The No Spoilers Project

Aside from the mere euphoria that Phish's return has brought many fans at the shows, what about those that couldn't make it to Hampton?  One of the more unique fan projects that has sprung up for these reunion shows has been the "no spoiler" project, run by some energetic fans who are in attendance. The idea is rather simple: they're going to the shows, taping them, and converting them directly after the encore ends with the idea of uploading them as quick as possible.  Okay, that doesn't sound novel.  But within the files, there is nothing indicating a song that the band played.  So, if you're able to stay away from the Internet, delete all the frenzied texts coming in, and fight your own curiosity, you can listen to each set, as if you were there.  With so many fans giving up to the minute details, including the Phish's own Twitter stream, the no spoiler project is a nice, fan driven effort to give the rest of the Phish community a window into the experience.  Do fans of other bands do similiar projects? -Michael D. Ayers 

Hampton Came Alive, Once More

If there was any doubt to the draw that Phish might still have, it was quite evident pulling up to the Hampton Coliseum (pictured here) last night.  Ticketless folks lined the highway and street leading into the venue, with creative signs, costumes, and offers for anything resembling a piece of paper that would let them in the doors.  The most telling sign simply read "Asheville + Funk," indicating that summer tour tickets were already being used as currency (along with other stuff).  Fans were offering upwards of $500 for one ticket, but if those extras did exist, they were extremely rare finds. 

As much as you want to focus on what the band played, there were a few interesting notes about the crowd- Phish has always been known for their loyal following who dwell on the more hippie-ish side of things, and there's no doubt that they still exist, as evident by a host of patchworked pants and dresses.  But with the passing of nearly five years for the band, so has that time passed for their fans as well.  And they seemed tame, a bit more, dare we say: grown up?  It's not that there weren't instances of people taking too much of some substance and passing out, or the free hugs were absent.  But those were few and far between; the crowd was grateful, but clearly nostalgic throughout the night, both inside and outside of the arena. 

Very few homemade items existed in the parking lot for sale; even vendors of the infamous "goo balls" or veggie burritos weren't around, either.  Maybe its a case of just having a weekend where the die hard followers aren't needing to make a buck because there's no where to go come Monday; or maybe its that a lot of Phish's fans have invested in something else aside from a bag of bread for some grilled cheese?  Maybe so, or maybe not. -Michael D. Ayers

The Phish Mothership Awaits

In a few hours, Phish will return to the stage, breaking a four and a half year silence.  Most thought they were through in August of 2004; after all, they said "we're done."  But much to the joy of college students, former college students, and veggie burrito purveyors across the land, the seminal Vermont jam-band have reunited; they're even going to record soon.

And after speaking with several old fans that saw a bulk of their shows in the 1990's (as did I), it's become somewhat of a fun little lead up game, in trying to figure out what they'd open with.  My initial guess
was a cover of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town."  But upon further reflection, that might be too obvious.  As most people, and I think the band included, are feeling pretty nostalgic about the group,
I'm guessing either a nice "You Enjoy Myself," a long winded "Divided Sky," or a classic, quick punchy rocker like "Chalkdust Torture."

What's your guess?  Leave them in the comment section.  And I'll be providing real time Twitter updates from the parking lot and inside the shows. - Mike Ayers