GOING TO MEXICO?
[We'd like to thank user @PaulJ (Paul Jakus) for this post. —Ed.]
While going through the raw show ratings data file a few weeks ago, I noticed an interesting pattern: fewer .Netters rate shows in Mexico than they do shows in the U.S.
I’d aggregated the number of ratings by week, and then graphed these totals over time:
Phish Announces Spring 2025 Tour
PHISH will be playing an eight-show West Coast Spring Tour in April: two shows at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on April 18 and 19, a show in Portland, OR, on four twenty at the Moda Center (their first Portland show since Portland Meadows more than 25 years ago), two shows at the Bill Graham Civic Aud in SF on April 22 and 23, and then THREE (3) shows at the Hollywood Bowl on April 25, 26 and 27.
The Phishtickets request period is underway now at https://tickets.phish.com and ends on Monday, Feb. 3, at noon et. Public onsale begins Friday, Feb. 7 at 1pm et, 10am pt, and ends at 1:01pm et, 10:01am pt.
"In conjunction with their return to the Hollywood Bowl, Phish will donate $300,000 to support relief and rebuilding efforts for communities affected by the devastating Southern California wildfires through the band’s non-profit The WaterWheel Foundation."
For more information, visit https://phish.com/news/phish-2025-spring-tour-announced/.
SET 1: Running From the Rain, Above the Timberline, Pinot Botticelli, Darkness on the Edge of Midtown, The Dave Test > Lick the Toad, Hook
SET 2: Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Close Encounters, Ophelia, Mountains of the Moon > Dark Star, Doner Wrap, Susskind Hotel [1], Exit Wound [2], Darkness on the Face of the Earth [3], Coconut [4]
ENCORE: Possum[1], Shining Star [5]
This performance was in celebration of Relix's 50th anniversary. The Dave Test (which was No) through Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Ophelia, Coconut, and Shining Star featured Stuart Bogie and Lynn Ligammari on saxophone, Jordan McLean on trumpet, and Dave Smith on trombone. Lick the Toad and Hook featured Jack Brownstien on guitar. Hook included a Canon in D introduction from the Horns and featured Karina Rykman on bass, Dave Harrington on keys, Eric Slick on vocals, and Brian Rosenworcel and Daniel Freedman on percussion. Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Close Encounters, and Susskind Hotel through Shining Star featured Robert Walter on keys. Ain't Wastin' Time No More featured Scott Metzger on guitar and vocals. Close Encounters featured Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton on guitar. Ophelia featured Tom Hamilton on guitar and vocals. Mountains in the Moon and Dark Star featured Tom Constanten on keys and Mikaela Davis on harp. Mountains in the Moon also featured Mikaela Davis on vocals. Dark Star also featured Will Epstein on saxophone. Mike sat on bass for Susskind Hotel through the end of the show with Alex Bleeker moving to rhythm guitar for those songs. Exit Wound featured Mikaela Davis on harp and was performed by Mike for the first time since November 12, 2011. Darkness on the Face of the Earth featured Mikaela Davis on vocals and Eric Slick on maracas. Coconut featured Ryan Miller on vocals, Eric Slick on maracas, and Coconut (Widespread Panic) teases from the horns. Shining Star featured Tom Hamilton and Scott Metzger on guitar and Ryan Miller, Mikaela Davis, Karina Rykman, Mike Greenfield, Alex Bailey, Danny Tamberelli, Marlo Shankweiler, and Jesse Lauter on vocals.
THE 9 & 30 CLUB?
Nine days ago, the all-volunteer Mockingbird Foundation announced its 30th set of unsolicited Tour Grants.
Nine days from now, initial funding inquiries close for Mockingbird's 30th round of competitive grants.
Nine months from now, Mockingbird begins its 30th year, having started in October 1996 discussions.
And, if you round up (to include the 4/20 Fuego), there were nine Phish jams in 2024 that were 30 minutes or longer. It's as if.. they knew today was coming!
2024 MSG4 RECAP: EVOLUTION: THE ULTIMATE PHISH REMIX
[We would like to thank Megan Glionna (@meganglionna) aka @the_megan_dance (X/twitter) for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]
Achievement means accomplishing something successfully using effort, skill or courage. Artistic achievement on a large scale for a long time requires so much, but more than anything it requires courage. The courage to try something new even when you have found what works. On the Helping Friendly Podcast this year we analyzed and ranked the Top 25 Phish Tours of all time and the recurring theme was the relentless pursuit of evolution, even in moments of wild, peaking success. This year’s New Year’s Eve gag was just that. Another push towards the future. Another courageous swing at-bat after a winning season. The pursuit of evolution is the defining feature of the Phish from Vermont. And why last night’s show was a triumph.
2024 MSG3 RECAP: THE THIRTIETH AT THIRTY
[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.
2024 MSG2 RECAP: A GARDEN OF LOVE
[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.
2024 MSG1 RECAP: WE’VE BEEN GOING TO THE SAME PARTY FOR 30 YEARS AND IN NO WAY IS THAT PATHETIC
[We would like to thank @slewfoot of The Mockingbird Foundation for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]
It seems like many of us are in the midst of big anniversaries for Phish. The growth of the 1993 - 1995 era from theaters to arenas allowed a large number of us to begin our decades long journey around that time. As I ponder that, the Anchorman-inspired quote above both makes me chuckle, yet also feels relevant. Last night marked the 30th Anniversary of when I first saw our favorite band. Back in 1994, I wasn’t sure what to expect on that cold December night in Philadelphia. I was a sophomore in high school and was in the midst of getting deep into the rabbit hole known as The Grateful Dead. Since I arrived to Phish via the Dead world, I had one eyebrow raised in skepticism (because obviously I knew everything at that age). But deep down I was hoping I’d really like the show as an excuse to have another great band to start seeing live. I can’t say I fully “got it” that night but, a few shows later, I certainly did.
SURRENDER TO THE FLOW ISSUE 87: NYE RUN 2024
[This post is courtesy of Christy Articola, thank you, Christy! -Ed.]
Surrender to the Flow's NYE Run 2024-2025 issue is available for download now at this link right here. We think you're really going to love this issue!
CROSSING CONTINENTS AND FINDING PHISH: A EUROPEAN PHAN’S TALE
[Thanks to Filip van der Pol aka Tora Tapes of KGLW.net for this guest blog post.]
Character Zero
I would have been just four years old when Phish played what was supposed to be their last concert in Europe in 1998. Like most Europeans, my parents had never heard of them. Phish wasn't big in Europe, nor was jam music as a genre. My dad did see the Grateful Dead play live in Germany once during a trip with friends, but calling him a "wook" would be a serious stretch.
Up until March of this year, I'd never even heard of Phish. In fact, my only exposure to the band was through the Ben & Jerry’s "Phish Food" flavour… which had already been discontinued in Europe by the time I learned of Phish. The name alone was a mystery to me. "Fish?" I thought. "No, it’s Phish. With a PH." Oh…
FROM THE FORUM: 'TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE NEW YEAR'S
[13 years and one day ago, when the Phish.net Forum was still an upstart community on our corner of the internet, siteteam contributor @TheEmu made has become one of the most highly upvoted posts of all time on the forum to celebrate that very special time of year... when Phish returns to MSG.
Now that Version 6 of Phish.net is alive and well (thanks be to the Phish.net Techteam!!!), the impending MSG run is certainly all we can think about, with fingers crossed that Louis the tube-nosed bat keeps his gnashing teeth away from the wires, so it is only fitting that we recognize the holiday properly and celebrate with this true "From the Forum" classic. Thank you Tim for sharing! -- Ed.]
'Twas the week before New Year’s, when all through .net,
Every Phish Phan was stirring, both n00bie and vet.
The tickets acquired by trades foul and fair,
In hopes that St. Icculus soon would be there.
RESULTS OF THE 9TH RUNAWAY OPEN
Thank you to the more than 100 golfers who came together on August 31st at Willis Case in Denver in support of music education for children, and to the sponsors who helped make it such a special event. We raised thousands of dollars, and have started planning for the 10th (!!) Annual. Meanwhile, it's time to report results and share photos from the 2024 outing.
All players received a gift bag with an event-branded umbrella and picnic blanket, an assortment of Phish.net items (koozies, patches, stickers, etc.), and other items donated by sponsors. In addition, there were 14 prize bags containing pro shop credit plus event schwag from previous years (hats, visors, and water bottles). Thirteen of those prize bags went to these golf winners:
- 1st place individual (2nd year in a row!): Todd Masten
- 2nd place individual: Josh Mikatich
- 3rd place individual: Ian Partilla
- Longest Drive: Chris Cook
- Closest to Pin: Seth Caswell (whom I hadn't seen since tape-trading at a setbreak in the early 90s!)
- 1st Place Foursome (2nd year in a row, and pictured blow, L-R): Patrick Donnely, Todd Masten, Ian Partilla, and Jason Rubio; and
- Runner-up Foursome: Cory Sawatzki, Chris Cook, Todd Mallers, and Brent Smith.
An English Horn For Albany
In celebration of Phish’s upcoming 3-show run in Albany (October 25, 26, & 27), the all-volunteer and fan-run Mockingbird Foundation has announced that it is sending an unsolicited $3,000 Tour Grant to the City School District of Albany's Fine Arts Department, for purchase of an English Horn and related supplies, such as reeds.
This is Mockingbird's 219th Tour Grant, and the 29th instance of unsolicited Tour Grants, an effort that now totals $291,000, which is 11% of all disbursements made by the foundation. These grants are part of a long-standing effort to help support music education in the local communities which have welcomed and hosted the Phish community for the band's performances.
Phish Announces Msg Nye Run, Dec. 28 - 31
PHISH has announced that they'll perform four shows at Madison Square Garden beginning Saturday, December 28, through Tuesday, December 31.The Phish Tickets request period is underway and will run until noon e.t. on Monday, October 7. The general public onsale is Friday, October 11, at noon e.t. A limited number of travel packages (hotel + tickets) will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2, at noon e.t. at https://phishnye.100xhospitality.com. For complete ticketing information, visit https://phish.com/tours.
Sabotage Shirts & Collage Auction
Two amazing and anonymous supporters of the Mockingbird Foundation have contributed interesting and compelling art to help fund music education for children.
One began making a “Sabotage” design some time ago, hoping that the band would play it again. Originally with The Hampton Coliseum, the design has been updated with a Dick’s option, celebrating that recent bustout. There are tumbler, t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hoodie options. The shirts are printed on Comfort Colors, and the sweatshirts on Champion. All proceeds will go directly to Mockingbird.
A second has put up a gorgeous Dolan Geiman collage of a mockingbird for auction on Ebay, with all proceeds going directly to Mockingbird. Geiman's works sell for as much as $18K. This is not only gorgeous; it's a steal! Please bid big and generously, and help us increase the percentage of grant inquiries that we are able to fund!
The Mockingbird Foundation is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit created and run entirely by fans of the band Phish. We have distributed more than 700 grants nationwide (all 50 states!) totaling more than $2.5M, thanks to the generous support of fans of Phish, music, and music education.
Phish To Perform Benefit Shows For The Divided Sky Foundation In Albany On October 25-26-27
PHISH will perform its only shows this fall at MVP Arena in Albany, NY, on October 25, 26, and 27, with net proceeds from all concert and merch sales benefiting the Divided Sky Foundation and its Residential Recovery Program at its newly opened facility in Ludlow, VT. The ticket request period is underway now at https://tickets.phish.com and will end on Monday, September 16 at Noon ET. There will also be a pre-show event for the Divided Sky Foundation hosted by the WaterWheel Foundation before the Saturday October 26 show. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, September 20 at 10AM ET. For more information, visit Phish.com, and for more information about the Divided Sky Foundation's Residential Recovery program, conceived of and founded by Trey Anastasio and program director Melanie Gulde, please visit dividedsky.org.
Runaway Open In 4 Days!
We're approaching the 9th Annual Runaway Open charity golf tournament for Phish fans in Denver. There are still spaces, but please register soon! If you won't be in Denver and/or don't golf, please share this link with anyone who will be and/or does: mbird.org/9RO. We want a full course of fans, swingin' sticks and raising funds for music education.
To whet your whistles, here's the info sheet that will go in each player's schwag bag (which will also include a 4'x4' Runaway Open picnic blanket, a 42" collapsible Runaway Open umbrella, and a host of prizes donated by our sponsors):
Summer Tour Grants, Inc. Our 700th!
In celebration of Phish's 23-show summer tour, the all-volunteer and fan-run Mockingbird Foundation has announced that it is sending an unsolicited $2,000 Tour Grant each to nine music education programs, one near each venue on the tour. This group of $18,000 grants includes the 700th grant by Mockingbird and is Mockingbird's 28th round of unsolicited Tour Grants, an effort that now totals $288,000, 11% of all disbursements made by the Foundation. These grants are part of a long-standing effort to help support music education in the local communities that Phish touches.
We appreciate your support that has made these grants possible - individual donations, auction bids, poster purchases, registration for our three upcoming golf events over the Dick's weekend, and so much more. As always, Mockingbird remains all-volunteer, with no office, no salaries, and no staff, and can only do what we do because other fans pitch in and participate. If you haven't recently, please consider donating today.
Mockingbird @ Mondegreen
Come say hi at the Mondegreen festival in Deleware! On Friday, Aug 16, we'll be at the Surrender to the Flow (@STTFlowMagazine) pod from 1-4pm, making Fan Art together. We’ll also have our shiny new poster by @young.lungs available by donation.
Not going to the fest but still want a poster? Don't want to worry about keeping it safe in your tent? Order online today: store.mbird.org
Last Day Of Auction!
The Mockingbird Foundation's second online charity auction closes today at 6pm pdt, making this the last day to bid on scores of offerings. Plan ahead for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. Make a Phish fan in your life super happy, and help us raise funds for music education, with a Mockingbird/Phish.net package in their size, some stocking-stuffer golf gifts, or one of 35 trips...
- Two new, unboxed copies of The Phish Companion, Third Edition
- Seven (7) special packages (with 1-4 lots each) of Mockingbird and Phish.net logo merchandise, each with 11 limited-edition items, organized by size, from Ladies’ small to Men’s XXL
- Thirty-five (35!) travel packages: 4 adventure trips (2 international, 2 US), 2 awards shows (Emmy’s and AMAs), 8 “once in a lifetime” vacations, 4 “getaway” vacations, plus 16 more trips (8 international and 8 US)
- Twelve (12) ticket/memorabilia collages honoring Taylor Swift, the Grateful Dead, & Woodstock, plus the Chiefs, Packers, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Steelers, and more
- Whiskey rocks, insulated water bottles (in 5 colors!), and kitchen items
- Electronics offerings including rangefinders, flashlights, solar chargers, power banks, and a drone
- Golf balls, tees, divot tools, towels, and a shoe bag
- Tea, wine, and gourmet food
Proceeds benefit music education for children through the all-volunteer nonprofit Mockingbird Foundation, created and managed entirely by volunteer Phish fans since 1997. With no salaries, staff, or office, we've funded 693 grants totaling more than $2.5M, including our 29th round of competitive grants announced just last week and a string of Tour Grants coming all summer long. We appreciate your support in funding as many as we can.
Phish.net
The Mockingbird Foundation