Backwards Down the Number Line150 shows · median gap 3
DateVenueBefore / afterGap · mark at median 3
Backwards Down the Number Line
Debut 2009-03-06 · Last played 2026-07-19 · 150 performances
Gap — the number of shows the band played between one
performance of this song and the one before it.
← → the songs either
side, played as separate songs. > and
–> are phish.net’s own marks, and mean the
band ran them together rather than stopping between them.
Jam chartA strong collective effort results in an ideal "Type I" version. Trey opts for chordal riffing at times, giving Page room to lead, before bringing it all home with a spirited, high-wire peak.
Before / afterSimple >> Suzy GreenbergGap3SET 2
2022-12-31SatMadison Square GardenNew York, NYBefore / afterDrift While You're SleepingGap8SET 2
2022-08-13SatAlpine Valley Music TheatreEast Troy, WIHighly rated 84 · ListenJam chartA reminder of why we fell in love with Trey in the first place. Trace this play, marked by his incredibly warm tone, backwards or forwards, through rhythmic shifts and offset variation - of course accompanied by his best bud Fish (whose fills are outrageous) - through a passage of surprisingly stately improv, accented by Page on his piano and on-point Mike. Cerebral. Surprising. An awesome Alpine-II opener whose late-patterned play bleeds into "Maze."Before / after-> MazeGap3SET 2
2022-08-06SatAtlantic City BeachAtlantic City, NJBefore / afterSimple >> Golgi ApparatusGap8SET 2
2022-07-24SunXfinity TheatreHartford, CTBefore / afterFarmhouse >> Character ZeroGap6SET 2
2022-06-01WedCredit One StadiumCharleston, SCHighly rated 80 · ListenJam chartGreat versions produce different points to view. Be it 7/8/14's summertime "Line"d up shimmery shake; Pitt 17's huge, crazed sustain; or 10/20/21's incendiary take; this here jam features what the best "BDNTLS" have in common: Fire Trey. Largely straightforward guitar whose inspired improvisation, offset by impassioned Fish, is the best of its type, carrying you not so much backwards, as away.Before / afterGumbo >> The WedgeGap5SET 1
2022-04-22FriMadison Square GardenNew York, NYBefore / afterWhat's the Use? >Gap4SET 2
2021-10-28ThuMGM Grand Garden ArenaLas Vegas, NVBefore / afterGrindGap4ENCORE
2021-10-20WedMatthew Knight ArenaEugene, ORRated 67 · ListenJam chartThe jam cultivates an initially understated yet ebullient space. Candy-coated, fleet-fingered play from Trey is supported by Page's nuanced comping and Fishman's passionately defined melodic drumming. This jam's defining "moment" then comes in the form of a cathartic, extended sustained note from Trey before breaking for an energized conclusion.Before / afterGolden Age >Gap7SET 2
2019-06-22SatMerriweather Post PavilionColumbia, MDRated 69 · Listen
Jam chartWhile the jam section begins typically, Trey's confidence seems to grow as he proceeds, with fancy finger work and cohesive play leading to a rousing conclusion.
Before / afterDeath Don't Hurt Very Long >> Harry HoodGap17SET 2
2018-10-31WedMGM Grand Garden ArenaLas Vegas, NVBefore / afterA Song I Heard the Ocean Sing >> MeatstickGap6SET 3
2018-10-20SatHampton ColiseumHampton, VABefore / afterDirt >> No Men In No Man's LandGap6SET 2
2018-08-12SunMerriweather Post PavilionColumbia, MDBefore / afterPiper >> Also Sprach ZarathustraGap3SET 2
2018-08-07TueBB&T PavilionCamden, NJBefore / afterDown with Disease >> I Always Wanted It This WayGap6SET 2
2018-07-25WedBill Graham Civic AuditoriumSan Francisco, CABefore / afterWaking Up Dead> MoreGap8SET 1
2017-12-29FriMadison Square GardenNew York, NYBefore / afterGhost >> SimpleGap11SET 2
2017-07-28FriMadison Square GardenNew York, NYHighly rated 80 · ListenJam chartFinds its footing on the outset by way of near-telepathic melodic interplay from Trey and Mike, spring boarding a ride that takes us from warm-breeze chill-mode play to inspired, spirited classic rock riffing to close.Before / afterYou Sexy Thing >> Rock and RollGap5SET 2
2017-07-19WedPetersen Events CenterPittsburgh, PARated 75 · ListenJam chartWith Trey's struck notes skipping like stones atop bedrock Fish, a change leads to more by way of melodic soloing which, effortlessly, Trey whips into a blast of huge, clock-watcher sustain, play which separates this version from most others (see 10/20/21 for similar, inspired, jamming).Before / afterSteam >Gap11SET 2
2016-10-31MonMGM Grand Garden ArenaLas Vegas, NVBefore / afterAlso Sprach Zarathustra >> Slave to the Traffic LightGap3SET 3
2016-10-25TueVerizon Theatre at Grand PrairieGrand Prairie, TXBefore / afterStealing Time From the Faulty Plan> LifeboyGap12SET 2
Jam chartA strong version which features contemplative, quiet, and delicate playing, unusual for "BDTNL." Ultimately, this warm, restrained playing gives way to a traditional shredding and trilling peak.
Before / afterRun Like an Antelope >Gap5SET 2
2016-06-29WedThe Mann Center for the Performing ArtsPhiladelphia, PARated 77 · ListenJam chartAn inspired version showcasing full-band interplay. Trey truly shines, working his line in a number of directions, sprinkling notes and modulating intensity to shape this shimmering summertime stunner.Before / afterTide TurnsDem BonesGap3SET 2
Jam chartA very solid in-the-box version, with strong Page in particular. At moments, it even sounds like Page teases the piano outro from "Sweet Home Alabama."
Before / afterSand >Bold As LoveGap3SET 2
2014-08-29FriDick's Sporting Goods ParkCommerce City, COBefore / afterGhost >> Harry HoodGap3SET 2
Jam chartFiery and rocking "Type I" version with a nice big peak.
Before / afterGhost >Gap2SET 2
2011-05-28SatBethel Woods Center for the ArtsBethel, NYHighly rated 83 · ListenJam chartThe band incorporates a lot of "DEG" teasing/jamming into the standard format. The mood shifts back and forth from bright to dark several times, with "DEG"-like playing at various times throughout, before returning to "BDTNL." A very cool version.Before / afterFree >> Makisupa PolicemanGap2SET 2
2010-12-31FriMadison Square GardenNew York, NYBefore / afterAfter Midnight> PiperGap1SET 3
2010-12-28TueDCU CenterWorcester, MABefore / afterCarini >> Back on the TrainGap2SET 2
2010-10-30SatBoardwalk HallAtlantic City, NJBefore / afterShow of Life> Good Times Bad TimesGap2SET 2
2010-10-24SunMullins Center, University of MassachusettsAmherst, MABefore / afterWolfman's Brother> AlaskaGap3SET 2
2010-08-17TueNikon at Jones Beach TheaterWantagh, NYHighly rated 84 · Listen
Jam chartVery good, multi-section "Type II" jam which starts off rocking, quiets down, then rebuilds with an upbeat sense.
Before / afterSimple >> Prince CaspianGap2SET 2
2010-08-13FriVerizon Wireless Music CenterNoblesville, INBefore / afterTrain Song >OcelotGap2SET 1
2010-08-09MonTelluride Town ParkTelluride, COBefore / afterSand >> Prince CaspianGap1SET 2
2010-08-06FriWilliam Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CABefore / afterSimple >Show of LifeGap2SET 2
2010-07-03SatVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore ParkAlpharetta, GABefore / afterPossum> Harry HoodGap1SET 2
2010-07-01ThuTime Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek Raleigh, NCBefore / after> Halley's CometGap2SET 2
2010-06-26SatMerriweather Post PavilionColumbia, MDBefore / afterStashNICUGap4SET 1
2010-06-19SatSaratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Springs, NYBefore / afterFreeHalfway to the MoonGap4SET 2
2010-06-12SatBlossom Music CenterCuyahoga Falls, OHHighly rated 83 · ListenJam chartExcellent "Type II" version which starts to break away from "BDTNL" at 5:30 in a rocking and upbeat direction. At 8:30, the jam shifts into an ominous, dark Mike-led groove with great playing by Fish and Page as well as Mike.Before / afterHarry Hood >> Twenty Years LaterGap4SET 2
Jam chartStandard "BDTNL" concludes and the band breaks into an upbeat and rocking outro jam that > to "Fluffhead."
Before / after> FluffheadGap1SET 3
2009-08-16SunSaratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Springs, NYHighly rated 88 · ListenJam chartExploratory "Type II" jam which starts to peel away from "BDTNL" around 6:00. Rocking at first, it grows somewhat dark and dissonant, brightens again, and ends in a repetitive and spacey groove which -> to "Twenty Years Later."Before / after-> Twenty Years LaterGap3SET 2
2009-08-11TueToyota ParkBridgeview, ILHighly rated 88 · ListenJam chartFirst "BDTNL" to go "Type II" in a big way. The jam begins with a dark undertone, but then gets more upbeat and rocking. A settled section with building energy follows and > to "Carini."Before / after> CariniGap0SET 2