What a way to open a show! YEM segues unexpectedly into a rich Simple, and it'd all be gravy from there if the show didn't also feature a colossal multipart Gin and downtempo Twist > Scents. That's a pre-Undermind take on Scents, by the way - meaning the errant-laser-beam Twist outro transforms into the eerie Halloween intro to Scents (previewing the haunting Seven > Scents coupling on 8/2). Phish's jamming was getting pretty abstract by summer's end, but this show shares some of the winter '03 DNA while belonging firmly to what less tasteful Phish fans call 'the oxy years.' It's one of the most consistently inventive shows of 2003.

(Published in the second edition of The Phish Companion...)

I was somewhat disappointed with the July 8th show at Chula Vista this tour. But the next two nights at Shoreline Amphitheater solidified my freakish love for Phish. As I drove up the California coast from L.A with my brohans I was unable to contain my excitement. I released this adrenaline with sporadic screaming, violent banging, and even by drinking pee. I just didn't know what to do with myself. We were seeing Phish that night!
When they busted "YEM" to open the first night I knew that the shows were going to rock. And when they segued into "Simple" and Trey and Page were weaving and spiraling around each other creating the beauty that only Phish can create, I understood why my pre-show excitement led me to drink my friend’s urine. They played a mellow "Mist", an energetic “Chalk Dust”, and a crazy twenty-five minute Gin to end the set. Perfect beginning.
They opened the second set with an extremely funky "Boogie on Reggae Woman" where Mike's bass was making my entire body vibrate. Then came a solid "AC/DC" bag followed by "Piper" into "Twist" into "Scents and Subtle Sounds". The second half of "Scents" was so tight. I couldn't believe they ended the second set with “Mikes Groove”. It wasn't spectacular but the fact that it was “Mike’s Groove” sent my body into advancing craze. “Loving Cup” was a solid encore. After it was over I was exhausted both physically and mentally. My feet rarely stopped moving and my mind was constantly appreciating the insane musical peaks that Phish reached.