Icymi: Phish Announces Summer Tour 2025
PHISH announced their summer tour earlier this week. They will be playing 23 dates beginning with three shows at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH, Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 22, and concluding with three shows at SPAC on July 25-27. As you have undoubtedly heard by now, there will be no shows at Dick's over Labor Day weekend, but there will be three shows at Folsom Field in Boulder over the July 4 holiday weekend. The Phish ticket request period is open until this Monday at noon et. Public onsale begins Friday, February 28 at 10am et, and ends at 10:01 et, unless of course you have $300+ to purchase a "Platinum" ticket.
Summer Terr Dates
June 20, 21, 22 SNHU Arena, Manchester, NH
June 24 Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
June 27 + 28 Moody Center, Austin, TX
July 3, 4, 5 Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
July 9 Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
July 11, 12, 13 North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
July 15 + 16 TD Pavilion at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA
July 18, 19, 20 United Center, Chicago, IL
July 22 + 23 Forest Hills Stadium, Forest Hills, NY
July 25, 26, 27 Broadview Stage at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY
REMEMBERING HARRIS WITTELS
Legendary comedian, writer, producer, actor and Phish fan Harris Wittels died ten years ago today.
An In Memoriam piece about Harris written by Nathan Rabin was published on this blog ten years ago, and we encourage you to read it. Much love to Harris's friends and family members.
SET 1: Johnny Too Bad, When I Get Drunk, Going Down [1], Move With You[1]
This performance was part of "Celebrating Sergei: An Analog Outpouring" in memory of long-time Nectar's sound engineer Sergei Ushakov who had passed away the prior month. This show featured Ray Paczkowski on keys (in place of Phil Abair) and Rob Compa on guitar. Going Down and Move With You featured Dave Grippo on saxophone. Going Down included an Eleanor Rigby tease from Dave.
MEXICO4 RECAP: WHEN THE STARS ALIGN
[We would like to thank Matt Schrag aka @kipmat for recapping last night's show, and for doing so well in the Phish Trivia event at the lobby bar on Frday. -Ed.]
Backstory: on Wednesday, Charlie Dirksen sent an email to the recap mailing list, saying there was still a need for someone to volunteer to recap Saturday’s show for the phish.net blog. I responded to Charlie’s email the following afternoon, letting him know that I was in Mexico for the run, and would be available to write the recap for Saturday’s show. I carried on with our getaway vacation for two days; then I happened to check my email before I entered the venue for Saturday’s show, and saw a response from Charlie which essentially said, “You’re on, thank you!” And then midway through the first set, my lower legs and feet decided they’d had enough of dancing on sand that’s been pounded flat from three nights of raging. So there I was, at a Phish show, in a tropical paradise far away from home, and all I felt like doing is sitting down on the ground and typing into my phone. What a n00b.
That’s why I’m your late sub recapper for Mexico N4. Caveat emptor: please disregard anything in this recap that might sound less than enthusiastic. Believe me when I say that I’m happy and feel lucky to have been here for this show.
Phish took the stage shortly before sunset, and there are few songs that evoke the warmth of a daytime show like "Bathtub Gin." This version was patient and pleasant, not too adventurous, but a happy acknowledgment that we really were all here, together. The celebratory vibe continued with "Soul Shakedown Party," not played since the beach shows at Atlantic City in 2021, and a complete surprise to anyone who had not caught Tuesday’s soundcheck. This version managed to stretch into a nice jam, with Trey and Mike showing off their various effects, although not in a dub reggae style, just messing around.
MEXICO3 RECAP: WORST VACATION EVER: A VERMONT COLLEGE PARTY CULT TAKE OVER DURING MY TRIP TO CANCUN. 1/5 STARS - TRIPADVISOR.COM
[We would like to thank Tim Davis, Pinnacle Ventures - Room 2296 for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]
I don’t ever do this- but my stay at the Moon Palace Resort this weekend was one of the WORST experiences of my life. My idea of a relaxing vacation does not include dreadlocks, drugs or 5000 dissociating hippies dancing outside of my hotel room until 4 in the morning. Here’s how the perfect week can be completely destroyed by a band from Vermont, and their cult-like followers.
MEXICO2 RECAP: WE CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT RED WORMS
While last night might have been Phish’s first January 30th performance in their career, this is Phish’s 8th year playing Mexico and their 5th at the Moon Palace, playing here every year since 2020 other than the 2021 Covid break. Perhaps due to that repetition, this year’s attendance has felt lighter.
The Moon Palace is divided into 3 areas: Sunrise, Nizuc, and the more exclusive Grand that is walled off from the rest of the resort. While past years have had so much interest that Phish have had overflow attendees staying in the other local Palace resorts (Beach Palace, Sun Palace) and shuttled in, this year didn’t have that. Not only that, but there have been reports both anecdotal and via observation that people who had Nizuc reservations have been largely moved to Sunrise. Between my morning runs around the property where the balcony decorations drop off dramatically once you dip south of Sunrise, the massive increase of people without the Phish wristbands, and the direct report of at least one person to me that they’ve been moved, there does seem to be truth to this. The crowd does feels smaller this year and that has pros and cons.
MEXICO1 RECAP: GROOVE WITH A TWIST
[This recap is courtesy of user @KellyNicu, thank you Kelly! -Ed.]
Trey welcomed us to another beautiful first night in Mexico with a simple hello and a modest nod to the crowd before launching into the appropriately chosen “Sand," which was certainly as tight as ever. They continued with a couple more beachy songs, “Theme From the Bottom” and and “Free."
New Mbird.org Website
We're thrilled to be launching a completely redesigned website for the all-volunteer Mockingbird Foundation, thanks to the immense and amazing efforts of Marc Oldham, plus a radical custom plugin from Kathleen Glackin that makes exploring past grants both a breeze and a joy. Dive in, dig in, and dig it!
GOING TO MEXICO?
[We'd like to thank user @PaulJ (Paul Jakus) for this post. —Ed.]
While going through the raw show ratings data file a few weeks ago, I noticed an interesting pattern: fewer .Netters rate shows in Mexico than they do shows in the U.S.
I’d aggregated the number of ratings by week, and then graphed these totals over time:
Phish Announces Spring 2025 Tour
PHISH will be playing an eight-show West Coast Spring Tour in April: two shows at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on April 18 and 19, a show in Portland, OR, on four twenty at the Moda Center (their first Portland show since Portland Meadows more than 25 years ago), two shows at the Bill Graham Civic Aud in SF on April 22 and 23, and then THREE (3) shows at the Hollywood Bowl on April 25, 26 and 27.
The Phishtickets request period is underway now at https://tickets.phish.com and ends on Monday, Feb. 3, at noon et. Public onsale begins Friday, Feb. 7 at 1pm et, 10am pt, and ends at 1:01pm et, 10:01am pt.
"In conjunction with their return to the Hollywood Bowl, Phish will donate $300,000 to support relief and rebuilding efforts for communities affected by the devastating Southern California wildfires through the band’s non-profit The WaterWheel Foundation."
For more information, visit https://phish.com/news/phish-2025-spring-tour-announced/.
THE 9 & 30 CLUB?
Nine days ago, the all-volunteer Mockingbird Foundation announced its 30th set of unsolicited Tour Grants.
Nine days from now, initial funding inquiries close for Mockingbird's 30th round of competitive grants.
Nine months from now, Mockingbird begins its 30th year, having started in October 1996 discussions.
And, if you round up (to include the 4/20 Fuego), there were nine Phish jams in 2024 that were 30 minutes or longer. It's as if.. they knew today was coming!
2024 MSG4 RECAP: EVOLUTION: THE ULTIMATE PHISH REMIX
[We would like to thank Megan Glionna (@meganglionna) aka @the_megan_dance (X/twitter) for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]
Achievement means accomplishing something successfully using effort, skill or courage. Artistic achievement on a large scale for a long time requires so much, but more than anything it requires courage. The courage to try something new even when you have found what works. On the Helping Friendly Podcast this year we analyzed and ranked the Top 25 Phish Tours of all time and the recurring theme was the relentless pursuit of evolution, even in moments of wild, peaking success. This year’s New Year’s Eve gag was just that. Another push towards the future. Another courageous swing at-bat after a winning season. The pursuit of evolution is the defining feature of the Phish from Vermont. And why last night’s show was a triumph.
2024 MSG3 RECAP: THE THIRTIETH AT THIRTY
[We would like to thank @Jeremy8698 for writing this recap. -Ed.]
The 12/30 slot of a YEMSG run annually begs an interesting hypothesis: Will the band meet the exalted expectations of its demanding phans? The question is one asked at every show but, on this night, where the band has usually stretched its legs for jam-chartered versions of epic songs, odd bust-outs, and extra spicy playing, it takes on a heightened level of giddiness.
2024 MSG2 RECAP: A GARDEN OF LOVE
[We would like to thank Max Alter (@SplitOpenAndMalt) aka @MaltsandShakes for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]
Talk about a year, huh?
41 years into their history, this band continues to surprise by pushing their limits. To me, it certainly feels like their 35+ minute jams in consecutive nights in Mexico fell further than one year ago. Add in Phish’s debut at the state-of-the-art Sphere in April, multiple 40+ minute jams across their Summer Tour, their first successful festival since Magnaball, their illustrious return to MVP Arena in Albany, and that the boys covered quite some ground in this year of touring. Of course, the only proper way to top it off was (and is) cumulating the accrued energy into their annual New Years’ Eve run at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. After a night of mixed reviews, I think we can confidently say that the band stepped up to the plate.
An English Horn For Albany
In celebration of Phish’s upcoming 3-show run in Albany (October 25, 26, & 27), the all-volunteer and fan-run Mockingbird Foundation has announced that it is sending an unsolicited $3,000 Tour Grant to the City School District of Albany's Fine Arts Department, for purchase of an English Horn and related supplies, such as reeds.
This is Mockingbird's 219th Tour Grant, and the 29th instance of unsolicited Tour Grants, an effort that now totals $291,000, which is 11% of all disbursements made by the foundation. These grants are part of a long-standing effort to help support music education in the local communities which have welcomed and hosted the Phish community for the band's performances.
Phish Announces Msg Nye Run, Dec. 28 - 31
PHISH has announced that they'll perform four shows at Madison Square Garden beginning Saturday, December 28, through Tuesday, December 31.The Phish Tickets request period is underway and will run until noon e.t. on Monday, October 7. The general public onsale is Friday, October 11, at noon e.t. A limited number of travel packages (hotel + tickets) will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2, at noon e.t. at https://phishnye.100xhospitality.com. For complete ticketing information, visit https://phish.com/tours.
Sabotage Shirts & Collage Auction
Two amazing and anonymous supporters of the Mockingbird Foundation have contributed interesting and compelling art to help fund music education for children.
One began making a “Sabotage” design some time ago, hoping that the band would play it again. Originally with The Hampton Coliseum, the design has been updated with a Dick’s option, celebrating that recent bustout. There are tumbler, t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hoodie options. The shirts are printed on Comfort Colors, and the sweatshirts on Champion. All proceeds will go directly to Mockingbird.
A second has put up a gorgeous Dolan Geiman collage of a mockingbird for auction on Ebay, with all proceeds going directly to Mockingbird. Geiman's works sell for as much as $18K. This is not only gorgeous; it's a steal! Please bid big and generously, and help us increase the percentage of grant inquiries that we are able to fund!
The Mockingbird Foundation is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit created and run entirely by fans of the band Phish. We have distributed more than 700 grants nationwide (all 50 states!) totaling more than $2.5M, thanks to the generous support of fans of Phish, music, and music education.
Phish To Perform Benefit Shows For The Divided Sky Foundation In Albany On October 25-26-27
PHISH will perform its only shows this fall at MVP Arena in Albany, NY, on October 25, 26, and 27, with net proceeds from all concert and merch sales benefiting the Divided Sky Foundation and its Residential Recovery Program at its newly opened facility in Ludlow, VT. The ticket request period is underway now at https://tickets.phish.com and will end on Monday, September 16 at Noon ET. There will also be a pre-show event for the Divided Sky Foundation hosted by the WaterWheel Foundation before the Saturday October 26 show. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, September 20 at 10AM ET. For more information, visit Phish.com, and for more information about the Divided Sky Foundation's Residential Recovery program, conceived of and founded by Trey Anastasio and program director Melanie Gulde, please visit dividedsky.org.
Runaway Open In 4 Days!
We're approaching the 9th Annual Runaway Open charity golf tournament for Phish fans in Denver. There are still spaces, but please register soon! If you won't be in Denver and/or don't golf, please share this link with anyone who will be and/or does: mbird.org/9RO. We want a full course of fans, swingin' sticks and raising funds for music education.
To whet your whistles, here's the info sheet that will go in each player's schwag bag (which will also include a 4'x4' Runaway Open picnic blanket, a 42" collapsible Runaway Open umbrella, and a host of prizes donated by our sponsors):
Summer Tour Grants, Inc. Our 700th!
In celebration of Phish's 23-show summer tour, the all-volunteer and fan-run Mockingbird Foundation has announced that it is sending an unsolicited $2,000 Tour Grant each to nine music education programs, one near each venue on the tour. This group of $18,000 grants includes the 700th grant by Mockingbird and is Mockingbird's 28th round of unsolicited Tour Grants, an effort that now totals $288,000, 11% of all disbursements made by the Foundation. These grants are part of a long-standing effort to help support music education in the local communities that Phish touches.
We appreciate your support that has made these grants possible - individual donations, auction bids, poster purchases, registration for our three upcoming golf events over the Dick's weekend, and so much more. As always, Mockingbird remains all-volunteer, with no office, no salaries, and no staff, and can only do what we do because other fans pitch in and participate. If you haven't recently, please consider donating today.
Phish.net
The Mockingbird Foundation