Fans tend to get to shows early to hang in the parking lot, drink beer and sell cool tye dye shirts, jewelry and hippie sorts of food stuff like veggie burritos. People may ask you for a miracle which means they're looking for a ticket to that night show. I'd have to say that i agree with everything you just wrote. Phish is something else. Although they sound similar to the dead, they have a sound that is all their own.
Phish shows are quite a fun experience.
The environment and people are just amazing, i believe that fans go not only for the music but also for the people. Before you buy. While at the Bottom Line buying tickets for something or other, I noticed that Mike Errico will be playing there this coming Saturday, July 1, along with some other performers. I saw him open for Fruvous at the Towne Crier, and he's definitely worth seeing again. I'm trying to decide between Shawn Colvin in Battery Park or Great Big Sea in Central Park for Saturday afternoon.