The age old debate — which band is better, Radiohead or Phish? — still rages on, somewhere, but the question of which band’s concerts have better, more engaged fans has apparently been settled. And settled by none other than Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien. At least, according to Phish frontman Trey Anastasio.
In a new interview in Rolling Stone celebrating Phish’s new album, out this week, and Trey’s upcoming 60th birthday (September 30), Anastasio tells a story about O’Brien attending a Phish show and then coming backstage to say hi afterwards (H/T Stereogum):
Ed O’Brien from Radiohead came to one of our shows, and gave me one of the greatest compliments in between sets. He watched the show from the audience, and then he came backstage and he said, “I spent a lot of the night facing backwards. I was watching the last row of the arena, in the way back, all the way at the top. Every single person in the room was completely involved in the concert. Usually there’s a crew up front that’s really into the band, and then there’s a crew kind of in the back that … it’s hip to come see the band.”
He was saying, “Sometimes at Radiohead shows I look back, and I think a lot of people are here because it’s cool to go see Radiohead, but they don’t necessarily know all the material, and they’re talking. And your fans are completely involved with, and informed about every detail, all the way to the back row.” And I thought that was a really astute comment, being at his first Phish concert. That’s what you get by taking your time.
There you have it. Drew Carey probably agrees. Speaking of, Phish have also won the “which of us will play The Sphere first?” race, but we think Radiohead would be pretty amazing to see there. If they ever play again. Fingers crossed.
Phish’s upcoming tour schedule includes three shows at Bethel, NY’s Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (aka the cite of the original Woodstock festival) in August.