Phour Point O | 2020-09-05 | Local 46, Denver, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

If life were easy and not so fast, I would still tape Phour Point O performing at Local 46!

Labor Day for Colorado Phish fans has been a time-honored tradition for the better part of the last decade, and not just because they love freedom. Since 2011, Phish has graced the Dick’s Sporting Goods Arena stage a total of 27 times over the past nine Labor Day weekends, always marking the end of their summer tours in a triumphant trio of shows that sometimes include gimmicks or massive jams. Sadly, like so many other things about our lives during this pandemic, Phish was forced to cancel (or postpone, depending on how you look at it) their summer tour. This leaves many a Colorahdan without their yearly dose of Phish, and while nothing can compare to one of the most legendary jambands of all-time, Denverites were treated to a show by their very own local Phish tribute, Phour Point.

Hosted by the Local 46, Phour Point O did their best to fill the gap that we all were feeling in these Phish-deprived times, and as always, the band delivered with two sets of Phish music that resonated with the phan in all of us in attendance. While keyboardist Ben Rafferty doesn’t look quite like Page McConnell (although he does have a beard) nor does bassist Fleeb Thomas in anyway resemble Mike Gordon (although they may be able to discuss cool socks) – what the band lacks in physical resemblance, they more than make up for with their keen ability to not only communicate so astutely on-stage, but to do so in a voicing that feels organically Phish. The first set’s “AC/DC Bag” illustrates this with its foreboding jam that goes from the Type I rocker with tinges of funk, into a darker build that culminates in some psychedelic madness before crashing back into the frantic ragtime feel of the original – it’s a journey that feels authentic without being forced. The first set closer, “Simple”, contained its patented blissed-out jam but then morphed into a raucous tribute to Jimi Hendrix, as they segued for a quick dip into “Foxy Lady” before finishing out the jam. It’s a segue Phish hasn’t attempted in 23 years, so why not?

The second set had plenty of highlights of its own, starting with a laid-back combination of “Waves” > “Roggae” to allow fans time to digest their BBQ dinner and to contemplate where they are and the world around them. Their rendition of “Run Like An Antelope” was performed with a laser-like focused execution, as was their rendition of “Stash”, which rivaled the first set’s “AC/DC Bag” for the most compelling jam of the evening. The show closing “Slave To The Traffic Light” provided one final hurrah to send off the crowd of mourning Phish phans, who were happy to connect with the music they love.

Phour Point O valiantly delivered Phish to those who needed it most this weekend, in more ways than one. From the phan who’s bummed to be missing their nth Dick’s show, to the safety conscious concert goer that hasn’t seen live music once this year, to the bar staff who, faced with the insurmountable challenges of the pandemic, have been forced to permanently close the bar itself in the near future – Phour Point O gave everyone in attendance a reminder of that feeling we all forgot.

Phour Point O | 2020-09-05 | Local 46, Denver, CO

-= Set 1 =-
01. (Set 1 Intro)
02. Blaze On[1]
03. AC/DC Bag[2]
04. NICU
05. Back On The Train
06. Roses Are Free
07. Horn
08. Gotta Jibboo
09. Simple >
10. Foxy Lady (Jimmi Hendrix cover)

-= Set 2 =-
11. (Set 2 Intro)
12. Waves >
13. Roggae
14. Run Like An Antelope
15. (Banter)
16. Stash[1]
17. Wilson[3]
18. Birds Of A Feather[4]
19. (Banter II)
20. Julius[5]
22. (Banter III)
23. Slave To The Traffic Light

Show Notes: Show was a part of the Local 46’s dining series which featured a locally sourced BBQ dinner and 2 sets of Phour Point O. The show was performed in honor of the annual Phish at Dick’s concert series which did not occur this year due to COVID-19.
[1] “Blaze On” and “Stash” contained “It’s Ice” teases.
[2] “AC/DC Bag” contained “Tweezer” teases.
[3] “Wilson” contained “Guyute” quotes.
[4] “Birds Of A Feather” contained “Roll With The Changes” (REO Speedwagon) quotes.
[5] “Julius” contained “Birds Of A Feather” quotes in the outro.

Taper Notes: Mics setup on-stage DIN configuration, DFC, raised around 2′. Soundboard was a stereo RCA tape out which I patched in using RCA > XLR converter cables. Thanks to Kirk for the patch and mix!’.

Thanks to Phour Point O and Local 46 for being cool with taping/sharing shows. Please go support live music and your local venues in any way you can. #spacetapes

LINK: https://archive.org/details/PhourPointO2020-09-05.CA14.omnis.onstage.AUD.SBD.Matrix.flac16