Photo via @phishfromtheroad on Instagram, taken by Rene Huemer

On Dec. 31, Phish completed their four-night New Years Eve run at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The three-set show was highlighted by a wacky story in the first set, some inspired second-set jamming and a clone-themed gag to ring in the new decade which featured the band on suspended platforms.

Adding to the excitement – or perhaps injecting some anxiety – was the fact that guitarist Trey Anastasio’s platform seemed to get stuck suspended above the stage and remained that way through the conclusion of the show.

The first set began with an lively trio of “Martian Monster,” “Buried Alive” and “AC/DC Bag.” “Halley’s Comet” featured the first foray into type-two territory of the night before Anastasio led the band into a rollicking “Prince Caspian.” “Sparkle” kept the energy going until “Axilla” kicked it into overdrive. The “Axilla” contained the sinister outro section (more often seen in 1995-era “Axilla IIs”), which led into the “Zamfir Story.”

This story picked up where Dec. 30’s had left off; Anastasio detailed how he was hit in the head with a pan, and keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman provided sound effects. The ultimately culminated in Anastasio and the rest of the band describing a dreamscape in which they ran into pan flutist Zamfir. Tour manager Richard “Dickie Scotland” Glasgow then appeared on stage, portraying Zamfir. Upon finishing the story, the band dropped into “Maze,” followed by another classic, “Fluffhead.” “Rise/Come Together” concluded the set.

“Punch You in the Eye” got things rolling in the second frame. After coming to a full stop after “Punch,” Phish would not come to a complete halt again for the duration of the set. “Wolfman’s Brother” featured a ripping minor-key jam section before it gave way to “Light.” Each of the next four songs – “Light,” “Twist,” “Soul Planet” and “Mercury” – contained type-two exploration. “Twist’s” improv section featured jamming on a driving theme that was discovered during Dec. 30’s massive second set. “Possum” emerged from “Mercury” to close set two.

Before the third set, crew members removed all of Phish’s gear from the stage and wheeled on large, cube-shaped objects covered in black sheets. Eventually, an a cappella mic was placed in the center of the stage. When the lights went down, the still-offstage band began talking about the upcoming set over the PA, pretending as if the audience could not hear them. They explained that they were about to perform a set of jazz standards all a cappella. The band then emerged wearing brightly colored jumpsuits (except for Fishman, who was wearing a red version of his traditional muumuu); Anastasio wore green, McConnell blue, and bassist Mike Gordon wore yellow.

The set’s music began with Phish keeping their a cappella promise; they debuted a version of “Send In The Clowns” (written by Stephen Sondheim), with the lyrics changed to “Send in the clones.” Upon finishing the song, four risers were lowered from above the light rig, each housing one of the band member’s instruments. Phish then began playing “First Tube” as they were suspended above the audience, while dozens of look-alike dancers (portraying the clones) flooded on to the stage. The “clones” would proceed to perform choreographed dances and provide backup vocals along with the entire set and encore. After “First Tube,” Anastasio led the band through the traditional “Auld Lang Syne” as 2019 turned to 2020. Then the band dropped into “Sand.”

It was during “Sand” that the first signs of a possible malfunction with Anastasio’s platform. It became quite apparent at the conclusion of the song, when the rest of the band was lowered to the stage while the guitarist’s rig stayed in place. There was a lengthy pause as it seemed that the crew was trying to troubleshoot the issue.

Eventually, a seemingly shaken Anastasio declared that he would simply “play it from here,” and the band continued the set with his platform stuck in place. “Drift While Your Sleeping” led into “What’s the Use?”, which saw the dancers using mirrors to reflect lighting director Chris Kuroda’s beams. Anastasio then began “You Enjoy Myself,” which saw Gordon and Anastasio’s clones providing the trampoline jumping below the suspended platforms. Additionally, Anastasio’s singing of the word “shit” during the song’s lyrics had a little extra emotion behind it, as his riser was still stuck in place. “YEM” closed the third set.

Next, Anastasio announced that the band was going to “do something weird” and play the encore without leaving the stage (as he was stuck atop his platform). They then launched into an extended version of “Tweezer Reprise” to close out the night. Amid thunderous cheers from the audience, McConnell, Fishman and Gordon were lowered down (with McConnell jokingly waving to Anastasio and Fishman saying “bye Trey, see you next year!”).

After they left the stage, two crew members – eventually dubbed the “Rescue Squad” – hopped on the adjacent riser to rescue the stranded guitarist. As they were lifted up, Anastasio began to improvise a new song called “Rescue Squad.” With the help of the Squad, he was transferred to the functioning platform (which happened to be Fishman’s) and lowered to safety. As he was traveling down, Anastasio hopped on the drum kit and continued the “Rescue Squad” song, urging the crowd to give it up for the two crew members. He finally left the stage to a roaring ovation.

Phish returns to the stage on February 20 for their Riviera Maya run in Mexico. For more information, visit phish.com, and check out a complete setlist from their New Years Eve show below!

Phish
Dec. 31, 2019
Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.

Set I: Martian Monster, Buried Alive, AC/DC Bag, Halley’s Comet > Prince Caspian > Sparkle > Axilla, Zamfir Story*, Maze, Fluffhead > Rise/Come Together

Set II: Punch You in the Eye, Wolfman’s Brother > Light > Twist > Soul Planet > Mercury > Possum

Set III: Send in the Clowns^, First Tube, Auld Lang Syne, Sand, Drift While You’re Sleeping, What’s the Use?, You Enjoy Myself

Enc%: Tweezer Reprise, Rescue Squad&

*Anastasio continued his story about being hit in the head with a pan, which eventually culminated in tour manager Richard “Dickie Scotland” Glasgow entering the stage, portraying the pan-flutist Zamfir.
^Phish debut, with lyrics changed to Send in the Clones; a cappella
%Due to Anastasio’s platform malfunction, the band did not leave the stage between the third set and the encore.
&Debut; only Anastasio.