What could you even do the next day after that incredible display on 12/29? Well, me and my sister checked out the Guggenheim and Chinatown, and finally ran to some vegan hot pot that was absolutely delicious (Bodhi on Mulberry). Chilled in some local parks, enjoyed the vibes, and then linked up with the Phishcord crew about 2 hours prior to showtime. It really is special to have a crew that you can hop to preshow and postshow, it makes things so much better!

Again settled into MSG and soaked up all the different levels of the venue prior to the showtime. I love arenas and stadiums with character and this really enhanced the experience for me. I was struck thinking about all the long-standing frustrations at the success (or lack of it) from NY sports teams that play there, and how it is kind of a cosmic coincidence that now Phish attempts to redeem things at the end of every year for them.

12/30 began with Possum. A great selection for opener, continuing the stretch of very recognizable 1.0 opener tunes. Wolfman's is always welcome for me - I'd take one every first set of every show I attend. This one gets out a fair amount and has a nice close. I actually called Lengthwise to someone online as a joke prior to this show and so it was absolutely nutty to see this - the first time I've gotten one of course and the first in 4.0. Prior to it, there was some discussion with Trey and Fish and I think it was a gametime decision to spice things up like that. Maze was solid as usual, and then Theme from the Bottom came. I was definitely expecting one of these this run, as they have been playing it a lot lately. Solid renditions and then More was a surprise hit - I was super hyped about this as I love More. I really loved being able to sing along to the newer tunes that they dropped this run and really shine out a lot of positive energy on these - it actually seemed to help those who were sitting around me become more interested in them as well. Interesting timing for that, and I figured a big one had to come next, so I was not shocked to see Divided Sky. This was electric - I felt the Garden shake during the cheers for the pause.. it was as good as it gets.. Simply a magical moment in time. I recalled the very loud Divided cheers from 10/19/2021 Eugene and it was very similar in my mind, although this was awesome because the ground was vibrating. It was so lovely. And so many glowsticks and balloons! No Man's was next and it was a nice return to the dance. The jam didn't really take off but it did seem like there was more to come in this set. Most Events was next and I really do enjoy that song. Was getting down to the dance for sure and I definitely did expect it to end the set as it has done recently... but of course, Trey had better ideas, faking us all out for the FLUFFHEAD. Absolutely brilliant. The crowd was so fucking loud once everyone realized what was happening. They really went hard on the Fluff Went To New York merch this run so it was a given that it would be played; this was as good of a spot as it gets for it. They played it really well and when it finally got to the FLUFFHEAD peak.. I could feel the Garden shake yet again. Just another magical moment in a run full of them. So cathartic. I was just again on cloud nine as they went into setbreak - every show so far, they have completely nailed the end to Set 1, and made the anticipation build for Set 2. Setbreak music was 24 Hours In A Disco 1978?-?82 by Kiki Gyan, they've been dropping that one a lot lately as it's so good.

Hey Stranger started the second set, a bit of a surprise choice for me but hey, you gotta love a new song that extolls the beauty of collectivism and how it's always better to get to know someone than to live a shut-in life. Vital insights in the current days where they want you to be individualized. Down with Disease was fantastic. This has a lot of nice exploration and they take their time to get some themes developed. Winterqueen is an absolutely amazing song. The lighting that CK5 did on this needs to be studied. It felt like a stage presentation. I love this song so much and it was a complete pleasure to hear - there was a great solo and I was completely enthralled and engaged. Tweezer hit next and I was just having a blast. Everyone was dancing, so many glowsticks and lights. It was another phantasmal journey that just made me so happy to see - it was a great feeling that overtook me that there was no other place in the world that I would rather be than here at this moment. Seven Below was a surprise - it's been a bit of a rarity lately and I was going wild - but would you believe that no one in my row recognized this song? I was so happy to catch one but I feel like it's a very recognizable hook. This sort of led me to think there was a "cold" theme during this evening - and it definitely seemed that way with the green, purple, and blue-heavy lighting. Piper is always great and this was no exception, and then motherfucking Dance Party time with 2001.. so much fun and this was such an incredible set. Everything's Right is an incredible song and easily one of my favorites since it debuted, so this was a treat and it capped off a set - they didn't even need a closer, just raging to an end with Everything's Right. Lovely collection of a set, great flow, and it was just so pleasurable.

A Life Beyond the Dream started the encore and honestly it was really sweet. Then came the Harry that I thought was coming N2, and this is an exceptionally strong Hood. I've heard quite a few lately and Trey really brings the juice specifically on this one - there's a repetitive riff towards the end that gets to the "next level" that not a ton of Hoods after 1.0 do. Must hear for sure. I didn't catch the Dreidel bit live but looking back at the video it's pretty funny. A fantastic close. This show will likely not get the same attention that 12/29 or 12/31 get, but it was extremely strong. Fluffhead bit to end the first set and honestly DWD through the end of the set is an hour and a half of pure solid stuff, and then the Hood.. absolutely 10/10 night for me this night.

After the show and after taking in the cool night air, I stumbled a few blocks away to the Taco Bell Cantina, the Taco Bell that serves alcohol and has a special menu and all that jazz. It continued the incredible evening. Afterwards, I met up with the crew at a K-Pop themed bar (shoutout to my favorites Aespa and TWICE) and it was a funny scene as everyone was eating from that restaurant and I was eating the Taco Bell Cantina inside as if it was normal food. Everyone was in such a good mood and it was hard to believe that we had still one more evening of this... the big daddy.. 12/31.. Even if the NYC experience ended for me after this night it would have been more than enough emotional fulfillment. But there was still one more to go...