[We would like to thank @Jeremy8698 for writing this recap. -Ed.]
The 12/30 slot of a YEMSG run annually begs an interesting hypothesis: Will the band meet the exalted expectations of its demanding phans? The question is one asked at every show but, on this night, where the band has usually stretched its legs for jam-chartered versions of epic songs, odd bust-outs, and extra spicy playing, it takes on a heightened level of giddiness.
Set 1: Mike's Song > Bouncing Around the Room > Weekapaug Groove, Stash, Evolve, Llama, Split Open and Melt, Backwards Down the Number Line > Carini, The Squirming Coil
Set 2: Sigma Oasis > My Friend, My Friend[1] > Sand, Golden Age > What's the Use? > Taste, Golgi Apparatus, First Tube
Set 3: Character Zero, Pillow Jets[2] > Auld Lang Syne > What's Going Through Your Mind[2] -> Chalk Dust Torture > Slave to the Traffic Light, Life Saving Gun[3] > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Encore: Grind, Icculus, Tweezer Reprise
[1] No "Myfe" ending.
[2] With additional vocals from dancers.
[3] Mike on mini-keyboard.
[We would like to thank Max Alter (@SplitOpenAndMalt) aka @MaltsandShakes for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]
Talk about a year, huh?
41 years into their history, this band continues to surprise by pushing their limits. To me, it certainly feels like their 35+ minute jams in consecutive nights in Mexico fell further than one year ago. Add in Phish’s debut at the state-of-the-art Sphere in April, multiple 40+ minute jams across their Summer Tour, their first successful festival since Magnaball, their illustrious return to MVP Arena in Albany, and that the boys covered quite some ground in this year of touring. Of course, the only proper way to top it off was (and is) cumulating the accrued energy into their annual New Years’ Eve run at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. After a night of mixed reviews, I think we can confidently say that the band stepped up to the plate.
Set 1: Possum, Wolfman's Brother, Lengthwise -> Maze, Theme From the Bottom, More, Divided Sky, No Men In No Man's Land, Most Events Aren't Planned > Fluffhead
Set 2: Hey Stranger > Down with Disease[1] > Winterqueen, Tweezer -> Seven Below > Piper > Also Sprach Zarathustra, Everything's Right
Encore: A Life Beyond The Dream, Harry Hood
[1] Unfinished.
and then Add to Home Screen.