For their final New York City stunt, Phish performed higher than ever before, playing a free mini-set on top of the Late Show with David Letterman’s two-story marquee. Originally intended as a promotional spot, the Vermont quartet’s seventh appearance on the popular late night program blossomed into a tried-and-true Phish show, turning the midtown section of Broadway into the summer solstice’s largest block party. Arriving at the tail end of a four-night New York finale, Phish’s marquee matinee evoked memories of the Beatles’ final public concert, which found the Fab Four playing a surprise rooftop show while cameras rolled. Five nights into Phish’s swan song, fans spilled out into New York City’s streets, in order to soak up a few final strands of Phish’s trademark jam-brew.
Riffing along with the Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra, whose commercial break performances were broadcast on a set of speakers, guitarist Trey Anastasio mimicked Sly and the Family Stone’s licks, drawing a few curious onlookers from nearby windows. While Phish have often likened their stage show to kitchen-style comfort, the quartet’s television appearances often come across as awkward and this afternoon’s offering proved no different. Condensing the newly debuted multi-part jam-vehicle, “Scents and Subtle Sounds” into a somewhat standard rock song, Phish played it safe during the taped portion of their set. Visibly nervous, Anastasio hid his trademark giddy grin during Phish’s four-minute workout, pausing for a second between takes to wave at former Oysterhead collaborator Les Claypool, stationed in the crowd. As city buses rolled by, one office worker voiced his request by taping a cardboard sign to his glass window: Junta’s “Fluffhead,” one of the few songs Phish has chosen not to dust off since the group’s two-year hiatus in 2000.
After another tame stab at “Scents,” Phish finally let loose, offering a crowd of approximately 1,000 faithful fans set list staples like “Chalkdust Torture,” and “Tweezer.” Nodding to New York’s epic skyline, Phish also offered a short take on “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” a frequent Phish cover best known as the theme for Stanley Kubrick’s 2001. During the crowd sing-a-along “Wilson,” Phish’s call-and-response routine echoed throughout Broadway, turning the urban environment into New York’s largest natural amphitheater. While “Chalkdust Torture” allowed Anastasio a chance to flex his muscle, Phish played alongside their charts throughout their thirty-five minute show. Yet, despite condensed offerings of tracks like “Tweezer,” Phish used their short time span to accent their songs, hinting at a more mainstream approach to stardom the group has always shunned.
At the conclusion of his own sky-high performance, Anastasio again nodded to the Fab Four, offering his take on John Lennon’s final Beatles message: “Thanks and I hope we passed the audition.”
photos by Adam Foley.
