Catching up with Phish at Las Vegas' Sphere

Phish is famous for their otherworldly performances. They're putting on 4 sold-out shows at Las Vegas' Sphere, where the show can become a fully immersive experience for the audience. Kris Van Cleave got to see how the band is preparing for this big stage.
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[@TrevorClendenin]

First Billy Strings and now Phish. Someone made the right hire at CBS Mornings.

[@user-mb2yp6xh9w]

Almost as good as hearing jambands during nfl and mlb games on fox

[@carrico504]

Saturday morning’s 4/20 music special was Daniel Donato 🤠

[@BonaOnofre]

Amen! We are everywhere. 🎉

[@stevetrockman204]

Trey: Four decades in Phish is just starting to hit [our] stride. 1995 wants to have a word with you, Trey.

[@johnpoulides5555]

trey is the only band member who was "better " in 95

[@kevinmurtagh4996]

@@johnpoulides5555I think “better” is a bit subjective. I would say that Trey and Fishman aren’t able to do everything they did when younger- which is natural considering their ages and how physically challenging their music was years ago. I wouldn’t say they’re worse now, just different. But I understand why some may not be into those different styles.

[@willum8915]

Less about his playing, and more about his tone. Homie needs to bring back the Mesa mkiii, the Languedoc cabs, and get back to basics. That used to be his philosophy. "It's better to be familiar with the gear you have than have really nice gear" That quote from Trey always stuck in my head. And then he went against that and has changed his rig up so many times in the past few years. You can almost hear him fighting against how much gain he's using on his "clean" channel, and it seems to pull his mind away from the playing. Just my 2 cents! Still a PHUCKING PHAN!!!!

[@rishikesh1087]

@@johnpoulides5555 You guys are too much sometimes

[@SamiJ1508]

Jams are better now don't at me

[@mrbeans2425]

I have loved them for 30 years. would LOVE to see them at the sphere. their bassist mike went to my high school. and my cousin used to go see them in bars and basements at UVM. last i saw them was New Years at MSG. I mean you really have to look at what they have accomplished, it really is INCREDIBLE!

[@joeyslab9404]

Very intriguing, I enjoy themselves 😊

[@user-by9je3fy4l]

My favorite

[@literallyshaking8019]

I’ve been a fan for 30 of those 40 years. I’m staying on this train until the wheels fall off.

[@bryanwbeauchamp]

This is a great little piece on Phish, on the Sphere, how these shows came together and why they are special. Well done CBS!

[@shawnsimmons1308]

I first became enthralled with Phish back in the summer of 1993 and then had the unexpected chance to watch them play live at the Amphitheater on Mud Island here in Memphis the very next summer. I’m a huge fan of many bands and musicians spanning all throughout genres and eras. I’ll binge my favorite bands and artists until their predictability becomes too predictable and then I’ll start listening to another band or artist. The one group of musicians, however, who has perfected the skill of unpredictability is Phish. I don’t really get into every song during verses or choruses but once they launch out of the structured mold of that song, that’s when Phish truly becomes Phish. Their improvisational skills are the most unique and soaring experiences. And their improvisational abilities are so vast and flexible that every live show is a completely new experience that has always been filled with unexpected and yes unpredictable moments so much so that out of all of the multiple bands and artists that I love to listen, not a single one of them can hold a candle next to Phish. In my humble opinion of course.

[@pauldavis9456]

Very well said. They’ve set the standard.

[@WillS-pl8wg]

100% They got better every night back in the early to mid 90’s.

[@pauldavis9456]

He’s right about those Mexico shows. Some of the best Phish of all time down there.

[@garse70]

Being able to have such anonymity outside of their fan base is ideal. For the most part, these guys could walk into a restaurant or bar and nobody would know who they were.

[@deionsandals423]

Phirst show was Atlanta '03. Life hasn't been the same since. Thanks Phish

[@justinwesley2423]

That way my first Phish show as well.....Wilson opener

[@deionsandals423]

@@justinwesley2423 Can’t beat a Wilson opener!

[@jasonsmith530]

2000s were their last great decade

[@nolongerblocked6210]

My 1st Phish show was '92 between Dead tours

[@birdflu2k57]

What they pulled off this weekend is going to be a super tough act to follow. They blew the lid off that place!

[@joemorrison4405]

What a run of shows!🔥🔥🔥 Phish were definitely hitting their stride back in the 90’s! They’re now just riding a huge wave of their previous successes. The most amazing part about Phish today is the ability (and desire) to continue to still wow their fanbase almost 41 years into their career. Truly amazing!👏

[@calvee1100]

Artistry is still alive! Phish!

[@user-mb2yp6xh9w]

It shoulda been called Madison sphere garden

[@rishikesh1087]

Or Sfere with a Ph like Sphere...ughh..oh wait lol:)

[@dmcguriman]

Been going since 88, 6/16/90 was a huge experience, opening for santana 7/25/92 huge experience, Clifford Ball was unreal. This was the most unreal of them all. I got 2 tickets for all 4 nights in the lottery and they outdid themselves again. After night 2 I wasnt sure i could ever see them again without this. And I thought, after 36 yrs who am i kidding, it's really all about the music.

[@RigzDigz]

There is nothing like a Phish show

[@nolongerblocked6210]

Still borrowing from the Dead, why not originate?

[@timharper4246]

​@nolongerblocked6210 because the Dead is no more?

[@brettgreen853]

First Show - Boise, Id - 06/07/95 On the way back to Colorado after Grateful Dead West Coast Spring tour. It was a great Summer until Jerry passed away, then the torch was lit, and properly passed to Phish a few years later at the Phil & Friends shows at The Warfield in April 15-17, 1999. Its too bad I dont have time to travel to these shows because of work and family, but thats what it is. Still root for these guys, and the family after seeing about 25 shows in those 30 years. Unbelievable. Keep going y'all!

[@barbedwirehalo3148]

Bros did it for 420 weekend 😂

[@nochepatada]

Nice😎🤘

[@Lolaandcassidyadventures]

Can’t wait for Dead and Co next month I’m so excited!

[@JWitt30]

Same here.. there's alot of possibilities with that screen

[@2112CO]

I'm am going to say it again but R.I.P Dickey!!!

[@darrenmcclellan9869]

The road goes on forever!

[@user-mn4mu5fu7p]

Absolutely topping the 2000 Millennium show at Live Oak which was an absolute blast. Thanks guys for having the passion to do it. ❤

[@chrispbacon550]

God bless Phish!! We ❤️ You!! Sphere has become a bucket list item! If only I had the $1,000 PLUS PLUS per ticket for these shows I would’ve been there. See y’all this summer tour. Deleware festival especially looking forward too! ❤️

[@tombadil64]

Phish changed my life. If you can stand it, jump in. It could do the same for ya.

[@fuji4202]

Dang missed that show . Can’t wait to see Bobby .

[@johnnyoravec]

Perfect reporting!!!

[@jaymewithhawaii]

If you know you know ❤

[@steelcityspeedshopj.r6942]

It will be better again when Chris Kuroda is handling the lights again 😂

[@tsk1882]

Did you miss the show last night?

[@SiarlW]

Did NOT see Phish coming ‼️ So cool

[@ChrisSMurphy1]

Phish = Rock N’ Roll…just rockin

[@daledilbeck9621]

Went to my 1st show in June of 2022. The 4/20 show at the Sphere was my 27th 😂. This band is amazing and I wish I would have found them 20 yrs ago. You old heads are lucky but better late than never!The sphere will be the Mecca but I’m glad they stuck to their guns and didn’t do repeat shows. Good luck with the lottery next year everyone!

[@pauldavis9456]

That’s how it happens with Phish. Just savor what you’re getting cause as a 30 year fan - 2024 phish is some of the best of all time.

[@localfarang]

4:40 listening to this as a tipper makes me super happy for the future. Live visual manipulation is one of the best things to add to a live performances when done right

[@aberkov64]

Cheesecake

[@theodery2712]

An mushroom trippers dream, to blaze with those visuals...

[@ay_yal5217]

This was better than the free webcast posts

[@travislongwell]

Tool at the sphere will be the best show ever!!! Ever ever!!!!

[@RickfromVermont-rx7nn]

Can’t wait for Dead and Company

[@sgenetti77]

160,000sq/ft of screen? I gotta see a Billy Strings show inside this monstrosity of technological awesomeness!

[@biblicalitypsn9414]

I LOVE PHISH!!!

[@davidthomaschwclmt5925]

Well phish and the phans are setting the bar very High for all other bands for the sphere.

[@ellenhenderson6865]

I really want to go to this. Been watching the KZbin videos of the sphere show!

[@davidthomaschwclmt5925]

Appropriate this airs on 4/20

[@adamproductions4529]

This is the future of entertainment.

[@jugo5139]

Phish is 100000x better in person. I could only imagine at the sphere.

[@jacobholgate4399]

11/24/1996 Memorial Coliseum Portland, OR My Phish bucket list is growing longer...

[@benjaminrhule2744]

1998 Burgettstown Pa Never turned back!

[@DavidSmith-lo7wm]

First show 9/14/00 hopefully many more to come. See ya in Dover.

[@Bongofurry]

Why four only 4 days ? Because they're true artists that care about their audience.

[@tdbhmusic]

Phish doesn't ALWAYS add a theatrical element though. It's rock with lights for most of the shows, you have to catch a sphere or halloween or nye for the extra fun

[@GLiC]

my boys... i LOVE the PHISH band from VT. they make me happy

[@joshdowney-brentlinger6237]

Best band

[@DetroitBrendan]

Wooks gonna wook.

[@adamdavenport6421]

well this is just like when the nc state men’s basketball team won the national championship in 1974 and in 1983 and nobody even knew about them until they won it all

[@trimleyjeweled1042]

N3 Stash is going to be 🔥 if we’re going with the theme of the four major spheres of earth

[@John-xe5kr]

🤯🤯

[@freehahahafree]

Best Band Ever.

[@Vub.]

Would be amazing to see the boys there

[@YeshuaAlbertMusic]

The boys’d

[@gfuterfas]

When he says they "Practice Trainwrecks", Trey's talking about his new amp...

[@pm5906]

Woosh

[@darrenmcclellan9869]

Ooooff. But on target

[@Thegeneralms1]

Widespread Panic needs a 4 night run there also

[@thomaspickering2344]

Very cool

[@marcos_c_m]

The world need a David Gilmour concert in this place.

[@phunkyjunkee]

Was fully expecting Round Room -> Big Balls, and I’m sure that’s why they didnt do it.

[@eanwhalen8592]

Phish

[@dogman615]

7-31-98 first show will never forget that night, I only get to a couple shows a year but I hope everyone is enjoying Vegas

[@justintrites1699]

Was that Va beach amphitheater? If so I was right there with ya 🎣

[@dogman615]

@@justintrites1699 Polaris in Cbus but Virginia Beach you all got a Terrapin right ? Either way Phish 4 life

[@justintrites1699]

@@dogman615 yeah we did! It was the closer..amazing

[@dogman615]

@@justintrites1699 that’s what’s it all about !!!

[@nathanielsnyder1511]

mine was 9 shows later 8/12/98 Vernon downs

[@deanaoxo]

I hate that people are learning about the boys, damn it, it's hard enough to get tickets. I couldn't get sphere, but I got Mondegreen. . . Y.E.M.

[@aclarkedesign]

Leo!

[@jamminjohnyevo]

Red Rocks is still the best concert experience ever would be Abba or Phish

[@vervor]

Been to red rocks and while it’s epic… doesn’t compare to sphere at all really

[@tsk1882]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@cmates44]

Red Rocks is historic, yes but no video or photo can explain how epic and immersive The Sphere is

[@junkman8742]

Can't get in without your VAX passport at Red Rocks

[@lillagahnavich7700]

Im sorry but i disagree....The Gorge is absolutely the most beautiful and surreal experience out of my 100 shows

[@vibesforlife135]

Yes🎉

[@TheBadgertwo]

Not bad, love it when these guys hit main stream media, but it's not always a great story. This was cute for a long time phan!

[@robertgroff2105]

There ae 165,000 speakers not 1,600...

[@samedwards3876]

165k drivers, yes, but 1600 boxes in total

[@davidsolomon1263]

God i love Trey

[@darrenmcclellan9869]

Is it just the camera angle or is back row truly at 9,000 feet?

[@therealwilfreddierkes9980]

It’s incredibly steep.

[@darrenmcclellan9869]

@@therealwilfreddierkes9980 I gotcha. What a place!

[@SMack-mj2bp]

😢 Looks like I missed out again

[@anthonymorroni8704]

Wow

[@robertjamesonmusic]

Put Primus in there!

[@junkman8742]

Half the visuals were trippy. Other half CHEESY

[@robertjamesonmusic]

Yeah, I feel that. Some of the visuals were awesome and some look like a windows screensaver. Phish visuals are usually pretty but not necessarily the most creative

[@erdtree_larry]

God I miss the days when Phish would have trolled the media 😂

[@ALaw15]

💖 🐠 💖 🐠 💖

[@wickster2121]

phish is the best

[@Mr.Monster1313]

Sooo they made it there because he hungout with the owner at sports games...lol 😂 networking ...

[@amandaalvarez1574]

& they also played MSG 84 times…

[@Mr.Monster1313]

@@amandaalvarez1574 yeah and who owns that also ???? Runs it??? Hmmmm

[@amandaalvarez1574]

@@Mr.Monster1313yes Mr. Jim Dolan

[@amandaalvarez1574]

I’d say treys met & hung out with Jim Dolan more than just at sports games

[@rundlet1658]

@@Mr.Monster1313 Big Cypress would like a to have a word about that

[@jasonsmith530]

Was the U2 show as good?

[@wbpound]

Not even close. At least Bono got the whole crowd to chant "Alexei Navalny" one night though.

[@evhbombastic]

Phish has sold 1000s more tickets than U2 AND Taylor Swift combined.

[@swannie35]

He’s buddies with Dolan and they are asking how they were the second band to play there?

[@Mr.Monster1313]

No concert is worth $1000. Nope..gimme a break...greed.

[@BonaOnofre]

That’s not what face value tickets cost per show but the resale market was disgusting. 💃🏽 🕺🏼

[@Hchdysydudd7Hcuxudydyuf]

Phish!

[@luketia]

Didn’t Phish retire?

[@ErikShen2907]

Ack ack ack.....TREY MIKE.....ACK ACK ACK

[@dirtyhiggins5484]

I love Phish, but Biscuits 4 Life... Sorry If You Don't 🚀👽🚀

[@datdude89]

Even young people know who phish is. They may not listen to their music but they are aware of their stature; They are legends

[@kylefox8956]

Greatest band of all time!

[@nolongerblocked6210]

😂😂😂

[@Berley_1234]

you'd have to dose for this

[@Peter-em7wl]

Guess everyone is paying attention now. If you know this quote your old like me

[@mattmyers207]

Love em, hate em, either way, there is NO band like em!

[@DavidKarlsson-ti6sb]

Keeping it fresh is nice for the band. But after seeing U2, if you aren't creating a dedicated over-the-top show, with all effort thrown at that one product...you are cheating the audience. This is such an amazing facility. Suck it up, be the performer, and put everything you have into 90 amazing minutes of insanity they'll never forget. U2 did that.

[@emwebb24]

You're missing the point of the Phish fan. The enjoyment is in the mystery

[@DavidKarlsson-ti6sb]

@@emwebb24 I know Phish. You have to see a show there to understand.

[@davidsolomon1263]

Haha u2 really, Phish has been blowing them away for 4o years when it comes to raw live talent, get outta here you peon

[@davidsolomon1263]

2 words -Big Cypress , u2 who??? Haha I m just kidding but seriously don't put u2 in the same sentence as Phish especially when it comes to a live performance, let the , I m gonna pretend people like you don't exist, seriously just from reading your post you sound like you're one of the ones that missed it 😮, some of u people just about missed it.

[@DavidKarlsson-ti6sb]

@@davidsolomon1263 Sphere. Not a phisch show. Sphere. Go see it and report back about responsibility.

[@MegaPedro1975]

Who?

[@WardenJune]

The graphics, although cool, seem very stock. Not taylor made for the songs.

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

Blessings in an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. God bless you. 🤍🤍🤍🌈🌈🌈🤍🤍🤍Thank you. Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. 😊

[@user-ho5wr7es6b]

Phishing Bro!!!

[@macroisthemicro]

Who the Eff is Phish?!?

[@stevenhanson6057]

I was a “Deadhead” until at 40, my parents cut me off of my allowance!

[@robertjamesonmusic]

Wow

[@davidpach5393]

And they don't mention once that dead and company are about to play for almost 2 months there

[@Sailingbad]

$$$