Phish fans pour into city for two concerts February 21, 2003 - Cincinnati Post By Rick Bird The Phish-heads are coming. Phish frenzy comes to the city tonight and Saturday as the reigning group on the jam band scene plays two sold-out shows at the U.S. Bank Arena, downtown.. Depending on your world view, that is either good or bad news for the city. "They dump a ton of money into the city. The hotels are packed this weekend," said Jim Moehring, U.S. Bank Arena general manager. "We will have issues if there is illegal activity," said Cincinnati police spokesman Lt. Kurt Byrd. "Fans think every night is an epic performance," said local musician Robert Stratton. Part of the Phish fuss is that the band has been on hiatus since 2000. Cincinnati is one of the few stops on its current tour where the band is playing two consecutive nights. The band, which came out of Middlebury College in Vermont in the mid-'80s with an edgy jazz rock feel, announced that it was ready to play again late last fall. It released a new album, to mediocre reviews. That has never stopped the band before, as it is all about the live performance. Phish has become a hit the last decade with almost no radio airplay. This week the band played in Denver and in Chicago before holding court here for two nights. The group has always attracted a nomadic like following, reminiscent of the Grateful Dead, which was noted for playing different sets each night. Because of the two nights here, officials expect a larger than normal contingent of Phish fans to set up camp. Police and U.S Bank Arena officials will welcome the Phish-heads to park and camp in what's known as "Lot D," the huge parking lot between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park. No one's quite sure how many out-of- town fans to expect, but Moehring says based on the experience of this tour, perhaps 3,000 to 5,000 fans could be coming in for the weekend. Downtown hotels say their bookings are up because of the Phish influx. But most of the out-of-town fans are expected to congregate in the parking lot area. Some Phish fans in the encampment typically sell baked goods, handmade jewelry, hippie clothes and other items to make a few bucks to follow the group to the next city. And, yes, drug use has been associated with the group's fans. Byrd warned that Cincinnati police will send plain-clothes and undercover officers into the encampment. "There will be enforcement if we find violations," he said. Phish has been a huge draw in Cincinnati almost since its inception, selling out shows the last 15 years at Bogart's, the Taft Theatre, Music Hall and Riverbend. Moehring said that's a reason the band wanted to do two shows here. "We've worked with these guys over the years and they truly like the experience here," he said. There have been almost no problems over the years with the band's mostly mellow fans, and Moehring doesn't expect any difference this weekend. "The band really wants their fans to have a safe show," Moehring said. " -- Believe me, working with a band like Phish is a rarity in this business. The band is really practical and concerned." Copyright © 2003 Cincinnati Post