Phish Wrap Up Epic New Year’s Eve Stand at Madison Square Garden

The Vermont jam greats played “Gamehendge” suite for the first time in nearly 30 years

January 1, 2024January 1, 2024 Ron Hart 0 Comments 2023, 2024, Gamehendge, Jon Fishman, Madison Square Garden, Mike Gordon, New Year’s Eve, New York City, Page McConnell, Phish, Trey Anastasio

Phish New Year’s Eve 2023 at Madison Square Garden tour poster (Image: X)

Iconic Vermont jam rockers Phish delivered another historic New Year’s Eve residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden this weekend.

Yet it was last night’s three-set concert that proved to be most special for both the band and their fans, as Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman and Page McConnell unveiled a theatrical presentation of their classic concept piece “Gamehendge” for the first time since 1994. It was one of the only times the band performed the song cycle in their 40-year history.

Phish performing “Gamehendge” suite at Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Eve 2023 (Image: Peter Wallace)

For those not in the know, here’s the PR spiel about “Gamehendge”:

Based upon Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio’s college thesis, The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday, the epic Gamehendge saga chronicles the adventures of Colonel Forbin, a retired colonel from Long Island, NY, who enters the land of Ga mehendge to rescue a tome called the Helping Friendly Book from an evil dictator named Wilson. Gamehendge hasn’t been performed in its entirety since July 1994. While past renditions have featured Anastasio narrating the tale, last night’s once-in-a-lifetime production included a full cast of actors, dozens of dancers, aerialists, enormous puppets, a custom-built rhombus stage set, and a colossal flying mockingbird that flew around the arena. Gamehendge includes a number of beloved Phish favorites, including “The Lizards,” “Wilson,” “AC/DC Bag,” “The Divided Sky” and more.

Yesterday’s performance marked Phish’s 15th New Year’s Eve show at Madison Square Garden, as well as their 83rd overall date at MSG. Now the band is gearing up for a busy 2024, centered around a sold-out run at Sphere in Las Vegas this April. Each show at Sphere will feature a completely different setlist and visuals, making each one a truly unique audio-visual experience. Their four-night stand at the Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico next month is already sold out as well.

Phish will also host its first festival in nearly a decade from August 15-18 at The Woodlands in Dover, DE. More information, including ticket on-sale dates, will be announced soon.