Phish Continue Hollywood Bowl Run with Extended Jams and Improvisations

Photo Credit: Dave Vann

After kicking off their run at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, April 21, Phish returned to the City of Angels venue for their second stand at the storied West Coast space on Saturday night. The packed amphitheater was treated to extended jams and improvisations throughout the concert. Highlights include first set instrumentals and a 23-minute rendition of “Chalk Dust Torture,” which kicked off the night’s second half.

The Vermont-foursome picked up “Ghost” to start the night. The set’s first song cascaded into a jammed-out take on “David Bowie,” which set the tone for the band’s ensuing spectacle, as they allowed their material to morph and twist as they liked. A spotless run-through of “Esther” bloomed before a mid-first set presentation of “Harry Hood,” which collided into “Meat.” The aforementioned tune ran over into “Split Open and Melt,” boasting a thick and divined layer of pristine instrumentation. 

For the final songs of the night’s initial set, the band worked through “Leaves” paired with The Squirming Coil,” which saw Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell crush the Lawn Boy composition. Part two of the night opened up with an elongated take on “Chalk Dust Torture.” The aforementioned number stretched for 23 minutes and saw each band member add a distinguished layer before they abandoned the song in favor of  “Twist,” which unfolded into “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” inciting an all-out dance party. 

The crowd’s energy remained high with the arrival of “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” which represented the group’s first 2023 run-through of the cover. The latter merged with “Back on the Train” and further extended into “A Life Beyond The Dream” before the group closed their second set on “First Tube,” which showed off their funkier side. Following the completion of two full sets of music, Phish dug into the night’s encore, “Run Like an Antelope.” 

Coming off of Saturday’s display, Phish will conclude their Spring Tour tonight by returning for their third and final stand at the Hollywood Bowl. For those unable to attend in person, streaming options are available here. 

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist via Phish.net. Listen to part of Saturday’s first and second sets below. 

Phish 

Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles

April 22, 2023

Set I: Ghost > David Bowie, Esther > Harry Hood > Meat > Split Open and Melt, Leaves > The Squirming Coil

Set II: Chalk Dust Torture+ > Twist > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley > Back on the Train, A Life Beyond The Dream, First Tube

Enc.: Run Like an Antelope

Notes: 

+ Unfinished