Last week we looked at some of the elite moments in Madison Square Garden Holiday Run history—and this week there is plenty more! With a December legacy like none other in the venue,Phish has more than enough to fill out another stellar Friday playlist. These tracks further illustrate the explosive music the band has cranked out at the end of the year in The Garden.
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“Wolfman’s Brother” 12.31.97 I
The first set highlight on New Year’s Eve ’97.
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One piece of a monster opening set in New Year’s Eve ’98.
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“Tweezer -> Cities” 12.31.98 II
After a balloon-popping fiasco all but ruined the third set “Tweezer” on New Year’s Eve ’97, Phish annihilated this second set beast the following year.
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“Carini -> Katy -> Sally > Frankenstein” 12.30.97 E
Grade-A Phish crack through and through. The first domestic “Carini,” the birth of the “Moma Dance,” and a reprise of “Sneakin Sally”—the bustout from ’89 that opened the show. This sequence gets my vote for the best encore in the band’s career. Unquestionably.
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“Drowned -> Lizards” 12.31.95 II
The first appearance of “Drowned” after Halloween kicked off set two in this legendary show and gracefully slid into “Lizards.”
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“AC/DC Bag > McGrupp” 12.30.97 II
One of the finest jams of 1997’s stellar three-night run.
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“Mike’s Song” 12.31.97 II
A filthy and menacing version; typical of ’97 “Mike’s Songs.”
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“Weekapaug Groove” 12.31.97 II
This dynamic and extended “Weekapaug” closed the second set of New Year’s Eve on its highest note.
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“Run Like an Antelope” 12.29.97 I
Pure and unadulterated fire; one of the elite versions of the year.
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“You Enjoy Myself” 12.31.95 III
When the band finished what many consider their finest New Year’s Run with a blowout version of “YEM” at The Garden, all was right in the universe of Phish.
