Revisiting Festival 8.... Originally Written Nov 2009.

The shows were amazing, the last night being my favorite.  The Phans were respectful and the for all intents and purposes everything went well.  First off only 35, 000 - 40, 000 fans showed up each day, not the 60,000 they could have handled, but this worked beautifully for us festival goers as we were never in line for more than a few minutes.  They did search you pretty well as you entered the venue from your campground, the there was some arrests made but from all accounts it went very well.

I spoke with the medics and less than 24 people went to hospital, as for arrests, they were being tight lipped but I gather about 12 arrests were made, everyone was given $25, 000 bail and will not face arraignment until Thursday the 5th, which is hard for the people who were unfortunatley caught partying or just at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Phish hired four seperate security teams and they would not speak to me at all except the mounted securtiy who came from all over the country and said that it was the easiest job in the world, everyone was nice and mellow and very peaceful, their supervisor told me that they had not one problem the entire time.

One person did fall from atop the ferris wheel but was luckily uninjured.  This person was taken to the hospital but only had a concussion and some bruises.

The police were rude.  They were not friendly and made their presence very well known, but they weren't needed the fans were respectful.

The shows were unbelievable, 92 in all, and all different, of course.  Playing Exile On Main St, with Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings Horn Section. 

They came back for a nice 11 plus minute Suzy Greenburg during the third set.

The last night was unreal-it was Junta and Billy Breathes, with a Mike's Song > 2001 > Light > Slave To The Traffic Light, no Weekapaugh?  The flaming scuptures were amazing and the ballon orbs amazing, Kuroda at his best.  This was the set where they finally went spacy, and it was amazing, encoring with Grind, Ester and Tweezer Reprise.

All together now....looks like they will play Miami for NYE, but nothing is certain yet, and yes it is official the show will be released in Theaters in 3D next year!!!

http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009311040001

Ocelot
 10-30-2009 -Festival 8