Phish Opens YEMSG New Years 2025 Run Strong at Madison Square Garden

New York, NY - Nights one and two of Phish’s 2025 YEMSG New Year’s Run brought bone-rattling jams, danceable light shows, and well-orchestrated peaks. The boys played all-time fan favorites - Wolfman’s Brother, Punch You in the Eye, and Antelope in the opening 12/28 set and Fluffhead, Weekapaug Groove, and Possum on 12/29. Other notable jams were weaved in throughout a night of fun times for the crew. Sections 115 and 112, though behind the stage, were close enough to the band’s operation and fellow wookies for an amazing viewing experience.

Fluffhead 12/29

Night One: December 28th - Set One Exploration

An adventurous evening kicked off with “Buried Alive” before “AC/DC Bag” had Trey’s guitar streaking through the Garden’s sound system. “Roggae” set the mellow reggae groove.

“Wolfman’s Brother” set a groovy tone before the boys ripped into “Punch You in the Eye.” Punch raised the energy and had the audience on their toes. “Sigma Oasis” segued beautifully into a thunderous “Run Like an Antelope” where Page and Fishman set the gearshift for the high gear of their soul. They ran like antelopes, out of control.

12/28 Set Two

Set two opened with “Oblivion” before Trey used “Down With Disease” to melt seamlessly into “Simple.” Simple with its bouncy anthem-like band parody sound and Blink 182/Sum 41-like guitar riffs had all of section 115 bopping around.

“Everything’s Right” wrapped up the second set with the crowd singing along heartily. The encore was a serene “Slave to the Traffic Light” with the crowd of 20,000 swaying in unison. A three-and-a-half-hour journey that left everyone feeling they’d seen what was sure to be one of the best Phish shows of the four-night run.

12/28/2025 at MSG:

Set 1:

  • Buried Alive
  • AC/DC Bag
  • Roggae
  • Rift
  • Wolfman’s Brother (Unfinished)
  • Punch You in the Eye
  • Sigma Oasis >
  • Taste
  • Sleep (Trey acoustic)
  • Run Like an Antelope

Set 2:

  • Oblivion
  • Down With Disease (Unfinished) >
  • Simple >
  • Gotta Jibboo
  • Theme From the Bottom (Unfinished) >
  • Simple
  • Everything’s Right

Encore:

  • Slave to the Traffic Light

Phish 12/28 Night One Phish 12/28 Night One Phish 12/28 Night One

Night Two: December 29th - Carini Opens the Gates

Night two came out swinging with “Carini.” Lucy had a lumpy head. Her thesis was a load of shit but we’re glad she finished it. They went into “Plasma,” before looping back into the Zeppelin Kashmir-like opening riff of “Carini.” The hot start led to Bathtub Gin, NICU, and Mountains of the Mist before Fluff came to New York.

Phish 12/29 Night Two

“Fluffhead” closed out the first set and left us signing about the Banker’s Powerful Pulls all week. The beloved Fluff was a 15-minute multi-part epic that tells the surreal story of a man with a fluffy head. The song weaves through distinct movements - “Fluffhead,” “The Chase,” “Who Do? We Do!,” “Clod,” “Bundle of Joy,” and “The Arrival” - each section building on the last.

The band’s precision was immaculate as they navigated the complex transitions. Page’s piano danced through the melodic sections while Trey’s guitar soared during the peaks. The Garden erupted when they hit the anthemic “Fluff’s Travels” section, with 20,000 fans singing along to every note. By the time they reached the triumphant final movement, the entire arena was on their feet. This Fluffhead alone made the first set worth the show - an absolute gift to close out a strong opening frame.

Phish 12/29 Night Two

Night Two: December 29th - Mike’s Groove

The second night’s second set opened with the iconic Mike’s Groove - a Phish staple that never disappoints. Mike Gordon’s bass line kicked off “Mike’s Song” with that unmistakable funky riff, building tension as the band locked into the groove. The jam stretched out into exploratory territory, with Trey and Page trading melodic phrases while Fishman held down the pocket.

Instead of the traditional “I Am Hydrogen” middle section, the band dropped “The Final Hurrah” into the sandwich - a bold choice that paid off. The high-energy jam maintained the momentum before sliding back into “Weekapaug Groove.” The Garden exploded at the opening riff. Weekapaug is danceable bliss, and the band milked every ounce of joy out of it. The four amigos built to massive peaks that had everyone jumping and the stands behind the stage shaking. This Mike’s Groove was creative, powerful, and infectious.

“Character Zero” closed the set with maximum and more peaks before the encore ripped through “The Lizards” and “Possum” to send everyone home happy and hoarse from singing along. Felt of a possible Gamehendge coming for nights 3 and 4.

Phish 12/29 Night Two

The Setlists

Night Two - December 29th, 2025:

Set 1:

  • Carini →
  • Plasma (Trey Anastasio) >
  • Carini
  • Quadrophonic Toppling
  • The Curtain With
  • Bathtub Gin
  • NICU
  • Evolve (Trey Anastasio)
  • Mountains in the Mist
  • Fluffhead

Set 2:

  • Mike’s Song >
  • The Final Hurrah >
  • Weekapaug Groove
  • A Wave of Hope (Trey Anastasio)
  • Twenty Years Later >
  • Golden Age (TV on the Radio) >
  • Character Zero

Encore:

  • The Lizards
  • Possum

Final Thoughts

The band’s ability to keep things fresh after 40+ years is remarkable. The segue work on both nights was some of the tightest we’ve seen, and the mix of deep cuts, classics, and covers kept everyone guessing.

Madison Square Garden New Year’s Run is a can’t-miss tradition. Looking forward to nights three and four to ring in 2026.

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