Helping Friendly Podcast Episode Summary Episode: 2025 Summer Tour Review
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host/Authors: Brian, Megan, RJ
Produced by: Osiris Media

Introduction and Welcome

The episode kicks off with hosts Brian, Megan, and RJ greeting listeners and expressing excitement about reviewing Phish's 2025 Summer Tour. They acknowledge fan engagement through voicemails, reviews, and social media interactions.

Listener Interaction and Reviews

RJ addresses a listener's question on how to leave a review on Apple Podcasts, providing a step-by-step guide:

RJ [01:28]: "You go to the podcast app on Apple and you... just do that and then you say how awesome things are and then you submit it. That's it."

Megan proposes creating a video tutorial to assist listeners further:

Megan [02:04]: "You know what, maybe I'll do a little video of like showing how to do it. How about that?"

Brian emphasizes the importance of reviews, even if it's just leaving five stars:

Brian [02:17]: "Even if you don't have the time to write a review, just leaving those five stars helps because there's an accumulation that lots and lots of people think this is a five star podcast."

Voicemails from Listeners

The hosts play and discuss voicemails from listeners, starting with Tyler from Colorado Springs, who shares his thoughts on the tour's show structure and jam quality.

Tyler [03:24]: "In my opinion, a lot of these 25 plus minute jams, there's nothing new ground being explored... I want to hear them do something I've never seen before."

Brian and Megan respond to Tyler, appreciating his detailed feedback and encouraging more fan interaction.

Another listener, Tony, shares his experiences and supports the podcast by purchasing merchandise and offering promotional ideas:

Tony [11:11]: "Spac gave her a special sticker and I got my hf pod top 25t tour t shirt... summer tour started out rough, in my opinion. I was not a fan of the beginning, but man, the ending was great."

Defining Shows of the Tour

The hosts delve into identifying the most defining shows of the 2025 Summer Tour. They analyze various performances, highlighting standout moments and jams.

Brian’s Perspective: Brian identifies the Boulder shows as consistent and strong, noting the absence of "monster jams" but appreciating the overall quality.

Brian [06:17]: "This year the results were the strongest for a transitional year... less focused on these until we get to spac."

Megan’s Insight: Megan focuses on the symmetry of key shows, such as Manchester Night Three and SPAC Night Three, both Tweezer Reprise Fests, highlighting their magical alignment.

Megan [10:29]: "There's something absolutely beautiful about the symmetry that their first great show of tour was a Tweezer Fest and they ended the tour with a Tweezer Reprise Fest."

RJ’s Analysis: RJ compares the tour’s jams to historic performances, appreciating the flow and energy, especially in shows like Columbus on 7/9.

RJ [18:06]: "7:15 and 7:27 is the defining shows of the tour."

Favorite Jams of the Tour

The hosts discuss their favorite jams from the tour, each highlighting different aspects that resonate with them.

Brian's Favorites: Brian praises the Columbus show for its deep, hypnotic jams like "Petrichor" and "Wave of Hope," emphasizing their emotional and melodic depth.

Brian [21:32]: "Life Saving Gun... it sounds like fish channeling Yola Tango."

Megan's Highlights: Megan mentions jams such as "Downward Disease," "Tweezer," and "Life Saving Gun," appreciating their melodic grooves and emotional peaks.

Megan [40:19]: "The Tweezer from Charleston... really loving how they build intensity."

RJ's Picks: RJ is captivated by the Chicago 7/18 jam, commending the interplay between Trey and Mike’s riffs.

RJ [38:18]: "It's just this amazing little riff that Trey creates and then he kind of keeps pushing it."

Statistical Analysis of Jamming

Brian presents a detailed statistical breakdown of jam lengths across different tours and years, highlighting the 2025 Summer Tour's impressive number of long jams.

Brian [61:09]: "This year we have a lot of rarities... we have 18 this summer, so is that the highest?"

He reveals that the current tour is nearing a record number of 25+ minute jams, indicating Phish's commitment to deep improvisation.

Brian [66:05]: "We have 12 thus far across the entirety of 2025... deep jamming is going to be a part of this."

Unique Elements: Trey’s Guitar and Band Dynamics

The hosts discuss the significance of Trey Anastasio's unique guitar, the Languidot, and its impact on Phish's sound and identity.

RJ [69:38]: "Would Trey just played, like, a Strat for his whole career, would Fish be this band community idea symbol?"

Megan reflects on the emotional connection between Trey and his instrument, emphasizing its role in shaping their music.

Megan [72:44]: "There's something super magical about the guitar that he plays... the way that he builds emotion."

Top 25 Tours Ranking

Brian and Megan share their perspectives on ranking the 2025 Summer Tour within Phish's top 25 tours. They consider factors like show consistency, jam quality, and historical context.

Brian’s Ranking: Brian places the 2025 tour at number 18, just ahead of Japan 2000 and behind Spring 2023.

Brian [73:38]: "I think that this would go at number 18. Just ahead of Japan 2000."

Megan’s Ranking: Megan concurs, positioning the tour between Japan 2000 and Summer 1999, appreciating its consistency and innovative jamming.

Megan [76:41]: "I think it would go above summer 99."

They acknowledge Fall 2021's high ranking at number eight, noting its significant impact on their overall list.

Looking Ahead: Fall Tour Expectations

The podcast concludes with a discussion on the upcoming Fall Tour, sharing expectations and hopes for continued musical exploration and high-quality performances.

Brian [81:51]: "I think we're going to hear more from Mike... elevates the jams that much further."

Megan emphasizes the desire for continued innovation and less reliance on "bust outs" in favor of exploratory jamming.

Megan [82:26]: "I think that you gotta play them at the right moment and know what songs work in a rock concert."

RJ looks forward to witnessing the evolving dynamics between band members and the integration of new sounds.

Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by highlighting upcoming segments, promotional activities, and encouraging further listener engagement. They tease future discussions, including a detailed review of Fall 2025 shows and additional top tours rankings.

Notable Quotes:

• RJ [01:49]: "It's almost like the band, if they have one thing that they're focused on for that tour..."
• Brian [10:01]: "The goal here it seemed to be... let's bring in some fresh songs while also extending jamming in a non abrasive way."
• Megan [27:05]: "It's the style which we're going to get into... like a dark star jam would have been..."
• Brian [55:20]: "Our Rushmores are ACDC Bag Sigma, Ghost Waves..."
• Megan [68:14]: "This tour had the sixth longest jam of all time..."

Key Insights and Conclusions:

• Consistency and Innovation: The 2025 Summer Tour is praised for its consistent performance quality and the evolution of Phish's jamming style, blending melodic grooves with deep improvisational jams.

• Fan Engagement: Active listener participation through voicemails and interactive segments like the "Reprise" challenge enhances the community feel of the podcast.

• Statistical Validation: Quantitative analysis supports the qualitative praise, showcasing the tour's impressive number of long jams compared to historical data.

• Band Dynamics: The interplay between band members, especially Trey and Mike, is highlighted as a significant factor in the tour's success and the depth of their performances.

• Future Directions: Expectations for the Fall Tour include continued musical exploration, enhanced jam quality, and maintaining the high standards set during the Summer Tour.

Final Thoughts:

The 2025 Summer Tour Review episode offers an in-depth analysis of Phish's latest performances, blending fan feedback, personal insights, and statistical data to provide a comprehensive overview. The hosts' enthusiastic and detailed discussions celebrate the band's enduring legacy and anticipate exciting developments in their upcoming shows.