Phish caps wild at MSG ’90s run

Last night, Phish took the audience on a glorious, chaotic journey, capping off a wild five-night run by diving deep into their own 1990s discography at Madison Square Garden. The performance wasn’t just a concert; it was a time machine, paying homage to the era that defined the band’s most improvisational and eclectic work.

The concept behind the show was audacious: limit the entire setlist to songs from what the quartet had in their catalog at that specific time. This filter extended back to performances frozen in 1993, 1994, 1995, and culminating last night in a journey through 1996. Frontman Trey Anastasio even embraced the theme by wearing period-appropriate attire for every occasion.

The result was a masterclass in musical chaos. The setlist featured an astonishing 106 distinct songs with absolutely no repeats, many of which had been long forgotten. Highlights included a sprawling 37-minute rendition of “You Enjoy Myself,” a mind-bending 31-minute jam on Talking Heads’ “Crosseyed and Painless,” and a delightfully cornball take on Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” delivered by cape-clad-drummer Jon Fishman.

The show proved that nostalgia can fuel creativity. Among the rare musical excursions, the band bust-outted classics like Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice” (last played in 1992), Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” (1998), and AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” (2013).

Beyond the surface-level fun, the performance showcased Phish’s incredible mastery of extended improvisation. The band managed two jams exceeding thirty minutes in a single set, a feat they had only accomplished once before during their 1999–2000 Millennium New Year’s run.

The inclusion of a lengthy take on “Crosseyed and Painless,” which clocked in at just shy of 33 minutes, reminded everyone that the band continues to push boundaries in terms of musical duration. The entire experience was a perfect conclusion to the chronological concept, ending with the thematically appropriate “Backwards Down the Number Line.”

After this epic display, Phish is already gearing up for more live adventures. Following a day off, the band will pick up their journey tomorrow and Saturday at Boston’s Fenway Park. They are scheduled to conclude their summer itinerary with an engagement at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Co., leading into their traditional September 4–6 performance.