Phish Release Fall 1996 Show

On Sunday night while we all rested up for the week ahead, the crew over at LivePhish.com quietly dropped one of the formative Fall 1996 shows Phish played: Nov. 7, at the famed Rupp Arena on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington.

phish fall 1996Just a week removed from covering the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light at the Omni in Atlanta on Halloween, Phish were rolling through a 35-date tour on the heels of releasing Billy Breathes. Trey Anastasio was using his mini-percussion rig onstage as the band took a turn into more rhythm-driven jams, which would eventually give way to the madness that 1997 saw.

The show at Rupp Arena was special in many ways. Opening with a quick and rocking “Chalk Dust Torture,” the first set highlights included “Weigh,” “Guelah Papyrus,” “Guyute” and “Tela.”

A tight “Suzy Greenberg” gave way to what was, at the time, the longest-ever “Bathtub Gin,” which clocked in at more than 26 minutes. A monster “You Enjoy Myself,” in all of its wah-goodness, closed out a set which featured the tour’s only Fishman-led “Bike.” A “Frankenstein” encore closed out the show.

Head over to LivePhish to purchase the show or stream via PhishTracks.

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