Phish Announces Divided Sky Foundation Benefit Concerts In Albany

When Phish confirmed their Phish: Riviera Maya 2025 destination event, the announcement mentioned, “Phish will not be touring this fall.” However, the band never said they wouldn’t perform any shows.

Today, Phish announced they will return to the MVP Arena in Albany, New York for a three-night stand October 25 – 27. Proceeds from the run will benefit the Divided Sky Foundation, a residential recovery program in Ludlow, Vermont founded by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio for individuals affected by addiction.

The 17,500-capacity MVP Arena was opened in 1990 as the Knickerbocker Arena and was also called the Pepsi Arena and Times Union Center before settling on its current name in 2022. Phish made their debut at the venue on December 9, 1995. The room was a stop on all Phish fall tours held between 1997 and 2009. The only Phish shows held since at the MVP Arena came on October 16 and 17, 2018.

A ticket lottery for Phish at MVP Arena is currently underway. Entries must be received by Monday, September 16 at 12 p.m. ET. Follow this link to register. General on-sales begin on Friday, September 20 at 10 a.m. ET.

Travel Packages for Albany will be available beginning on Wednesday, September 11 at 10 a.m. ET. Purchase Phish Albany Travel Packages here. A special pre-show reception will be held on Saturday, October 26. Tickets can be purchased during the ticket request period and during the public on-sale.

Phish will give out a limited number of complimentary “Gratitude Tickets” to recovery professionals in recognition of their essential work helping individuals and families affected by addiction. Those who work in recovery or a related mental health field may submit a request via DividedSky.org/benefit. (Priority will be given based on geographic location, with an emphasis on New York State and New England.)

Trey Anastasio was asked what the Divided Sky Foundation means to him during a recent interview with Guitar World’s Alan Paul. Anastasio explained why the facility is so important, stating:

“It means so much. I had the idea for a while and the funding organically happened during the Beacon jams. I love those shows for so many reasons, mostly because it was free for people during that whole Covid craziness and it ended up being for a purpose. All these people in the community came forward and talked about their brother or sister or their best friend who struggled with addiction, and donated money, and we bought the place. It’s a 46-bed facility and we’re now open.

“On my last tour I met with John Curtiss, who started a program in Minnesota called The Retreat and has helped 30,000-plus people get sober. Our clinical director Melanie was my case manager in drug court when I got sober, and everybody who works there is sober.

Look at how many musicians we love who are passing away. It doesn’t last forever, so what are you going to do with what you have?

“It’s this beautiful spot amidst the leaves, but the final part was the reality check: if you want to do this nice thing and offer it to people, you must raise money. It’s a nonprofit, but you have staff, and we’ve been trying to figure out how to make this work. And John has taken a mentorship position, and he is such a help.

“I’m going to cry talking about this, but we’ve assembled an amazing board, and we have a viable program that’s working. It’s been a joyous experience. It’s a lot of work, but the clouds are parting and there’s a light shining through. I think it’s going to work.”