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8B The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, January 13th , 2000-
Goo balls, dank veggie burritos, flying tortillas and
cheesecake may have dictionary meanings to the outside
world but very different connotations within the world of
Phish fans. Writing an article on these fans would be rather
pointless since it is a subculture that must be experienced to
really understand. A photostory is perhaps a more accurate
Y: portrayal, images can help to describe the movement, envi-
ronment. and music that give substance to this adventure. In
,a4the words of Jason Assouline, "What makes the atmosphere
so great is the myriad of people who come to see and experi-
ence Phish. In some ways the crowd can mirror the band and
their music: the diversity, intricacy and complexity compound-
ed by each spectator's individuality. Yet there is a sense of
community, not just the sharing of pot and the extensive loss
of brain cells (the band must compete with the sound of siz-
zlingU but the fact that everyone there had to travel some
distance to witness this traveling Mecca."
While some consider concerts to be a religious experi-
ence, the travels can be costly. Phish held a huge show over
New Year's on the Big CYpress Seminole Indian Reservation.
} TTickets for the New Year's show cost $150 and $175 in addi-
tion to many fans waiting in line for more than 12 hours, bot
driving in and out of the reservation. Was it worth the drive
°- to southern Florida and all the money? Judging by the
turnout, an estimated 90,000 fans certainly thought so. With
the final set lasting for more than seven hours, from before
midnight till the break of dawn, everyone got plenty of Phish.
4 e^ Not to mention that they all look quite happy.

i

The Michigan Daily - Weekend, e

Counterclockwise from toP left: Hordes of fans at the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in Florida. LSA junior Jeff Kor ba
reaches for a "Tall Boy." Fans Push their van while lined up to enter the reservation. RIGHT: Phish fans during the show.