Sample In A Jar - Phish
8.17.96 - The Clifford Ball, Plattsburgh, NY

How about a little reflection on this Phish Friday? This video is from one of the highest points in Phishtory, a period that may never be matched - at least not in the same vein - again. But if you’re a Phish fan, take a moment today to reflect on the past year.

A year ago we didn’t know what to expect, we didn’t know if they could even make it back. Hampton had yet to unite the fanbase in person once more, the band hadn’t played a summer tour since their farewell in 2004, and the thought of a festival still made most of us cringe.  And yet now we’ve all been able to share in a fun summer tour, a festival in the desert surrounding Halloween, a scorching fall tour, and a New Year’s run that seemed to tie it all together while pointing to the future. It finally feels like they have their legs under them again, playing with a renewed confidence and new identity that could only come from perseverance and their own shared experiences.

And while to the world at large - and even huge live music fans - it’s hard to pinpoint why we could care so much, but if 2009 proved anything, it’s that Phish is still a unifying tour de force with the most amazing and unique community of people surrounding the music.

Over the next couple months both Mike and Trey will tour around with their own projects, perhaps with more enthusiasm surrounding them than prior to Phish’s return. New songs will be written, chops will be honed even further (Trey is certainly killing it early on his solo tour), and in a few months as the weather warms and the collective itch returns -presumably early June if you believe the rumblings - the band will come together to hold celebrations all across the country. You just have to feel lucky!