Phish Begins 2016 Halloween Run In Las Vegas – Setlist, Video & The Skinny

Phish returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Friday night to start a four-night Halloween Run. The band made their debut at the Sin City venue in 2014 during their last Halloween Run and opened this year’s stand strong with a number of bust outs and outstanding improvisation.

Kicking off with a Halloween 2014 debut, Page McConnell triggered Chilling, Thrilling samples throughout the “Martian Monster” opener. Next up was “No Men In No Man’s Land” that had guitarist Trey Anastasio settling into a familiar “San Ho Zay” groove during a lively jammed out end to the track off the just released LP Big Boat. A huge bust out of “Dogs Stole Things,” last played 182 shows ago on June 17, 2012 was well-received and executed. An even bigger bust out, the bluegrass favorite “Beauty Of My Dreams” came off the shelf for the first time since New Year’s Eve 2010 (227 shows ago) and shuffled the set along with Mike Gordon taking a bass solo.

The formerly ultra-rare “Destiny Unbound” was next sung by Gordon and was trailed by “Limb By Limb.” The second-ever rendition of McConnell’s Big Boat original “Home” was seen for the first time since it debuted at the tour opener in North Charleston. A cover of Los Lobos’ tender ballad “When The Circus Comes” was also warmly received. Just the second-ever first set “Steam” took a sharp, dissonant turn with drummer Jon Fishman keeping a minimal beat while the other three on stage developed synthy, effects-drenched layers of sound. “The Wedge” abruptly arose out of the short-lived jam and paved the way for a rocking “Cavern.” The multi-structured “Walls Of The Cave” was added on as the first set closer.

Set two started with the bust out of the Dude Of Life’s “Crimes Of The Mind.” Phish’s eighth-ever rendition was just their second performance without the song’s author on stage – as was the case the last time it was played on November 29, 2009 (283 shows ago). TV On The Radio’s “Golden Age” was then used as a catapult to an eclectic sequence of improvisation that took twists and turns behind Fish’s varied rhythms. Trey ultimately took charge by laying out a melodic theme that Page latched onto and Mike and Fish were able to sync up under and the foursome soon set off on one tension-filled passage after another. After reaching a glorious peak, they transitioned to an extended funky vamp as the improv pushed well past the 20-minute mark, leading to an onslaught of intense highs.

The crowd roared in appreciation as the incredible jam segued into “Simple,” which gave way to a brief ambient segment before a transition into “Light.” Seemingly ready to pick up where they left off before, another inspired dose of improv came with Page pounding away at the piano and Trey delivering dirty, hypnotic riffs that led to a straightforward take on “Twenty Years Later.” The subsequent “Blaze On” stayed within the confines of the Big Boat tune and “The Squirming Coil” closed the set as McConnell assumed his usual role of providing the song’s solo coda. Well worn singalong “Bouncing Around The Room” opened the encore and a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Bold As Love” wrapped up the first night in Vegas.

Phish plays the second of four shows at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. A webcast is available from Livephish.com.

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