Springtime In Seattle: Phish Starts Spring Tour 2025 At Climate Pledge Arena

Phish took to the stage in Seattle on 8:03 p.m. PT, 735 days after the last time they played this city in the Spring of 2023, also at Climate Pledge Arena. The band made annual visits to Seattle in the mid-1990s, but have only made a few stops in the Emerald City over the last 29 years.

Delivering a fantastic Spring Tour in 2023 and an inspiring run at the Las Vegas Sphere last year, Spring Tour has been an exciting time for Phish fans recently. The band opened last night’s show with “Sand,” which also opened the first night of their most recent run in Mexico. Phish sounded cohesive as they built optimistic peaks and brought the song back for a satisfying close — a nice opening to the show.

“Kill Devil Falls” was next, and quickly found a connected jam. Guitarist Trey Anastasio played with sustain and emotion to peak the song, while keyboardist Page McConnell added depth and drama on the piano underneath. “Theme From The Bottom,” a song they has been playing for 30 years, crescendoed nicely and had a driving ending.

“Back On The Train” stretched out with repetitive melodies, as drummer Jon Fishman kept a militaristic beat and McConnell layered synths. Bassist Mike Gordon grounded the jam, playing counterpoint to Anastasio’s climb. As Anastasio brought the jam to a thrilling, intense peak, McConnell took to the piano to end an 18-minute jam (and longest “Back On The Train” to date) in the first set.

“If I Could” has only been played one or two times a year recently, so it is an especially appreciated moment of reflection and beauty. Last played in St. Louis in July 2024, it was the only song from the set not played during the recent Mexico run. A nice cool-down, it was well-played and well-placed in last night’s show.

“Tube” followed and was the perfect energetic shift. Although just over six minutes long, the song hit all the marks for a strong version with crisp lyrical delivery and Anastasio employing the wah pedal for a short, but deep, funk jam.

Gordon’s “Mull” was played for the 16th time since its debut with Phish in 2021. The band has taken ownership of this Gordon tune, and Anastasio flirted with his famous “hose” during the crescendo, continuing to play with inspiration even in a short side-project song.

The foursome closed the set with a 12-minute version of “Wolfman’s Brother.” After the lyrics, they immediately found a textured jam with Gordon out front, keeping a deep groove under Anastasio’s soloing. McConnell switched to the piano, and the jam built with intensity. Lighting designer Chris Kuroda made giant diamonds above the band that morphed and overlapped as they played a full-throated peak and an effortless return to the song that closed the set.

Last night’s first set built on what was delivered in Mexico, a strong setlist with excellent flow and well-played versions that pushed up against the edges of deeper jamming. It was a good warm-up for the excellent second set that followed.

Read on after The Skinny for the rest of the recap and more.

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An 11-minute “Blaze On” opened set two. “Blaze On” was played nine times last year, but hasn’t had a big jam since August 6, 2021. This version found the “Golden Age” chords and made an effortless segue into the TV On the Radio cover.

Fishman used the cowbell to lead into the jam as a dark, percussive groove developed. Gordon was out front playing authoritatively, but adeptly, as he didn’t miss a beat when Anastasio turned the corner to a sunnier groove with a hopeful melody. This melody built to a giant, bliss peak that landed in some interesting territory. Anastasio played high, agitated notes while the rest of the group dropped into a spacey, repetitive groove.

The communication between the four musicians was evident as they descended further into this careening space of noise and intrigue, which still had a groove to hold onto thanks to the commitment of Fishman and Gordon. That allowed Anastasio and McConnell to go deep into exploration. In that deep well, Anastasio found the beginning chords of the band’s new favorite song, “What’s Going Through Your Mind,” and ended the 23-minute jam.

“What’s Going Through Your Mind” has inspired the band tremendously since its debut last summer. This was its seventh performance, and only one of those versions did not have a significant jam. Last night’s version was the third longest in its history at over 18 minutes long. All four dropped into the jam with a feeling of ease, and the jam slowly and confidently built to a glorious peak with Anastasio playing with deep emotion and that signature tone. A crunchy, dark chord change led them back into the song’s chorus.

McConnell’s fantastic “I Always Wanted It This Way” from the Big Boat album was the perfect song to follow with its shimmery synths and McConnell’s authentic vocals. Their tightness elevated this version and it sounded layered and interesting. Phish closed a strong second set with a 14-minute “Ghost” that thrashed its way to a powerful ending.

An encore of the contemplative “Bug” and celebratory “Possum” ended the first night of the eight-show tour.

In Mexico, Phish was leaning into more groove-oriented jamming. A majority of last night’s jams were peak-driven and led by Anastasio. Fans will be listening to see if this trend continues throughout the run. The group returns to the stage in Seattle tonight, followed by their return to Portland for the first time since 1999.

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