Phish @ Alpine Valley [MKE] - 8/12/2022

LIVE

Aug 15

Trey Anastasio and page McConnell of Phish performing at Alipine Valley in East Troy, WI (Photo ©2022 Stephen Bloch)

Last Friday, The Shangri La of Midwest outdoor venues, Alpine Valley Music Theater, played host to the first of three Phish shows. Clearly, Alpine is a destination (unbound) for Phish as they have played there 20 times since 1996 (the exact same number of shows The Grateful Dead played, if you’re counting). This was the first visit since July 2019, where Phish unleashed sonic wonders at the Sunday show with some serious rarities (Olivia’s Pool, Icculus, and Ruby Waves).

Friday’s show was a bit more commonplace save the placement of typical second set cuts like show opener Fuego. Algorithms earmark this show a circa 2005 which checks out. First set highlight and longest jam came from The Moma Dance, lasting nearly 18 minutes. Jams were both tight and free-flowing at the same time. The second opened with the tour debut of Ass Handed. Opener was bookended by crowd fave David Bowie. The double encore consisted of The Lizards and More. A satisfying first night, but most Phans were sticking around for two more, including a Sunday show, as the saying goes….