Phish Kick Off New Year’s Eve Run with 80th Show at MSG

Photo by Rene Huemer via Phish’s Facebook page

Last night, Phish kicked off their four-show New Year’s Eve run at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden. The show marked the Vermont Quartet’s 80th appearance at the famed arena since the first show at MSG on December 30, 1994.

Like many opening nights of a multi-show stand, the group eased into the evening, kicking things off with “No Men In No Man’s Land” and then moving onto “Halley’s Comet,” whose lyrics referencing the “central part of town” felt right for a milestone show at the Midtown arena. From there, the group shifted to classics like”Sample in a Jar,” “Runaway Jim,” “Bouncing Around the Room” and “Axilla (Part II),” the latter of which was revived in 2021 for the first time since 1995. That tune segued into “Funky Bitch,” and Phish then closed their first set with an extended jam from “Bathtub Gin” into “Ghost.”

Phish’s second set was a completely segued offering, beginning with “The Howling,” a favorite from their 2021 Halloween spectacular, and then transitioning to an extended “A Wave of Hope,” the uptempo “Rift,” “Mike’s Song,” “Simple” and a set-closing “Blaze On.” “Simple,” which included references to skyscrapers also felt like a nod to New York.

Continuing a 2023 theme, Phish’s encore was more robust than usual. They opened with their second-ever take on the reflective “mercy,” the title-track to Trey Anastasio’s 2022 solo album, before offering a choice “The Squirming Coil” and completing the “Mike’s Groove” segment with “Weekapaug Groove.” They then surprised many fans by capping things off with “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.”

Phish return MSG this evening.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via Phish.net

Thursday, December 28, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

SET 1: No Men In No Man’s Land, Halley’s Comet, Sample in a Jar, Runaway Jim, Bouncing Around the Room, Axilla (Part II) > Funky Bitch, Bathtub Gin > Ghost 

SET 2: The Howling > A Wave of Hope -> Rift > Mike’s Song > Simple > Blaze On  

ENCORE: mercy, The Squirming Coil, Weekapaug Groove > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

Trey teased San-Ho Zay in No Men In No Men’s Land. Mike quoted No Men In No Men’s Land during Ghost. Mike’s Song contained sound effects used earlier in the show during The Howling.

Trey teased San-Ho Zay in No Men In No Men’s Land. Mike quoted No Men In No Men’s Land during Ghost. Mike’s Song contained sound effects used earlier in the show during The Howling.