Tuesday, 05/03/1994
Starwood Amphitheater, Antioch, TN

I should not have attended this show. I had one last final to close out my sophomore year at 8am Wednesday morning. But after the thrill of seeing the B’ham show the night before, I just couldn’t imagine missing this show.

So, caution to the wind, I headed to Starwood solo expecting Phish to play out by the snack bar (officially the “Veranda”) like they had the year prior. I arrived just as they were starting up Rift on the main stage. The covered seats were about half full as the GA crowd all pushed toward the front. I don’t remember any rain, but that was the reason for the move under the roof.

And, boy am I glad I hit this one. It’s one of the most memorable shows I caught in my years of seeing Phish. It’s chock full of little gems.

To start off, Page’s solo in Maze is freaking great – I remember this being the first Maze where I really beamed in on what Page is doing while in the spotlight. Wow. He’s just ferocious here! PAY JORGAN!!! The entire first set is tight and solid… with Page highlights throughout, in fact. The mid-set Coil and ferocious Mule Duel certainly showcase the Chairman of the Boards.

The Bowie that opens set 2 is exceptional, starting with the Sunshine of Your Love, Sunshine of My Life teases that would pop back up in Harpua later.

Then there’s one of my favorite moments ever… Alison Krauss singing “her” part on If I Could. If you’ve never heard this version, you simply must. It’s the only live version that sounds right!! It’s absolutely gorgeous.

Then, of course, is my first Harpua. Not only that, the narration is all about growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey… This hit really close to home as I grew up in New Jersey and was living in Nashville at the time. Perfect, really. Even without that connection, it’s a really fun Harpua. Give it a listen.

Add to the special treat category my first and only time seeing I Wanna Be Like You… And the Slave is a beauty.

What a great show… and great memory. I’m really glad I threw caution to the wind and hit this one up!

Thanks for reading.

Tuesday, 05/03/1994
Starwood Amphitheater, Antioch, TN

Set 1: Rift, Guelah Papyrus, Maze, Sparkle, Stash, The Squirming Coil, Scent of a Mule, Sample in a Jar, Sweet Adeline

Set 2: David Bowie, If I Could, Fluffhead > Down with Disease, Harpua, Chalk Dust Torture, I Wanna Be Like You > Hold Your Head Up, Slave to the Traffic Light

Encore: Nellie Kane > Fire

Notes: If I Could featured Alison Krauss on vocals. Bowie contained Black or White, Sunshine of Your Love and Sunshine of My Life teases. Harpua contained Charge! and I Wanna Be Like You teases from Page and Sunshine of Your Love and Sunshine of My Life teases. Adeline was performed unmiced. The venue is sometimes mislabeled as “The Veranda” at Starwood; the show was scheduled to be held there but was moved to the main stage due to rain. Interestingly, Hank Williams, Jr. had already set up his PA and light system for a tour rehearsal and allowed Phish to use his rig. After Stash, Trey thanked Hank for letting Phish borrow the equipment, joked that they would like to play the Monday Night Football song in honor of him and quoted All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.

Setlist courtesy of Phish.net.

Key tracks:
http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1994-05-03/maze
http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1994-05-03/david-bowie
http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1994-05-03/if-i-could
http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1994-05-03/harpua