If there is any retribution behind Phish's decision to perform an entire run without an cover, it might be aimed at Mr. MSG aka Billy Joel. The story is circulating that he tried to book MSG for NYE, and was told Phish had it reserved. His response was to call the band a second-rate cover band.

More realistically, I think this was a good opportunity for the band to put the spotlight on the compositions it has written and presented to the world. No heavy message, just a reminder of the depth and quality of their catalog developed over the past thirty years. Nicely played, Phish!