[We would like to thank Jeremy Willinger (@Jeremy8698) for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]

Phish is not a snake. But in a sense they are: colorful, representing transformation, temptation, and wisdom. Much like their music, snakes are also the most diverse of reptiles second only to…the Lizards. And while a snake will coil itself to conserve energy, tonight there will be none of that as the band came ready to strike and sink their fangs into music mostly old and some new.

With two days of standout moments and mid-first set surprises, we enter 12/30 with Phish presenting patience and energy in equal measure as they rewarded us with a standout 12/28 that reminded us not to miss a Sunday show and a wavey 12/29 with juxtaposed tempos and lively jams throughout. Yes folks, it is a Golden Age of Phish and it doesn’t seem like they will falter going into what is always a special night of music. Personally, this is my fifth time reviewing this evening and it is an event I anticipate all year long.

Lights down just in front of 8:00 PM as per the two nights prior, and we are go for launch.

“Chalkdust Torture” opens a show for the first time since 2022. This slot allows the band to spotlight the song away from its typical set closing position and give it potential to stretch its legs. There are some mild calisthenics here with an uplifting mid-section featuring Page doing a jazzy interlude.

Next up without delay comes a triumphant “Moma Dance” where the wind blows differently than ever before and yet we feel comforted by its familiar breeze. Is the moment ending or just beginning here? Kuroda colors the room with pink and white lights at its peak and we have no time to figure out the answer because Trey rips the band back into “Chalkdust Torture” for another round of “Can’t I Live While I’m Young?” filling the room with its universal message of optimism tinged with a bit of youthful recklessness. It is known that snakes, with over 200 vertebrae, are incredibly flexible and that is a metaphor as well for Phish here tonight.

In a nod to New York, we get “Back on the Train” (and listen for Trey gracing the subway stations with his new announcement pre and post show!) with Big Red taking the lead into a mid-range space that is complete happiness. Does this train go down any new track; not particularly but the boppiness of the song itself is uplifting and there is a rocking ending here. It is such a reliably fun song and its placement here is where it should be. Kuroda is creating pink and green snake shapes with his rig and it is all coming together in a really phishy fashion.

The energy isn't flagging one ounce as they break into “Axilla (Part II),” played in the 12/28 slot in both 2023 and 2024, which has a jumpy vibe. Trey nails this and we implore Kuroda to shine that thing in my face man as he rages his rig. Snakes can feel vibrations in their jawbones and all of YEMSG can feel the arena bouncing with action.

Without even a brief moment of cool down, we are absolutely treated to “Divided Sky” and this version shines for its unforced beauty and perfect placement. I just love hearing the Garden power down pre-pause, and Trey turns to the crowds on the sides of the arena during the 1:09-long pause to take it all in.

A reliable “Blaze On” pops in to update the calendar as it is the only tune post-2000 to chart this set. A peppy version here brings summertime heat into the garden and Page takes the lead in the jam with some bright keywork.

It ends a bit sharply as Trey decides the time is now for funk and this “Tube” doesn’t disappoint. He puts extra spice on the intro and for a second it almost sounds a little hip-hop infused. The improv section slithers around in brine as Trey maintains a little 1-2 boogie that keeps it from going evil.

Another big energy experience awaits with “Reba” and they just aren’t letting up. This is an unrushed Reba that recalls the patient energy of a viper awaiting its next meal…hungry yet unbothered. Trey no-flubs the composed introduction and eases into a step up jam segment which peaks with fun ferocity.

We don’t get any whistling as they shed their skin and rock into “Split Open and Melt”. This was a show highlight, much like the 12/30/18 version, and melting faces is Phish’s business model. Trey spaces out the middle of this melt into orbit as Page interlaces ivories with aplomb. During the back half, Trey pushes forth a discordant metal sound and we get our first taste of a 4.0 grinder tone. This is pure Phish and that they chose another complicated song like 'SOAM' right after Reba to wrap up demonstrates their comfort and ease at this stage in the run.

The lights go up and setbreak comes and goes with edgy excitement burbling through concrete corridors. They retake the stage at 9:55 PM to big cheers.

What floats in is a most welcome “Ghost” that is worth a listen. This stays out of dank darkness as Trey maintains buoyancy with centered textures. At about ⅔ of the way in, it turns positively blissful with Fishman driving this gorgeous section and Page contributing organ overtones. While Ghost has been a second set stalwart in 2025, it is the first time it opens a second set this year. I thought they could take it thirty minutes but at roughly 16 it is plenty of phantasmagoric material to enjoy.

Speaking of extended songs, the jam-vehicle “Ruby Waves” pulls into the station next and we get oceans of love moments. Trey kicks in a 1-2-3 that builds into a spacey riff which opens it for Fishman to push the improved section into a dream-like synthesis that transcends to a happy place. I particularly love Trey’s little bites of notes that eventually soothe off into the clouds.

In comes a perfectly placed “Light” to compliment Ruby Waves. Page leads the jam with Trey doing a 1-2-3-4 call/response section before stripping down to a more jazz infused jam. This is a gorgeous space walk as Trey projects us into the ionosphere and yelps out guitar peaks to keep us afloat. Fishman drives up the tempo at the end and Kuroda turns on the brights to bathe the arena in white.

Snake species with fast strikes rely on rapid muscle contractions and highly developed sensory systems, as do phans when they are dancing, and no song strikes as much as “Crosseyed and Painless” This is a “pen down” song and I just jump, dance, and cheer the entire time. I am everyone in the building at once and they are me. At 13 minutes, this isn’t a monster but it still looms with murky intent. Fishman is an all star both warbling lyrics and laying in the hard beat as the foursome push into an iron-strong rock space punctuated by Page’s organ work. It is a tight tight C&P.

“Twist” is up next and there is no fat on this steak. It is a crispy sub-8 minute version and Mike’s bassline here slaps over Fish’s bebops. Trey is leg kicking at the woos and it is just delightful.

There can be no more perfect subsequent song than “Cavern” with its fortified energy and shoe care advice. Here comes Fishman with a positively hip hop dance drum experience as they stomp this song through the Garden. While this could have been the closer to a show that just didn’t stop, we still have one more installment pre-encore.

Deploy full rockstar mode as “First Tube” charges in. Trey is galloping around the stage over to Mike and Fishman and back again, doing wide stances, and having an absolute ball. As are we all buddy. Trey Jedi’s his guitar up at the end and there are hands on heads at what we just witnessed.

The band calls it at just before quarter after 11:00 and shortly returns for the encore of “Drift While You’re Sleeping.” While I thought a Harry Hood would slot here perfectly, there is something to be said for the closing message that “Love will carry us through”. It is a moving performance indeed leaving nothing left to be said.

As a band, Phish enters 2026 after a year of noteworthy compositions, a Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Nomination that didn’t cross the finish line despite overwhelming fan votes, an extensive Summer tour including a non-Phish festival, a return to the Mothership and San Francisco too.

Many snakes can live up to thirty years and most bands don’t. That Phish will play their 100th show at YEMSG next year is remarkable in and of itself but we already know that will be just one of the feathers in their collective cap. We are so so lucky. May the next one be a year of discovery, positivity, and all good music

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