Phish ‘Melt The Guns’ With Biggest Bust Out Of Career At Fenway Park Return

Phish headed to Boston close on the heels of their triumphant “Phish in Five” residency at Madison Square Garden and delivered a show that defied fans’ expectations with a historic bust out and a continued commitment to inspired improvisation.

Despite the quartet’s long history in Boston (their first show in “Beantown” was on a boat in Boston Harbor in 1986), last night was only the band’s fourth performance at Fenway Park. Phish last played Fenway in 2019 and the second night was negatively impacted by a massive rain delay that forced a one-set show. Thankfully, skies were clear over the famous ballpark when the band took the stage just after 7 p.m. ET.

“Carini” debuted in 1997 and opened the show with an 18-minute melancholy and contemplative jam that showcased guitarist Trey Anastasio’s pretty, melodic playing. The jam peaked with emotion and strong interplay between Anastasio and keyboardist Page McConnell, crashing back into “Carini” proper with control and power.

“Everything’s Right” has delivered excellent improvisation in one-fourth of its performances and is due for a big version. Last night’s “ER” only made it 13 minutes, but slipped into an exploratory space and dabbled with some gentle funk, reminiscent of the deeply groove-based jams the band found towards the end of their NYC run. After a strong start to the show, “Back On The Train” and “Free” made up the middle of the 75-minute set.

“Back On The Train” featured some wild high-end trilling from Anastasio at the peak of the song, his virtuosic guitar chops on consistent display this summer. “Kill Devil Falls” was last played at the tour opening venue in Madison, Wisconsin and was similar in length to last night’s performance. Drummer Jon Fishman played lightly on the high hats, creating a delicate, gauzy space that slowly built in intensity as McConnell and Anastasio collaboratively took the song to a satisfying peak with the song’s refrain.

Anastasio took a minute to reflect on playing at Fenway Park, telling the crowd to imagine what it would feel like to hit a baseball from there (indicating home base) over that (pointing to the iconic barstool seating, Fenway’s “Green Monster” seats). The band joked about never being able to do that, but at least they could, “play music up here, which is just as exciting.”

In 1985, members of the band lived across from a Hood milk bottling plant in Vermont, and it inspired the song, “Harry Hood.” Fans visiting Fenway Park yesterday could take pictures with a giant Hood milk bottle (and the Green Monster!) before the show, so the band closed the set with the ode to the New England company and the beloved reminder that, “you can feel good.”

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Set two opened with the newest song of the evening, “What’s Going Through Your Mind.” Debuting in the summer of 2024 during a Billy Strings sit-in, the song has become a regular in the rotation and has been played 20 times in the last two years. Last summer, this song went over 40 minutes in Pittsburgh, and despite this version being half that length, it’s a fantastic jam and the longest of the night.

Bassist Mike Gordon broke through the mix with excellent melodic playing that drove the first half of the darker-themed jam. Once it was clear Gordon had control, Anastasio took to his “mini drum kit” (a staple of 1995-96 jamming). With his guitar strung over his back, he added to the percussive, driving nature of the jam while McConnell used synths to reinforce Gordon’s strong playing.

Returning to themes discovered during the final two shows at MSG, the band created a groovy space that was reminiscent of “Boogie On Reggae Woman.” Anastasio jumped back on the guitar and added repetitive riffs that have defined his playing this summer. Everyone followed suit, creating a bed for Anastasio to solo over, concluding the jam.

“Fuego” has become one of the most reliable “jam vehicles” in the Phish catalog, and this version was characterized by a rhythmic pulse and a dark repetitive riff that moved the improvisation forward. This led to the most exciting moment of the night as the band played a song they haven’t played since 1987.

“Melt the Guns” was last played on April 29, 1987, at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, a year after their performance at Cambridge School’s graduation on a boat in Boston Harbor. This song debuted in 1985 as audience members at the University of Vermont shook boxes of macaroni and cheese. The band performed a “macaroni and cheese vocal jam” during that performance, adding to the song’s lore.

“Melt the Guns” has been a coveted bust out and quickly took the title of the biggest bust out in Phish history at 2,051 shows. A record held for less than two weeks when “Cold As Ice” was played on July 22 at MSG with a show gap of 1,468. The shows in New York City were packed with bust outs and songs debuting in the early to mid-‘90s; the excitement of learning the bust outs would continue after the run added to last night’s performance. Fans are already wondering if tonight’s show will include another bust out from the ‘80s, and online speculation is running wild.

Further adding to the joy of the bust out was the band’s decision to improvise past the song proper. Anastasio jumped back on the mini kit and Fishman drove the primal groove – a sound the band utilized in NYC to great effect. This type of playing hinted at the best version of Anastasio’s solo band (the Trey Anastasio Band, or TAB), characterized by powerful percussion and an all-encompassing sound.

Strong setlist-ing continued with 2021’s “A Wave Of Hope” off Anastasio’s album Lonely Trip, recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last night’s outing fell into an agitated jam that saw Gordon leading the pack once again. The noise jam featured heavy percussion and increased intensity. An unusually short “Golden Age” was followed by “Run Like An Antelope” to close the historic set.

“A Life Beyond The Dream” debuted the year that Phish last played Fenway and closed the show paired with a song, “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” that tells us what space smells like. We may not be able to imagine what space smells like, but we can imagine what victory at Fenway smells like, and it smells a lot like last night.

After the excitement of the MSG shows, fans were expecting an average show in Boston. And yet, the band from Vermont doled out a fan service bust out and high-tier improvisation that satisfied the demanding fanbase.

The band returns to the famous ballpark tonight to close out this segment of the summer tour until they make their way back to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City over Labor Day Weekend.

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Phish plays Fenway again tonight, Saturday, August 1. Livestreams of Phish Summer Tour 2026 shows are available with a LivePhish With subscription.

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