Phish’s second night in North Charleston, SC picked up where night one left off—except instead of a single marathon jam, night two was a showcase in how to go deep without going long.
The opening “The Moma Dance” surprised absolutely no one. The song usually serves as musical small talk before the real hard-hitting conversation, but this “Moma” slipped into Type II territory for a few minutes, foretelling the musical direction for the evening.
“NICU”’s Caribbean feel was the sonic equivalent of an ocean breeze tickling a palm frond, even as Trey Anastasio struggled with the signature lick. Then, after a few setlist softballs, it was time for a change-up.
The tour’s run of bust-outs continued with “Jesus Just Left Chicago”, resurrected for the first time since 12/3/2019. Page McConnell reminded everyone that he may be the best vocalist in the band, while Anastasio slayed the song’s blues licks. Chris Kuroda projected saintly white circles on the ceiling of the coliseum, serving as a halo for the crowd of Holy City heathens.
“Divided Sky” was up next, serving as the music theory quiz portion of the night. The band, Trey in particular, earned high marks during the song’s soaring final section.
The band has been ensuring that at least one Mike Gordon song shows up in the first set, and tonight’s was the early classic “Destiny Unbound”. The song has officially evolved into a jam-like animal, and this version got its legs with a groove that Trey used to tease the ’60s flower power chords of “I’m A Man”.
“Monsters”, one of Phish’s most somber rockers, was next, with its minor key chords serving as a frail whimper waiting to be destroyed by an epic Trey solo. His guitar gently weeped over the band’s slow build, with six-string fireworks that were more Gilmour than Hendrix, the Charleston crowd loving every string bend and distorted squeal.
“Plasma” reaffirmed that this was indeed still a party, with the song’s rolling groove paving the way for some fun interplay from Mike and Trey. The band gave the song a similar jam treatment as “Moma” and “Destiny”, taking the song out just far enough to momentarily mingle with the cosmos before returning to earth.
Trey sketched out the familiar chords of “Bathtub Gin” as Page smashed his Baby Grand, and it was on. It was obvious why “Gin” has found its home as a set closer as the band built up towards a crescendo. The entire set up to that point had been a balance of improvisational indulgences and guitar heroics, and the best of each built to a white light peak before the band wound down the signature “Gin” riff.
“Mike’s Song” opened the second frame, welcomed by the crowd as Mike took the mic once again to tell the tale of an overzealous doorman. The change to the minor key gave way to a mid-’90s tradition that seems to have fallen by the wayside: Mike’s jam. Trey switched back to a major key, and the gearshifts were officially set to Set 2 Type 2. Trey played confidently as Page laid down a strong foundation of piano chords underneath. If the previous night’s “Down with Disease” was a clinic in long-form improv, this “Mike’s” was a masterclass in how to deliver a quick punchline without sacrificing the exploratory weirdness.
“Mike’s” dissolved into the soothing sound salve of “I Am Hydrogen”, the classic combination confirming that this Mike’s was coming from the old school mid-’90s playbook.
“Weekapaug Groove” was up next, because of course it was. The song dipped into the improvisational Milky Way while keeping its feet firmly grounded in the groove, clocking in at a lean but muscular eight minutes.
“Mercury” allowed the band a few verses to catch its breath before returning to the ether. Jon Fishman’s marimba break cued up what would be the longest jam of the night. The drummer danced around a psychedelic disco groove that was far too hip (and fatigueless) for a 60-year-old dad. Trey laid back before showing why he’s “one of the great Texas guitar players,” building a solo over the last few minutes of the jam before steering it towards “Soul Planet”.
There is an argument to be made that out of all of Phish’s 300+ songs, “Soul Planet” gets the distinguished honor of being the worst song that has produced the best jams, such as the 47-minute monster from a few years back. It sometimes feels as if the band is saying, “Hey, get through just three minutes of this awkward ocean love song and you’ll be rewarded with a sick jam,” and tonight’s version was no different.
Fishman announced the arrival of “Harry Hood”, and the band synthesized three decades of playing the song into a version that followed the form of so many before while still feeling fresh. Echoing the way Friday’s “Suzy Greenberg” punctuated “Chalk Dust Torture”, Trey took one more crack at it, this time calling up “I Am The Walrus” for the first time since 10/11/2023. The song’s climax was full-on lysergic overload, affirming the night’s theme that your trip can still be short.
Phish emerged for the encore, quieting the rowdy crowd as the quartet gathered around the a single mic to belt out an a cappella “Carolina”. The old-time charm was endearing, as the band sang of “morning glories” and “strolling with your girlie,” reminding the crowd just how fine it was to be in Carolina.
“Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” was tasked with delivering the final knockout punch for the evening. S.A.N.T.O.S. said whatever it was that he had to say, and Trey crushed one final solo before the band took a bow and called it a night.
Night two in Charleston was a night of big, but not necessarily long, jams. The band didn’t need the half hour of the previous night’s “Disease” to get to a place that excited them or the audience; they were able to do it in contained bursts in practically every song, never looking back—from the jammed out “Moma” all the way until the ending “S.A.N.T.O.S.”. Night one may have delivered one of the longest jams of the tour, but night two delivered some of the strongest, proving that the biggest jams aren’t always the best jams.
Below, check out the setlist and a selection of videos from night two in North Charleston, SC. Stream or download audio of the show here.
Phish returns to North Charleston Coliseum tonight. Tune in live via LivePhish’s nightly webcasts here.
Phish – “The Moma Dance” – 7/12/25
Phish – “Mike’s Song” – 7/12/25
Phish – “Jesus Just Left Chicago” – 7/12/25
[Video: Blake Jefferson]
Setlist [via phish.net]: Phish | North Charleston Coliseum | North Charleston, SC | 7/12/25
Set 1: The Moma Dance, NICU, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Divided Sky, Destiny Unbound, Monsters, Plasma, Bathtub Gin
Set 2: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Mercury > Soul Planet, Joy, Harry Hood, I Am the Walrus
Encore: Carolina, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Notes: Jesus Just Left Chicago was performed for the first time since December 3, 2019 (208 shows). Trey teased I’m a Man in Destiny Unbound. Carolina was performed for the first time since December 6, 2019 (206 shows).