Phish has shared pro-shot footage of “Piper” from the band’s night three finale at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado this past year.
The song comes from the second set of the closing show during Phish’s annual three-night Labor Day gathering in Commerce City, CO. The second set had kicked off with the band’s debut of “Sightless Escape”, a song that was notably absent from the new album, Sigma Oasis. After “Sightless Escape”, the band went into “Fuego” which transitioned right into “Piper”.
This version of “Piper” starts off even slower than normal, as the band begins singing the mantra that constitutes the song’s lyrics. Eventually, Phish kicks it up to normal speed and starts moving quickly into a whirling kind of jam led by some solid synth work out of Page McConnell on his Moog. The rest of the band joins together in building a solid rhythm base that allows for Page to continue exploring new territory, with Trey Anastasio poking his head out every now and then with some short but powerful guitar phrases. What’s impressive about this jam is that McConnell sticks with the Moog practically the entire time, allowing the band to approach some deep space territory. Finally, they come back together and Trey starts prepping them for the ensuing “Tweezer” that starts up just after the video ends.
Below, watch Phish perform “Piper” from night three at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Phish – “Piper” – 9/1/19
[Video: Phish]
“Piper” joins yesterday’s release of “Down With Disease“, which was also from the 2019 Dick’s run. As the band continues to roll out archival footage from recent tours, as well as broadcast full concert video in the Dinner and a Movie series, it’s clear that Phish has plenty of material to keep fans busy during the quarantine.