Helping Friendly Podcast: Top 25 Tours — #4 — Summer 1998

Hosted by Osiris Media, released on November 18, 2024

The Helping Friendly Podcast (HFPod) delves deep into the music and fan experience surrounding Phish, offering insightful analyses, interviews, and reviews of their shows and tours. In Episode #4 of the "Top 25 Tours" series, the hosts explore Phish's Summer 1998 tour, ranked as the fourth best by both fans and the hosts themselves.

Introduction to the Summer 1998 Tour

The episode kicks off with a heated debate among the hosts regarding Haley's comment from the Deer Creek show, where Brian asserts that "the Haley's comment from August 3, 1998, is the best second song jam that they've ever played" ([01:34]). Megan challenges this bold claim, expressing skepticism about its accuracy ([02:00]).

Key Highlights of the Tour

Iconic Performances and Setlists

The Summer 1998 tour is celebrated for its dynamic setlists and memorable performances. One standout moment discussed is the Rhinoceros cover, Phish's only rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins' track. Megan praises this cover for its wildness and unpredictability, stating, "I never thought they would play Smashing Pumpkins. That's just... That's crazy" ([20:47]).

Another significant performance is the Ramble On into Slave to the Traffic Light segue. Brian lauds this transition, describing it as "one of my favorite jams of the entire tour" with a seamless blend that "drips into Slave to the Traffic Light" ([22:20]).

Notable Jams and Musical Explorations

The hosts dive into specific jams that defined the tour:

• Runaway Gym from Starlake: Megan highlights this jam for its "stretching and searching hopefulness," emphasizing its effortless exploration and melodic intrigue ([34:07]).

• The Ghost and Ambient Jams: Brian discusses the "Ambient Jam," comparing it to other legendary jams like "Tower" and "Woodlands," and appreciates its "hypnotic groove" and collaborative texture ([48:24]).

• Trey Anastasio's Guitar Work: The episode commends Trey's guitar playing, noting his "buttery" and "clear" tone that complements the band's ambient and funk influences ([25:22]).

Themes of the Summer 1998 Tour

The hosts identify three primary themes that encapsulate the essence of the Summer 1998 tour:

1. Living in the Moment: Phish embraced spontaneity and improvisation, allowing their performances to flow organically. This approach is evident in their "horizontal jams," which maintain forward momentum without the traditional peaks and troughs of earlier versions.

2. Looking Back: The band incorporated covers and older songs into their setlists, paying homage to their influences like The Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin. This retrospective element added depth and meaning to their performances.

3. Loosening the Reins: Having mastered their reinvention from previous tours, Phish felt less pressured to constantly innovate. This resulted in a more relaxed and ambient sound, allowing for greater collaboration among band members without the constraints of perfection.

Megan encapsulates these themes by stating, "When reinvention feels less like a necessity, it comes more organically... [Phish] have mastered the reinvention from '95 to '97... they're just able to deliver on such a high level" ([90:04]).

Personal Takeaways and Conclusions

Brian draws a parallel between Phish's tour progression and Michael Jordan's basketball career, suggesting that Summer 1998 represents a peak where the band enjoys its success without the intense pressure of needing to prove themselves ([25:04]). He concludes that this tour is "the best follow-up tour the band has ever had," highlighting the balance between fun and experimentation ([87:21]).

Megan echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the organic evolution of Phish's sound and the band's ability to "listen to each other" and collaborate effectively. She notes that this laid the foundation for their future "millennial sound" ([90:01]).

RJ adds that the tour showcases Phish's ability to evolve mid-tour, with their sound becoming more ambient and less driven by the necessity to reinvent themselves continually. This adaptability ensures that their performances remain fresh and engaging ([91:24]).

Favorite Shows and Underrated Performances

The hosts share their favorite shows from the Summer 1998 tour, highlighting specific performances that stand out:

• Riverport Show: Praised for its "unstoppable pace" and intricate jams, particularly the Bathtub Gin performance, which is considered one of the best jam vehicles Phish has ever played. Brian remarks, "It's legendary for a reason. So good" ([60:21]).

• Deer Creek Show: Celebrated for its emotional depth, especially the segue from Ramble On to Slave to the Traffic Light, which intertwines Phish's emulation of jazz influences like John Coltrane's A Love Supreme ([44:55]).

• Starlake Valley and Virginia Beach Shows: While initially underrated, Megan and Brian defend these performances for their unique flow and memorable moments, such as the Terrapin Station rendition and the impactful Hood to Baby Elephant Walk encore ([76:50], [82:14]).

Recommendations for Official Releases

The discussion culminates in a strong recommendation for the official release of several shows from the Summer 1998 tour. The hosts believe that key performances like Deer Creek, Riverport, Lemon Wheel, and Vernon Downs should be boxed together for their exceptional jams and thematic significance. Megan adds enthusiasm for these releases, noting their "perfect encapsulation" of the tour's vibe ([85:51]).

Conclusion

The Summer 1998 Phish tour stands out as a pinnacle of the band's ability to blend fun, experimentation, and musical mastery. Through memorable setlists, intricate jams, and organic evolution, Phish not only captivated their audience but also set the stage for future reinventions. The hosts of HFPod commend this tour for its balance of high-energy performances and contemplative moments, making it a beloved chapter in Phish's storied history.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian: "The Summer 1998 tour is the celebration post reinvention, and there's almost no other Fish tour like it." ([14:00])

• Megan: "When reinvention feels less like a necessity, it comes more organically. And I think that they feel less pressure." ([90:01])

• RJ: "The sound changes and becomes something else in the midst of a tour, which I think is pretty awesome to hear." ([91:24])

For fans eager to relive the magic of Phish's Summer 1998 tour or discover it for the first time, this episode of Helping Friendly Podcast offers a comprehensive and passionate exploration of one of the band's most celebrated tours.