Photo Credit: Dave Vann

After commencing their extended stay at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, Phish returned to the iconic Big Apple venue last night for an ensuing performance at the arena. The Saturday, July 29 show included a mirage of material that beckoned to different stages of the ensemble’s storied careers, from ‘90s choices to contemporary picks and a noteworthy bust out of Neil Diamond’s first No. 1 hit in the U.S., “Cracklin’ Rosie,” played for the first time since 2012.

Whereas night one saw spontaneous jams and the band’s limber approach to sought-after material, Saturday was a tighter, less spaced-out affair, highlighted by select covers and a helping of material from the quartet’s 2000-era Farmhouse LP, in addition to songs from Fuego (2014), Rift (1993), and others.

Saturday’s concert picked up just past 8 p.m. E.T., with a terse seven-minute delivery of “Back on the Train,” which smoothly merged into an early arrival of “Down with Disease,” ultimately representing the longest song of the first frame, clocking in at just under 19-minutes, before an abrupt twist into “The Dogs.” The aforementioned song was a tour debut and propelled by Page McConnell’s fiery smack of the keys.

A high point of the first portion of the evening occurred next, as Trey Anastasio acknowledged a special guest in the audience, Jovi Crusen, the 7-year-old, who had previously joined in on the Farmhouse classic, “Bug” during Phish’s June 20, 2022 concert at The Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater in Grand Rapids, Mich. Bassist, Mike Gordon took lead on “Sugar Shack” before the Lonely Trips number, “Evolve.” The previous song’s abrupt ending made for a build, and the band ascended on “Horn” paired with “Foam.” For the final song of the night’s initial set, Phish took on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars-era “Moonage Daydream.”

After a prescribed set break, the foursome returned to the stage for the event’s second half, starting with “The Wedge,” positioned with a tease of “Stash” before a layered and stretched-out 30 minute take on “Fuego,” the jammed-out high-point merged into a newly added song to their live repertoire, “Oblivion.” The number–which was first played by Trey Anastasio Trio at Denver’s Mission Ballroom on June 9–highlighted each player’s prowess while displaying their collective skill before the arrival of “Wingsuit.” 

Jon Fishman commenced the start of “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” adding a beat that converged with Anastasio’s guitar licks, welcoming the arrival of “Hold Your Head Up,” and leaving “2001” unfinished. Next, Fishman traded in his sticks for cymbals, arriving at center stage. At the same time, Anastasio took over the kit during a bust out of Diamond’s “Cracklin’ Rosie,” ultimately ending a 397 show gap since the last time this band covered the 1970-released song.

For the final song of the second set, Phish closed things out with “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” The Farmhouse title track propelled the night’s encore before what felt like a hurried close on “First Tube.”  With night two in the books, Phish’s Madison Square Garden run will pick back up tonight. Watch the five remaining shows from Phish’s New York City stay via LivePhish in 4K or HD + 48 hours of unlimited replay here.

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist via phish.net.

Phish 

Madison Square Garden – New York 

July 29, 2023 

Set 1: Back on the Train > Down with Disease, The Dogs, Bug, Sugar Shack, Evolve, Horn > Foam, Moonage Daydream

Set 2: The Wedge, Fuego > Oblivion > Wingsuit > Also Sprach Zarathustra* > Hold Your Head Up > Cracklin’ Rosie# > Hold Your Head Up, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

Enc.: Farmhouse, First Tube

Notes:

+ Dedication to Jovi, who sang at Phish’s June 20, 2022 concert in Grand Rapids, Mich. 

* Unfinished 

# Bust out, last played July 6, 2012