In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Asher to relive our Phish-at-the-Sphere adventure that collided with Bitcoin week in Vegas. We unpack the pre-show chaos at security that spiked the anxiety meter, how it shaped the vibe walking into Night 1, and why optimizing your show flow (bathroom timing, crowd avoidance, section neighbors) matters when you’re tripping. Asher gives a vivid seat-level account of the 400s: the unexpectedly perfect sightlines, the mini-community that formed over three nights, and the visuals that stole the show—from CK5’s jaw-dropping real-time “wall of light” rig to the Gamehendge animations and the hilariously psychedelic Meatstick “hot dog planet.” We compare notes on the Thursday set (great moments but not the weekend’s peak), why Friday felt like the true climax, and how the Sphere subtly shifts Phish’s musical calculus. We also go deep on the long-running “Dead snub?” debate—Baker’s Dozen omissions, Rock & Roll Suicide as an encore on Jerry’s birthday, and the enduring choice not to cover the Dead post-Fare Thee Well (outside of special circumstances). From ordinals as on-chain keepsakes of the Vegas crew to the delicate dance between band, crowd energy, and the wider culture, we trace the connective tissue between music, tech, and scene dynamics. We close with plans for summer tour, a Lake Satoshi reunion, and an open invite to more of the crew to jump on future recaps.
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