Phish – Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul MN – June 22nd 2016

Although so many significant bands seem to be back out on the road this year, the news that super jam band Phish would be making their long awaited return as a band to the Twin Cities to kick off their summer tour still generated plenty of excitement. Their fanatical followers showed up to the Xcel Energy Center early June 22^nd trying sneak any sort of a peak at what they would be in store for that evening. There was some speculation on social media as to how big the light show would be a video was Tweeted out from the venue’s lobby with audio of a new song being sound-checked.

The scene inside before show-time had a mini-Woodstock vibe with fans who traveled in from all over camped out on the floor well aware that the band wouldn’t start anywhere near the published 7:30 show time. When the big moment finally did arrive, the crowd was up and dancing with a level of excitement that must have let the band know St. Paul was the right choice to kick off their big event. With a deep library of material and a multitude of songs they’re known to cover, the journey through the unknown set list included songs like “Dear Prudence” and was a diverse and thrilling ride for longtime followers of the band. The light show was big, the sound was perfectly dialed in and the band was tight as ever making this a night that lived up to all the hype.

Review and photos by Patrick Dunn!!