Phish returned to Columbus, OH for the first time in 25 years for a one-off Wednesday night throwdown at Jerome Schottenstein Center. While it didn’t reach the improvisational heights of the quartet’s explosive Fourth of July run at Boulder’s Folsom Field, the show offered an adventurous setlist filled with tour debuts, rare bust-outs, and playful teases.
Greeting the lively midweek crowd with “AC/DC Bag”, the band waded into the first set with a modest jam before settling in with a dreamy “Roggae”. “Vultures” initiated a series of setlist surprises, making its first appearance since last summer, adorned with teases of the theme from The Jetsons. As if nodding to the classic cartoon’s cast of otherworldly characters, Phish continued on to “Martian Monster”, though this version stayed within orbit, clocking in at just under four minutes in length.
Mike Gordon‘s “Mull” propelled the set in a more psychedelic direction, patiently gliding from a laidback, bluesy jam to a swirling pool of major-key bliss and back again. The band then maintained the psychedelic vibe but dialed up the soul with its first cover of Shuggie Otis‘ “Strawberry Letter 23” since opening with the song to kick off last summer’s Grand Rapids run—the one where Phish welcomed a rare special guest appearance from Billy Strings, twice.
Phish – “Mull” – 7/9/25
[Video: MJ]
Jon Fishman helped pick up the energy with his Latin-tinged drumming on “Undermind” before taking his post at the marimba lumina to start another rarity, Trey Anastasio‘s “Petrichor”. Debuted back in 2014 with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, the ambitious composition has only found its way into Phish setlists about every three years since 2019.
The first set ended on a high note with a synth-heavy “Life Saving Gun” jam, calling to mind the band’s futuristic, EDM-influenced New Year’s Eve surprise.
After a relatively tame but delightfully varied first set that leaned heavily on the band’s more recent output, Phish busted into set two with a classic, “Sample in a Jar”. “A Wave of Hope” then crashed over the arena, marking the night’s first of two +20-minute jams. This one saw the four musicians navigate different feels and textures as a cohesive unit. They played with the dynamics, dipping down in volume before climbing back up to a thrilling final peak.
“Waiting All Night” was the show’s last bust-out, having sat on the shelf for nearly four years since 10/24/21, but it was worth the wait. Phish followed it up with “Axilla (Part II)”, which had heads nodding during the verse and then banging during the chorus. The song’s trippy tail flowed directly into the second monster jam of the night, “Piper”. This one maintained a rapid pace, with Fishman’s fluttery drumming providing the rhythmic foundation as Trey and Mike weaved melodies around each other and navigated spontaneous key changes with effortless grace. Page meanwhile added texture and depth. It was the kind of jam Phish fans hope to catch.
Phish – “Axilla (Part II)” -> “Piper” – 7/9/25
[Video: MJ]
“Lonely Trip” brought the energy back down to a simmer, and a joyful pairing of “Backwards Down the Number Line” and “Loving Cup” ended the set on a triumphant note.
A three-song encore comprised of “Bug”, “The Mango Song”, and “Run Like an Antelope” capped off the evening, ensuring that fans left satisfied and hopeful that Phish will return sooner than 2050.
For now, the band has a day off before continuing its summer tour at North Charleston, SC’s North Charleston Coliseum this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 11th, 12th, and 13th. Head here for tickets or tune in from home via LivePhish’s nightly livestreams here.
Phish – “AC/DC Bag” – 7/9/25
Phish – “Sample In A Jar” – 7/9/25
Phish – “Waiting All Night” – 7/9/25
[Video: MJ]
Phish – “The Mango Song” > “Run Like An Antelope” – 7/9/25
[Video: MJ]
Setlist [via Phish.net]: Phish | Jerome Schottenstein Center | Columbus, OH | 7/9/25
Set 1: AC/DC Bag, Roggae, Vultures, Martian Monster, Mull, Strawberry Letter 23 > Undermind, Petrichor, Life Saving Gun
Set 2: Sample in a Jar > A Wave of Hope, Waiting All Night, Axilla (Part II) -> Piper > Lonely Trip, Backwards Down the Number Line, Loving Cup
Encore: Bug, The Mango Song > Run Like an Antelope
Vultures contained teases of the theme from The Jetsons. Trey teased Birds of a Feather during Martian Monster. Petrichor was played for the first time since August 13, 2022 (121 shows), and Waiting All Night was played for the first time since October 24, 2021 (164 shows).
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