Phish pulled into Columbia, Maryland on Saturday for their first of two consecutive gigs at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The Vermont-based quartet continued a hot streak of the Washington D.C. area shed by loading the concert with otherworldly improvisation. Night one at Merriweather also featured unusual song placements and the biggest bustout of the tour.
At this point in the summer, it’s more surprising when Phish doesn’t stretch out a song. Saturday produced two more record-length versions, as both “Contact” and “Life Saving Gun” became the longest performances of each song to date.
The foursome rolled out their first-ever “What’s Going Through Your Mind” opener to kick off the Merriweather run. After inclement weather delayed doors, the opening lyric of “The storm had passed by quickly, as the evening got its start” was fitting. Phish wasted little time leaving the song’s structure behind, with a blissful jam that was short and sweet. Guitarist Trey Anastasio wore an Aragorn’s Studio t-shirt for the second night in a row, as he gears up for ’90s Week at Madison Square Garden…