u/Phishy_Life

#duet with @Hank Heaven
My gateway musician

Today in Phishtory: On Saturday, August 15, 1998, Phish played the first of a three-day festival at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, known as Lemonwheel. And yes, I was at that festival, along with 60,000 other people. My PTBM cost $75. I went with Amber and Duane.

The day before, we stopped in Burlington, Vermont, and slept in Noah’s van, Duane’s friend, on Lake Champlain. When we went to Nectar’s, we met some guy who was looking for a ride up to Lemonwheel, so of course we welcomed him without doing our due diligence. We had the great idea of traveling up through Canada and then back down so we could avoid the gridlock on Route 1 in Maine. What we didn’t account for was that our passenger we picked up was actually a 17-year-old runaway. So we got denied entry at the border after they tore my car apart. Good times.

During the show, I was to the left of the tapers. I liked hanging out by the taper section because there were fewer interruptions and less drunken chaos.

My highlights:

“Cities” – The changed-up lyrics mentioning the festival grounds were so much fun.

“Reba” – It’s my hook song and all, but this jam is stunningly beautiful!

“Gumbo” – Funky, groovy, crazy extended jam with seamless transitions.

“Sanity” – Bust out.

“Chalk Dust Torture” – So much tension and release. Maybe this is the quintessential Phish song.

“Slave to The Traffic Light” – Sorry, but 1998 Stacy loved the glow stick war.

“David Bowie” – That long-ass nine-minute intro!

“Halley’s Comet” – The Garden of Infinite Pleasantries lyric change was such a vibe.

The “Ambient Jam” is one of my favorite set experiences ever. Late, dark, lit by candles that festival attendees had made during the day, and I was deep in my ambient music phase. Yup, it was magical.

Usually, it’s always about the music for me. That’s my main focus, but this trip lives in my memories alongside that late-night set. Oh, and riding the Ferris wheel the next day, but I’ll talk about that tomorrow.

📸: Stacy Benstock Klein

Set list: phishdotnet

Today in Phishtory: On Wednesday August 14, 1996 Phish played one show at Hersheypark Stadium for the first time in Hershey Pennsylvania. And yes, I was at that show. My general admission ticket cost $25. I was with Kaley and Jody. This was the last show before their first festival, The Clifford Ball. Just a fire of a show! I believe some people skipped it to head up to Plattsburgh but not me. Spoiler alert: I didn’t realize that Clifford Ball was a festival until I woke up to drumming. But more on that in a few days. I honestly don’t know why LivePhish hasn’t released this one. I mean it’s great on paper, just look at the set list but the playing and the jams are unreal!

My highlights:

“Wilson” - That jam at the end I’m sorry what a way to start the show!

DWD - Honestly it’s not my favorite, but this one, bro!

“Fee” - Bonus points for using the megaphone.

“Reba” - I’ve made it abundantly clear that I prefer when they finish it with the whistle and the chorus however, I’m not immune to being able to identify a spectacular “Reba” jam even though they didn’t do it the way I wanted them to do it. This one is sublime.

“Gumbo” - Honestly I didn’t fall in love with this song until 2019 so I’m getting to rediscover it all over again every time I listen to one that I saw, especially in the 90s. This one is quite spectacular!

“Stash” - Maybe this is the quintessential Phish song. I got it a lot in the 90s but I never got sick of it. I love this one!

“Runaway Jim” - 15 minutes of seamless transitions, spectacular jams and Fishman as the MVP! Highly underrated IMO.

“Horse” > Silent- It wasn’t until Alpine 96 that I fully appreciated “Silent in the Morning“ and the majesty of Page. So I got to experience this one on a completely new level.

“Tweezer”- Clocking in just over 19 minutes. High energy and groovy with a type II jam.

“Cracklin’ Rosie” - It’s personal for me, Neil Diamond was my first concert when I was 9 years old and my mom was obsessed with him. Anytime I would see Phish play it, it made me think of her, and it helped ease the grief.

Set list: phishdotnet

Show notes: phish.com

Today in Phishtory: On Saturday August 8th 1998 Phish played one show at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. And yes, I was at that show. My lawn PTBM cost $27.75. This was show number five of ten that Amber and I did together in the summer of 1998. We were in my blue Toyota Corolla with Pennsylvania plates for this tour. We were walking through the woods to get to shakedown when we met Duane. He had a sign saying he was looking for a ride up to Vernon Downs and Limestone. I immediately offered him a ride because I know that struggle. That is how we met Duane and we remained friends with him until his passing.

I laugh because I was probably the only person in that crowd who did not know what they were playing for the encore. I know, and I am Gen X, lol. Amber had to scream in my ear, “Beastie Boys!” Not many people would admit to not knowing “Sabotage” until they heard Phish play it, but that is me. Yes, I started at the end. That is what sticks out to me the most. Most of the covers I hear at Phish are my first introduction to the song. The “If You Need a Fool” and “Shafty” soundcheck is on the Relisten App recording of this show. I got my first “Sexual Healing” along with the Phish debut of “Sweet Jane” and “Sabotage” this night. “Guyute” is always a want for me. This one has a slow intro. It sounds like Trey is scratching his guitar. I am not sure what that sound is. If somebody knows, feel free to clue me in because I am here for it. The second set was fire from the beginning of “Cavern.” The “2001,” “Piper,” and “Harry Hood” were extra good.

You might be able to get it pretty easily but then again, maybe not.

And we’re back!

Hint: this one is from Summer 2025, but not from the night this photo was taken at The Mann.

🎼 phish

I like this game. I saw this in a Phish Facebook group. Do you wanna play with me?
A phish show of songs I have never seen would look something like this…

DAAM

Sigma Oasis

Petrichor

Terrapin Station

Prep School Hippie

Turtle in the Clouds

hey stranger

Energy

Fuck Your Face

Pillow Jets

Thread

CDT Reprise

I don’t know how but I forgot 2 that I absolutely love… Jennifer Dances and Dr. Gabel!

#duet with @alwaysontour_

Yes, that’s Ori yelling “Trey!” in the background.

Every Friday night during the Beacon Jams, I’d write in Twitch chat, “Please play Fluffhead for Stacy and Ori.”

I didn’t get it during the Beacon Jams, but Trey played it at SPAC in June 2021. You’re welcome.

Music and lyrics by Trey Anastasio, and The Dude of Life

Every time I rewatch this show, I find something that makes me stare at the screen like 👀

I think Sophie was one of the most ridiculous characters/storylines on 90210. I feel like they did that to compete Melrose Place.

What do you think?

The only time I clap during Stash is when Trey plays it acoustic, lol.
What can I say, sober acoustic Trey is my favorite Trey.

#duet with @11_02_98