Phish is halfway through their 4 shows at Madison Square Garden and we’re looking at one of the best holiday runs in recent memory. Starting off each of the last two nights with an acapella number (“Sweet Adeline” on the December 29, 2016, “The Star Spangled Banner” on the 28th), bust outs galore (“Lonesome Cowboy Bill,” “Kung,” “Secret Smile”) and powerhouse jams that are sending us into 2017 with a head full of steam.
The 29th featured an intense “Peaches en Regalia” post-“Adeline” that dropped into a strong “Mike’s Song,” and while many were itching for the elusive second jam in “Mike’s,” the vibe was interrupted by “Secret Smile,” the first since 2013. “Smile” cast a lull before “Weekapaug Groove” and “Roses are Free” provided a needed jolt of energy, “Theme from the Bottom” > “Split Open and Melt” was a fantastic pairing to cap a well rounded set.
Opening the second set with “Down with Disease,” Phish launched into an expansive jam with an awkward shift into a blissful “What’s the Use?,” followed by “Fuego” which grew into a “Meatstick” that was well jammed. “20 Years Later” gave up its jam for “Kung” which slowly drifted into “Makisupa Policeman” with a “vaping” keyword from Fishman. A perfectly placed “Harry Hood” ended the set with incredible bliss and joy throughout the audience, especially this guy and ended with a “Julius” encore that literally had the venue bouncing with joy.
You can feel good about hood…no really it’s ok you can. #phish #yemsg #msg #hood pic.twitter.com/EaXcqn0kcj
— phishman (@phishman715) December 30, 2016
Two down, two to go.
Phish, December 29, 2016, Madison Square Garden, NY, NY
SET 1: Sweet Adeline, Peaches en Regalia > Mike’s Song > Secret Smile > Weekapaug Groove, Roses Are Free, Poor Heart, 46 Days, Brian and Robert, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Theme From the Bottom > Split Open and Melt
SET 2: Down with Disease[1] -> What’s the Use? > Fuego > Meatstick, Twenty Years Later -> Kung -> Twenty Years Later > Makisupa Policeman, Harry Hood
ENCORE: Julius
[1] Unfinished.
Setlist courtesy of Phish.net
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