Ranking Dick’s: #13 09/03/2011 (2011 N2)
Setlist:
Set 1: Possum, The Moma Dance > The Wedge, Ocelot > Divided Sky, Funky Bitch, Axilla > Llama, Fast Enough for You, Wolfman’s Brother
Set 2: Down with Disease -> Tweezer > Golden Age > Limb By Limb, Kill Devil Falls > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Light > Julius > Cavern > Run Like an Antelope
Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise
Quick Lowdown: 2011 put Dick’s on the map. I thought this show was “good” live but after multiple re-listens I continue to gain more respect for it. Trey’s playing during the 2011 is incredible and there is plenty of that skill on display here. The first set starts off slow but from “Axilla” to the finish is stunning. The second set is a beast. This show might be ranked 10 but is still must hear Phish. I remember this show for top notch “Tweezer” and the “DWD” reprise during “Light.”
Set 1 Recap: Pretty standard Phish fare until we get to the rocket fuel combo of “Axilla>Llama”. That segment would give most men my age a heart attack. A gorgeous “Fast Enough for You” is a perfect cool down before ending with massive peaked “Wolfman’s” closer. First half meh, second half fist pumps.
Set 2 Recap: “DWD” seems like it should be a monster here but it never takes off and stays pretty standard. The real star of this set is one of the iconic Dick’s Jams that follows…”Tweezer”. The best jam of the 2011 run, this “Tweezer” has zero wasted notes. At just a touch over 14 minutes it more than gets the job done. This “Tweezer” was celebrated from the moment it finished and still holds strong today. Must listen. “KDF” is a major surprise highlight in the middle of this set. This sucker is serious smoke show and is perfect example of how killer Trey was during this run. Hide the women and children. The “Light” has a cool melodic jam before finishing the “DWD” that was unfinished to start the set. The “DWD” reprise jam is worked in perfectly and helps so much with the continuity of this set. A high energy run of “Julius>Cavern>Antelope” finishes things off. A sweet “DWD” tease during “Antelope” is a nice touch.
Encore: “Sleeping Monkey” is fun. “Tweezer Reprise” is the best features yet another cool “DWD” tease.
The Takeaways: “Wolfman’s Brother”, “Tweezer”, “Kill Devil Falls”, “Light>DWD Reprise”
This Show Summed Up in One Gif:
Score: 4.35/5