I feel sad for the phans who only get to hear this show on stream. News reports said only 14K+ were in attendance. I'm sad for any phan within driving distance to Alpine who talked themselves out of attending. I'm confident they intentionally brought a brain-melting setlist to punish those who didn't want to buy or trade for a ticket.

I won't pretend to be some super-Phish expert, as I've only been to 20+ shows. But my attendance is spread over the course of 15 years, and I know the difference between a "phone-it-in" show & a "we-have-something-to-prove" show.

8/9/15 doesn't just fall in the latter ... it's arguably the best show I've ever seen and any phan within driving distance should be kicking themselves for not making the trip.

Just look at the setlist, dudes! 21 songs, and 18 of them debuted prior to 2000. I know the rule ... Never miss a Sunday show. This show was proof.

To any phans who complain the band shouldn't load a setlist with so many rarities, I can't help but ask ... where were you, then? Only 14K showed up, you weren't one of them. Don't you think that was kind of their point? Alpine Valley is one of the most iconic venues in the band's history. They do a Sat-Sun run there, and the place is half-empty? You have no ground to stand on, critics. Save for those who had true priorities greater than getting in the car and heading to East Troy, the rest of you can shut yo traps!

This setlist was epic and a reward for those who showed up. And the band's energy and commitment to excellence on this night can't be conveyed by words nor the LivePhish recording. You had to be in the room to get it. The energy was beyond anything I've seen at a show since Monday night UIC in Summer '11, and it was one of (if not the) most energized crowds I've been part of in any concert I've ever attended.

When they'd strike the first chords of the next song, and you just start cackling with delight, you know you're in for a good night.

21 songs. 21 cackles.

I feel sad for any phan who could've gone, but thought otherwise. You missed a real gem and I hope you've learned your lesson.

Also ... when we were in the lot before the show, a golf cart zipped past us. It was the Cactus himself. He says hey.