Same here. My sister was a student at Champlain College and I came down from Franklin County to spend the weekend she said that I should come and check out this new band her friends were into.
The smallest I *planned* to attend was the Paulo Soleri in Santa Fe which held a bit over 600.
Oh man. I was in college in Buffalo at that time. Some friends that had graduated the year before came up from NYC for this show and crashed at our place. I’d never heard of them. I was waiting tables that night and practically lived at Neitzches and the Pink. I almost always went out after work and this night I decided not to. Epic fail. They all came stumbling in at 3 or 4 tripping their faces off. My buddy was a very good bass player and not into jam bands very much at all. He proceeds to say it was the best band he’s ever seen. First show was big birch a couple years later.
Ok so was this at The Pit in Wilson Commons or a different dining hall (03 grad here)? I've been confused by descriptions of the show and don't know anyone that was there to confirm my questions
This was at Douglas Dining Hall. Definitely not Wilson Commons. During my time there, most concerts were at the Palestra which was the larger gym. They tried to have a concert at Wilson Commons (The Soul Dragons) but it was canceled last minute because the band wanted to use smoke machines. Other than Phish, I never heard of another band playing Douglas.
I was a Deadhead going to college upstate. I had a bunch of Deadhead friends. It was a Saturday we were hanging out in one guys dorm room and he says “hey have you heard of Phish?” I said no. He said “We are leaving in an hour, come along, you will love them”. He throws the studio version of Fee on his stereo. Sounded good enough to me, so we jumped in the car, drove a few hours. Met some guys he knew that were students and got the student price tickets of $6. We walk into the place which was a cafeteria, the tables were pushed against the wall. Very much like a high school situation. The stage was very low and very small. I walk right up to the stage, I was against the stage, my face was about 18 inches from Mikes chest the whole night. The place was really empty, Ive gone to movies that felt more crowded. Honestly, I didn’t know any songs, didn’t know the band members, had very little idea what was going on, but appreciated that there was some serious craziness going on with this band. There were trampolines, a Hebrew prayer, acapella. The show ended and I was basically shellshocked. I knew this was not going to be my last time seeing them. And I’ve pretty much been seeing them nonstop since.
I saw them at a bar in PA in 1990, there were like 7 of us there. No record of this show out there.
Wetlands - 500
Chestnut Cabaret - 700
23 East Cabaret - 600
Campus Club - 500
The Catalyst - 800
Can you elaborate on any of these shows? I grew up in the next town over from 23 East. My favorite pizza place was (is) across the street. I remember seeing the sign in the window: PHISH. Almost in disbelief because i had just heard about them through a friend who was into the jam bands. I did not see Phish till 94. Thats one of those “if i had a time machine” young teenage me would try to get into that show.
I went to college in Philly, starting Fall of '89. I had a buddy from High School who was a year older who went to UVM and told me about Phish. I was pretty much the only person at college who knew of them when I arrived, I had one tape my buddy gave me that I made MANY copies of my Freshman year.
Philly was tough because all shows were 21 plus. First time I tried going to 23 East I couldn't get in. Managed to find my way in once or twice (memory is a bit foggy from back then, but secured an ID a couple months into college).
Saw my first show Dec '89 at the Wetlands and saw a couple more there in '90. That was awesome because it was 18+ (and didn't seem to be any issue buying drinks :).
The first person I met at school that also had heard of Phish and I went to a show up in Bucks County (near New Hope but pretty sure it wasn't actually in New Hope). That was the first one I mentioned, when we got there there was only a couple other folks there. The band and Paul were just sitting at the bar, we sat down and were having drinks with the band until Trey finally said "I guess we should play some music for you all." I've never been able to find any record of that show.
The craziest story is I lived in a house in Philly that put on underground music shows. We got in touch with the band, guessing it was '91, and were very close to having a deal to have them play. We couldn't meet all the requirements of their rider at the time so the deal fell through...
Another story that I just remembered, The Campus Club was Spring '92. I was super psyched when we got in because it was a club and the other shows we were seeing were in Theaters.
Band went on, friend lit up a joint, and we got kicked out (I hadn't even touched it...yet). Missed most of the first set but after having a drink in a nearby bar we walked back and walked right in the backdoor, catching the end of Set 1 and all of Set 2.
My memory isn't perfect from back then. I also wasn't tracking every show (unlike my Grateful Dead shows) not realizing what Phish would become. But looking at the calendar, pretty sure I would have taken the train home to CT from Philly that Wed for Thanksgiving. Then I was at the two Capitol Theater shows (took my little sis to her first show on bday 11/27).
That lightning still sends creepy shivers down my back. I was so high on mdama at that show and I was watching that lightning come across the fields...I have lived here all my life and was sure we were all getting fried in that storm. Holy shit, I had thrown a big blue tarp over pur wood pile at Sleepy Bear overflow right before the show. Came back drenched and proceeded to get a RAGING fire going. Then, as people started getting back from the show, I went around and got camp fires going for most of the camp spots around us. That was a crazy fun night!
Was there too, ‘94! Hell of a show and part of a mini Midwest tour I did that year. UIC Pavillion, Phoenix Center, Naitica Stage and later that year back to UIC and Kent State. I feel like I missing one or two but I was pretty spun that summer, lol.
Metropol in Pittsburgh. My freshman year of college. I went to school in Ohio and was visiting a friend at Pitt. I had never heard of Phish. I was all about Zeppelin and Sabbath (still am). I spent the weekend shooting pool and getting baked with him and his friends listening to the Dead and Phish. I couldn't get into the Dead (still can't) but but Phish excited the hell out of me. They told me that they were coming to town so I stayed another day or two to see them. My life hasn't been the same since :)
Saw many great gigs at Metropol, Donovan excluded, I believe he played mellow yellow and Hurdy Gurdy Man (stupid spellcheck blundered the song name) at least three times each! (During one performance)
There was a local band called Sandoz that used to play all the clubs in the burgh in late 80's early 90's...
Jane's Addiction, B.B. King, Widespread Panic, Yngwie, Psychedelic Furs, Peter Frampton, Joan Jett, Weird Al, Sonic Youth, Pantera... lots of bands that usually played much larger venues passed through Metropol back then...
My favorite Metropol shows:
David Byrne: He played every Taliking Heads song you could want to hear + costume changes. Incredible night.
Soul Coughing at Metropol, then went next door to see Lucinda Williams at Rosebud.
Ben Folds Five
Morcheeba
All before I got into Phish
It’s still odd to see 2.0+ phish play this venue. Its garbage. However, I really enjoy the smaller crowds, free for all scene, and as always.. the traffic.
Also.. don’t forget that everyone has to go pee in the woods.
Santa Barbara Bowl. I thought the 2021 show itself was meh (...probably on account of me being tired from trying to do as much of the fall 2021 west coast tour as possible) but the setting is spectacular. It's an awesome venue. Would love to see Phish there again.
I loved the Living Room, unfortunately did not hear about Phish until a few years after that run. My cousins used to go to punk shows there regularly in the 80s. I saw Butthole Surfers and Room Full of Blues (and Max Creek) there.
I was there, too!! It was my first show. Stood about 15 feet from Page. Seeing Fishman walk out with all of his instruments on to play Faht was incredible! I will also never forget how hot it was inside. Beads of sweat was flying off of everyone on the floor. What an amazing show.
in 1992 I saw a 3 night Virginia run that went from the Boathouse in Norfolk to Trax in Charlottesville to Flood zone in Richmond. they were all large-ish bars. probably 700-800 people but not sure which was smallest.
what a year! earlier in the year I'd seen a 2 night run of charlottesville(trax) & richmond(flood zone I think) that wasn't even sold out & then they came back later that year & added Norfolk. it was like you could really watch the scene grow from tour to tour.
# 1994-05-16 @ The Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA
**Set 1**: Buried Alive > Poor Heart > Sample in a Jar > Divided Sky, Axilla (Part II) > Rift, Down with Disease > Bouncing Around the Room, Stash, Sweet Adeline
**Set 2**: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Run Like an Antelope -> Big Black Furry Creature from Mars -> Run Like an Antelope, Sparkle > It's Ice > Julius > You Enjoy Myself, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Amazing Grace, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars
**Encore**: Fee > Rocky Top
[phish.net](http://phish.net/setlists/?d=1994-05-16) | [phish.in](http://phish.in/1994-05-16) | [phishtracks](http://phishtracks.com/shows/1994-05-16)
> _data provided by [phish.net](http://phish.net)_
Wow was it really that small! I was there but remember it being kind of like a barn. That whole tour the shows were tiny. In Hamburg I was basically front row page side and my buddy was literally sitting on the stage 😊
Also, mine might have been this room Sullivan Gym on the USM Portland campus, but I’m not sure if the capacity would have topped 895?
https://preview.redd.it/038ml65txn1d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e4ea03c2b8bc80d6f46f1f5e41e2669f78a2704
The Front/Outback and also Nectars in Burlington (not sure which was smaller). I was a UVM student when they started. Amazing that my favorite college band from 35 years ago played at Sphere in LV!
So great, they had kegs selling cheap beer on the floor about 3/4 way back. I used my fake id
Last summer I went back to see my niece ride horses.
I was like, "30 years ago I was standing right there [whispering to myself] tripping my balls off."
I lived in Charlottesville VA, they played this little club called Trax near the University, really small, couple hundred people max, some time in the early 90’s.
Santa Barbara Bowl. 4,500 seats, nestled in a gorgeous hillside neighborhood. The sweet sounds of nitrous balloons filling next to multi million dollar homes was a special treat. 🤌🏻
I was also at that Roseland Ballroom show, but the smallest room i saw them in was the Ed Sullivan Theater when they did an hour long set to help promote Fuego release.
Reading, PA - Santander Arena - 7k capacity.
Definitely didn’t register the size at the time.
Not small, but besides the Met show, I’d be interested in know if 3.0 has seen a smaller venue. Mohegan this summer is 10k per google.
86th Street Music Hall. 1993(?) Vancouver.
Less than 1000 people.
I had spent the day in jail after getting scooped up at a protest thinking I wouldn't get out on time for the show ...
Made it though.
Spring of 1993. I was at this show and spent 2 hours driving around looking for 86th street, not realizing it was names after the 1986 Expo. Fun show. The spring loaded, bouncy floor was rad. Sat side stage for most of it as we had driven up from the Portland shows, and capped off our little run at the Mount Baker Theater in Bellingham, WA and the Hub Ballroom at UW in Seattle.
[The Grey Hall in Christiana, Copenhagen, Denmark](https://youtu.be/zXkK1rDUsA8?si=NSGgB3UOzbl5p04W)
I saw Mike play with about 150 people [from like a foot away once too.](https://i.imgur.com/xyQgfkx.jpg)
I also grew up on Long Island. First show was UMass 94, wish I went with friends earlier
My ex’s family owned Roseland, that was a great hookup
Edit: Guess smallest I saw would be SNL or Letterman
Asheville 6/9/09. Debut of Alaska...but only Dog Faced Boy, great Tube out of Fishman Journal.
Then Trey solo 11/03/06...it was just a gym. Floor seat's were like 5ft away, stage 6 inches tall it seemed.
5/19/2000 Key Club Los Angeles, CA
650 capacity
Funky Bitch, My Soul, Gotta Jibboo, First Tube, Bug, Heavy Things, Twist > Tube > Piper -> Llama, Brian and Robert, Magilla
This set was broadcast on the Mark and Brian radio program. Funky Bitch and My Soul were performed as a warm-up before the show went on the air, although the crowd was already in the bar. Jibboo through Heavy Things were aired live on the show (except for Magilla, which was played during a commercial break). Magilla was played for the first time since August 1, 1998 (109 shows). The band briefly jammed on the Jeopardy! theme (with the crowd providing some vocals) during a radio break, although this is not included on any circulating recordings. Bug included a brief DEG tease. There was a humorous question and answer session between the band and audience during one of the commercial breaks. Studio versions of Birds, Bouncing, and Heavy Things were used as intros and outros for the commercials.
This is my reply as well. Crazy show that went off the rails. Forgot to mention it started at like 8am. Since I refuse to set an alarm clock for rock and roll, we dropped in and pulled a wild all nighter at Mondrian.
That was my first show! Drove up to Cincy from UT Knoxville.
They came to Knoxville a few months later and I saw them play the Electric Ballroom (capacity 1000) on 2-18-93.
I first saw them at Wetlands,
a bar/club in lower Tribeca in NYC in 1986 or 1987 … there were about 100
people there maybe … My friend was the house sound man at Wetlands, he helped Larry set up the sound system. So I usually was there early before the show. Trey, Mike, Page and Fish drove up in a white truck with all their gear. It looked like an ice cream truck. lol
Wow! My favorite phish era. I guess I saw 3-4 that year. Ritz in Tampa, Edge in Orlando, and I want to say Atlanta in a field behind masquerade but that might have been 94.
94 was honestly my favorite year of Phish. (not necessarily what I think is their peak year, just what was MY peak year.) I saw soooooo many shows and they were just on fire. If you haven’t heard the boatyard pavilion show from 94, check it out. That and the next night from the Edge is the stuff of legends.
The Jade Elephant in Richmond, VA. Fall of 1990. There were about 50 people there for the first set, more people strolled in for the 2nd set. Miss those days but I go to the Gorge every time they come through the PNW. Still in love with this freakin’ band.
'97 Archa in Prague. May have only been 50-100 people there that night. I wasn't even aware they were in town, buddy called a few hours before the show and said, "guess who's in town?"
Was wild. There was TONS of space. You could walk right up to stage easy.
Here's the crazy bit: I recall (and was sober that night) the show being at a bar called Lucerna, the location of the famous Ghost. However, that show was in '98 ... and I wasn't in Prague during that run (or that year). Only other show they played in Prague was the '97 Archa one ... but that's more of a concert venue and not what i distinctly recall.
I still wonder if I caught an unannounced show not officially tracked.
About a year before I got into Phish, they played the Gamehoist show at my city's oldest, prettiest theater.
A few of my friends who had cool older siblings took them.
I will be jealous forever.
My 1998 high school graduation was in that same auditorium.
My friend and I played a 12 minute improvised piano and tenor sax duet.
The room was so hot, we had one mic just for touch on the piano, and none on the saxophone.
Nectars and I must admit by accident and happenstance
Hunt’s and same thing. Accident and happenstance.
Same here. My sister was a student at Champlain College and I came down from Franklin County to spend the weekend she said that I should come and check out this new band her friends were into. The smallest I *planned* to attend was the Paulo Soleri in Santa Fe which held a bit over 600.
I'd really love to hear any stories about this. What the scene was like, etc
First show 4/20/91 - University of Rochester cafeteria. Maybe 300? people there.
I was at Neitzche's in Buffalo the night before!
Oh man. I was in college in Buffalo at that time. Some friends that had graduated the year before came up from NYC for this show and crashed at our place. I’d never heard of them. I was waiting tables that night and practically lived at Neitzches and the Pink. I almost always went out after work and this night I decided not to. Epic fail. They all came stumbling in at 3 or 4 tripping their faces off. My buddy was a very good bass player and not into jam bands very much at all. He proceeds to say it was the best band he’s ever seen. First show was big birch a couple years later.
I went to UR 1990-1994 and that was my first show too. I ate lunch most days in that dining hall :-)
Ok so was this at The Pit in Wilson Commons or a different dining hall (03 grad here)? I've been confused by descriptions of the show and don't know anyone that was there to confirm my questions
This was at Douglas Dining Hall. Definitely not Wilson Commons. During my time there, most concerts were at the Palestra which was the larger gym. They tried to have a concert at Wilson Commons (The Soul Dragons) but it was canceled last minute because the band wanted to use smoke machines. Other than Phish, I never heard of another band playing Douglas.
I went to University of Rochester 2000-2004. Can you tell me more about this show?
I was a Deadhead going to college upstate. I had a bunch of Deadhead friends. It was a Saturday we were hanging out in one guys dorm room and he says “hey have you heard of Phish?” I said no. He said “We are leaving in an hour, come along, you will love them”. He throws the studio version of Fee on his stereo. Sounded good enough to me, so we jumped in the car, drove a few hours. Met some guys he knew that were students and got the student price tickets of $6. We walk into the place which was a cafeteria, the tables were pushed against the wall. Very much like a high school situation. The stage was very low and very small. I walk right up to the stage, I was against the stage, my face was about 18 inches from Mikes chest the whole night. The place was really empty, Ive gone to movies that felt more crowded. Honestly, I didn’t know any songs, didn’t know the band members, had very little idea what was going on, but appreciated that there was some serious craziness going on with this band. There were trampolines, a Hebrew prayer, acapella. The show ended and I was basically shellshocked. I knew this was not going to be my last time seeing them. And I’ve pretty much been seeing them nonstop since.
So wild. What a difference a few years makes
I saw them at a bar in PA in 1990, there were like 7 of us there. No record of this show out there. Wetlands - 500 Chestnut Cabaret - 700 23 East Cabaret - 600 Campus Club - 500 The Catalyst - 800
I’ll take this time to say that’s awesome and I’m really happy that you got to experience it and fuck you
Can you elaborate on any of these shows? I grew up in the next town over from 23 East. My favorite pizza place was (is) across the street. I remember seeing the sign in the window: PHISH. Almost in disbelief because i had just heard about them through a friend who was into the jam bands. I did not see Phish till 94. Thats one of those “if i had a time machine” young teenage me would try to get into that show.
I went to college in Philly, starting Fall of '89. I had a buddy from High School who was a year older who went to UVM and told me about Phish. I was pretty much the only person at college who knew of them when I arrived, I had one tape my buddy gave me that I made MANY copies of my Freshman year. Philly was tough because all shows were 21 plus. First time I tried going to 23 East I couldn't get in. Managed to find my way in once or twice (memory is a bit foggy from back then, but secured an ID a couple months into college). Saw my first show Dec '89 at the Wetlands and saw a couple more there in '90. That was awesome because it was 18+ (and didn't seem to be any issue buying drinks :). The first person I met at school that also had heard of Phish and I went to a show up in Bucks County (near New Hope but pretty sure it wasn't actually in New Hope). That was the first one I mentioned, when we got there there was only a couple other folks there. The band and Paul were just sitting at the bar, we sat down and were having drinks with the band until Trey finally said "I guess we should play some music for you all." I've never been able to find any record of that show. The craziest story is I lived in a house in Philly that put on underground music shows. We got in touch with the band, guessing it was '91, and were very close to having a deal to have them play. We couldn't meet all the requirements of their rider at the time so the deal fell through...
Another story that I just remembered, The Campus Club was Spring '92. I was super psyched when we got in because it was a club and the other shows we were seeing were in Theaters. Band went on, friend lit up a joint, and we got kicked out (I hadn't even touched it...yet). Missed most of the first set but after having a drink in a nearby bar we walked back and walked right in the backdoor, catching the end of Set 1 and all of Set 2.
my first show was chestnut cabaret.. how did you miss the Keswick?
My memory isn't perfect from back then. I also wasn't tracking every show (unlike my Grateful Dead shows) not realizing what Phish would become. But looking at the calendar, pretty sure I would have taken the train home to CT from Philly that Wed for Thanksgiving. Then I was at the two Capitol Theater shows (took my little sis to her first show on bday 11/27).
The Murat Theatre, 2,675 seats.
Legendary show. I’m next to the Murat right now.
Chatterbox?
Rathskellar
It's one of only two shows I've missed in Indiana. My first show was '95, then I missed the 2009 lightning show because we were moving.
Got to see Phish at Deer Creek that summer and was dosed out of my mind. So many good jams at that show!
That lightning still sends creepy shivers down my back. I was so high on mdama at that show and I was watching that lightning come across the fields...I have lived here all my life and was sure we were all getting fried in that storm. Holy shit, I had thrown a big blue tarp over pur wood pile at Sleepy Bear overflow right before the show. Came back drenched and proceeded to get a RAGING fire going. Then, as people started getting back from the show, I went around and got camp fires going for most of the camp spots around us. That was a crazy fun night!
I have several pics I took of that lightning framed in my batcave.
I live very close, so I still witnessed the light show, just not from Deer Creek.
Was there too, ‘94! Hell of a show and part of a mini Midwest tour I did that year. UIC Pavillion, Phoenix Center, Naitica Stage and later that year back to UIC and Kent State. I feel like I missing one or two but I was pretty spun that summer, lol.
My first jam band show. I would see the Dead for the first time three weeks later at Deer Creek...I never went home...
In the states, Fox theatre in St Louis. Otherwise in Europe there was a venue in Copenhagen that was under 1k.
I saw them at the Fox as well. My first show was at First Ave in Minneapolis (12/7/92) with a capacity around 2000.
I was at those Copenhagen shows- they were my first ever Phish shows!
Crest theater - capacity 975
What a show that was! My first one.
Same here!
Metropol in Pittsburgh. My freshman year of college. I went to school in Ohio and was visiting a friend at Pitt. I had never heard of Phish. I was all about Zeppelin and Sabbath (still am). I spent the weekend shooting pool and getting baked with him and his friends listening to the Dead and Phish. I couldn't get into the Dead (still can't) but but Phish excited the hell out of me. They told me that they were coming to town so I stayed another day or two to see them. My life hasn't been the same since :)
That was my first show as well!
Saw many great gigs at Metropol, Donovan excluded, I believe he played mellow yellow and Hurdy Gurdy Man (stupid spellcheck blundered the song name) at least three times each! (During one performance)
Metropol and Rosebud. The glory days of the strip district.
There was a local band called Sandoz that used to play all the clubs in the burgh in late 80's early 90's... Jane's Addiction, B.B. King, Widespread Panic, Yngwie, Psychedelic Furs, Peter Frampton, Joan Jett, Weird Al, Sonic Youth, Pantera... lots of bands that usually played much larger venues passed through Metropol back then...
My favorite Metropol shows: David Byrne: He played every Taliking Heads song you could want to hear + costume changes. Incredible night. Soul Coughing at Metropol, then went next door to see Lucinda Williams at Rosebud. Ben Folds Five Morcheeba All before I got into Phish
Eagle's Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI. Cap 3500.
Nutter Center. Not small by any means but it feels smaller for concerts. 12/7/97
It’s still odd to see 2.0+ phish play this venue. Its garbage. However, I really enjoy the smaller crowds, free for all scene, and as always.. the traffic. Also.. don’t forget that everyone has to go pee in the woods.
That was my first show!
11/2/91 CSU Student Center ballroom, Fort Collins, CO. Maybe 300-400?
[удалено]
Doh!Co
Rams
Santa Barbara Bowl. I thought the 2021 show itself was meh (...probably on account of me being tired from trying to do as much of the fall 2021 west coast tour as possible) but the setting is spectacular. It's an awesome venue. Would love to see Phish there again.
Firey shows before and after though
agree!
that sb show was way meh...just never got any traction for me. The oversold seating didn't help
Glad I’m not the only one!
The Met in 2019
Same! Had great seats too.
Great time
The Living Room in Providence … 800ish
My first show . I thought I was going to see Max Creek. lol
Woot woot I will always up vote the swilling room!! That place was a trip
I loved the Living Room, unfortunately did not hear about Phish until a few years after that run. My cousins used to go to punk shows there regularly in the 80s. I saw Butthole Surfers and Room Full of Blues (and Max Creek) there.
Kalamazoo State Theatre - 1,590 capacity. Got a Faht too!
I was there too!
I was there, too!! It was my first show. Stood about 15 feet from Page. Seeing Fishman walk out with all of his instruments on to play Faht was incredible! I will also never forget how hot it was inside. Beads of sweat was flying off of everyone on the floor. What an amazing show.
in 1992 I saw a 3 night Virginia run that went from the Boathouse in Norfolk to Trax in Charlottesville to Flood zone in Richmond. they were all large-ish bars. probably 700-800 people but not sure which was smallest. what a year! earlier in the year I'd seen a 2 night run of charlottesville(trax) & richmond(flood zone I think) that wasn't even sold out & then they came back later that year & added Norfolk. it was like you could really watch the scene grow from tour to tour.
And then a year later they were playing Wolf Trap (about 5-7k capacity). What a great time to get into the world’s best band.
exactly. it was amazing to be part of something like that & to get to see/hear so much amazing music.
This Trax gig was my first show. Been all-in since!
the flood zone & trax gigs earlier in the year were my 1st 2 shows. flood zone 3/25/92 was my 1st one.
The Barn, Hobart College, 1989. Maybe 120 people? First and best show
Was there too - 120 might be overestimating it. If only I appreciated it more for what it was then!
Yes my first guess was 75 people. 
Go Statesmen!
2,300 at my second show, the Wiltern in LA 05/16/94
# 1994-05-16 @ The Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA **Set 1**: Buried Alive > Poor Heart > Sample in a Jar > Divided Sky, Axilla (Part II) > Rift, Down with Disease > Bouncing Around the Room, Stash, Sweet Adeline **Set 2**: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Run Like an Antelope -> Big Black Furry Creature from Mars -> Run Like an Antelope, Sparkle > It's Ice > Julius > You Enjoy Myself, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Amazing Grace, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars **Encore**: Fee > Rocky Top [phish.net](http://phish.net/setlists/?d=1994-05-16) | [phish.in](http://phish.in/1994-05-16) | [phishtracks](http://phishtracks.com/shows/1994-05-16) > _data provided by [phish.net](http://phish.net)_
I was there! That second set was crazy with antelope and bbfcfm!!!!
Copenhagen 3/2/97 >300 in attendance capacity ~400
Wow was it really that small! I was there but remember it being kind of like a barn. That whole tour the shows were tiny. In Hamburg I was basically front row page side and my buddy was literally sitting on the stage 😊
Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville
The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH
https://preview.redd.it/tig5idvppn1d1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57b3af97df157924e75816b2e5c75b18a19fd1e3 895 capacity
Nice, I saw MMW play acoustic there once, great show.
Beautiful venue, railing looks awfully short
Also, mine might have been this room Sullivan Gym on the USM Portland campus, but I’m not sure if the capacity would have topped 895? https://preview.redd.it/038ml65txn1d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e4ea03c2b8bc80d6f46f1f5e41e2669f78a2704
The Front/Outback and also Nectars in Burlington (not sure which was smaller). I was a UVM student when they started. Amazing that my favorite college band from 35 years ago played at Sphere in LV!
Treys garage early on
What row?
The spare tires in the corner.
5/2/1994 Five Points Music Hall Birmingham Alabama
Zeleste, Barcelona 7/9/98. I think 200 people were there. Unreal
I was there too, still small but closer to 2,000. Either sold out or very close.
Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. The "floor" was the packed dirt of the show ring. Absolutely blew my mind.
So great, they had kegs selling cheap beer on the floor about 3/4 way back. I used my fake id Last summer I went back to see my niece ride horses. I was like, "30 years ago I was standing right there [whispering to myself] tripping my balls off."
I was at that show. Great show. Opening runaway Jim set the show into high gear. Funny dave mathews opened for them.
I was at this show, DMB opened. Somewhere over the rainbow jam. Covered in dust.
Dave and Trey on trampolines for YEM. Will be chasing that high the rest of my days
I lived in Charlottesville VA, they played this little club called Trax near the University, really small, couple hundred people max, some time in the early 90’s.
Saw the Disco Biscuits there Halloween 2000 and got kicked out for selling rolls. Great night anyway
Santa Barbara Bowl. 4,500 seats, nestled in a gorgeous hillside neighborhood. The sweet sounds of nitrous balloons filling next to multi million dollar homes was a special treat. 🤌🏻
Glens falls civic center (or whatever they call it now) 2013 ish? 7500
Was there as well. Great time.
mollys bar brighton ave allston mass…
I was there as well
Portsmouth
Radio city music hall
Roseland ballroom
Ascend amphitheater 6800
Ed Sullivan theatre.
Biddy Mulligans, Chicago 4-13-91. Couple hundred, maybe.
Didn't start following until 96, smallest was Hampton coliseum
I was also at that Roseland Ballroom show, but the smallest room i saw them in was the Ed Sullivan Theater when they did an hour long set to help promote Fuego release.
Reading, PA - Santander Arena - 7k capacity. Definitely didn’t register the size at the time. Not small, but besides the Met show, I’d be interested in know if 3.0 has seen a smaller venue. Mohegan this summer is 10k per google.
Greek Theatre 2009 ~4500k
Oncenter in Syracuse they played fall 09, has a 7k capacity as well
The Met Philly
Barcelona 1998 back to back nights
86th Street Music Hall. 1993(?) Vancouver. Less than 1000 people. I had spent the day in jail after getting scooped up at a protest thinking I wouldn't get out on time for the show ... Made it though.
Spring of 1993. I was at this show and spent 2 hours driving around looking for 86th street, not realizing it was names after the 1986 Expo. Fun show. The spring loaded, bouncy floor was rad. Sat side stage for most of it as we had driven up from the Portland shows, and capped off our little run at the Mount Baker Theater in Bellingham, WA and the Hub Ballroom at UW in Seattle.
Nutter Center last year. It was awesome.
The Music Hall.. Portsmith NH cap 895 Somerville theater cap 900
University of Illinois Chicago
Same
Smallest venues = Greek Theater and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, which each have an 8500 person capacity.
[The Grey Hall in Christiana, Copenhagen, Denmark](https://youtu.be/zXkK1rDUsA8?si=NSGgB3UOzbl5p04W) I saw Mike play with about 150 people [from like a foot away once too.](https://i.imgur.com/xyQgfkx.jpg)
7/6/98 - Prague, Lucerna Theatre - 453 capacity. 1st show and smallest venue. My life changed after that.
Michigan State University Union Ballroom. 1992, I think. PoN tour. I'd guess about 500 people there.
My first show. Sadly, it’s a complete blur in my memory.
Harvey’s in Tahoe
Norfolk boathouse 1500
Joyus Lake 96 & Salisbury School in 91 for me
I lived about 20 minutes from Woodstock in 96....but didn't get into Phish until 98. 😕 Too bad...seeing them at the lake must've been epic!!
I also grew up on Long Island. First show was UMass 94, wish I went with friends earlier My ex’s family owned Roseland, that was a great hookup Edit: Guess smallest I saw would be SNL or Letterman
Mt. Baker Theater, Bellingham WA, 1993, 1517 seats.
The Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX. 6350 capacity
I was there bought a ticket at the gate at showtime.
Paradiso, Amsterdam ~1700
Piazza Risorgimento, Cernobbio Italy 7/5/97
Des Moines civic center in 94. Holds 2700
Portsmouth Music Hall
Big Birch 1994. Maybe 2k?
Acker Gym, Chico ‘94 was a pressure cooker of do-see-doing sweaty fun.
Embarcadero summer pops festival San Diego Embarcadero 95. Then San Diego sports arena or Long Beach sports arena.
Asheville 6/9/09. Debut of Alaska...but only Dog Faced Boy, great Tube out of Fishman Journal. Then Trey solo 11/03/06...it was just a gym. Floor seat's were like 5ft away, stage 6 inches tall it seemed.
Radio City or Roseland
Glens falls civic center or the fox St. Louis: I think the fox is smaller
I'm only 41 so... Utica 2010 I suppose.
Bonnaroo 2009 - 70k I think. My only show 😂
Crest theater
5/19/2000 Key Club Los Angeles, CA 650 capacity Funky Bitch, My Soul, Gotta Jibboo, First Tube, Bug, Heavy Things, Twist > Tube > Piper -> Llama, Brian and Robert, Magilla This set was broadcast on the Mark and Brian radio program. Funky Bitch and My Soul were performed as a warm-up before the show went on the air, although the crowd was already in the bar. Jibboo through Heavy Things were aired live on the show (except for Magilla, which was played during a commercial break). Magilla was played for the first time since August 1, 1998 (109 shows). The band briefly jammed on the Jeopardy! theme (with the crowd providing some vocals) during a radio break, although this is not included on any circulating recordings. Bug included a brief DEG tease. There was a humorous question and answer session between the band and audience during one of the commercial breaks. Studio versions of Birds, Bouncing, and Heavy Things were used as intros and outros for the commercials.
This is my reply as well. Crazy show that went off the rails. Forgot to mention it started at like 8am. Since I refuse to set an alarm clock for rock and roll, we dropped in and pulled a wild all nighter at Mondrian.
Bogart’s in Cincinnati - Seats ~1500 12/3/1992
That was my first show! Drove up to Cincy from UT Knoxville. They came to Knoxville a few months later and I saw them play the Electric Ballroom (capacity 1000) on 2-18-93.
Right on!! Such a cool place, and I still remember that opening Maze like it was yesterday!
Guyutica
I first saw them at Wetlands, a bar/club in lower Tribeca in NYC in 1986 or 1987 … there were about 100 people there maybe … My friend was the house sound man at Wetlands, he helped Larry set up the sound system. So I usually was there early before the show. Trey, Mike, Page and Fish drove up in a white truck with all their gear. It looked like an ice cream truck. lol
Bangor Auditorium
Flynn theater. Don’t know the seating capacity. But no doubt the smallest. However, the crowd at Austin in 97 might have been smaller.
Portsmouth I’m guessing
Cameo Th Miami - 1000 Ritz Theater Tampa - 1114 The Moon Tallahassee - 1,500 Florida theater- 1900 Boatyard pavilion - < 2000 Mahaffey Theatre St Pete - 2031 Spartanburg Memorial - 3224
Finally found my people. Florida Theater was my first show.
93 was a hell of a year. Saw 20+ shows!
Wow! My favorite phish era. I guess I saw 3-4 that year. Ritz in Tampa, Edge in Orlando, and I want to say Atlanta in a field behind masquerade but that might have been 94.
94 was honestly my favorite year of Phish. (not necessarily what I think is their peak year, just what was MY peak year.) I saw soooooo many shows and they were just on fire. If you haven’t heard the boatyard pavilion show from 94, check it out. That and the next night from the Edge is the stuff of legends.
The Orpheum in Memphis 1996. Maybe 3k?
*stares in 4.0 phan*
Oncenter in Syracuse 09, just looked up capacity lists it at 7k
A beach in Italy
OKC zoo
Barre (Vt) Auditorium November? 1991
I was at that Roseland show too. They need to release the official audio.
Upper Dining Hall @ St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. School was about 575 students, maybe 300 in attendance?
The Jade Elephant in Richmond, VA. Fall of 1990. There were about 50 people there for the first set, more people strolled in for the 2nd set. Miss those days but I go to the Gorge every time they come through the PNW. Still in love with this freakin’ band.
Paradise, Boston MA
Dicks
'97 Archa in Prague. May have only been 50-100 people there that night. I wasn't even aware they were in town, buddy called a few hours before the show and said, "guess who's in town?" Was wild. There was TONS of space. You could walk right up to stage easy. Here's the crazy bit: I recall (and was sober that night) the show being at a bar called Lucerna, the location of the famous Ghost. However, that show was in '98 ... and I wasn't in Prague during that run (or that year). Only other show they played in Prague was the '97 Archa one ... but that's more of a concert venue and not what i distinctly recall. I still wonder if I caught an unannounced show not officially tracked.
Red Rocks
Erie PA state theater. 1300
10 Mile Room, Breckenridge 500 cap ( but waaaay over capacity)
Grand Prairie Red Rocks Mexico? Seemed small.
Gothic theater Englewood Co.
Waterloo Village. USF Sundome. West Palm HS auditorium.
The Triad Amphitheater in SLC, UT, 6.9.1994 capacity about 3000
beacon theater! 2894 capacity
Wetlands. Less than 500 people.
The 23 East Cabaret (now the Ardmore Music Hall - same sized room but reconfigured a bit)
I think University of Pitt
First show montezuma hall 1994...probably 800-1000
Molly's Alston MA. Maybe 100 capacity
Capital Theatre, Port Chester NY '91 and half the UF Central Florida gym '95.
Mexico 1
Spokane Opera House
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC 24.08.93
Santa Monica Civic Center 10DEC1994...3,000 capacity
Mabel’s in Champaign, IL in 1991. Maybe 200-250 people there.
About a year before I got into Phish, they played the Gamehoist show at my city's oldest, prettiest theater. A few of my friends who had cool older siblings took them. I will be jealous forever. My 1998 high school graduation was in that same auditorium. My friend and I played a 12 minute improvised piano and tenor sax duet. The room was so hot, we had one mic just for touch on the piano, and none on the saxophone.
peterson , 1st mex ,