I am now right in between Phish summer and fall tours, and I've been starting to reflect on the six shows I already have seen (Knoxville, Bonnaroo x2, Deer Creek, Alpine Valley x2), and looking forward to the four I have coming up (Red Rocks, Gorge x2, Chicago). I haven't talked at all about those six shows because I needed time to realize what exactly they meant to me. I've never done anything more that two shows in a row, so hopping on tour with the Vermont quartet was quite the treat for an aging concert goer like myself. I even brought my Parents along for the big Father's Day tour ender at Alpine Valley – something I never thought I'd experience. First up is was our opener at the Thompson Boiling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 10, 2009.

Read about the show after the jump

It all started in Knoxville. We had just gotten off a few days break in Nashville for a well-received post-Wakarusa break. We were still fresh into our trip, so a mid-week Phish show was well anticipated. We made it to the venue, quickly obtained a miracle for Toast, and swiftly made it to our seats shortly before the start of the first set. We had pretty good seats, only about ten or fifteen rows to the back left of the drum set, even with the front lip of the stage. Soon Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, John Fishman and Mike Gordon took the stage at the Thompson Boiling Arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee, for one of the only indoor performances of their summer tour. They came quick with the heat, starting with a fitting opener in "Runaway Jim" (my first name's Jim, and I was in the midst of 'running away'). We were finally immersed with the music of our favorite band – a moment we'd been waiting for for quite a long time.

The first set was incredible. "Punch You In The Eye" did just what it's title explained, while newcomer "Ocelot" was bouncy and well-received by the anxious crowd. Our first return to the oddball group we all know and love came when Phish jammed out an extended version of "Foam," before showing their softer side with a well-executed, and perfectly timed "Train Song." The title track of 2004's Undermind came as a funky refreshment to the somber sing-a-long that precluded it, while Gordon's time to shine came on a solid run-thru of Mike's Groove ("Mike's Song" into "I Am Hydrogen" followed by "Weekapaug Groove"). An anthemic version of "The Squirming Coil" could have easily closed the set, but Anastasio chose to finish out with his rocker "Character Zero" before taking a set-break.

"Back On The Train" opened set two with a heaping round of applause as they were just that, back on the train and rolling again. "Waves" was the most psychedelic, trance-inducing moment of the show, bringing the non-fans and elder attendants to their seats until the next scorcher. "A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing" moved the show along, while the energy picked back up after a nasty "David Bowie." My favorite McConnell song, "An Army Of One," was very nice to hear live for the first time, and also showed off Page's chops on both vocals and keys. The rest of the show was insane. "Reba" smashed it, followed by what seemed like an impromptu a capella version of "Hello My Baby" that had the audience at full attention. "Julius" had me and the seventeen-thousand other attendees raucously jumping around, but it wasn't until they performed "Cavern" that had me almost tearing my vocal chords screaming along. An almost guaranteed "Harry Hood" set closer came next, and more dancing ensued throughout the fifteen-minute version. They soon returned to stage for a pretty funky, keytar-enhanced version of the Edgar Winter Group classic "Frankenstein" that served as a pretty damn good way to finish the night.

There were five full shows left, and having this one as a starter was both good and bad at the same time. It was good that Phish pulled out some incredible jams for this show, but at the same time it was bad that we left knowing it'd be hard to top. Each member was on top of their game that night, highlighting each if their succinct talents throughout the three hour performance. It was the best possible "pre-show" for a festival, and sent us on our merry way to Manchester with huge smiles adorning our blown-away faces.

This was my first time with Phish since their "break-up," and with Trey sober, and the guys gelling again – I can truly say that they are back. If you haven't seen them yet this year, I'd recommend hitting up some shows along the tour. They should be announcing some dates in the fall soon, including the "Save The Date" festival that is heavily rumored to be taking place in California. Also, stay tuned to my thoughts on their performance at Bonnaroo, Deer Creek and Alpine Valley in the next few days.

-Eggs