PHISH released video today of its performance of Gamehendge on December 31, 2023, which spanned two of the show's three sets. This video not only contains footage that was broadcast to viewers of the webcast on New Year's Eve, but also previously unseen footage.

Sitting in a small, glass-walled meeting room with Trey Anastasio, Doug Wright and Amanda Green as they readied Hands on a Hardbody for its Broadway debut in 2012, I started to ask Trey—and yeah, let’s just call him Trey for our purposes here—about his long-running interest in musical storytelling.

"Gamehendge wasn’t a musical, but…,” I began.

“It was supposed to be a musical,” Trey broke in.

[We'd like to thank Paul Jakus for this analysis of recent Phish.net ratings. Coincidentally, we've been analyzing ratings with him for a future blog series digging deeper into how Phish fans rate shows. Stay tuned for more on ratings soon! —Ed.]

At 3:42 p.m. on the afternoon of January 3, 2024 the ratings function of Phish.Net was disabled due to unusual patterns in ratings behavior. Here we’ll explain those patterns, but first let’s establish what a “normal” Holiday Run ratings pattern looks like.

For comparison, let’s look at ratings submitted between 1:00 a.m. January 1, 2023 through 3:42 p.m. January 3, 2023 (a time period that will match that of the 2023/24 NYE Run.) Some 1,004 ratings were submitted over nearly 63 hours, for 116 different shows. Of these ratings, 838 (84%) were for the four holiday shows, leaving 166 ratings to be spread across the remaining 112 non-holiday shows. The most new ratings any non-holiday show received was six.

So, what happened after the 2023/24 Run? Read on for more.

[We would like to thank Cotter Smart (@cotter_smart) for providing last night's NYE recap. -Ed.]

"Call me Ishmael." The famous first words of Moby Dick, a story focused on achieving the unachievable. Tonight was Phish’s unachievable, the White Whale. I could not have been more blessed to be in attendance and witness what unfolded. I was born in 2001, 7 years after the last Gamehendge. Never in my wildest dreams did I think tonight would happen. Trying to encapsulate the absolute madness Phish just unleashed on MSG is impossible, so forgive me in advance. I want to give a shoutout to my cousin who saw his first 4! shows consecutively. I was lucky enough to have my dad and little brother there as well. To the guy behind me who gave me tickets for the 31st, thank you (feel better). I got to dance with my family at the best Phish show I have ever seen. I have written two reviews before. One in 2018, when Trey got stuck. I figured I would be ok, no biggie they’ll have some dancers, maybe people flying and confetti would go off at midnight. Hahahaha boy was I wrong.

Artist Brandy Davis (aka @smilercontrol) donated her time to create the beautiful designs for the front (shown above) and back of the new shirt to celebrate the band's first 40 years and recognize Phish.net for the wide range of resources and community it has provided for decades. She has been a long time visitor to Phish.net since before she began using her talent to create special works that first focused on favorite songs before evolving to celebrate other aspects of the Phish experience as well. From the beginning, her posters were adored within this community as well as everywhere on lots across the country. Explore more of her exciting work at her website InkAndBrandy.com and follow her on your socials!

We are excited to offer Ts in a variety of colors as well as a long-sleeve T, crewneck sweatshirt, and hoodie as well! Visit this online store to purchase or keep reading for more details and pictures!

[We would like to thank Megan Glionna (.net @meganglionna; Twitter @the_megan_dance) for providing this recap. -Ed.]

I was lucky enough to write the review for last year’s show on this hallowed night of Phish, and I wrote about the power of expectations and how releasing those can lead to greater enjoyment and appreciation of a show. Those sentiments are usually expressed after you see a banger show though, right? It’s so easy to be gracious and say, “I didn’t care what they played, I just wanted to be with my friends and have a good time” after you have had a great time and seen an epic show. And I did have a great time last night. If you saw me on the floor, I was absorbed, dancing like I was possessed and enjoying this band. But I still get to look at the music critically if I want to. My two years on the Helping Friendly Podcast have changed how I think about Phish. The event of going to see the band is now somewhat separate from the music in terms of re-listenability and analysis. So, this review is going to include both my emotional opinions of being there and my critical analysis of the music when listening back. Buckle up.

[We would like to thank user SpltOpenAndMalt (Max Alter) for the recap! -Ed.]

C’mon, who built a bridge in the World’s Most Famous Arena?

After sitting far and wide across the varying sections in Madison Square Garden, the home of the New York Knicks, Rangers, and 3.0 Phish, I finally put a crippling fear of heights and a larger-than-normal susceptibility to get spun in New York aside to experience the band from heights anew: the Chase Bridge. After constant adhering to the communal messaging to avoid 200’s level seating above Row 15 (give or take) due to obstructed viewpoints resulting from the Chase Bridge, I’d expected my view on this brisk Manhattan Friday evening to be forgettable. And boy was I mistaken. Upon arrival, I’d noticed my seats in Section 324 came equipped with four electrical outlets (for maximum phone charging ability), a screen accessible during breaks in the show (enabling me to watch my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes), a bathroom right outside the section (for ease in bathroom break timing), and about three times as much dancing space as I’ve ever had on the floor at the Garden. For those who have yet to enjoy the wonders of the Chase Bridge, I implore you to take in a show from up above it all.