Phish’s 1996 Night At Madison Square Garden Marries Nostalgia & Fearless Improvisation

Phish returned to New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Wednesday to conclude a special five-show run. The foursome kept with the “Backwards Down The Number Line” theme of the mini-residency by celebrating the year 1996 for their 96th lifetime show at “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

1996 had many memorable moments for Phish between the groundbreaking Clifford Ball festival, the Talking Heads tribute on Halloween and the release of Billy Breathes. Deep improvisation, however, was not a hallmark of that era.

Last night, the band put 1996 through the filter of modern-day Phish by mixing rarities and staples often played back then with transcendent improvisation. 1996 Night was the first standard two-set show in Phish history to feature two +30-minute jams in the same night. The lengthy versions of “You Enjoy Myself” and “Crosseyed & Painless,” both played in the second set, were filled with adventurous exploration.

The members of Phish – guitarist Trey Anastasio, keyboard player Page McConnell, bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman – assembled at the front of the stage to open 1996 Night with an a capella “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Debuted by Phish on the second night of Fall Tour 1996, they performed the National Anthem nine additional times that fall, including a pair of renditions at Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers basketball games. The anthem hadn’t been sung by Phish since December 28, 2016 – a span of 362 shows.

Upon picking up their instruments, the quartet lit into the Gamehendge number “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters.” The well-played take prefaced “Axilla (Part II),” a song Phish didn’t actually play in 1996 as they had returned to the original version that year. Anastasio had a little stumble at the beginning, starting to sing “Axilla (Part I)” before correcting himself. “Esther” followed along with “Guyute.”

Anastasio then picked up his Circle Strings acoustic for “Talk,” a song from Billy Breathes that was debuted in an acoustic mini-set format on August 5, 1996 at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The guitarist kept with the acoustic for the subsequent “If I Could,” a ballad off 1994’s Hoist that was only played twice in 1996, including a version on the night “Talk” was premiered.

Page McConnell had a turn in the vocal spotlight for “Bold As Love,” the first cover of the evening. The Jimi Hendrix cover made its lone 1996 appearance on the late guitarist’s birthday during a show in his hometown of Seattle. Anastasio wailed away on his Languedoc with one potent riff after another.

Phish continued on by returning to the Gamehendge suite for “Colonel Forbin’s Ascent” and partner song “Fly Famous Mockingbird.” While the pairing didn’t include any narration, the rare “Harpua” that followed more than made up for it. Anastasio told the tale of protagonist “Jimmy” being stuck in the clouds for 30 years since an unfinished version of the song at Clifford Ball. The guitarist shouted out several of the Phish moments Jimmy had missed, including the Great Went, “Riverport Gin,” Island Tour, Big Cypress, “Meatstick,” Jay-Z coming out in Brooklyn, Mike saying “No” at It, the “Tahoe Tweezer” and Baker’s Dozen residency, among several others. Jimmy was freed from the clouds thanks to magical tones played by Phish, leading into the conclusion of “Harpua” to end the first set.

Phish kicked off set two with “You Enjoy Myself,” the most played song in their 43-year history. The “YEM” was an otherworldly rendition that achieved top-tier status. After an incendiary typical jam section and abbreviated vocal jam, the foursome dove back into the improv for 20 additional magical minutes. The first movement was a funky affair with Page on Clavinet and both Trey and Mike utilizing swampy tones before the group modulated to a major key for blissful improvisation.

Fish pounded away while increasing the tempo as Trey unleashed a flurry of soaring leads. The band built up so much momentum that the jam felt like a roller coaster coming down, with the members of Phish hanging on by the skin of their noses for an outrageous and exciting peak. More funk followed the climax, as fans participated by “Woo”ing during breaks to the delight of a visibly pleased Anastasio.

The guitarist eventually moved to his mini drum kit for the first time on Wednesday, giving McConnell a chance to lead the jam on Moog. Anastasio picked his Languedoc back up to guide a transition into the ballad “Waste,” completing a “YEM” that stands tall alongside all-time versions of the song. The evening’s second of three Billy Breathes songs gave fans a chance to catch their breath.

Jon Fishman then strode to the middle of the stage with a vacuum in hand for “I Didn’t Know.” Anastasio introduced Fish as “Elvis Presley,” paving the way for the drummer to front Phish’s first cover of “Suspicious Minds” since their legendary debut concert in Las Vegas on December 6, 1996. Fishman had a cape on as he belted out Presley’s 1969 chart-topping hit. As usual, “Hold Your Head Up” was performed to play off Fish.

Coming into the night, it was nearly a given Phish would perform a song from Remain In Light, the Talking Heads album they famously covered on Halloween in 1996. While some fans were hoping for a song besides “Crosseyed & Painless,” the only tune from the LP that entered regular rotation, the band had other ideas. Thankfully they did, as the resulting 31-minute “Crosseyed” was the highlight of the night, standing among the best in Phish’s 30-year history of covering the song.

After quickly blowing through the main “Crosseyed” progression, Phish switched keys and landed on an ethereal reggae groove they developed to perfection. The foursome broke new ground with Fish hinting at “Buffalo Bill” and giving a master class in alternating tempos. The drummer, who earlier exclaimed “Elvis has not left the building,” also chimed in with “Suspicious Minds” quotes.

Another towering peak followed before Anastasio returned to his mini drum kit for the second and final time of the evening. After Trey picked his guitar back up, Phish closed out “Crosseyed” with a thrilling, anthemic climax. “Character Zero” was tacked on for good measure to punctuate the set.

Trey donned a custom Knicks jersey for the encore with “Anastasio” and “96” emblazoned on the back. After covering the Beatles’ “A Day In The Life,” Phish wrapped the night with a swerve, as they performed “Backwards Down The Number Line,” a song debuted in 2009. “BDTNL” was a fitting selection given the theme of the five-show run.

1996 Night encapsulated what made the run special. Each show balanced bust-outs, deep improvisation, theatrical touches and affectionate nods to Phish’s history. More than four decades into their career, the band has little left to prove, allowing them to celebrate their past without becoming defined by it.

Phish heads to Boston to kick off a two-night stand at Fenway Park on July 31. Livestreams of Phish Summer Tour 2026 shows are available with a LivePhish With subscription.

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