Over the weekend, Phish’s Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell delivered intimate acoustic performances as a duo. These exclusive pre-show sets preceded the band’s two benefit concerts aimed at supporting flood recovery efforts in Vermont and upstate New York. The events, held at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), managed to raise an impressive $3.5 million, which will contribute to aiding the victims affected by the recent devastating floods.

Attendance for the private performances, which took place at the Charles R. Wood Stage, situated towards the back of the well-known SPAC lawn, was limited to holders of the WaterWheel Foundation Package tickets. Approximately a few hundred fortunate attendees occupied chairs and a specially prepared area with wool rugs and cushions.

Despite their recent surprise release of the collaborative album January, the duo opted to showcase a selection of Phish songs during the Foundation performances. Inclement weather marked the Friday duo performance, adding a bit of irony to the flood recovery benefit. However, the audience remained undeterred by the rain, reveling in the unique and personal show. The playlist featured stripped-down, acoustic interpretations of Phish classics, including “Brian and Robert,” “Sleep,” “Talk,” “If I Could,” “Strange Design,” “Mountains in the Mist,” and “Sample in a Jar.”

Saturday brought about a respite from the rain, though the earth was still slick. The two musicians opened the set with “Water In The Sky” and then playfully teased the audience with a hint of “We Welcome You to Munchkinland” from The Wizard of Oz as a nod to the classic film’s recurring theme’s appearance during the previous night’s main Phish show, coinciding with the movie’s 84th anniversary. During the set, Anastasio admitted he was unaware of the film’s anniversary, adding he discovered the fact after the show, and how the melody seemed to demand attention.

As Saturday’s pre-show drew to a close, the duo rounded off with performances of favorites, including “Farmhouse,” “Driver,” “Miss You,” “Waste,” “Evening Song,” “Joy,” and “Back on the Train.”

Although the performances have concluded, contributions are still being welcomed for the WaterWheel Foundation’s flood recovery fund. Donate here.

Watch clips of Anastasio & McConnell’s intimate pre-shows below.

Trey Anastasio & Page McConnell
Charles R. Wood Gazebo Stage – Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Aug. 25, 2023

Set: If I Could, Brian and Robert, Sleep, Talk, Strange Design, Mountains in the Mist, Sample in a Jar

Note: This private pre-show ahead of the Phish show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center was for Waterwheel Foundation Package ticket holders. All songs were performed acoustic.

Trey Anastasio & Page McConnell
Charles R. Wood Gazebo Stage – Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Aug. 26, 2023

Set: Water in the Sky, Farmhouse, Driver, Miss You, Waste, Evening Song, Joy, Back on the Train

Note: This private pre-show ahead of the Phish show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center was for Waterwheel Foundation Package ticket holders. All songs were performed acoustic. Trey teased We Welcome You to Munchkinland after Water in the Sky and said he had no clue that the previous day (in which he teased We Welcome You to Munchkinland several times during the Phish show) had been the anniversary of the release of The Wizard of Oz.

Setlist’s [via Phish.net]: