PHEAR NOT! After 26 years of mostly on (though occasional—yet painful—off) live performances, Phish has done it again. This time, at the fantastic Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA. On August 7th and the again on August 8th. They once again stunned the immense sea of fans with brilliant, tight, inspiring, danceable music.
I must say, first of all, that the Gorge Amphitheater is one of the most stunning concert venues in the world! The show started at 7:30pm, on the dot. 7:30pm, in the middle of August in the Pacific Northwest, means creeping, colorful, magical sunsets. The stage perched high above the Columbia River atop a sheer cliff, the sun gently setting behind one amazing stage, paving the way for two amazing nights of music.
I had the pleasure of standing in front of twenty thousand avid fans, screaming with joy, raising their hands as if doing so made them ever so close and connected to the musicians. I only had 15 *quick* minutes to photograph Phish performing their first couple of songs. I can tell you that my stomach was in my throat from the excitement of being up there. At the same time, I had to get to work! Focus, Alice . . . FOCUS!
Seeing Trey and the gang so close was one of the most memorable experiences, and once I put my camera to my eye, they were even closer! I felt the music pump through my veins as I leaned on the stage, shooting away. Behind me, the audience was roaring and dancing and hitting inflatable, fish-shaped balloons from left to right and back. I could very clearly hear everyone singing along. I had a perpetual smile on my face, from the first camera shutter click to the very last. Towards the middle of my 15 minute shoot, Mike Gordon, the bassist, must have seen my “perma-grin” and smiled right back at me. Fantastic!
Phish performed newer and older songs intermixed throughout the night. Looking around the expanse that is the Gorge Amphitheater, I saw fans from a wide age range singing, dancing, bouncing around, and grinning. No matter which tune was being played, every single soul there knew the words. I even saw a 8 or 9 year old child spinning glow sticks and mouthing “Sally in the alley” over and over again. I felt an amazing closeness, a comforting tightness with everyone there, even if I knew no one personally. We all connected, it seems. Magical.
I can tell you readers right now that on the August 7th performance, Phish stunned me, and I believe they stunned everyone else there, as well. They paused for a good 4 minutes; regrouped at the center of the stage; mouthed a few words, exchanged a few smiles; returned to their designated places by their monitors and microphones and began playing . . . “Fluffhead.” “Fluffhead??” Really? Does this mean that Phish is back and staying for good?? I think so! “Fluffhead” is a classic! One of their very own originals from over a decade ago; a 12+ minute jam session. People went NUTS! The time was 10:31pm, Set 2. Wow, what a surprise and what a delight. An all-around epic performance, appreciated by the old fans and respected by the new ones.
I was blessed with the opportunity to see Phish again, after their long hiatus. Not only that, I was blessed with being a part of an old tradition of Phish-following and -devotion, and at the same time, got to immortalize them with my camera. Since I graduated from UofA in Tuscon, AZ back in 2000, I hadn’t seen a live Phish performance. On August 7th and 8th, I (and 19999 other people) was given the honor of another chance. They nailed it. Their return tour has been much awaited and anticipated and welcomed by millions of fans. A truly epic opportunity for me and performance by them. I can’t stop looking at the photographs, and I hope you like them as well . . . .
DOWNLOAD: Phish - Fluffhead (Live at Wolf Mountain, UT, 8/2/96) (MP3) or Follow us for more Phish MP3s (Twitter)
This comment stream is so meta. Great review Kelly.
by chris on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 07.50 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
no prob. The whole album is excellent, combining some of the harder sonics of Los Angeles with the meat of his debut and obviously difficult to summarize in only 50 words… 
I’d say it’s on par with the debut, but better than Los Angeles.
by kelly on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.23 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
By the way, I really liked the mp3 posted. Thanks.
by Joshua H on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “Picture yourself coasting your bike past space funk palm trees, homeless harpists, vintage video arcades, electronic drum circles, and 60s psychedelic singers who’re waiting for the bus. Cosmogramma is kinda like that if someone suddenly tripped you just as you’re starting to enjoy the ride. But in a good way.””
by Joshua H on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
you’ll notice the author’s name under title.
by kelly on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.11 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “Picture yourself coasting your bike past space funk palm trees, homeless harpists, vintage video arcades, electronic drum circles, and 60s psychedelic singers who’re waiting for the bus. Cosmogramma is kinda like that if someone suddenly tripped you just as you’re starting to enjoy the ride. But in a good way.”
by HKD on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.10 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
i saw them open for the Cave Singers, not very original, the crowd was not into it either, frankly i think they suck
by rigamarole on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 11.30 am from the entry: The Dutchess & The Duke Tour Dates, Y'all
I only had 15 *quick* minutes to photograph Phish performing their first couple of songs.I can tell you that my stomach was in my throat from the excitement of being up there. At the same time, I had to get to work! Focus, Alice . . . FOCUS!
Fifteen minutes paid off! Loving no. 6.
oh i know!
i was ecstatic!
what an amazing opportunity for me…
thanks MeloPhobe!
(and thanks for the compliment RB
~Alice
The show did NOT start at 7:30, not even close.
It started at about 8:00 on Aug. 7, and at exactly 8:05 on Aug. 8., right when the sun went down.
wow. thanks for the specifics on the start times, matthew.
it was not my intention to mislead. in fact, you just reminded me that i had cautiously offset my clock by 30 minutes ahead in order to be on time.
my adrenalin was up during the shooting of the show and while i was writing the review. i had forgotten about the half hour discrepancy on my clock.
so thanks for reminding me.
yes, the show did start at 8. not 7:30 as my clock said.
~Alice
Show was late but good. Thank you for the post.
these are gorgeous pictures documenting one of the best nights of my life! what are the chances I could get #37 for a wallpaper?
I just realized I never posted anything here! Your photos are fabulous Alice!! Loved the review, reading it relived the excitement I feel every time I see Phish live. Great job!
THANK YOU lens, samson and zoe!
Was at the gorge.. and the first night was the most incredible night of my life.. I have never in my life felt so consumed and overwhelmed. This was my first live Phish show.. just went to Festival 8.. and I will never forget the special times at the Gorge or Festival 8. Amazing pictures! Well done.
the Yamar jam was the shit