Phish ~ 9/29/99 @ The Pyramid, Memphis, TN
Review by Jerry Iannucci
Well, I went to Memphis.
I actually got a ride from someone which was cool because I could save the
milage on my car, have company, and split the cost of a hotel afterwards.
It worked out pretty well.
It's funny how every lot scene is completely different. The Pyramid Arena
is right across the Mississippi in downtown Memphis. The lot was really
small and chill. It was underneath all these criss crossing highways which
was pretty wild to look at. Not to mention the arena was a giant black
pyramid. Never seen so many balloons in the lot before, but everything was
really laid back.
I had two tickets, a floor ticket and a decent seat. I was planning on
trading my floor ticket to a guy for cash and a bunch of CDs but he got
jury duty and couldn't make the show at the last minute. I sold my seat
for $20 (which was good since it wasn't sold out) and then used the floor
ticket. I got inside and sat my ass down dead center within 15 feet of the
stage. Wow! There were maybe 10 people in front of me.
Seemed like a lot of locals at this show. Definately a different scene
than Deer Creek which was almost all kind hippies. These were mostly kids
drinking and high fiving each other every ten minutes. Very few balloons too.
Before the show people were passing around slips of paper to the people up
front saying that Trey's birthday was at midnight and we were all going to
sing Happy Birthday when he came out on stage. We did, and I think Trey
blushed. It was pretty nice.
Set I
Runaway Jim: Driving to the show we listened to a Jim and I was thinking
how much I would like to see one live. What a powerful way to open a show.
I had tears in my eyes at one point. Wasn't super long, but it was damn
good.
Free: One of the only great things about the Kansas show was the Free.
This Free was at least as good. I dont know how it could get much better
that this. Just perfect.
Driver: Thanks. I needed a break.
Taste: One of my favorites that I have never seen. Solid, but it didn't
make a huge impression on me.
Dirt: Very nice version. I really like this song.
Nellie Cain: Not too crazy about this one, but I like Mike. Set is
starting to drag a little compared to the opening.
Stash: That's more like it. Very solid! No flubs. They didn't take it
as far out there as they have been lately, in fact they kept pretty close
to the theme which was pretty nice. Then the jam extended and.. holy shit!
The Blues Brothers theme! I think they've only played this once or twice
before and the place went nuts. Nice treat.
Theme from the Bottom: I love this song, but like Deer Creek it just
didn't do much for me live. Pretty solid though.
Tweezer Reprise - What the fuck?! I think everyone around me thought it
was Tweezer, but I heard it right off. Very strange and made me really
wonder what was in store for the next set. Anything is possible after that!
Trey announced that they were going to have a contest for anyone who could
recognize what all the songs in the first set had in common. The winner
would win tickets to any 4 shows along with backstage passes.. and a date
with Fishman. Pretty funny. He announced later that all the songs were in
"D". It kinda reminded me of the old chess games they played as it gave
people something to do during the setbreak. It would be cool if Trey
Trivia became a regular thing at setbreaks.
Set II
Gotta Jiboo: Called this just because they hadn't played it in 48 hrs.
Great fun, but I think I like the solo version better.. more intensity.
But I think it is some great work by Trey.
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Oh yeah. Finally! I've been wanting to see this
live since I first heard about the lights, and it was pretty fucking great.
It was nice and long without getting too crazy. Just perfect background
music for Chris to shine.
Down with Disease: Heard this coming a long ways off. Not too surprising
since they've been playing it a lot lately. Solid.
Billy Breathes: Very nice. Very well done.
Get Back on the Train: Didn't seem to fit in here. It was fun, but
luckily it wasn't too long.
Mike's Song: Nice. The groove started out pretty slow. Someone hit Mike
in the chest with a glow stick just as he started singing "you know i'm no
nice guy". He didn't look too nice when he sang it. The groove thickened
until..
Catapult: Hot damn! A first for me, what a treat. And then..
Mike's Song: Right back into the groove. And then..
Kung: Holy shit! What the hell are they trying to do?? And then..
Mike's Song: Right back into the groove! They are going all out! And then..
I Didn't Know: WOW! With a vacuum solo! And then..
Weekapaug Groove: Nuff said.
Encore
Cities: I've been wanting a Cities for a long time. Everybody was calling
for it since it was Memphis and all so it was not a real surprise. It
didn't go anywhere special but the locals seemed pretty happy when Trey
said the name of their city.
What, no Wedge? Oh well, it would be hard to complain after a show like
that. Other than a few slow spots in the first set it was probably one of
the best i've seen (but it was no Biscuits concert).
Oh well, i'm beat and I gotta go see moe tonite because I already paid for
my ticket. Sunday: Rosement, Monday: Redbird. I'll have stories.
Show Rating: 
concert list