A nation within a nation. You don’t need much luggage or a passport to get there. And lucky for all, security is a joke. ( Fuck the TSA btw, not music related whatsoever, but they really piss me off.) Whats this new nation called you ask? It’s actually not new in any sense, Phish has been touring for over 20 years.
I busted my Phish cherry this past Saturday, when they performed at Merriweather Post Pavilion in MD.
The cream of the crop when it comes to entire band improv and famous for extending their grooves; no single concert is alike, the snowflake of shows per se.
But their cult-like ( no negative connotation) following of Phish-Heads is what interested me most about my entire Phish experience.
As my long time amigo Big Horse put it, “It’s like a country inside a country.” People with the same taste in music, similar beliefs and love for the live music vibe. A vibe which most of the community, filled with generally kind, friendly and overall good people, can never seem to get enough of. Hence, they go to EVERY show,everywhere.
I met a 1 month old kid who had been to Phish twice already standing next to members of the AARP happy to be in a similar atmosphere as the righteous 60’s. Great mix of peoples.
I was a late bloomer, but better late than never. And now you know and can give it a try for yourself. Even if it means stepping out your comfort zone and leaving your cool at the door. Because no one is cooler than the music and environment as a whole.
Have an open mind and take in the music, as it is beamed in your direction in the forms of sound, your fellow concert goers and the sweet downpour of glowsticks, Made more magical with the orangish full moon looking bigger than ever in the sky.
And who knows, you might just become a citizen and follow them all summer. Luckily, one could never get enough of the Tweezer (reprise), which was one of most groovin songs by far, cause you’ll be hearing it alot.
I don’t see my self ever getting THAT involved with this other country, but it was a worthwhile adventure to new uncharted lands.