The Moment Ends...

This was the title of perhaps my favorite essay written about Phish, and it was written shortly after the band began their first 'break' in 2000. I encourage everyone to read it here. The essay spoke to me because of its poignancy and awareness of all the beautiful minutia and inside jokes that had made Phish so special. In fact when one of my fellow contributors and I roomed together in college, this essay would be read regularly in the midst of many epic Phish listening sessions and the discussion they would spur. Nostalgia is a topic that will certainly be discussed extensively on this blog, so I will just say that while the boys were away we indulged in our fair share of it with this essay.


Where I am going with this is that now that everyone's favorite foursome is returning to do what they do best, it feels as if another moment altogether is ending. The moment of waiting to hear my favorite band. Time has certainly not stood still for anyone since Phish ended their post hiatus era at Coventry, yet every musical (and many non-musical) experience since has felt shaped by my time with this band. Every time the lights have gone down at any of the hundreds of shows I have seen since Phish left, the excitement has always been slightly tempered by the knowledge that it was not my favorite band taking the stage in front of me. While I have seen many amazing, transcendent, and diverse shows since I last saw Phish, they have stood as the measuring stick by which all other music was to be judged. All conversation of musical superlatives, have been with the caveat of 'non-Phish' or 'other than Phish.' Perhaps it was simply that Phish helped to shape my personality and identity in the awkward years of adolescence, but no live musical act has been able to reach into my soul and leave an indelible mark, as this band has been able to.


After two or three years, one becomes resigned to the fact that something you loved is gone, and may never return, and you appreciate what you had. When all the rumors began to swirl of a reunion I kept my excitement at bay because I had accepted they were gone and did not want to get caught up in the fervor of something that may not happen. Then the announcement came down in October that Phish would return to Hampton. Suddenly I lit up inside and became filled with that unique childish giddiness only this band can create. A new found positivity came into my life (not at all hurt by the first sports championship of my life, Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies!). While I fretted about tickets in the lottery, it was not with the same stress I had experienced in past lotteries, I was just happy the boys were back. Finally the email came telling me I had been awarded two tickets to each night. I am proud to admit I screamed out like a child and immediately called my brother to tell him we would be in attendance when our favorite band played music in public again for the first time in 5 years.

In a mere 8 days, the lights will go down once more and my favorite band will take the stage. The moment will finally have ended and I will again feel that indescribable mix of anticipation and excitement that has yet to be matched, once more. Phish is back everyone, go crazy!