Phish

Phish Live Performance of 'Icculus' in Colorado

Colorado, United States

• In January 1988, when Phish performed "Icculus" at a venue in Colorado, the band was still early in their career, having just released their self-titl... Read Full Description >

  In January 1988, when Phish performed "Icculus" at a venue in Colorado, the band was still early in their career, having just released their self-titled debut album, "Phish," in 1989. This period was characterized by their growth from a local Burlington, Vermont music scene into a notable presence in the live music circuit. During this time, Phish was honing their improvisational style and developing their unique blend of rock, jazz, and funk. "Icculus," later featured on their 1992 album "Lawn Boy," showcases their playful storytelling and witty lyricism, elements that would define much of their work. Notably, the live performance context allowed the band to experiment freely, a hallmark of their reputation that would gain them a devoted following in the years to come. This pre-album phase highlighted their commitment to live music and improvisation, laying the groundwork for their future achievements.

Phish Performs 'Harry Hood' Live at Nectar's, Burlington, VT

Nectar's
Burlington, Vermont, United States

• On February 8, 1988, Phish performed at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, a notable venue in their early career. This live recording predates the rel... Read Full Description >

  On February 8, 1988, Phish performed at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, a notable venue in their early career. This live recording predates the release of their debut studio album, "Juntas," which came out later that same year in 1989. By this time, Phish was in the thick of solidifying their sound and building a dedicated fanbase through energetic live performances, characterized by improvisation and musical experimentation. Interestingly, "Harry Hood," a staple in their repertoire, showcases the band's ability to blend complex musical structures with captivating improvisational sections. The performance from this early venue highlights their youthful energy and skill, and it perfectly captures the band's trajectory towards becoming a legendary live act recognized for their unique concert experiences. This recording serves as a glimpse into the formative years that laid the groundwork for their future successes.

Phish Performs 'Tela' Live at Nectar's in Burlington, VT

Nectar's
Burlington, Vermont, United States

• On March 12, 1988, when Phish performed "Tela" at Nectar's in Burlington, Vermont, the band was in its early stages, having formed just a few years pr... Read Full Description >

  On March 12, 1988, when Phish performed "Tela" at Nectar's in Burlington, Vermont, the band was in its early stages, having formed just a few years prior, in 1983. At this point in their career, they had yet to release their first studio album, "Junta," which would come out later that year. The live recording captures the band as they were honing their skills, developing their unique blend of rock, jazz, and improvisational styles that would define their sound. It's noteworthy that this performance of "Tela" is considered particularly special, likely due to its debut live rendition and the enthusiasm surrounding their early shows. As Phish gained momentum in the late 1980s, they began to cultivate a dedicated fan base and set the foundation for their iconic live performances that would later characterize their career.

Phish Live Performance of 'Fire' and 'Good Times Bad Times' from 1988 Demo

Humphries House, Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

• In April 1988, Phish was in the early stages of their career as they began to establish their identity within the jam band scene. This live recording ... Read Full Description >

  In April 1988, Phish was in the early stages of their career as they began to establish their identity within the jam band scene. This live recording at Humphries House features covers of classic tracks "Fire" by Jimi Hendrix and "Good Times Bad Times" by Led Zeppelin, showcasing the band's eclectic influences and their penchant for improvisation. Prior to this performance, Phish had released their self-titled debut album "Phish" in 1989, but this 1988 demo highlights their commitment to live performance and experimental sound even before their official studio releases. Notably, this period marked a formative time for the band, as they were honing their craft and gaining a following in the small venues of the Northeast U.S., setting the stage for their later success.

Phish - Happy Birthday at Nectars, Burlington, 1988

Nectar's
Burlington, Vermont, United States

• On May 21, 1988, when Phish performed at Nectars in Burlington, Vermont, the band was in the early stages of their career, having just released their ... Read Full Description >

  On May 21, 1988, when Phish performed at Nectars in Burlington, Vermont, the band was in the early stages of their career, having just released their debut studio album, "Junta," earlier that year. This album helped establish their unique sound, blending rock, jazz, bluegrass, and funk, and set the stage for their improvisational style that became a hallmark of their live performances. The Nectars show is particularly notable as it captures the band's intimate roots during a time when they were still gaining recognition. The camaraderie and energy evident in the performance reflect the close-knit atmosphere of their early gigs, and the venue itself holds significance in Phish's history as a launching pad for their career. This live performance is a snapshot of Phish's formative years, showcasing their burgeoning creativity and connection with the audience that would later contribute to their status as a major force in the jam band scene.

Phish Full Concert - 1988-89 Highlights at Goddard College

Tramps
New York, New York, United States

• In June 1988, when the live recording took place at Goddard College, Phish was in the early stages of their career, having just released their debut a... Read Full Description >

  In June 1988, when the live recording took place at Goddard College, Phish was in the early stages of their career, having just released their debut album, *Junta*, earlier that year. This album, though initially available only on cassette, showcased the band's unique blend of progressive rock, jazz, bluegrass, and funk, capturing their experimental essence and improvisational skills. At this time, Phish was still largely performing in smaller venues, such as bars and auditoriums, honing their craft and developing the intricate musical compositions for which they would later become known. The recording from this period reflects their youthful exuberance and willingness to explore various musical styles, setting the foundation for their future growth and the complex live performances that would characterize their career. Additionally, the band's emphasis on tight show flow and musicianship during this time would become a hallmark in their evolution as a live act.

Full Concert: 1988.07.23 - Pete's Phabulous Phish Phest

Peter Danforth’s House
Underhill, Vermont, United States

• On July 23, 1988, Phish performed at Pete’s Phabulous Phish Phest, marking a significant point in their early career. At this time, the band had rec... Read Full Description >

  On July 23, 1988, Phish performed at Pete’s Phabulous Phish Phest, marking a significant point in their early career. At this time, the band had recently released their self-titled debut album, "Phish," in 1989, which showcased their eclectic blend of rock, jazz, bluegrass, and other genres. This period was characterized by their experimental sound and developing live performance style, which would later become a hallmark of their identity. The show at Phest captures the raw energy and improvisational prowess that they were known for in their formative years. Interestingly, this early performance precedes their rise to prominence in the jam band scene and illustrates their commitment to live improvisation even before they had gained significant national attention. This makes the 1988 performance a vital document of their artistic evolution.

Phish Full Concert: 03.17.1991 Aspen, CO Complete Show SBD

The Roma
Telluride, Colorado, United States

• In March 1991, when Phish performed at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, they were rapidly gaining traction in the music scene, following th... Read Full Description >

  In March 1991, when Phish performed at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, they were rapidly gaining traction in the music scene, following the release of their album "Lawn Boy" in 1990. This album marked a significant development in their sound, featuring intricate compositions and a unique blend of genres that would come to define their style. The live recording from the Aspen show showcases their energetic performance and improvisational prowess, elements that were becoming hallmarks of their concerts. Notably, this period also saw an expansion of their fan base, which would lead to legendary live shows and the establishment of a devoted following. The inclusion of songs like "Mike's Song" and "David Bowie" in this setlist highlights their early repertoire that captivated audiences, setting the stage for their future success and influence in the jam band scene.

Live Performance of 'Whipping Post' by Phish at The Front, Burlington

The Front
Burlington, Vermont, United States

Phish - Wild Child Live Performance at The Front, Burlington, VT

The Front
Burlington, Vermont, United States

Phish - Live Performance of 'On Your Way Down' at The Front, Burlington

The Front
Burlington, Vermont, United States

Phish - Full Concert at Sculpture Room, Goddard College featuring Halley's Comet and more

Goddard College
Plainfield, Vermont, United States

• On October 29, 1988, Phish was in the early stages of their career, having formed just a few years earlier in 1983. This live recording showcases a si... Read Full Description >

  On October 29, 1988, Phish was in the early stages of their career, having formed just a few years earlier in 1983. This live recording showcases a significant moment for the band, particularly as it includes the first performance of "Foam," a song that would become a staple in their repertoire. By this time, Phish had released their self-titled debut album in 1989, but prior to this performance, they were actively developing their unique sound and a dedicated following through live shows. Notably, they were known for their improvisational style and incorporation of diverse musical elements, which is evident in the mix of covers and original songs performed during this concert. The early influences and experimentation during this period would later shape their identity as a pioneering jam band, setting the stage for their subsequent rise in the music scene.

Phish Full Concert - Live Performances of Wilson, Alumni Blues, The Lizards, and The Sloth

Curry Hicks Cage
Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

• In December 1988, when Phish recorded their live performance at The Red Barn in Amherst, Massachusetts, the band was still in the early stages of thei... Read Full Description >

  In December 1988, when Phish recorded their live performance at The Red Barn in Amherst, Massachusetts, the band was still in the early stages of their career. They had released their debut album, "Junta," a compilation of songs recorded in the mid-1980s, which came out in 1989. This live recording captures the band's evolving sound and improvisational style, showcasing their unique blend of rock, jazz, and progressive elements even before they became widely known. Interestingly, songs from this recording, such as "Wilson" and "Alumni Blues," would go on to become staples in their live repertoire, highlighting how Phish was experimenting with their sound during this formative period. The Red Barn performance exemplifies the band's commitment to live artistry, setting the stage for their future as a renowned live act.