Waves

Debut 2002-12-31 · Last played 2026-04-25 · 57 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.

Times Played
57
Median Gap, Last 10 Years10 Yr
15
Median Gap, All-Time
9
Longest Gap
78

Best version2019-07-14VenueAlpine Valley Music Theatre, East TroyScore97Hear itListen · Details

phish.netphish.in

Eras4.0103.0322.015 57 of 57 shows
DateVenueBefore / afterGap · mark at median 9

  1. 4.010 shows2021–2026

  2. 2026-04-25SatSphereLas Vegas, NVGap8SET 2
  3. 2026-01-28WedMoon PalaceCancun, Quintana RooGap64SET 2
  4. 2024-08-10SatBethel Woods Center for the ArtsBethel, NYGap31SET 2
  5. 2023-10-13FriUnited CenterChicago, ILGap41SET 2
  6. 2023-02-24FriMoon PalaceCancun, Quintana Roo
    Jam chartFish sets the tone early with some stellar play that shines through. As the jam breaks from the song proper, a dark, subdued tone accompanies a slower tempo. Music served better for a mystery than on the beach. The tempo gradually rises again and the jam builds to a frenetic, heavy-effects peak-adjacent. > "Ruby Waves" setting the stage for the first ever pairing of the two Waves tunes.
    Gap11SET 2
  7. 2022-08-13SatAlpine Valley Music TheatreEast Troy, WIGap9SET 2
  8. 2022-07-30SatMerriweather Post PavilionColumbia, MDGap21SET 2
  9. 2022-04-22FriMadison Square GardenNew York, NYGap29SET 3
  10. 2021-08-15SunAtlantic City BeachAtlantic City, NJGap5SET 2
  11. 2021-08-08SunRuoff Music CenterNoblesville, INGap10SET 2

  12. 3.032 shows2009–2020

  13. 2020-02-22SatMoon PalaceCancun, Quintana RooHighly rated 89 · Listen
    Jam chartThe first section recedes quietly without a return to the lyrics before the jamming begins anew in minor and works through a few different variations with Fish's ever persistent drumming keeping things moving at a brisk pace. A closing theme begins building around 15 minutes and leads to an encouraging group peak with looped guitar riffs and "Soul Planet" quotes included, and a final reset briefly hints at a new direction before jumping ship > "Carini".
    Gap11SET 2
  14. 2019-12-03TueMet PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PAGap20SET 2
  15. 2019-06-25TueDarling's Waterfront PavilionBangor, MEGap8SET 1
  16. 2019-06-12WedChaifetz Arena, Saint Louis UniversitySt. Louis, MOGap18SET 1
  17. 2018-10-21SunHampton ColiseumHampton, VAHighly rated 85 · Listen
    Jam chartThe substantial post-lyrics jam visits places both light and dark and eventually settles into a jazzy minor zone with a vibe similar to "Timber Ho" and, in the last minute, "David Bowie", as it gathers steam and seems poised to explode but makes a good -> to "Rise/Come Together" instead.
    Gap13SET 2
  18. 2018-08-05SunVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore ParkAlpharetta, GAGap8SET 2
  19. 2018-07-22SunGorge AmphitheatreGeorge, WAGap22SET 2
  20. 2017-07-23SunMadison Square GardenNew York, NYRated 78 · Listen

    Jam chartA delicate but somewhat perfunctory customary jam is followed by an outro jam which shifts from soothing piano play to more dissonant, eerie outer space exploration.

    Gap4SET 2
  21. 2017-07-18TueErvin J. Nutter Center, Wright State UniversityDayton, OHGap15SET 2
  22. 2016-10-25TueVerizon Theatre at Grand PrairieGrand Prairie, TXGap15SET 2
  23. 2016-07-22FriThe ForumInglewood, CAGap25SET 2
  24. 2015-12-30WedMadison Square GardenNew York, NYGap12SET 2
  25. 2015-08-09SunAlpine Valley Music TheatreEast Troy, WIGap12SET 2
  26. 2015-07-22WedLes Schwab AmphitheaterBend, ORHighly rated 81 · Listen

    Jam chartPatient, confident, wonderful type-I version with a sustained crest that recedes swiftly into space.

    Gap14SET 2
  27. 2014-10-22WedSanta Barbara BowlSanta Barbara, CAGap11SET 2
  28. 2014-07-29TuenTelos PavilionPortsmouth, VAGap5SET 2
  29. 2014-07-19SatFirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly IslandChicago, ILGap9SET 2
  30. 2014-07-05SatSaratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Springs, NYGap8SET 2
  31. 2013-12-29SunMadison Square GardenNew York, NYGap2SET 2
  32. 2013-11-02SatBoardwalk HallAtlantic City, NJGap6SET 2
  33. 2013-10-25FriDCU CenterWorcester, MARated 74 · Listen

    Jam chartThe second jam swells to blissful heights once, recedes, then builds to a Freedom Rock peak, finally crashing into Carini.

    Gap16SET 2
  34. 2013-07-26FriGorge AmphitheatreGeorge, WAHighly rated 80 · Listen
    Jam chartA great straightforward version of "Waves" provides a similar uplifting and spirit raising boost as a strong "Hood" or "Divided Sky" does. The soaring jam and delicate outro in this fine version from the Gorge underscores this point.
    Gap3SET 2
  35. 2013-07-20SatFirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly IslandChicago, ILGap14SET 2
  36. 2012-12-29SatMadison Square GardenNew York, NYGap23SET 2
  37. 2012-06-28ThuKlipsch Music CenterNoblesville, INRated 79 · Listen
    Jam chartDelicate and beautifully played at first, the jam has growing intensity, and then leaves the "Waves" ranch altogether with several movements that skirt around the perimeter of "Waves" proper. Unfinished with > to "Bug."
    Gap22SET 2
  38. 2011-08-15MonUIC Pavilion, University of IllinoisChicago, IL

    Jam chart"Waves" jam is intense and good, but following the final verse, the band breaks into a nice, snappy rocking jam that segues -> masterfully into "Undermind."

    Gap7SET 2
  39. 2011-07-03SunWatkins Glen InternationalWatkins Glen, NYGap9SET 2
  40. 2011-06-11SatMerriweather Post PavilionColumbia, MDGap11SET 2
  41. 2011-05-27FriBethel Woods Center for the ArtsBethel, NYHighly rated 87 · Listen

    Jam chartFantastic playing by Trey in the jam proper. Beautiful, lush and serene outro jam. In many ways the polar opposite of the haunting outro from "IT." Transitions to a solid "Prince Caspian."

    Gap78SET 2
  42. 2011-05-26ThuBethel Woods Center for the ArtsBethel, NYGapNot a showSET 1
  43. 2009-08-02SunRed Rocks AmphitheatreMorrison, CO

    NoteBill Kreutzmann on drums.

    Gap5SET 2
  44. 2009-06-20SatAlpine Valley Music TheatreEast Troy, WIGap6SET 2
  45. 2009-06-10WedThompson-Boling ArenaKnoxville, TN

    Jam chartThis is a very well-played version with a full length "Waves" jam. 3 minute outro jam leads to transition to "ASIHTOS."

    Gap14SET 2

  46. 2.015 shows2002–2004

  47. 2004-08-11WedTweeter CenterMansfield, MAHighly rated 80 · Listen

    Jam chartOne of the best played standard versions of 2.0.

    Gap8SET 2
  48. 2004-06-20SunSaratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Springs, NYHighly rated 85 · Listen
    Jam chartAlthough the jam between verses is standard "Waves" fare, the band moves into an excellent 7 minute plus jam following the final verse that is rhythmic and upbeat, with multiple movements and "Maze" teases.
    Gap5SET 1
  49. 2004-04-16FriThomas & Mack CenterLas Vegas, NVGap9SET 2
  50. 2003-11-28FriNassau Veterans Memorial ColiseumUniondale, NYHighly rated 89 · Listen

    Jam chartLong intro. Quite intense, jarring and distorted towards the ending.

    Gap2SET 2
  51. 2003-08-02SatLoring Commerce CentreLimestone, MEHighly rated 88 · Listen
    Jam chartWhile average at first, the jam eventually dissolves into 10 minutes of haunting, pulsing space that is highly improvisational. A soundscape more than music that, when combined with Kuroda's lights, must have been other worldly.
    Gap5SET 2
  52. 2003-07-26SatHiFi Buys AmphitheatreAtlanta, GAGap7SET 2
  53. 2003-07-17ThuVerizon Wireless Amphitheater Kansas CityBonner Springs, KSGap4SET 2
  54. 2003-07-10ThuShoreline AmphitheatreMountain View, CAGap3SET 1
  55. 2003-07-07MonCricket PavilionPhoenix, AZGap1SET 1
  56. 2003-03-01SatGreensboro ColiseumGreensboro, NCGap2SET 1
  57. 2003-02-26WedWorcester Centrum CentreWorcester, MAGap2SET 2
  58. 2003-02-24MonContinental Airlines ArenaEast Rutherford, NJGap3SET 2
  59. 2003-02-20ThuAllstate ArenaRosemont, ILGap3SET 1
  60. 2003-02-15SatThomas & Mack CenterLas Vegas, NVGap5SET 2
  61. 2002-12-31TueMadison Square GardenNew York, NY

    NoteDebut.

    Jam chartDebut. Jam section features soaring guitar soloing and great complimentary piano from Page. Nice Page led outro jam after the final verse.

    GapDebutSET 2