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Phish summer 2024 seemed to have minimal setlist variation, a core of songs repeated more than usual.

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The Phish-Dylan comparison is welcome and especially love this phrase: "The online Dylan community flipped its shit." I was there and you are exactly right!

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interesting article Rob - much appreciated. great to hear about these two parallels you speak of with dylan and phish. anecdote: before i ever saw phish i went to a dylan show with Phil and friends opening, in 1999 East Rutherford. i went for dylan but it turned out to be my introduction to the dead scene. even in the parking lot, the two fanbases were night and day: half hippies in tie-die, half dudes dressed in all black.

Will never forget walking into the venue and seeing the lights and feeling the vibe during phil's set. Dylan's set, in contrast, seemed so tame and boring in comparison - lacking in energy. i didnt really dig it and havent seen him live since. But i love dylan's music in general and have continued to explore his catalog and find gems through various eras and albums. I can certainly appreciate the balance that he provides you after hearing a bunch of phish. not sure I'll ever be able to appreciate his live tinkering like you do, though.

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Dylan did jam out, at least when I saw him in summer '92. He had a larger band, shades of '87 with two drummers and a second guitarist, and they jammed out on many of the songs. But the only people who seemed to enjoy them were the spinners who got on the field.

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