Now, for those that actually attended, I ask you: how was your experience? Did the smaller crowd allow for you to enjoy yourself more? If so, how and why? I know for me, it was easier to meet up with certain friends, to gain a certain vantage point on the concert grounds and I simply saved time walking back to my RV and campsite than at previous festivals, which seemingly felt like you were miles from civilization and could never return until bedtime. Also, did the VIP options that I covered in a previous PFPS, Baller’s Ball, really impact your experience that much or at all? I for one think it made logistics a little easier knowing where certain crews of mine were, and didn’t affect my weekend negatively at all, and in fact made it easier. Let me know what you think in the poll and comments below…
But at the heart of the matter is still Phish. And when we talk Phish, we undoubtedly focus on the music. With each and every set clocking in at 90 minutes-plus (my old Maxell 90’s are crying somewhere), Phish delivered the goods in my mind, blowing away any expectations that I had. Whether it was busting out songs like Life on Mars?, stretching out the newest cover anthem in Golden Age or simply playing some top-ever versions of their own material (Mound, Party Time and Wilson) Phish seemed to be relaxed and having fun – which I felt was reflected by the crowd as a whole. So, lastly, and most importantly in my mind, I ask you one final question: How did Phish stack up musically at Super Ball IX?
Overall, no matter what your take on Phish and Super Ball IX, a few things need to be stated. First, the band still knows how to stage a festival. In a day and age when festivals are seemingly becoming stale (stay tuned for a future column on this), the granddaddy’s of them still find ways to keep it fresh, whether it be the Ball Square with a Pinball Arcade, Big Screen and surround sound for a surprise secret set at 1:30AM.
Musically, as I said above, Super Ball were some of my favorite shows of the Summer, and since the band’s return at Hampton in 2009. While I pine, like many of you, for the days of the mid-’90s, the fact is that both the band and the fans are older and more mature (well, in their case anyway). Our lives and priorities have changed and that simply translates to having a different experience. I’m not saying it’s less fun or moving or important to our lives, just different. And let’s face it, those days of the mid and late ’90s are GONE…never to be repeated. The sooner we all realize that those days are likely never to be seen again, the better off we ALL will be in enjoying the current version of Phish that is happening as we speak. After Super Ball IX, I’d like to think that even the most jaded of vets in the Phish camp has to at least acknowledge that the band has some of their magic left: whether it be musically, artistically and certainly in throwing a festival in their grand scheme – even if the attendance numbers are much smaller.
Regardless of your take, thank you Phish for continuing to do what you do and for yet another amazing festival experience.
Here’s 100 of Andy Hill’s best Super Ball IX photos to give you a visual of the entire event…
9 Responses
I think you are right on the money when you say that we are older and the experience is different. I for one would rather find that “perfect” spot towards the back of concert area rather than working my way 20 deep (I did both). I find now, at 33, that I don’t have to be right in the middle of it all… just let me find a cool spot where the music sounds good!
SBIX was an unreal experience for me and is at the top of the four Phish fest I have been to. As stated by others, I believe we got to see (possibly) the birth of a new musical direction in the likes of the Golden Age jam.
Anyway, for me, It looked as if the boys were having a great time and firing on all cylinders, which translated directly into my experience!!!
^^^agreed. I was able to apend time at different places in the crowd but found myself most comfortable a little further back than the norm for me where I had some space to party with friends in my 17th year of phish.
music, people, scene, weather…it was all great. The shows are getting a lot of play in the car right now and I am having flashback to the time had during all those moments. I am ready to do it again. I was
I’m 41, 40 shows since first 7-31-93, and married with 2 Children: Piper and Fisher. Love being part of SBIX! Life mostly only affords me the time to couch tour, and a few shows in the Southeast. Loving music of 3.0! But really is better with CK5 and live in person! SBIX hit the mark and made me want more!!!
I attended The Clifford Ball, The Great Went, Oswego and Coventry…SBIX was my fifth Phish fest and ended on my 95th show. Not only was this the closest fest for me at a little over a 3 hour drive, but I thought the timimg and facilities were nothing short of great. I always say the Clifford Ball started it all as far the prototype of these festivals go, but SBIX absolutely blew my mind.
It was so great to be able to take a real shower in general camping. Gone were the 50K gallon tanks to the puke and beer can filled wash tubs of yore.
The size was great and I think Phish played to the small number almost as a skip show. Day 3 exceeded all my expectations and has made my personal top 10 show list that goes back to 1992.
I really hope in 2012 we can sing “I think that exact thing happened to me, just last year” for the same locale.
I grew up in Elmira NY and have been living in CA for the past decade. This was my 5th fest, and was really psyched at the location after being lucky enough to have such a short ride to fest 8. I had to tavel across country for IX, but I came out the week before so I could show my lady the beauty of upstate in the summer. We were a little concerned about shelling out the extra dough for GC camping but MAN was it worth it. The only downside was that we could not get our GA friends in (well maybe one) to hang out. I understand why though, the grounds would have been littered with wooks. I got to hang out with friends I have not seen in 10 to 15 years. We had the exact same crew minus 2 that we ahd at fest 8. That alone made it such an unbelievable experience. Access to anything and everything was super easy. The searches and vending restrictions were nil so it made for a worry free time. As for the music, I had been waiting for 15 years to hear songs like Peaches, Life on Mars, and Forbins. I didn’t think I would hear them since they were played so recently. I went nanners. The new songs like monkey man, and big balls we sick. Scents and subtle sounds was dope also. Secret monkey? Fuggetabboutit.
This was the 1st Phish show I’ve been to since The Holiday Tour 1994 (Yeah, I’ve been a little busy). My 16 year old son and I made it up to Watkins Glen for our vacation / shows. I guess our perspective was a little different as we did not camp onsite – We stayed down the road at Watkins Glen State Park. We did the Day Parking thing and actually toured around Seneca Lake and did the Gorge at Watkins Glen State Park. Needless to say, these activities combined with the shows made for THE PERFECT VACATON! I’m still floating on a cloud just thinking about it. So many awesome people at the show. I haven’t met so many people since I toured around with the Grateful Dead eons ago. Thanks to EVERYONE who made this possible from the band to the officials to the voluteers to the fans, this was the best festival EVER hands down. Perfect in every way!!!
Andy, thanks for uploading the pix. VERY COOL! I’ve been making a scrapbook of everyone’s pix. I took quite a few myself and they’re up on Superball IX on Facebook (In case ya wanna take a peek). Peace out peeps!!! 🙂
I went to Big Cyprus have seen 30 shows and am a vet of many festivals including half a dozen All Good’s, Bonnaroo #1, and a Gathering. I did SBIX Glenn Close and it was worth every cent. Me and my crew had a blast, and meet a lot of cool people. No traffic, no lines, no waiting, no hassles, no Wooks, Great Beer, nearly everything I could want & need, cool friendly people all in a safe environment. I even got to take a shower every night after the shows so I didn’t have to sleep dusty & gross still covered in sun tan lotion. I too agree, the Phans have grown up and the “excitement” of the 90’s has matured into a more refined Phish experience that seems to be more agreeable across the board. Oh, and the Music delivered too.
I strictly recommend not to hold off until you earn big sum of cash to buy different goods! You can just take the personal loans or short term loan and feel fine
out of the 8 fests i’ve seen(all but fest 8), super ball makes my top 3 fer sure! killer vibe and music made for one hellava weekend! 🙂