Gnarly Armour: Portland

Here are 89 responses to "Why should Phish return to Portland, OR after a 12-year absence?"

Phish returning to the City of Roses after a 12-year absence is a sought-after occurrence. We understand the band's familial obligations as well as the costs of bringing their tour so far from their home base, but the demand is here. Portland is a city perfectly suited for the circus that is Phish - so many opportunities for food, more music, arts, shopping, people, recreation, sight-seeing, and more exist here. Please come back. GAME ON.

Phish crowd...not in Portland, OR...but they could be!!

As a part of a Charity Raffle for a 12/31/11 MSG ticket, we asked entrants to tell us what would get them pumped about seeing Phish back in Portland, OR. Here's what they said:

e280ed12-2233-11e1-a1df-000f20980440 said...: I would be thrilled beyond repair to have a small Phish show played at Hornings Hideout. Its a dream because the venue is just too small for them, but oh the possibilities.... (phanart@gmail.com); December 8, 2011 11:03 PM
greengaia said...: I didn't see Phish in Portland in '98-I was still living on the East coast back in those days, but I've sure become well acquainted with the recording of that night at Meadows. With Phish sounding better than ever in this, their Golden Age, having a chance to throw it down in this city that is also at the top of its' game these days would be a wonderful PNW Phish phamily homecoming.; December 8, 2011 11:43 PM
DRobo said...: Would love to see the boys play here. This time around for Phish I am excited because I have found the posse that I was always lookin for on the east coast back in the day, out here on the west coast. Now we mob shows and get down together all over the country,not missing new years also

. Ready to do an epic west coast tour and would love to see them down the street from where I live. This passed summer was a good warm up...

Daniel RObinson; December 9, 2011 12:18 AM
Daniellesism said...: I love Portland! It's a beautiful city that suits the Phish lifestyle perfectly! It would be amazing to see them there!; December 9, 2011 12:24 AM
sweetpeasteaz said...: It would be super fun to see Phish play in Portland because I could just mosey on down to the show without having to pay an arm and a leg for travel expenses, plus waisting resources etc. I also like the Hornings Hideout phantasy!; December 9, 2011 12:36 AM
Adam Neelly said...: I would love to see Phish play in Portland again. I was at the 98 show and it's still one of my favs. Even though I'm from the east coast I've been to the great city of Portland many times and seen a lot of great shows there. The most memorable being Chuck Berry opening for the Grateful Dead in 95.; December 9, 2011 7:11 AM
tlenny said...: I get excited for Phish to play anywhere, but Portland is a great town and would be a great host once again! it would be nice for some long-time fans to get a backyard show for first time in a dozen years. Roses are Free in the Rose City!; December 9, 2011 7:16 AM
Garber said...: I was at the 98 show in the summer. Since then so many friends and family have moved to PDX and Seattle that west coast shows are like reunions!!; December 9, 2011 7:16 AM
walterp said...: I have been seeing Phish since 1998 and one of my goals is to see Phish in as many places as possible. I haven't seen them in Portland so if they were to play there it would give me another reason to visit the City of Roses; December 9, 2011 7:21 AM
Jibboo said...: Maryhill Winery. That would get me excited. Phish playing an acoustic set, with those hills as a backdrop, perhaps a moderate breeze....; December 9, 2011 7:43 AM
michelle said...: Phish gets me excited about seeing Phish. Getting to see then return to a place they have skipped over for so long, for whaever reason, makes it even more special!; December 9, 2011 7:47 AM
freckled1 said...: I've never been to Oregon, and I can think of no better ambassadors than Phish!; December 9, 2011 7:55 AM
bloop said...: a phish show in portland, or, would be reason enough for me to fly the 3,000 miles it would take to get out there.; December 9, 2011 8:02 AM
bjw722 said...: Although I have traveled across the world to see this band (Japan 2000). I have not seen a Phish show in my "backyard" since Syracuse 1994. I'm ready for another hometown show!; December 9, 2011 8:20 AM
SB said...: I just moved to Portland and did so knowing I'd probably have to leave town to see the band...so many friends of mine have never been to this part of the country, and what better reason for them to come visit then a show in PDX?; December 9, 2011 8:42 AM
iamtourmalet said...: My wife and I visited Portland for the first time this summer and fell in love with this place. It is such an amazing town with such beautiful energy. I would love Phish to play Portland again because my wife will not travel with me to Phish shows but if Phish played again in Portland, my wife would be on the first plane with me! Really, such an amazing town inside and out. To use another bands phrase "I'm going where the climate suits my clothes"; December 9, 2011 9:27 AM
alexrogo said...: I would love to see Phish in the PacNorthwest! Haven't been yet!; December 9, 2011 10:42 AM
sethlevin said...: Love me some some Phish, love me some Portland. Been seeing Phish for 20 years and have been to all the Gorge shows but missed the 98 Portland show. Would not miss it this time around! PhishPDX!!!; December 9, 2011 10:46 AM
Colin Ryan said...: I would love Phish to come play Portland, OR because my brother is a farmer who lives in PDX and I could see my family and favorite band! - Colin Ryan; December 9, 2011 11:05 AM
Roderick O. said...: If Phish played in Portland, OR, I would be more excited that some of my friends on the west coast that have all "grown up" and gotten married, gotten jobs and had kids would get a second chance at what I was able to discover a few years back when the boys played Hampton. That excitement of getting your tickets in the mail. The getting up with all your friends in the lot. The yelling and screaming you hear while waiting in line to get in. The pure exhilaration of the lights coming down and then it happens. That first note is played and its like your 18 again and nothing has changed. You fall in love with the band all over again. THAT is what I would love most if Phish played in Portland.; December 9, 2011 11:16 AM
moomoomoo said...: Portland's a great city, and there are sure to be tons of phans there that have been wanting to see the band for years.; December 9, 2011 11:28 AM
AngeliqueK said...: Since my first show was at a smaller venue, I'd love to experience the current evolution of Phish at The Crystal Ballroom, not because of the floors or anything.; December 9, 2011 11:44 AM
will cosby said...: If phish played in PDX it would rage the face and I would most assuredly be in attendance!!! Chance to win a NYE ticket for a good cause is def whats up!! Props!; December 9, 2011 1:14 PM
SoundRootsMusic said...: Seeing Phish in Portland back in 98 was the first show of my first full summer Phish tour and the true beginning of a lifetime obsession. I was living on the east coast at the time and visiting Portland for that show made me fall in love with this city. About a year later I packed up and moved out here. I am still waiting with bated breath for their return. In the meantime, I am heading to my hometown of NYC to see MSG on NYE (a show I have never missed before) but I have no ticket. Thanks so much for this chance at not getting left out on the cold NYC sidewalks. Great cause too!; December 9, 2011 2:29 PM
hermagic said...: Phish playing in Portland will mean that all of our phriends will come visit and our friends' bands can play in the parking lot before and after the show just like Sandstone '99.; December 9, 2011 4:07 PM
Madame Lamb said...: I would be stoked to catch a Phish show in the vibrant Portland phan community. So may phans in Portland...and so many faces I don't get to see often enough!; December 9, 2011 4:34 PM
WilDaBeast said...: Phish in small venue in Portland would be epic. Not big on ticket lottos or scampers or tons of cops. But that's just me :-); December 9, 2011 5:02 PM
a7ad5d62-22d6-11e1-83c7-000bcdcb471e said...: I was just in Portland this summer, awesome city. I would love to see phish play there; December 9, 2011 6:28 PM
Jake Futerfas said...: I was just in Portland this summer, awesome city. I would love to see phish play there; December 9, 2011 6:30 PM
kmhnola said...: Who doesn't love Portland Oregon? And all of us love Phish! What a great marriage of fun things I like!; December 9, 2011 7:56 PM
BHart said...: i would be excited to see phish play portland because it would provide an excellent excuse to come see the beautiful city and visit my friends. they come back east to visit often but a phish show in portland would properly rev me up enough to head out to oregon for a visit.; December 10, 2011 10:41 AM
doughty leigh said...: Oregon brings back fond memories of '95 tour for me.
After having an early car breakdown in the beginning of tour in San Luis Obispo, we rented a 24' Uhaul to get us to the Mountain View show, and figured we all would get rides from there. Turned out about 31 other kids couldn't find rides either, so I kept the Uhaul and loaded everybody up in the back and set off to Seattle. We ran out of fuel somewhere in Oregon, and hitched hiked to get some. Upon return, a strangely friendly lady cop was there wondering what was our deal. When she asked me to open the back of the Uhaul all the way, she was a bit in awe of what she saw. The amazing thing was, she told me that if I got the Uhaul up and running in the next 5 minutes(It was a diesel, so had to prime it), she'd let me go with just a ticket for careless driving since everyone didn't have a seat belt. If not, she'd have to call it in, and that would be no good.
The Universe was with us and we were up and running. I still have the ticket as a memory marker.
Sorry for the longwindedness, but it's had to summarize that one up shortly.
Thanks Oregon, I look for for our next adventure.; December 10, 2011 10:47 AM
bealjr85 said...: A few months ago I had a dream that I met Jerry Garcia while visiting my Aunt in Portland...
The dream didn't make much sense but here are the cliff notes.

The dream started out rather uneventful... We chilled for a while, played some tunes together... connected musically so-to-speak. We ate some hummus w/ pita points and sipped on chai tea while my aunt massaged our shoulders. The night was perfect in its simplicity.

As he was getting ready to leave, I felt this emotion welling up in me that was unlike anything I had ever felt before... it seemed like I was missing out on a grand opportunity. My idol was walking away and as perfect as the night was, I felt like I hadn't seized the moment like I should have.

I asked him if he could give me a few words of wisdom before he left. Jerry looked me in the eye and told me I needed to finish grad school. He told me I needed to go see Phish at MSG in NYC for new years eve. He told me I needed to be nicer to my mother. He told me I would have a beautiful family someday.

I felt like there was more to talk about... that as nice as these kernels of wisdom were- it wasn't enough. I told him I appreciated everything, but asked for a few final words to live my life by.

He grabbed my face, kissed me and whispered into my ear something that I will never forget.

"Wake up to find out your balls are the size of the world."

He turned and walked away and I haven't seen him in my dreams since.

I had no idea what this dream meant until I saw this charity/ticket give away.

I think Jerry meant for me to find this charity/ticket giveaway so that I could realize my potential while dancing my ass off at Madison Square Garden. All of the clues are there in my dream- it's just too perfect not to mean something.

I think I will find my future wife at the Phish show in Portland the next time they play there... and so it NEEDS to happen.

I am so excited to meet my future wife. I am so excited to see Phish in Portland.

There is always hope, Phans. Something that seems as insurmountable as Phish not playing in Portland for over a decade is small change in the grand scheme of things. Live the life you've always dreamed and things will work out for the best.; December 10, 2011 2:10 PM
myswtone said...: CA love reprise would be pretty awesome and would fill my heart with joy.; December 10, 2011 6:16 PM
RiverM said...: Last time i was in Orgeon i got a really bad sun burn on my face. the next time i go to Oregon will be when Phish returns and my face will surely be melted right off; December 10, 2011 8:41 PM
jgero16 said...: Hum I always wanted to go to Portland. It is on complete opposite of me, I live In Florida!!!!!!; December 10, 2011 9:37 PM
fallenxruby said...: i've always wanted to go to oregon, but i've never been. i'm from massachusetts. but i've been known to travel far and wide to see phish, anywhere from indio, california for Superball to nashville, tennessee...so I think phish playing in portland could serve as a TWO-FER!!! =) ...threefer if i win tickets to new year's eve!; December 10, 2011 10:24 PM
Heidi said...: I've seen Phish in Portland, Maine many times. It would be amazing to add the Oregon twin to my experiences.; December 11, 2011 3:25 AM
S0ph13 said...: I've never been to Portland, but always wanted to go and if Phish plays there, I'm there! What's more exciting than Phish!?; December 11, 2011 8:17 PM
Matt Stevens said...: I've never been to Portland but I'll travel anywhere to see Phish. I have some friends who are from Portland originally and I can't think of a better reason to take a road trip out there with them then to see Phish!; December 12, 2011 7:51 AM
sal989 said...: In the case that it would be 12 years before the next phishing, I might not make it. But in the case I do somehow survive by living off glimmers of hope and flashbacks of glow stick wars, the thing that would most excite would be the savory sounds of the Ocelot guitar.; December 12, 2011 10:52 AM
be.perk said...: I would love to be able to see the boys in my backyard! There is something really special that happens when the party comes to your town; you become host and ambassador to the many phriends that descend upon your city. I would love to see Phish in Portland!! And bonus if they played at the race track again, and trey sang about a racing pig.; December 12, 2011 11:38 AM
Jon.woz said...: I'd love to see phish play Portland because it might mark a return to the hidden gem shows in smaller market, or of the way places inspired by the natural beauty around them. I'd also love an excuse to travel there. :); December 12, 2011 11:51 AM
MattyC said...: I would make the trek if they played and I wasn't working. Don't to to many west coast shows.; December 12, 2011 7:32 PM
chunkeymonkey238 said...: i hope so badly that phish plays portland, OR very soon, i think after something like this...they have too lol. thanks guys great idea.; December 13, 2011 9:16 AM
DudeKeefe said...: Phish in PDX? YES!!! I was at the 95, 96, 98, and 99 shows. Come on back boys!; December 13, 2011 12:10 PM
jib97 said...: seeing the PHiSH in PDX would be super. a chance to get back to beautiful PDX and see my PDX friends and great music! what else can you ask for?; December 13, 2011 4:02 PM
Sarah Sunshine said...: This post has been removed by the author.; December 14, 2011 3:00 PM
Sarah Sunshine said...: 've always wanted to visit Portland! I hear they have great beer and great bands - I'd love to drink a beer there while seeing the greatest band of all - Phish!!! -Sarah Rhines; December 14, 2011 3:01 PM
Tom Greg said...: Phish in PDX would be amazing because it would be a great reason to trip to a part of the country I haven't yet seen! I'd also love to catch up with friends that have long since gone west and what better way to celebrate good friends then with Phish?!

Tom Gregory; December 14, 2011 3:12 PM
kmhnola said...: The Pacific Northwest is AMAZING. Phish not only loves Portland, but all of us fans would treat the town right. Coffee, beer, beauty, friends - what else is a great recipe for Phish times!; December 14, 2011 3:41 PM
Seb said...: Portland is a city I've never been to but is on my list to go. It'd be awesome to have a phish excuse to make this happen!; December 14, 2011 10:32 PM
Chris Sharpe said...: What excites me most about Phish coming back to Portland, is that by this summer I'll be living out there to see it!!!; December 15, 2011 6:42 AM
Lil' Maria said...: I have always wanted to visit Oregon and a Phish show there would be the perfect motivation! Make it happen, boys!; December 15, 2011 9:00 AM
HydeNSeeka said...: I'm an East Coaster but have never gotten to see the Pacific Northwest. A little Oregon Moonshine mixed with some Bathtub Gin would be delicious.; December 15, 2011 9:28 AM
YogiJenSmiles said...: Since Portland already has such an intimate and blossoming community, to be able to bring Phish through this city once again would bring even more love into the amazing city we have. Through the power of Phish in Portland, the respect and appreciation for their music would skyrocket! Do it to it!; December 15, 2011 9:12 PM
hampton.97.JT said...: I love visiting my friends in Portland and I love seeing Phish. I would be very happy to combine the two.; December 16, 2011 7:43 AM
yem2155 said...: It would make my world for Phish to play in PDX. I lived on the east coast last time they played here and didn't make the trip. Portland is such a magical city with such an awesome vibe why not add Phish to the mix to make it even better!; December 16, 2011 10:53 AM
enchantedgrove said...: A little west coast love is all we need! Thanks for still being around Phish!...and more magical than ever :); December 16, 2011 12:08 PM
kater13 said...: It would be EPIC!!! if PHISH played in Portland. Great City! Great Band!; December 16, 2011 12:23 PM
btenem said...: like everyone else has basically said above, getting excited for a phish show is easy, getting excited for a phish show in a venue you have never been to is even easier....I would definitely parlay this trip with a 2 or 3 night trip to the Oregon wine country, which I have been meaning to hit for years. Since they are probably playing close enough to Portland before or after, I can hit 3 or 4 shows and check out the rolling hills of Oregon wine country, sounds pretty good.

Brad Tenem; December 16, 2011 1:14 PM
Paul_P said...: I've never been to the PacNW, just heard great things. Phish and the PacNW would be something I wouldn't want to miss.; December 16, 2011 6:06 PM
poopshoot said...: Every now and then I'll be eating breakfast, or tailgating, or climbing a mountain, or daydreaming in the bathtub and I'll hear a song loud and clear like it's surrounding me in a ball square generator beam of truth. If I could say this has happened about a show in the secret OR beauty, I would definitely proclaim it here. What I can tell you is a wave of comforting truth and light of path will be accompanying our boys when they come visit you next. We can all look forward to that. And winner winner, chicken dinner, but ticket or no, I would emphatically persue any avenue in which to meet the creators of this website because you get it, you Phishy bastards and I love you for it.; December 16, 2011 10:29 PM
phunk mama said...: Voodoo Doughnuts and PHiSH!; December 17, 2011 11:12 AM
512dee8e-28ee-11e1-9dcd-000f20980440 said...: i've never been to portland so this would be a great reason to come visit...; December 17, 2011 12:33 PM
JL said...: i've never been to portland so this would be a great reason to come visit...; December 17, 2011 12:35 PM
Ariana Michal said...: possibility of a experience a small and personal show on the west coast with my favorite boys - would be a magical!!; December 17, 2011 12:53 PM
ksandy23 said...: We have wonderful dear friends in Portland who we never get to see anymore because we plan our precious vacation time around Phish. If Phish would play in Portland, then we could finally give some real in person hugs to our friends! Plus, Portland is awesome ... I would move there if I wasn't addicted to Florida warmth and sunshine!!!; December 17, 2011 1:09 PM
DrRockson said...: I can't imagine seeing Phish in the Great northwest, so beautiful and would be a great excuse to visit.; December 17, 2011 3:54 PM
bmillz said...: Wow! Phish has so many incredible fans on the West Coast and especially in Portland. I also have incredible friends in Portland and would love to get down with them in their home state to some P-HISH!!!!; December 17, 2011 4:03 PM
cmcnally said...: How fun to see Phish in gorgeous PDX! Start out the weekend hiking Multnomah falls, and end the weekend dancing your socks off! Can't imagine a better weekend.; December 17, 2011 4:56 PM
Unknown said...: Well, as just having moved to PDX five months ago from Denver it would be great to see a show out here with all my new friends I've made in such a short time...plus it would give all my old friends that extra kick to finally get them all out here to experience what an awesome place the Pacific NW is. The beauty coupled with the amazing people and vibes always brings out the best, there is no Phish better than west coast Phish!!; December 17, 2011 11:00 PM
Mikey T said...: I'd like phish to go to portland because it would give me a fantastic excuse to go to oregon finally. - Mike Tarnofsky; December 18, 2011 3:55 PM
Suz said...: What would get me excited about Phish playing Portland, OR again after a 12 year absence is the energy they bring to an area where they haven't been in a while. It would be a special show for OR fans that I'm sure have traveled across the States to the east coast over the years just to see their favorite band play.; December 18, 2011 3:56 PM
McGonigle said...: Phish playing in Portland, OR would not only delight countless fans in the Northwest, it's a part of the country I haven't been to in 15 years. It's exciting to envision a Portland show followed by a weekend at the Gorge. A mini-run I'd love to attend in one of the most beautiful parts of the country!; December 18, 2011 3:58 PM
caszpet said...: Portland has been on my places-to-go-and-explore list for quite some time. Phish playing in Portland would be an excellent reason to check that off my list! - Christine Szpet; December 18, 2011 4:01 PM
Justin Bruening said...: I would love Phish to play in Portland because I have 2 friends living in Eugene and i would be able to stay with them after the show! and I would love to catch a blazers game too.
-Justin Bruening; December 18, 2011 4:05 PM
Billy said...: Aside from the Northwest being the only part of the country I have yet to visit, my good friend just got accepted to a masters program in Portland. I have already been planning a visit out there, and it would be a incredible experience if I could see my favorite band there all in one shot! Maybe a stop at the gorge and a few spots in Cali would be in order as well!

I would also love to see all the phans riding around on the public bikes in the city!!!; December 18, 2011 4:11 PM
4aa0dc00-29d6-11e1-8218-000bcdcb471e said...: roses are free - at the rose garden in portland - id drive out there from VA; December 18, 2011 4:13 PM
a6156918-29de-11e1-accc-000bcdcb5194 said...: Oregon is gorgeous! Spent 2 months outside of Portland last summer and would love to go back and experience Phish there. Would be such a wonderful thing. - Jennifer Pipitone; December 18, 2011 5:13 PM
Jules said...: I LOVE going to states and venues I've never been to, to see the most amazing band on this planet :); December 18, 2011 5:18 PM
Carlamo said...: Would love to visit Portland to see the boys! 12 yrs is definitely too long...time to spread the love in the beautiful West!; December 18, 2011 5:21 PM
Julie said...: because although we love phish at MSG there is nothing like seeing them in the beautiful state of oregon; December 18, 2011 5:33 PM
John said...: I love Phish and I love Portland. If I could be with both at the same time. That would be one sexy time.; December 18, 2011 7:38 PM
stephjkane said...: I love using Phish as a reason to travel the country, and would love a reason to go to the beautiful northwest!!; December 18, 2011 7:42 PM
Steph said...: Really would love to see this, I could also use another reason to go out west and see the boys as well as numerous other peeps that I haven't had a chance to see in a minute!; December 18, 2011 8:46 PM
NewHavenDeadHead said...: Have only been to Portland once, but Oregon is one of my favorite places I've ever traveled. I would love if Phish would play Oregon again, didn't realize it had been so long for you poor west coasters. It would give me a great excuse to travel back to Oregon and see the best band in the world.; December 18, 2011 8:51 PM
PhishLover said...: I would love to see phish play in beautiful Oregon! It's been too long since I've been and I'ts such a beautiful state! Thanks PDX!; December 18, 2011 8:59 PM
Forbinator said...: I am always looking for an excuse to visit my friends in Portland. I'm yet to really get the full experience. Phish in Portland would definitely give me that serious push to see all that it is. My Portland memories of the past are becoming so distant now. The last time I saw a show there was 2001 (not Phish, obvs). It needs to happen again!; December 18, 2011 10:56 PM