Phish Rings in 2025 with Electrifying New Year’s Eve Show at Madison Square Garden

Phish, the legendary Vermont-based jam band, brought their signature blend of improvisation, spectacle, and fan devotion to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, capping off a four-night New Year’s Eve run with a marathon performance that left the crowd in awe. The band, known for their unpredictable setlists and elaborate stage productions, delivered three sprawling sets that showcased their musical virtuosity and ability to create unforgettable moments.

The night began with a first set that balanced tightly composed classics like ‘Mike's Song‘ and ‘Weekapaug Groove’ with freewheeling jams, including a 13-minute exploration of ‘Split Open and Melt.’ The second set highlighted Phish’s mastery of dynamics, featuring a seamless run through covers and originals, including a haunting rendition of TV on the Radio‘s ‘Golden Age.’

But it was the third set that truly stole the show. Emerging in matching blue jumpsuits, the band unveiled their highly anticipated New Year’s Eve ‘gag,’ a tradition fans eagerly await each year. The set opened with ‘Character Zero‘ before debuting the new song ‘Pillow Jets,’ inspired by Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu’s sculptures. As the countdown to midnight began, glowing coils descended, and a fractured face sculpture slowly came together above the stage. Dancers in flowing yellow robes, dubbed ‘conjurors of thunder,’ performed an otherworldly choreography, culminating in a euphoric rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as confetti rained down.

The band then launched into ‘What's Going Through Your Mind,’ incorporating elements of electronic dance music—a rarity for Phish—and threading in bits of fan-favorite songs like ‘Blaze On‘ and ‘The Lizards.’ The marriage of Mike Gordon‘s basslines, Trey Anastasio’s soaring guitar riffs, and Chris Kuroda’s intricate lighting design lifted the crowd to a state of pure euphoria.

Phish’s New Year’s Eve shows have become a cherished ritual for their dedicated fanbase, and this year’s performance was no exception. The band’s ability to blend musical innovation with visual spectacle continues to set them apart, proving that even after 40 years, they remain the standard-bearers of improvisational rock.