Phish rolled into Boulder this week for a three-night July run at Folsom Field—July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2025—and Grateful Web was there to soak up every funky note. Anyone familiar with Phish's Colorado history knows that classic photo of the boys hauling gear across a Telluride street; their love for the Centennial State runs deep. Usually, it's Labor Day weekend at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, but this year, with rumors swirling that Phish stepped in after the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary plans at Folsom fell apart following Phil Lesh’s passing last October, Boulder got the call instead.
Phish in Boulder is rare air indeed. Their last gig in town was way back in 1993 at Balch Fieldhouse—right below Folsom—and yes, I was there. Back then, my younger brother was a CU student, and we trekked from Nebraska (Go Huskers!) to catch Phish. That '93 show was electric, noticeably larger than their '92 Balch Fieldhouse appearance. Those were days of rapid ascension for Phish, who also famously rocked Boulder's Fox Theatre in '92.
Fast forward to now, and it's been about a decade since I've personally caught Phish live. Grateful Web usually assigns the Dick's run to our ace Phish correspondent, Jake Cudek (love ya, Jake!). But when Phish announced Boulder, I had to pull rank—just a bit—to snag that photo pass for July 5th. Last night, July 3rd, was purely for pleasure, no gear besides an iPhone, snapping casual shots and soaking in the vibes.
Upon entering Folsom, the first striking detail was the crowd—or rather, the lack thereof. It was maybe half full at best, and after years battling packed Dead & Company shows, the spaciousness was blissful. No bathroom lines, zero beer lines, and friendly security made everything breezy. Phish took the stage fashionably late, around 8 PM, likely letting the crowd fill out. Trey stepped to the mic, flashing that boyish grin of his, and immediately launched into a funky "Wolfman's Brother," kicking off a set that showcased their mastery across genres—bluegrass, blues, funk, jazz. Phish does it all with ease and joy.
Highlights from the first set included a tight "Tube," Ween’s quirky "Roses Are Free," and a rousing "Fluffhead" closer accompanied by Mother Nature’s lightning show complementing Chris Kuroda's legendary lighting magic. The second set opened with "Carini" (not my all-time favorite, please don’t judge), but rolled nicely into a spirited "You Enjoy Myself." The crown jewel of the night was undeniably "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley." The jam felt straight out of '90s-era Phish—adventurous, playful, and boundary-pushing. The boys were locked in, proving once again why their jams remain unmatched.
Here's the full setlist:
SET ONE:Wolfman's Brother, Tube, Roses Are Free, Maze, Bouncing Around The Room, Nellie Kane, Kill Devil Falls, Sand, Fluffhead
SET TWO:Carini, You Enjoy Myself, Sneakin' Sally Thru The Alley, Light, What's The Use?, Pillow Jets, 2001, Possum
ENCORE:Stash, Rocky Top
With two more nights ahead—including tonight’s likely Fourth of July drone spectacular—this run is shaping up to be epic. Phish could easily kick back on a tropical beach sipping cocktails, enjoying retirement. Instead, here they are, just in the last year or two reaching their 60s (looking at you, Trey!), still shredding, innovating, and giving every ounce of energy to their devoted fanbase.
Phish and Colorado have always been a magical combination, and this weekend at Folsom Field only reinforces that special bond. See you out there—I'll be the one snapping pics on Saturday, grateful as ever that these four incredible musicians are still sharing the groove.
