasio stole the number with some great melodic guitarwork throughout the tune. He kept the energy high with “Possum,” which featured an awesome build-up jam. The set closed with an emphatic “First Tube,” with Trey ceremoniously holding up his guitar to end the song and set.

To start the very last set at Lockn’, Phish hit the ground running with “Carini.” The song stayed in darker improvisational territory before Trey shifted into “Chalk Dust Torture.” Where “Chalk Dust” was energetic throughout, the following song “Twist” took a more patient approach. The slow building jam erupted towards the end, and the group found their way into “Light.”

The “Light” was patient and melodic, as the band kept steadily climbing through a jam heavy second set. The show then erupted with a great version of “Tweezer,” with Trey getting things hot before Page McConnell let loose on the clavs for some pure Lockn’ funk. On a dime, the band spaced their way into Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter.” The first cover of the night was followed by the second, as “2001” continued to uplift the crowd.

“Harry Hood” followed, perhaps providing the most uplifting moment of them all. The song was all emotionally charged jamming, picking up the crowd and bringing things to a true feel-good finale. It was “Tweezer Reprise” that ended the set; pumping things up for some serious rocking and rolling.

 It was The Rolling Stones’ “Loving Cup” that closed out the show, putting a powerful ending to a great showing. Though the setlist was a predictable one, Phish played it with an enormous enthusiasm, keeping the energy high and the jams flowing. Their presence put Lockn’ on the next level of live music events. We can’t thank the Lockn’ team enough for everything.

Phish heads to Colorado next weekend for three nights at Dicks, before a fall tour in October. See the full Phish.net setlist below.

Setlist: Phish at Lockn’ Festival, Arrington, VA – 8/28/16

Set 1: Sample in a Jar, Martian Monster, Axilla > The Moma Dance > Halley’s Comet > AC/DC Bag, Fuck Your Face > 46 Days, The Line, Limb By Limb > Possum, First Tube

Set 2: Carini > Chalk Dust Torture > Twist > Light > Tweezer > No Quarter > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Harry Hood > Tweezer Reprise

Encore: Loving Cup