Back to Forum
Oldest First
Newest First
So I was thinking about the energy in MSG on 12/29/12. I have come to believe that some of that was carried over from 12/28 cause that show was so damned good. People were worried if the NYE run would be good this year I think everyone was just on cloud nine after realizing this was going to be a great run. I feel that all this built up energy released itself on 12/29 and thus infamous Reba Cheer was born.::releases bong hit::
Score: 22
I was there and honestly remember thinking that was one of the highlights of the night, I didnt even see the so called glow sticks or anything even if that is what set it off, it was just an unexpected burst of energy the crowd needed to let out apperently, I know I remember cheering and yelling for no apperent reason, these types of things dont happen at a lot of other concerts, part of this plays into why phish is such a special band, I can see where if you were not at the show, listened to it, or webcast it, that youd be confused why everyone was cheering. I guess it interupted the music, but I was still jamming and dancing, didnt stop me one bit...I love reba, and got down totally hard the whole show...
Score: 12
I personally felt that the cheer was horribly out of place and destroyed the flow of the jam and threw off the band. I was more confused than excited, and despite being there couldn't manage to get caught up in the "energy" of it. It came at possibly the worst single point in the show for a cheer like that. Beginning of a reba jam? real quiet and shit? Lets scream as loud as we possibly can so we drown out the band.
Score: 1
That was me...my head exploded right around the time my face melted...
Score: 4
I was in that boat as well and loved it
Score: 1
Spontaneity is what Phish is all about. I thought it was amazing. Clapping bothers me though except when it supposed to be there. Golden Age, Stash etc.....
Score: 2
I really think this energy was strong the whole night. I was exhausted after getting no sleep and working all day Saturday. Busted as from VT down to the city in a damned blizzard and finally made it to the show late. I walked into the arena during Reba. Despite this complete mental and physical exhaustion the energy of the room pulled me in and made me completely forget about everything I had just been through. K had a blast during the second set. Golden Age, Boogie and Suzy were my highlights. Honkytonk Cowboy Suzy FTW. Then a damned fine 46 days and the encore that kept on giving. Believe it or not this is the show i listen back to the most. I just can't get enough of that Suzy.
Score: 3
Palpable
Score: 3
this show took alot of heat from people....I had a blast and a half, thought the boys were on point. Nothing too exploratory but then again this night was all about the energy.
Score: 2
its all fuzzy to me
Score: 2
I think energy is by far the most overrated factor at Phish concerts. It has been proven to have little effect on jamming. "It's about the energy brah" is the biggest copout and really says nothing about an individual show or set.
Score: 2
Gosh. I think the energy is the most important factor.
Score: 16
I'm doing a whole show re-listen again - accidentally i put in 12.28.12 - and got to tube before i was like - "what the f*** is he talking about no energy"...then I realized I had the wrong show, cued up Crowd Control and was like the floor fell out underneath me - energy sucked. Now i'll relisten from this point.
Score: 0
Lol at the energy inside the building being unimportant.
Score: 14
@MomaDan said: I think energy is by far the most overrated factor at Phish concerts. It has been proven to have little effect on jamming. "It's about the energy brah" is the biggest copout and really says nothing about an individual show or set.Dunno why someone thumbed you down. I disagree when it comes to the type 1 jams ala DCU Boogie On, but I do agree when it comes to the spacey mellow stuff ala Bethel Waves soundcheck.
Score: 1
I thumb'd him down because it wad a douchey comment. when u start calling people copouts for saying that the energy was high and That they had fun because of it....well then you're being a douche.
Score: 8
Haven't members of the band themselves commented on how the energy in the room has a significant effect on how the show goes? I distinctly remember reading a quote from one of them about how a crazier crowd tends to result in a crazier show.Super sourcey, I know. Can't remember where I read that.
Score: 3
There's a huge difference in saying that the "crowd energy" made the music better, and in saying the "crowd energy" made the experience greater, IMO. Seems like most here are talking about the latter, which I agree with.
Score: 3
Cheer or no cheer, that was a fantastic stand at Deer Creek. And of the four multi-night stands that I have attended at Deer Creek, 6/29/12 was far and away the best "off night". ( meaning I assume the first night to be 'the best' )
Score: 0
@chris200w said: Haven't members of the band themselves commented on how the energy in the room has a significant effect on how the show goes? I distinctly remember reading a quote from one of them about how a crazier crowd tends to result in a crazier show.Pretty sure any member of any band that has ever played a live show would agree with this. Energy is the key. It is why we go back time and again. To feel that tremendous force.
Super sourcey, I know. Can't remember where I read that.
Score: 2
Ok I admit the comment might have seemed a little off, mainly because I don't like typing out full analysis at work on my phone. The comment was about jamming not having a good time. Also I do believe crowd energy is a factor, yet an overrated factor IMO. I think the most important factor has to do with the band "feeling it". Shit there was not a single fan there for one of 3.0s best jamsTo the people saying its all energy I have a question. Was the energy awful at New Years run last year? In my experience no, the building was just as amped this year as last. Was the crowd completely subdued on 12/30/11 causing a subpar show?
Were the Dicks shows better because of the crowd energy or the overall environment and feelings of the band? I don't know, I wasn't there.
Now to be clear this is from a musical perspective only. If you had fun at a show (and everyone should) than no amount of analysis or bitching can take that away from you.
Score: 4
@MomaDan said: I think energy is by far the most overrated factor at Phish concerts. It has been proven to have little effect on jamming. "It's about the energy brah" is the biggest copout and really says nothing about an individual show or set.Hmmm, interesting comment.
It really is the chicken egg thing. Was the crowd so great they inspired touring professionals to up their game and put on a show of a lifetime? Was the band so good the crowd went through the roof and MSG turned into a temple of Phish?
Clear examples exist supporting both arguments. For example, I have heard many fans talk about a huge disconnect between the crowd and band at Bozeman when they threw down that epic Tweezer. On the other hand you have 4-3-98 when the fan jumps on stage and sparks the entire Carini incident where the place is so much on fire they slam into Tweeprise to close the show. Or how about 12-7-95, one of my favorites of all time where many said it was a terrible crowd and experience at a crappy old airport hanger. That show is incredible, and the band didn't need energy from the crowd.
The more I think about it though, the more I feel it really is overrated. On any given night the crowd is good enough to at least provide minor inspiration. I have never really witnessed a terrible crowd. Professional musicians get paid a lot of money to get onstage and perform for people. To paraphrase Trey, he has stated his inspiration often comes from thinking about the guy who had a terrible week and being able to relieve some of his problems for a couple hours. Who knows, mind blowing sex could lead to the next Gamehendge bustout.
It is nice as a fan to be able to take some credit for some of the epic performances of the past though.
Score: 2
@MomaDan said: If you had fun at a show (and everyone should) than no amount of analysis or bitching can take that away from you.This is all that matters. I, for the life of me, cannot understand why some of you think it is necessary to over-analyze everything this band does. Having fun at the show is the most important part. You're just setting yourself up for failure when you feel the need to critique every single song.
Some of you take this band way, way too seriously. In my holy opinion.
Score: 1
@chris200w said: Haven't members of the band themselves commented on how the energy in the room has a significant effect on how the show goes? I distinctly remember reading a quote from one of them about how a crazier crowd tends to result in a crazier show.Trey says right in Bittersweet Motel "it is all about the energy".
Super sourcey, I know. Can't remember where I read that.
Score: 2
The crowd on the 29th brought it from beginning to end. Been to a lot of concerts, only occasionally does a crowd bring that much energy.PS - anytime Phish wants to close the 2nd with 46 Days then play Coil and First Tube in the encore, I'll gladly walk away with a smile on my face.
Score: 3
The mass glow stick release page side was well after the Reba Roar. I remeber pointing them out to my girlfriend.
Score: 1
I have seen 150+ shows of all bands and the energy in The Garden this run was insane and intense. All nights, especially NYE.
Score: 1
I love REBA almost as much as the emu...
...and I was there...
...and i loved IT!!
...and that 46DAYS was a definate all time peak energy moment, for me!!
...and I was there...
...and i loved IT!!
...and that 46DAYS was a definate all time peak energy moment, for me!!
Score: 2
@ledzepmaster said: @MomaDan said:This is a great post!I think energy is by far the most overrated factor at Phish concerts. It has been proven to have little effect on jamming. "It's about the energy brah" is the biggest copout and really says nothing about an individual show or set.Dunno why someone thumbed you down. I disagree when it comes to the type 1 jams ala DCU Boogie On, but I do agree when it comes to the spacey mellow stuff ala Bethel Waves soundcheck.
The type one rip rock stuff over simple chord changes and two chord vamps can surely be inspired by the audience. The harder they go the harder the band pushes.
The more heady stuff though really requires great communication by the band and an ability to completely tune out what is going on in the audience. The communication between the band during any given period is the most important factor.
Score: 2
There is a time and place for Type 1, rip rock stuff and generally a Saturday night Phish show is that place. Additionally, A Saturday night phish show, during a Holiday Run at MSG really kicks it into high gear.
Score: 1
@Sprachtor said: @chris200w said:See also: Trey's introduction of the Ambient Set at Lemonwheel.Haven't members of the band themselves commented on how the energy in the room has a significant effect on how the show goes? I distinctly remember reading a quote from one of them about how a crazier crowd tends to result in a crazier show.Trey says right in Bittersweet Motel "it is all about the energy".
Super sourcey, I know. Can't remember where I read that.
Score: 1
I actually really like NYE Reba, especially the build and release from about at 10:10 on the SBD. So sweet!
Score: 2
Been seeing them since the 80s, and it was one of the most enjoyable shows (east, west, winter, summer, indoor/out, yadda yadda) I have attended. Reba was excellent
Score: 1
chicken or the egg, of course the band creates its own energy, but at the same rate, i think crowd energy could spark energy into the band as well, it goes both ways!walstib, I feel like I may know you, outside of this forum, you a vermonter?
Score: 1
@mario4prez said: The mass glow stick release page side was well after the Reba Roar. I remeber pointing them out to my girlfriend.The glow sticks people are talking about came from behind the soundboard. Also I like the turn this thread took towards meaningful discussion.
Score: 1
@MomaDan said: I think energy is by far the most overrated factor at Phish concerts. It has been proven to have little effect on jamming. "It's about the energy brah" is the biggest copout and really says nothing about an individual show or set.
Score: 0
I think Phish performs best in two situations. The first is when people are doubting the show will be good or think it will just a regular show(11/2/98 is the perfect example). When the crowd becomes complacent, the band wants to prove them wrong by throwing the best show they've ever seen in their face. The other situation is when the crowd is just so pumped, the energy is contagious and Phish rises to get on the crowds level(maybe NYE '95 is a good example?)
I think the just alright Phish is when their is really no sense of good or bad energy. The band and crowd are simply ready for another show. So yes, I think energy plays a huge part, and it's the extremes of the spectrum that gives Phish that extra boost. Ya I'm sure there are tons of shows that are exceptions, but tell me this: if the crowd was silent and had low energy for Big Cypress, would Phish have still went till morning? Pretty sure that was pure energy.
I think the just alright Phish is when their is really no sense of good or bad energy. The band and crowd are simply ready for another show. So yes, I think energy plays a huge part, and it's the extremes of the spectrum that gives Phish that extra boost. Ya I'm sure there are tons of shows that are exceptions, but tell me this: if the crowd was silent and had low energy for Big Cypress, would Phish have still went till morning? Pretty sure that was pure energy.
Score: 0
Regarding the Reba/glowstick explosion, I think it is a matter of which came first: the cheers or the glowsticks?I was not there but after listening to the SBD mashed up with the youtube vids, I think the cheers came first (solidifying @Jimmymac03's point about the energy that night) and subsequently caused an ejaculation of glowsticks from one sooper-stoked phanner amongst many many sooper-stoked phanners.
Score: 4
Score: 1
@birmy said: Spontaneity is what Phish is all about. I thought it was amazing. Clapping bothers me though except when it supposed to be there. Golden Age, Stash etc.....it ISN'T supposed to happen during Golden Age. We are at a phish show, not frolicking in a fountain during the opening credit of Friends
Score: 0
I honestly think the extra energy for Reba was a result of all the bitching during/following the 2011 MSG run because phish didnt play Reba.http://forum.phish.net/thread.php?thread=1325396891#start
People felt that they deserved a Reba at MSG in 2011 and didnt get one, so they were super excited when she showed up to get down on 12-29-12.
Score: 1
@obliviousfool17 said: I personally felt that the cheer was horribly out of place and destroyed the flow of the jam and threw off the band. I was more confused than excited, and despite being there couldn't manage to get caught up in the "energy" of it. It came at possibly the worst single point in the show for a cheer like that. Beginning of a reba jam? real quiet and shit? Lets scream as loud as we possibly can so we drown out the band.THIS
Score: 0
@Jimmymac03 said: I walked into the arena during Reba. Despite this complete mental and physical exhaustion the energy of the room pulled me in and made me completely forget about everything I had just been through.Didnt you get the same energy walking into most of the phish shows you attended prior to 12-29-12?
Score: 0
@_________________________ said: @birmy said:Clap you hands if you think your in the right place.Spontaneity is what Phish is all about. I thought it was amazing. Clapping bothers me though except when it supposed to be there. Golden Age, Stash etc.....it ISN'T supposed to happen during Golden Age. We are at a phish show, not frolicking in a fountain during the opening credit of Friends
Score: 1
@birmy said: @_________________________ said:I just clap my balls against my grundle...@birmy said:Clap you hands if you think your in the right place.Spontaneity is what Phish is all about. I thought it was amazing. Clapping bothers me though except when it supposed to be there. Golden Age, Stash etc.....it ISN'T supposed to happen during Golden Age. We are at a phish show, not frolicking in a fountain during the opening credit of Friends
Score: 1
@_________________________ said: @Jimmymac03 said:Absolutely not. This is the only time I have walked into a Phish show while it was already underway. Usually I am there from the start and get to experience the energy as it builds. This was like a smack in the face... a good smack in the face.I walked into the arena during Reba. Despite this complete mental and physical exhaustion the energy of the room pulled me in and made me completely forget about everything I had just been through.Didnt you get the same energy walking into most of the phish shows you attended prior to 12-29-12?
