As the sun dipped behind the Rockies on August 29, 2024, Phish launched their much-anticipated annual run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. This Thursday night opener marked the start of the band’s 13th consecutive Labor Day weekend residency at the venue — a tradition now woven into the very fabric of Phish lore. Known for unpredictability, deep jams, and setlist hijinks, Dick’s has become a high holiday on the Phish calendar, and 2024’s kickoff show delivered a crisp, patient, and thematically fluid performance.
From the first notes, it was clear that the band came ready to explore, blending tight funk, old-school punch, and modern texture into a cohesive narrative. With no gimmicks, no special guests, and no distracting production flourishes, this was simply Phish doing what they do best: tapping into the moment and pulling thousands along for the ride.
Set One: Deep Cities and Bold Transitions
The show opened with “Cities,” a fitting nod to the long journey fans made from all over the country to Colorado’s mile-high plains. Instead of treating the Talking Heads cover as a standalone funk appetizer, the band stretched it into a heady improvisational excursion. Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell traded syncopated licks while Mike Gordon locked into a dark, dubby groove, signaling that even from the outset, this was going to be a show with teeth.
Without pause, “Cities” dissolved into “Down with Disease,” one of Phish’s most trusted jam vehicles. It surged forward with bright intensity, anchored by Jon Fishman’s relentless drive. Though relatively compact by DWD standards, it still stretched its legs and flirted with minor key territory before transitioning gracefully into “Ether Edge,” one of the newer entries in the Phish catalog. The song’s breezy structure provided a moment of levity and freshness, and it was only the band’s fourth time playing it live — signaling a growing confidence in the new material.
What came next was the first true gear shift of the night: a slashing, chaotic “Llama” that harkened back to its original breakneck tempo. Trey shredded through the peaks, electrifying the crowd and keeping the set’s energy on a boil.
The band then downshifted into the introspective waters of “Theme From the Bottom.” Always a crowd favorite for its emotional core and patient builds, this version was particularly delicate, with Page’s piano fills accentuating the song’s tender pull. It provided a perfect palette cleanser before the quirky bounce of “Sugar Shack,” a Mike-led tune that often serves as a litmus test for the band’s musical tightness. Despite its rhythmic complexity, they nailed it, drawing cheers from fans who love seeing the less-frequent oddball tracks get their due.
“Sugar Shack” gave way to a slinky “Ocelot,” which danced along with playful interplay. The jam was breezy and confident, building naturally over a tight rhythmic bed. Then, the set closed strong with the classic one-two punch of “Golgi Apparatus” into “Blaze On.” “Golgi” brought the crowd to full bounce with its jubilant hook and old-school fanfare, while “Blaze On” kept the feel-good momentum surging forward, stretching just enough to hint at jam potential but never overstaying its welcome.
The first set clocked in just shy of 80 minutes — substantial, satisfying, and structurally balanced. It was clear the band was feeling loose and dialed in.
Set Two: Cosmic Reach and Fluid Motion
When Phish returned to the stage, the air was thick with anticipation. Second sets at Dick’s have a way of spiraling into legend, and this one would soon join that pantheon.
They began with “Ghost,” a perennial jam vehicle and fan favorite. The jam here started with a loose funk pocket, before moving into a dreamy, ambient wash of sound. Page’s Rhodes piano drifted above a swirl of delay loops and synth stabs, while Trey wove fluid melodic lines. As the jam darkened and slowed, it felt less like a single song and more like the beginning of an interstellar suite.
That suite flowed seamlessly into “A Wave of Hope,” one of the band’s most inspiring recent compositions. From its anthemic lyrics to its blissed-out jam segments, it has become a modern centerpiece — and tonight’s version did not disappoint. Phish settled into an uplifting groove that built slowly, culminating in a soaring peak reminiscent of vintage 3.0 excursions.
Then came a gorgeous transition into “Sigma Oasis.” Phish has clearly taken a shine to this song, using it as a spiritual anchor in recent years. Tonight, it shimmered with purpose — not just as a ballad, but as a vehicle for patient interplay. There was no rush, just space. Every note mattered.
Without breaking the spell, they dipped into “Pillow Jets,” one of the most musically daring newer tunes from The Ninth Cube sessions. Tonight’s version melted seamlessly into “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (a.k.a. “2001”), sending the crowd into orbit. The funk was thick, the peaks pronounced, and Trey’s rhythmic phrasing paid tribute to the Mothership vibe of this beloved venue.
As the dust from “2001” settled, the band launched into “Harry Hood,” and the emotional resonance was palpable. What makes “Hood” such a perfect closer isn’t just its iconic status or compositional beauty — it’s the way the band allows it to breathe. This version was sublime: melodic, joyful, patient, and full of heart. A textbook example of why “You can feel good about Hood” still rings true after all these years.
Encore: A Singular Statement
The encore was brief but potent. With the stage bathed in red light, the band launched into “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.,” which has become a modern show closer in the vein of “Julius” or “Good Times Bad Times.” With its anthemic declaration — “This is what space smells like / You will always remember where you were” — it felt like the band was stamping the night with their cosmic seal. The crowd echoed the refrain, fists raised, smiles wide.
Soundcheck Surprises and Teases
Even before the official show began, the band was having fun. During soundcheck, they played two instrumental jams, with Mike teasing “Passing Through” during the first. The second jam included a cheeky “Weekapaug Groove” quote — always a sign that the band is in playful spirits. An abbreviated, instrumental “Ocelot” closed out the soundcheck, acting almost like a whisper of what would come later in the actual set.
These soundcheck details, while peripheral to the show itself, underscore an important truth about Phish: this is a band that loves to rehearse, experiment, and surprise — not just in the spotlight, but in the shadows too.
Conclusion: A Statement of Intent
As the first night of the 2024 Dick’s run drew to a close, there was no mistaking the message: Phish is still evolving, still fearless, still utterly committed to the magic of live performance.
This wasn’t a show that relied on big bustouts or 30-minute jams to leave its mark. Instead, it was a model of flow — a night built on patience, intuition, and the art of subtle transition. The segues were smooth. The song choices felt intentional. The band was clearly locked in.
For longtime fans, it was a reminder of why Dick’s remains such a vital chapter in the Phish saga. And for newcomers, it was likely a revelation — a journey through cities and dreams, ghosts and galaxies, set to the soundtrack of four musicians chasing the moment together.
Phish has made a habit of starting their Dick’s runs strong. But this night — August 29, 2024 — wasn’t just a strong start. It was a signal: buckle up, because the band is firing on all cylinders, and the ride has only just begun.