Phish returned to MVP Arena in Albany, NY on Saturday for the band’s second of three shows benefitting the Divided Sky Foundation, the Trey Anastasio-founded organization that provides “educational and introspective programming to foster a sober and productive foundation for individuals affected by addiction” with its Divided Sky Residential Recovery Retreat in Ludlow, VT.
After Friday night’s show we spoke of gratitude, of the overwhelming feeling that we were in the right place (clap, clap, clap) and with the right people to properly mourn the loss of Grateful Dead great Phil Lesh. On Saturday, while focus shifted back to the Divided Sky Foundation and reflections on addiction and recovery, “gratitude” was once again the word of the day.
In truth, that attitude has been a driving force for Trey Anastasio and Phish since the guitarist began his own recovery two decades ago. Just look at Anastasio’s body of work since 2009—the lion’s share tells the story of a man navigating his way out of the darkness, rediscovering a lost light, and learning to project it outward and illuminate that path for others. It’s music by someone whose familiarity with rock bottom has given him a profound appreciation for the hope he’s found on the other side.
Related: Trey Anastasio Reflects On Opening Of Divided Sky Residential Recovery Retreat
At this weekend’s Divided Sky Foundation benefit shows, the band offered a number of free “Gratitude Tickets” to recovery professionals in recognition of their work helping individuals and families affected by addiction. That gratitude also worked its way into Phish’s Saturday night setlist.
After “Possum” provided a hot start, “Sigma Oasis”—a song of hope, rebirth, and self-actualization—helped set the tone for the night. “Back on the Train” may not have been a “back on the wagon” parable when Anastasio and Tom Marshall wrote it back in 1999, but on Saturday it underscored the trying, lengthy process of getting a life back on track.
The first live take on “Nothing” since 6/1/22 (117 shows) served as a reminder that change is always possible (“Nothing’s ensconced, nothing’s entrenched”). After dangling a winding, probing, “woo”-filled “Stash” in front of the sold-out crowd, Phish continued with “Bouncin’ Around The Room”, a song built upon themes of reawakening. The surreal lyrics of “Tube” may not always resonate with recovery, but its “I felt that I could help” had particular resonance on Saturday night.
While a tall glass of “Bathtub Gin” may not be a drink for those in recovery, Saturday’s rendition—extended past the 15-minute mark in sometimes rocky but ultimately fulfilling fashion—caught an unusual lift as Anastasio and the sold-out crowd agreed, at the top of their lungs, that “we’re all in this together.” The set-closing “More” hit the Divided Sky Foundation’s message on the nose: “There must be something more than this.”
Phish – “Tube” > “Bathtub Gin” — 10/26/24
[Video: digidigit]
Phish — “Bathtub Gin” [Pro-Shot] — 10/26/24
The second frame began with an uplifting (though curiously truncated) “Prince Caspian”. That soon gave way to “Down With Disease”, a song that takes on added weight when considering the disease of addiction (“Trying to stop these demons that keep dancing in my head. … Waiting for the time when I can finally say that this has all been wonderful, but now I’m on my way”).
A mid-set combo of “Ruby Waves” (“escape from this prison of lies”) and “Fuego” (“keep it rolling”) made up the improvisational meat of Saturday’s performance, setting the stage for swells of deconstructed, often maddening tension and sweet, relieving release. A final, snarling surge of “Fuego” darkness eventually softened and spilled into the reassuring embrace of “What’s The Use?”, then the positive affirmations of “Golden Age” (“Clap your hands if you think you’re in the right place … There’s a golden age comin’ round”).
Phish – “Down With Disease” (Partial) > “Ruby Waves” – 10/26/24
[Video: digidigit]
“Lonely Trip”, Anastasio’s pandemic-era message in a bottle to those struggling with isolation, encouraged those lost to keep searching (“perhaps we’ll finally meet at last”), while a gorgeous, cathartic “Harry Hood”—ever one of Phish’s most joyful, inspiring compositions—rounded out set two on a note of positivity and gratitude (“Thank you, Mr. Miner … You can feel good”). The encore, a stirring combo of “Golgi Apparatus” and “Slave to the Traffic Light”, was all the more moving in light of the evening’s thematic milieu.
Related: Documentary Gives Inside Look At The Sober Community Within The Jam Scene [Watch]
Phish fans being Phish fans, there were probably some grumbles in the crowd about the love-and-light nature of Saturday night’s song selections. But for those who needed to hear these messages of hope and perseverance, the performance spoke volumes.
This morning, as I started writing this recap, I spoke with a friend and member of sober Phish community The Phellowship who had attended Saturday’s show amid his ongoing recovery journey. I’ll leave you today with his words:
As someone in recovery, last night’s show was uniquely moving—but then again, doesn’t that describe every Phish show? Trey’s story has always been a beacon, one that many of us in recovery cite as inspiration and starter fuel for our own journeys. In that sense, Phish was part of my recovery long before I even knew it.
The primary purpose of many recovery fellowships is to help other addicts along similar paths, constantly reminding us—even those with decades of sobriety—that we’re not alone, that someone has been exactly where we are. A common phrase in recovery circles when sharing experience, strength, and hope is, “Today, you’ll hear exactly what you need to hear.” Often, that message reaches someone still trapped in the depths of active addiction. In that light, these songs aren’t merely nods to those who work in recovery; they’re Trey doing what any recovering addict does: sharing experience, strength, and hope. He just happens to do it in a way that’s uniquely his own, on a platform that only he has.
Last night reminded me that I’m not alone, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. In a crowd at my favorite band’s show, I know I don’t have to walk more than ten feet in any direction to find someone with a yellow sticker who understands. And the guy making the music? He gets it, too.
There’s no place to get—you’re already there.
Phish returns to Albany’s MVP Arena on Sunday to round out the three-night Divided Sky Foundation benefit. Fans can order their Phish Albany webcasts through the band’s LivePhish streaming service to tune in from home. View the various webcast options including single-night streams, discounted three-night passes, and merchandise bundles here.
View the full setlist from Saturday night and scroll through photos from the performance below.
Setlist [via phish.net]: Phish | MVP Arena | Albany, NY | 10/26/24
Set One: Possum, Sigma Oasis > Back on the Train, Nothing, Stash, Bouncing Around the Room, Tube > Bathtub Gin, More
Set Two: Prince Caspian > Down with Disease[1] > Ruby Waves > Fuego > What’s the Use? > Golden Age > Lonely Trip, Harry Hood
Encore: Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light
Notes: [1] Unfinished. Trey teased Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 during Back on the Train and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed during Stash. Nothing was played for the first time since June 1, 2022 (118 shows). Down With Disease was unfinished. Page teased The Little Drummer Boy at the end of Harry Hood. This show was a benefit for Divided Sky Foundation.
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