Driving down the interstate on December 28th was anything but normal for the local residents of Miami. With tye-dye shirts popping out of car windows and jam music blasting, excitement truly filled the Florida air as phans prepared themselves “to run like antelopes out of control” for phour days of Phish New Years in Miami.
Opening up the first show with “Sample in A Jar” not only excited the audience but prepared them for a true sample of what Phish is really all about: passion, energy and a genuine good time. “There is something about a Phish show, something amazing” says avid Phish phollower Marc Schillian, 23 of West Palm Beach and let me just tell you, he is quite right. As the music arose that Monday, and the crazy non-stop light show began, the audience quickly sprung from their seats and began dancing without a care in the world.
Playing both their new, old and addictive tunes, each night seemed to have a different feeling and sense of happiness to it. “Seeing Phish reminds me of my Grateful Dead hay day back in the sixties. The music, kindness and friendliness of the people found here is uncommon for this time era,” said Beth Horowitz of Plainview, NY.
Each night Phish played two sets and New Years Eve they ended the big bang with an unforgettable third set. However, the party didn’t stop when Phish left the stage. Throughout Miami there were many after-parties of like-minded bands such as Heavy Pets, Eoto and Break Science. Lucky phans, like myself, who attended Break Science on the 28th got the chance to meet with the bassist of Phish, Mike Gordon.
The four days of Phishing in Miami were that of greatness. New Years Eve ended the 2009 Phish tour leaving many phans with the curiosity of whether or not Phish will return for another magical tour. Regardless of the future, I’m sure every attendee of Phish Miami can conclude that what they experienced was more than just a great winter break trip but a re-discovery of their love for Phish.
