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Hi everybody and welcome to Attendance Bias. I am your host Brian Weinstein. Welcome back to our 2026 miniseries of previewing each venue on Phish’s summer tour. Last time, we opened the series by visiting an arena we haven’t seen in a long time: the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Today, we are going to preview an amphitheater that is embedded in Phish lore to the point where it seems like we’re talking about a family reunion: Deer Creek Amphitheater in Noblesville, Indiana.

The mere mention of the words “Deer Creek”--excuse me, the “Ruoff Music Center”--elicits dozens, if not hundreds of memories and anecdotes in the Phish universe. The band has been playing the venue for a shade over 31 years, yet there’s plenty to preview and review. Luckily, today’s guest–Ben Karle–has seen Deer Creek change from an amphitheater in the middle of a series of cornfields to the centerpiece of a suburb, complete with its own downtown, since the venue opened in 1989. 

There’s plenty to debate whether the growth of Deer Creek, or the town that’s grown up around Noblesville over the past 37 years is for better or worse, but for today’s episode, Ben and I simply review the venue’s history, remember stories from Phish’s illustrious past shows at the Creek–from Moby Dick to Soul Planet–and he offers his opinions on the best and not-so-best parts of seeing a show at the classic venue. 

So whether or not you’re staying at Sleepy Bear Campground or a downtown AirBnB, let’s join Ben to get ready for a 3-spot on July 10, 11, and 12 at Deer Creek in Noblesville, Indiana.

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