14 November 2009

Phish Festival 8 - Part 3.2

Sunday's Second and Third Sets

So at last but certainly not at LEAST…

…we arrive at the final part in this series on Phish's Festival 8 (Part One:  http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-350641; Part Two:  http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-353350; Part 3.1:  http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-356456).

Although it occurred two weeks ago, the Festival and the myriad wonderful experiences I had there are still fresh in my head.  I always enjoy a stroll down memory lane when said memories are still fresh, clear, and present in the mind and spirit -- adds a little clarity to the nostalgia to be sure.

The general consensus amongst fans, the band, staff, and authorities was that Festival 8 was a success by all standards of measure.  The police reported only SEVEN arrests, all narcotics related, and emergency services reported NO overdoses and NO deaths -- wonderful news and not surprising at all given the overall jovial and relaxed nature of the average Phish crowd.

The Sunday evening sets were, in a word, phenomenal.  After the afternoon's historic acoustic set, the entire festival populace was ready for more amazing music and stunning spectacle and the band didn't disappoint.  Many still in costumes, the 40K+ audience danced for hours to many of their favorite songs as the entire venue joined in the fun.  From a new giant balloon sculpture that gyrated in the wind to the awesome pyrotechnics show, the whole scene pandered to every's fan's senses in every respect.  By the time it was all over, we were all completely thrilled, satisfied, and exhausted to no end.

I know I had an incredible time at Festival 8 as did many of my friends and the fans with whom I spoke.  On behalf of all of us in the crowd, I'd like to extend a hearty thanks to Trey, Page, Mike, and Henrietta for all the fantastic music and fun.  I'd also like to thank the staff and service personnel of Festival 8 for helping make this such a bang-up time and for helping keep us all safe and happy!!!

And, please…Phish….let's NOT wait five years until the next one!!!

I really hope you enjoyed watching this series as much as I did making it...

Peace through music,

PHAmanNYC (now in CO)

Image Captions:

1- "Festival 8!!!"

2-3 - Some "photo art" of the band

4 - "I am happy."

5 - Part of the pyrotechnics show…amazing…

6 - The long, foggy walk back after the last set…

7 - So long and thanks for all the Phish!!!

8-9 - This iReporter and his wife pictured in Sunday's Desert Sun newspaper out of Palm Springs -- in costume, of course!!!