Phish/August 14-15,2004/Coventry,VT

In 2004,it was announced that Phish was coming to an end,and Coventry would be their last show. So I decided I had to go. Just like the Limestone 2003 trip,this was a solo journey. Somehow my trusty 1997 Honda Civic and I missed the worst part of the legendary traffic jam. And some people were told to turn around and go home due to massive rains at the concert site. It was slowly turning into a mudfest. But I made it to Coventry with minimal problems.

I tried getting into the music on the first day,but many people around me seemed too busy talking LOUDLY for me to enjoy it. It seemed everywhere I stood people were gabbing away at length or rudely bumping into me. So I chose to sit in my car and listen to the live broadcast of the show on my radio for a while.  I have few memories of Day #1.

Day #2. I have never seen so many drugs being openly (and loudly) sold at any concert before. One guy was yelling "Cocaine!" as I headed to the show. To be clear,I did overindulge at this show. Someone had even managed to sneak a nitrous tank into the concert field!  The part that sticks with me is during their final set when keyboardist Page McConnell broke down crying during "Wading in the Velvet Sea". A little later in the set,guitarist Trey Anastasio completely broke down while thanking the crowd for years of support.  Lots of people (including me) decided to stay up all night discussing The End of Phish with other fans. I may have managed to sneak in a bit of sleep before heading home,tired and dirty.

Below: My 1997 Honda Civic in the mud pit known as Coventry. Below that is a shot of the crowd at Coventry.

This is the highly emotional "Wading in the Velvet Sea" from Coventry:

August 14th setlist: http://phish.net/setlists/?d=2004-08-14
August 15th setlist: http://phish.net/setlists/?d=2004-08-15