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Soundcheck: Bertha (performed by The Joneses), Blues Jam (with members of The Joneses)
SET 1: Mustang Sally, Camel Walk, Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light, Melt the Guns -> Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, Halley's Comet[1] > Back Porch Boogie Blues > Shaggy Dog, Fluffhead
SET 2: Jam > AC/DC Bag, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Peaches en Regalia > David Bowie[2], Have Mercy[3] > Harry Hood, Sanity, Skin It Back > Icculus, Alumni Blues
This show was a co-bill with The Joneses. Trey and Mike quoted Fuck Your Face and Minkin during the Melt the Guns intro. Halley’s Comet featured Richard Wright on vocals. Have Mercy featured Jah Roy on vocals. This show contained the first known version of David Bowie.
SET 1: Alumni Blues > Makisupa Policeman, Skin It Back[1] > Cities, I Am Hydrogen > McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, AC/DC Bag, You Enjoy Myself, Lushington[2]
SET 2: Peaches en Regalia[1] > Golgi Apparatus > Swing Low, Sweet Chariot[1], Camel Walk, Shaggy Dog[2], Mustang Sally[1], Fluffhead, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, Wilson > Slave to the Traffic Light, Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) -> Mike's Song, Have Mercy > Harry Hood
SET 3: Roll Like a Cantaloupe[2], Sanity[2], Anarchy
ENCORE: Clod[2]
This show contained the first known versions of many Phish songs, including Lushington, Shaggy Dog, Roll Like a Cantaloupe, Sanity, and Clod, as well as the first known Phish versions of Skin It Back, Peaches, Swing Low, and Mustang Sally. Shaggy Dog ended with a Magic quote. Before YEM, Page played cocktail-style jazz, including snippets of Misty while Trey tuned up. Trey teased The Gumbo Variations in Mike's Song. The third set listing is incomplete; recordings that circulate have cuts before Cantaloupe. The Clod encore began with an impromptu kazoo solo from Mike. This was Paul Languedoc’s first show as soundman.
SET 1: Golgi Apparatus[1] > Slave to the Traffic Light, Wilson[1], Halley's Comet -> Possum, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, Makisupa Policeman
This show featured the first known performances of Golgi Apparatus and Wilson.
No known setlist
Though recordings do not circulate, it is believed that a show was played on this date at a hippie commune owned by a man named “Irving.” In a 1992 interview, Trey referenced this show when asked about the strangest gig the band has ever played. No setlist is known.
No known setlist
This show was performed on a boat in Boston Harbor as part of the Cambridge School graduation festivities. Mike’s brother assisted Phish in securing the gig.
SET 1: Dog Log, Halley's Comet[1] > Back Porch Boogie Blues > Halley's Comet
This setlist is incomplete. Richard Wright provided vocals for Halley’s Comet. This was the first Phish show without Jeff Holdsworth.
SET 1: Halley's Comet[1] > Back Porch Boogie Blues[2] > Halley's Comet
While a complete setlist for this “Springfest” performance at Goddard is not known, it has been confirmed that Halley’s debuted at this show with Richard Wright on vocals. Back Porch Boogie Blues also made its first known Phish performance. This is the last known Phish show with Jeff Holdsworth as an official member of the band.
No known setlist
The Earth Day show that had circulated with this date actually occurred on April 25, 1986 according to a Burlington Free Press article.
SET 1: AC/DC Bag > Dear Mrs. Reagan, Prep School Hippie, Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) -> Slave to the Traffic Light, Makisupa Policeman, Have Mercy, All Blues[1] > Dog Log > Possum, You Enjoy Myself, Anarchy, Camel Walk -> Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues
This show was an Earth Day concert at UVM and took place outside the Bailey Howe Library on the Green. This performance previously circulated with the dates April 15 and April 29, 1986. Trey introduced the band as the “Bob Dylan Band” before they began a jam that led into a short All Blues (the first known Phish performance; it was only about a minute long). Dog Log was dedicated to all of the dogs that were running around, including Marley the Wonder Dog (Trey's dog). Possum included a Help on the Way tease.
No known setlist
The Earth Day show that had circulated with this date actually occurred on April 25, 1986 according to a Burlington Free Press article.
SET 1: Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) > Have Mercy[1] > Harry Hood, The Pendulum[2] -> Dave's Energy Guide, Icculus[3], You Enjoy Myself
SET 2: Help on the Way[1] > Slipknot![1] > AC/DC Bag[3], McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters[4] > Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues > Dear Mrs. Reagan
ENCORE: Not Fade Away[5]
This show was billed as Hunt’s Festival of Fools. Phish and The Joneses switched off for 45-minute sets; the two bands performed the encore together. The Pendulum, which was a recital of revolutionary poetry, featured guest Zenzilé Madikinea. This gig contained the first known versions of AC/DC Bag and Icculus, the first known Phish version of Have Mercy, and the only known Phish performances of Help on the Way, Slipknot and Not Fade Away. McGrupp was spoken in a Dylan-esque fashion, in keeping with Trey’s jokes about Phish being the “Dylan Band.” Free Bird was teased before Not Fade Away.
No known setlist
This performance was part of "Midwinter Muse: A Poetry Weekend" and also featured local acts Aron Tagor and Ellen Powell. Zenzile (backed by Phish), Margaret Randall, and Allen Ginsberg also read at this event.
SET 1: Slave to the Traffic Light, Mike's Song > Dave's Energy Guide, You Enjoy Myself[1], Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page[2] > Alumni Blues, Prep School Hippie, Run Like an Antelope[3]
SET 2: Tonight[4], The Pendulum[4], Babylon is Burning[4], Dec 1661[4]
This show was an African National Congress Benefit featuring Phish and South African dub poet Zenzilé Madikinea. Antelope featured Jeff Holdsworth on slide guitar. Russ Flanigan sat in on fiddle for parts of this show. Alumni was played by request. Letter to Jimmy Page contained quotes from Trey of "It's alright" before eventually returning to Alumni. Some recordings erroneously note that this show was a double-bill with The Joneses. This show contained the first known version of You Enjoy Myself, although it is possible that the correct debut was on 2/1/85, and the first known performances of Zenzilé's pieces (all with Phish) Tonight, The Pendulum, Babylon is Burning, and Dec 1661. The first set of this show is identical to what is listed for 2/1/85. The setlist for 2/1/85 is possibly incorrect.
SET 1: Jam
This show was a private party and is sometimes noted as the “Red House Party.” The Jam contained Night Fever quotes. This setlist is incomplete.
SET 1: Wild Thing[1]
SET 2: Mike's Song, Whipping Post Jam, Run Like an Antelope -> Dave's Energy Guide
This list for Set II is likely incomplete, as the only recording that circulates fades in and out at points. The “Whipping Post Jam” fades in after Mike’s Song on the recording that circulates. This “Jam” contained a jam reminiscent of Dark Star. It also featured Norwegian Wood teases from Mike, a Slave to the Traffic Light tease from Trey, and a jam reminiscent of the early intro to Harry Hood. Antelope fades in after the “Whipping Post Jam” fades out. The complete lists for Sets I (featuring the first known Phish performance of Wild Thing) and II are not known, although Mike has referenced the first set Wild Thing in interviews and in The Phish Book.
SET 1: Slave to the Traffic Light[1], Hurricane[2], Makisupa Policeman[3] > Piggies[2] -> Makisupa Policeman[3] -> Drums[4] > Alumni Blues[3] > Dear Mrs. Reagan[5]
This show was an acoustic benefit that also featured performances by The Joneses and The Visions. Fish played percussion instead of a drumkit. Slave appeared to have a female vocalist accompanying Trey. This show also featured the first known version of Dear Mrs. Reagan and the first known Phish versions of Hurricane and Piggies. Makisupa included additional impromptu verses regarding Mike, Fish and their "new friend, Page." Piggies was dedicated to Harry Mitiguy, then president of the Howard Bank (referred to by Trey as "Howard Mitiguy"). The drum jam out of Makisupa may have included Marc Daubert, at least one member of The Joneses, and possibly others. Phish's archivist, Kevin Shapiro, played the Makisupa > Piggies -> Makisupa portion of this show on From the Archives on 10/30/09 at Festival 8. The date of this show may be 11/19/85.
SET 1: Harry Hood[1], Dog Log[2] > Possum, Slave to the Traffic Light, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, I Wish, Revival, Alumni Blues[3] > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Prep School Hippie, Skippy the Wondermouse
This show contained the first known version of Harry Hood and the first known public version of Dog Log. Trey remarked during the intro to Hood that "this one is a story of the man who lives directly across the street from us right now." (The house on King Street where Trey, Fish, and Brian Long lived was across the street from the Hood factory.) Slave was dedicated to “Brickle.” Trey’s humorous comments about being “back on Planet Earth” were in reference to the events at Goddard on October 26. Alumni had a reference to pumpkin pie. This setlist is likely incomplete.
No known setlist
"Halloween Fest" This would have been Phish’s first Halloween celebration, but they were unable to play. References to the show are made in The Phish Book; for audio comments, dig deep into the Hunt’s show four nights later.
SET 1: T.V. Theme, Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues > Mike's Song, Dave's Energy Guide, Revolution, Anarchy, Camel Walk, Run Like an Antelope, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters
Some fans have labeled the show-opening jam a “Star Trek Jam.”
SET 1: Low Rider Jam > Big Leg Emma, Wild Child, Back Porch Boogie Blues, Camel Walk, Possum[1], Fire, Slave to the Traffic Light, In the Midnight Hour
SET 2: Melt the Guns[2] > T.V. Theme[3], Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley[4], Prep School Hippie[5]
SET 3: Mike's Song > Dave's Energy Guide, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters > Cities, Anarchy, Revolution, Anarchy[6], Revolution[7], Makisupa Policeman
This show was performed on the Redstone campus, is likely incomplete based on song and tape cuts, and may have been two sets instead of three. This show featured the first known performances of Possum, Melt the Guns, and T.V. Theme and the first known public performance of Prep School Hippie. Boxes of macaroni and cheese were passed out to the audience to shake along with the band during Melt the Guns, T.V. Theme, and Sneakin' Sally. Melt the Guns included a macaroni and cheese vocal jam. Anarchy and Revolution were performed twice with the second versions being sung as "Sex Mob" and "Dead Cops" respectively. Trey jokingly introduced McGrupp as "Love the One You're With." The segue between McGrupp and Cities included a jam that would eventually become the end of David Bowie. The band handed out boxes of macaroni and cheese during Melt the Guns for the audience to use as shakers. The source of this setlist is phish.com.
SET 1: Dog Log[1], Prep School Hippie[1], Camel Walk, Alumni Blues, Run Like an Antelope, Dave's Energy Guide, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters
This was an in-studio set that was aired live on the WRUV “Exposure” radio show. Before Antelope, the band invited fans to the Slade Hall gig on the following night. Prep School Hippie was introduced as “Trust Fund Baby.” This performance was the band’s first with Page as an official member and featured the first known versions of Dog Log and Prep School Hippie.
SET 1: Big Leg Emma
This show was a benefit for the Union of Concerned Students (UCS), a group that worked with anti-Apartheid forces to help pull UVM investments out of South Africa. Herbal Tea also played at this show. It appears that Big Leg Emma may have been played, but the setlist is unknown.
SET 1: Slave to the Traffic Light, Mike's Song > Dave's Energy Guide, Big Leg Emma
SET 2: Alumni Blues, Wild Child, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, Jam -> Cities, Bring It On Home[1]
SET 3: Scarlet Begonias -> Eyes of the World -> Whipping Post[2] -> McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters > Makisupa Policeman[3] > Run Like an Antelope -> The Other One[4]
ENCORE: Anarchy
This show was performed at the Last Day Party on UVM’s Redstone campus. It marked Page’s debut with the band, as he sat in during portions of the third set. In fact, Big Leg Emma was preceded by an announcement from Trey that “our friend Page, from Goddard, will sit in later.” Bring it On Home featured Bobby Brown on harmonica and Whipping Post featured Jeff on vocals. McGrupp was dedicated to Fish. Makisupa featured a reggae jam. This show featured the only known Phish performances of Bring It On Home and The Other One.
No known setlist
In what must have been the busiest day in early Phishtory, the band played four shows (three of which were fraternity parties).
No known setlist
In what must have been the busiest day in early Phishtory, the band played four shows (three of which were fraternity parties).
No known setlist
In what must have been the busiest day in early Phishtory, the band played four shows (three of which were fraternity parties).
No known setlist
In what must have been the busiest day in early Phishtory, the band played four shows (three of which were fraternity parties).
No known setlist
It is unclear whether a show occurred on this date or not. The recording of this show that circulates, both as 4/19/85 and as 5/19/85, contains the Scarlet -> Eyes -> Whipping Post from 5/3/85, and both the Midnight Hour and Fire Up the Ganja (with members of the band Lambsbread) from 3/4/85 Hunt's.
SET 1: I Am Hydrogen[1], Don't Want You No More, Cities, Wild Child, Slave to the Traffic Light, Jam, Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page[1] > Alumni Blues > Mike's Song[2] > Dave's Energy Guide[1], Big Leg Emma[3], Revolution[1], Anarchy, I Wish[3], Camel Walk, Run Like an Antelope[1]
SET 2: McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters[4] > Makisupa Policeman
SET 3: Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)[3]
This show was a benefit for Tools for Peace and Justice in Central America and featured the first known performances of Hydrogen, Revolution, and McGrupp and the first known Phish performances of Big Leg Emma and Quinn the Eskimo. The jam after Slave may have been Back Porch Boogie Blues. The end of Mike's Song contained a vocal section with lyrics to the effect of "Life is not what it seems." Revolution was dedicated to Anne Labrusciano and Trey explained it used to be entitled "Leunig’s Sucks" but now it’s entitled “Revolution”. Run Like An Antelope was introduced by Trey as “Run Like an Antelope Out of Control”. McGrupp And The Watchful Hosemasters was narrated rather than sung. If the 2/1/85 setlist is not correct for that date, then this show featured the first known performances of Letter to Jimmy Page, Dave's Energy Guide, and Run Like an Antelope.
SET 1: Alumni Blues[1], Skippy the Wondermouse, Bertha, Jam, Mike's Song[1]
During the jam, cartoons were shown behind the band on six television screens. The cartoons got faster and faster while the band did the same. If the 2/1/85 setlist is not correct for that date, then this show featured the first known performances of Alumni Blues and Mike's Song.
SET 1: Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley[1]
This show featured the first known performance of Sneakin' Sally through the Alley.
SET 1: Anarchy[1], Camel Walk, Fire Up the Ganja[2], Skippy the Wondermouse[3], In the Midnight Hour
This show was an African Relief benefit for OXFAM. Fire Up the Ganja (which is the song Fire on the Mountain with different lyrics) featured Bobby Hackney and Jah Roy of the band Lambsbread on vocals. This setlist is incomplete and featured the first known version of Anarchy and first known Phish version of Fire Up the Ganja. This is the first known version of Skippy to have McGrupp lyrics. (This song was called Skippy by the band at this time, even though it eventually became McGrupp.)
No known setlist
This date was previously part of the setlist file but was later determined to be a duplicate o4 3/2/86.
SET 1: Slave to the Traffic Light, Mike's Song > Dave's Energy Guide, You Enjoy Myself, Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Prep School Hippie, Run Like an Antelope
It is unconfirmed if this setlist is correct for this date, as it is identical to the first set of 2/3/86. If the setlist is correct, this show marked the first known performances of Mike's Song, Dave's Energy Guide, You Enjoy Myself, Alumni Blues, Letter to Jimmy Page, Prep School Hippie, and Run Like an Antelope.
Soundcheck: Fluffhead
SET 1: Jam, Wild Child > Bertha, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, Camel Walk, Jam, In the Midnight Hour, Scarlet Begonias > Fire[1] > Fire on the Mountain > Makisupa Policeman, Slave to the Traffic Light[2], Spanish Flea[1], Don't Want You No More[3] -> Cities[1] -> Drums[4] -> Skippy the Wondermouse[5], Fluffhead[6]
ENCORE: Eyes of the World
Skippy and Fluffhead featured The Dude of Life on vocals. The jam after Camel Walk may have been Back Porch Boogie Blues. Spanish Flea included an introduction of the band members. Don’t Want You No More was not performed in its entirety, as it lacked the final lyrics. The lengthy percussion jam featured a guest appearance from Marc Daubert. Mike recalls that there were approximately 200 people in the audience. This gig featured the first known version of Slave to the Traffic Light and Fluffhead, the first known Phish versions of Fire, Don't Want You No More, Cities, and Skippy the Wondermouse, and the only known Phish version of Spanish Flea. This performance was on the upstairs level of Nectar's.
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