Photo by (C) Ascent Photo & Video

Mike Gordon sat in with Karina Rykman at Burlington, VT’s famed Nectar’s last night. The Phish bassist emerged in the middle of Rykman’s show for a version of her original “City Kids.” The appearance marked the first time Rykman has performed with a member of Phish in public, though videos of her jam with the group during a soundcheck at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2019 have widely circulated. A night earlier Rykman and her combo welcomed 10-year-old bassist Ruby Golden Tiger at Pembroke, MA’s Soundcheck Studios.

Gordon’s cameo was notable for a few additional reasons. His sit in marked the first time a member of Phish has played Nectar’s since the venue changed ownership earlier this year and it arrived just two days after the anniversary of Phish’s first show at the storied venue, which took place on Dec. 1, 1984 in the club’s upstairs space. The gig is considered the group’s first formal club show.

Rykman’s tour continues at Portsmouth, NH’s The Pressroom on December 7. From there, Ryman and her group will travel to Portland, ME’s Sun Tiki Studios (12/8), Bridgeport, CT’s Park City Music Hall (12/9) and Washington, DC’s Pearl Street (12/10).