This is from a TikTok I made on 8/9/23 @gettingreadyfortour over there.
Today in Phish history. On Saturday August 9, 1997 Phish played at Alpine Valley in East Troy Wisconsin. And yes, I was at that show. My lawn ticket cost $25 plus fees though I lost my stub. I walked to the train station in Fox Chase Philadelphia took it to 30th St. Station and got another train to the airport and then I flew from Philadelphia to Louisville, Kentucky. Jess who I met and gave a ride from Virginia Beach through Atlanta then I drove them home “On my way back to Philly,” picked me up at the airport and took me back to her apartment in Indiana. The next day we headed up to Alpine with her brunette, curly haired friend who I think her name was Erica, I feel like she was a Jewish girl from New Jersey. The things I remember, I guess because I’m a Jewish girl from Bucks County Pennsylvania. ????‍♀️
Amber was still on tour, I left after Lakewood. It was a whole thing with my dad because my car was in his name and he wasn’t letting me take the car across the country. I was free to go whatever I wanted so that’s what I did this part of the tour sans car. We met up with Amber in the lot but I honestly cannot tell you how we did so without cell phones. I feel like we just bumped into each other kinda like at The Clifford Ball. We didn’t use the message board, that much I know. I do remember that it was super hot during the day in the lot! And so much walking on gravel uphill in my Birks. Oy, that incline in the lawn was rough even at 22 and 23, I can’t fathom doing it now as I’m about to turn 50. Which sucks cause they always kill it at Alpine!
It is so funny to me. I have remembered bits and pieces of this experience, but it wasn’t until now listening to the show that I was able to piece it all together. The music helps bring it all together for me, so maybe it’ll help you too. I highly recommend you listen to your earlier Phish shows! I mean I was only 4 years in but I felt like a vet ????
My highlights:
Set one off to a great start with Theme. PYITE and the “Ghost” was sick especially since I called 1997 the summer of the Ghost cause I got it most of the shows I did. Got my third “Dogs Stole Things” and it gets better every time I get one. ALWAYS FINISH REBA PLEASE!! It’s my hook song and it was the whistle that got me. My first of three “Crossroads” which was just so good.
Second set opened with Wilson > Foam which was stellar. I always forget about how huge and long this “Mike’s Groove” was! Like I think at one point I referred to it as a sandwich. There are just so many meaty layers within this second set. It’s absolutely amazing to me. Omg that “Scent of a Mule” is just superb! It’s probably my favorite Mike song, no definitely my fav. Give me the jig, yes please! Why is Slave so beautiful? This one is just glorious! Dude, when they finally played “Weekapaug Groove,” I had a hard time staying upright on that Alpine lawn cause this was my mf jam in the 90s and I used to spin. The encore for me, nothing to write home about not throwing shade.