Over the weekend, Phish kicked off their summer tour with a three-night run at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago. On Saturday night, the Vermont quartet was in proper form, particularly when considering it was merely the second night of their truncated summer run. The major highlight of the night was the group’s rendition of “Simple,” which fell during the exploratory, seven-song second set. Clocking in at just over 27 minutes, Saturday’s “Simple” was the the third-longest “Simple” ever (after 11/16/94 and 12/9/97) and the third-longest overall jam since the band’s 2009 reunion (after the “Tahoe Tweezer” on 7/31/13 and “Chalkdust Torture” from Randall’s Island on 7/13/14).
Phish Delivers 3rd-Longest Jam Of The 3.0 Era With Incredible 27-Minute “Simple” In Chicago
Coming out of the Phish debut of Trey Anastasio Band’s “Corona” that kicked off the set, “Simple” started off in standard form. Using the opening structure as a springboard, “Simple” eventually departed from its major key jam into a more ambient, spacey segment. Around twelve minutes in, the “Simple” jam took a decidedly darker turn, making for a propulsive, bluesy jam, which later broke into a heavily distorted groove reminiscent of “The Dogs.” Exhibiting the patience that makes phans cherish such extended jams, Phish took their time as they built the song to its close, all the while meandering but not aimless. The final minutes of “Simple” brought it all together, with a soaring release after near half-an-hour of the band building the song to its apex ahead of their transition to “Winterqueen.”
Phish Debuts New Song “Thread,” Powers Through Hard Rock Jams In Chicago Finale
With Saturday’s performance at Northerly Island marking the second night of Phish’s summer tour, it’s safe to say we all have a lot to look forward to as the rest of the summer unfolds. Phish released official pro-shot video of the “Simple” from Saturday night, so that we can relive the rendition in all it’s glory from home.
[Photo: Phierce Photo]
Live For Live Music Phish Baker’s Dozen Run Late-Night Shows
July 21 – The Werks @ American Beauty (tix)
July 21 – The Motet @ BB King Blues Club (tix)
July 20, 21, & 22 – Twiddle @ Irving Plaza (tix) *
July 22 – The Werks @ American Beauty (tix)
July 22 – Circles Around The Sun @ Gramercy Theatre (SOLD OUT)
July 23 – Circles Around The Sun (early brunch show) @ Brooklyn Bowl (tix) #
July 25 – Turkuaz @ Irving Plaza (tix) *
July 28 – Dopapod @ Gramercy Theater (tix) *
July 28 – James Brown Dance Party – 2 Shows @ Highline Ballroom (early tix/late tix) *
July 29 – Dopapod @ Gramercy Theatre (tix) *
July 29 – Perpetual Groove @ BB King Blues Club (tix)
Aug 2 – Matisyahu @ The Cutting Room (tix) *
Aug 3 – Greensky Bluegrass w/ Marco Benevento @ Ford Amphitheatre At Coney Island Boardwalk (tix) **
Aug 4 – “Kraz & Taz” – Eric Krasno Band w/ Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band @ The Cutting Room (tix)
Aug 5 – Spafford @ BB King Blues Club (SOLD OUT)
* (L4LM & CEG Presents)
**(L4LM & Live Nation Presents)
# (L4LM & Brooklyn Bowl Presents)