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Elite Eight Recap
The four regional final games provided one instant-classic, one surprise upset, and two predictable results. Let’s take them one by one.
#2 Tahoe 38 #4 Magnaball 34
The two-four matchup between Magnaball and Lake Tahoe pitted two modern classics against each other with a bid to Limestone, the site of the Final Four, on the line. The majority of pundits had Tahoe rolling fairly easily in this one, but the incredibly competitive contest illustrates why the games are played and the unpredictable nature of Tweezer Madness. The two versions staged, arguably, the most ferocious battle of the entire tournament, going back and forth from the opening tip. Neither version would give an inch, and the score remained within a bucket or two difference for the entirety of the game. This one came down to who would have the final possession, and that turned out to be Lake Tahoe. In a tie game, the 2013 version ran a set play and hit an improbable, three-point buzzer beater from the right wing as time expired! Magnaball aggressively closed out on the shooter, taking away its landing space and was whistled for a foul on the game-winner, accounting for the four-point margin of victory. And thus concluded one of the greatest games in the history of the tournament.
#3 Denver ’97 48 #1 Raleigh ’99 27
To put it frankly, this result was a total shocker. At no point during the tournament did the media or the selection committee expect to see the version from McNichols in the Final Four. Though the well-loved, groove clinic is comprised of straight Fall ’97 Phish crack, most thought that its one-dimensionality would keep it from advancing to the tournament’s final weekend. Raleigh—a looped-out, layered, psych-groove-quasi-shoegazing exploration—has it all, including one of the band’s most sublime peaks of all-time, but the cowfunk of Denver took an early lead and never looked back, leaving Raleigh in the dust in an incredibly surprising blowout.
#1 Auburn Hills 58 #3 Bomb Factory 18
This contest saw a stark juxtaposition of eras, pitting, arguably, the crowning achievement of Fall ’97 against the iconic Spring ’94 version that jump-started the year in which Phish truly discovered long-form jamming. Each version has a place in the pantheon of Tweezers, but when stepping back to compare the music and level of improvisation between the two, there is really no contest. The final score of this game reflected this dichotomy, as The Palace trounced the Bomb Factory, advancing to Limestone by the colossal margin of 40 votes.
#1 Nassau 50 #2 Lakewood 00 23
Nassau has been a force to be reckoned with in Tweezer Madness, dominating its competition from the opening tip of it’s first round matchup. The Long Island epic has demolished any version that has stepped in its path, with an unrelenting fury, seeking vengeance for the undeserved shade that has befallen the 2.0 era throughout much of the Phish community. It has looked every bit the monster of its legend, and rolls into the Final Four casually disposing of an incredibly strong version from Lakewood 2000. Nassau’s wide margin of victory came as a bit of a surprise against one of the elite versions of all-time. Its victory sets up an intriguing semi-final against Denver ’97 in which its dominance may be challenged for the first time.
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The tournament has reached its peak! The four regional champions will make the haul up to Limestone to settle the score. The Final Four vote will be live for 72 hours. Thanks to all who have participated along the way.
