[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.

This year, after a one-two punch where the first landed…softly…and the second was a knock-out blow, Phish had several directions it could go for tonight’s performance: would they play hard and hose us with monster jams a la 12/30/19 "Tweezer" or even the prior night’s record-setter "Ruby Waves?" Would they go deep in the catalog for an evening of heady musical surprises? Would they push the envelope on time (curfew be damned, suck it, Dolan!), or impress with their astute technical ability to be note-perfect on complex songs? The clear answer here was “yes” and this barn-burner of a show has many standout moments and an optimistic message from band to phan from which we can all draw gratitude and happiness.

We open the show at 8:02 PM—an early-ish start portending the epic play-through of the next several hours—with a slightly drawn out introduction for "Possum" which gets the arena bopping. There is a big yellow smiley face balloon on stage already, which is a good omen, as these things go at a show. An eight merry minutes later and this standard, amusing version flows into "Wolfman’s Brother," which Mike blesses with some spicy slaps. Trey takes the lead midway through to offer a five note jam that sounded distinctly 3.0 to my ears and this version, played in the same position as last year on 12-30, wraps after 10 minutes of solid funk.

A pause and a closeup on Fishman as he leans into the mic to start the whisper beauty of "Lengthwise," a legit bust-out after a five year absence, creating a wistful moment for all in attendance. The collective memory of your first time listening to Rift flashes through the crowd and this is the band’s first attempt at subterfuge - a most Phishy tradition.

It is as if Phish always has something to prove, to themselves and also to their fans. If you thought you figured Phish out, they will always be able to pull the rug out in the most charming of ways. The essence of "Lengthwise" here is more about, ironically, the staying power of the band itself and their ability to keep us on our toes. Their length is longevity, and we would be wise to never second-guess their commitment to us.

Fishman pulls the foursome into "Maze" as "Lengthwise" evaporates. Page’s spicy work in the middle of "Maze" is worth a second listen as the jam drives forward with gusto. At just eight minutes, the maze itself is not too labyrinthian and we emerge not at the top but on the floor as Trey shifts the band into "Theme from the Bottom." What a morsel the band drops here as this "Theme" pushes into murky waters with Trey maintaining the lead.

It sizzles in the middle and fizzles at the end as we get a "More" cooldown to regroup and vibrate with love and light for another six minutes. There is a shared Phish-y impatience, as there is something being loaded up on deck and everyone knows it will be a big-'un. Sure enough, we hitch our wagon to the first Jam Locomotive of the night with "Divided Sky." This gorgeous version stands out for the extended pause by Trey (who also looks around YEMSG with a huge smile here) which builds the excitement for the back-part of the tune that features some really nice playing by Troy Pistachio and Mr. Michael Gordon.

The gift wrapped song features a “Big Red” bow and a brief pause before a boppy "No Men in No Man’s Land" takes its place. CK5’s full light rig is put to use and the magic of this jazzy number with just one peaky moment is brought to a succinct conclusion. Trey is jumping for joy on stage despite the "Divided Sky" trampolines being put back into storage already.

Page takes the reins for "Most Events Aren’t Planned," which gets the crowd dancing as we make our way into space. Again, a Phishy message because just when you think you know Phish, they will throw down a night like 12-29-24 as a response to 12-28-24. This song is also a vehicle for the 4.0 metallic grinder sound now making its way into our eardrums via Trey’s envelope filters and discordant riffs. And since Phish knows most events arent planned, they decide to curveball the crowd in only the best way at this very moment.

Up until now, there are a bevy of jam stalwarts that are still on offer; if this were the end of the set, as Page and Trey begin to intimate, it would have been an energetic one that left mouths watering. Thankfully, the feast is far from over as they begin to thank us and do the closing sounds, but as Trey jukes his guitar over his left shoulder, he quickly puts it back on as Page drops into "Fluffhead." The subsequent sound heard was everyone losing their minds at once. Eliminating the thought that this song would be the NYE gag anchor, we embrace this high-octane version to close a monumentally fun set.

Setbreak goes by quickly as the band seems ready to come back at the earliest possible opportunity to continue building the monster on the table. A 10:02 PM return to the stage for Page and his three sages and they open with the 4.0 song "Hey, Stranger," which begs us to come crash for a moment. A moment is what we get because they seem ready to rumble and grind into "Down with Disease!" Mike is the MVP here with Page on backup heavy organ. Trey layers in some hot notes as Kuroda bathes the floor in purples and reds. Is this a "Disease" that will jamchart like the 12-30-17 version? No, but that is ok because this stands on its own two diseased legs. Sensing the need for another respite after the second blockbuster jam, the band pivots into the Fuego-based "Winterqueen," played after an 80 show gap and only for the second time at MSG.

For Phish to pull this musical rabbit from their hat shows that 12-30 is a special time for all of us because they know precisely how to throw us off the scent. No one picks this and that is what makes it all the more special. Speaking of special, it’s gonna be cold cold cold because the "Winterqueen" gives way to "Tweezer" to break the ice of show complacency. We know this version is going to go dark because of the juxtaposition to the previous tune and everyone can hear Mike growling and bombing the love out of the introduction and jam segment. Trey and Page pull the jam into a 1-2-3-4 cadence that sparkles and gets feet moving.

In an arena enveloped by red lights, Big Red soars to make this version a stand out worth repeated listens. While it is not the 2019 "Tweezer" (which I had the pleasure to review) it is the 2024 version all its own!

Once more, the band subverts us fans by continuing the icy vibes for "Seven Below," itself an 81 show bust-out. I absolutely love this jazzy, groovy tune during the summertime but it also fits so well when the temperature drops. The enjoyment isnt waning as Phish glides into a "Piper" that rips right from jump with a 4.0 sound. A rowdy (Robby) piper it is but we dont get to experience it for too long as the band has other songs on its mind, namely "2001," which blasts off into the ionosphere as if it is liquid cooled. The tremor lights are in full effect as they build off of a 1-2-3 riff to play into the song with ferocity and tightness. What a version that, at six minutes, will still get you to “that place”.

To close out the set but not the evening, the phinest foursome delves into "Everything’s Right" to deliver a message of resounding calm and reassurance.

A tiny encore break and a bookend message of hope permeates the room with "A Life Beyond the Dream." Sandwiched next to "Everything’s Right," and you have a powerful vision of creating, finding, and embracing joy as best one can at all opportunities.

While the "Reprise" everyone called in their head doesnt materialize this evening (an MSG trend: they save the "Reprise" for the 31st after "Tweezer" is played on a different night) what does is far from a consolation prize. Fishman plops down the intro to "Harry Hood" and faces transform to melting candles. This is a driving rendition that can make its way into headphones for years to come. The energy was palpable and with so many BIG JAM SONGS, this "Hood" was both welcomed and wildly perfect in its placement.

After thirty years, Phish has their center at Madison Square Garden while we have found a home/church/life in Phish. May it will be another thirty years of discovery, bliss, and only the phinest experiences, and may all who are far from home return again.

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