{"id":564,"date":"2017-08-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2017\/2017\/08\/01\/editorial-phish-is-in-the-midst-of-an-historic-residency-at-madison-square-garden\/"},"modified":"2017-08-01T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-08-01T00:00:00","slug":"editorial-phish-is-in-the-midst-of-an-historic-residency-at-madison-square-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2017\/2017\/08\/01\/editorial-phish-is-in-the-midst-of-an-historic-residency-at-madison-square-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Phish is in the Midst of an Historic Residency at Madison Square Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phish is doing something unprecedented at Madison Square Garden. They\u2019re in the midst of a 13 show residency<\/a> that is more than your average run of shows. This isn\u2019t just a residency: it’s a historic Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll experience that is falling under the radar as Phish often does. But what they’re doing deserves attention from music fans of all ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With this ‘Baker’s Dozen<\/a>‘ residency, Phish will have performed 53 times at The Garden in their career, dating back to 1994. As of Sunday, they will only be behind Elton John and Billy Joel for most times played at MSG. The band has played New York State more than any other state in the country, with a large chunk of their shows now in one building. The national media have been <\/span>taking<\/span><\/a> notice<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>giving<\/span><\/a> credit<\/span><\/a> where it is <\/span>due<\/span><\/a> to the band. <\/span><\/p>\n

After 8 nights of shows since July 21, Phish has performed 141 different songs, debuted 11 covers and originals, played 9 20 minute+ jams and have left the audience wanting more. The final 3 nights of the run coming up this weekend have become a ticket as sought after as New Year’s Eve at The Garden, if not more so. The energy at the shows emanates through the bars and music venues that Phish fans populate daily before and after each show, building a beautiful buzz that grows each time Phish takes the stage. In short, Phish is doing something few rock bands can do during a residency of this nature, let alone play 13 shows at one venue, not get the slightest bit rusty and improve as the run progresses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit: Fans.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Themes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Each night, donuts that are handed out for free, courtesy of Philadelphia\u2019s Federal Donuts, and the donut flavor is reflected in the setlist each night. On Velvet donut night, two Velvet Underground songs were played, \u201cSunday Morning\u201d and \u201cSweet Jane.\u201d On Strawberry donut night, \u201cStrawberry Fields Forever\u201d and \u201cStrawberry Letter 23\u201d were debuted. On Chocolate donut night, \u201cChocolate Rain,\u201d and on Powder donut night, Neil Young\u2019s \u201cPowderfinger\u201d debuted, to the laughter (chocolate) and awe (powder) of the crowd. With so many flavors of donuts, fans are anticipating song selections while avoiding the predictability that Phish eschews. With Maple Glazed donuts on Night 9 of the residency, fans wonder if they can expect \u201cMaple Leaf Rag\u201d by Scott Joplin and how that will play into the band\u2019s themed set for the night. Keeping the theme of the run going each night, not just with physical donuts but music to accompany them, the band is giving their fans a treat in more ways than one.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Jams<\/b><\/p>\n

All time jams have been performed by Phish at MSG before, but during the residency, this has not been your typical jamming. We\u2019re talking hallmark jams that can stand the test of time. The typically 3-4 minute lounge lizard \u201cLawn Boy\u201d was performed for 30 minutes on July 25, and in the second set that night, Talking Heads \u201cCrosseyed and Painless\u201d hit the 33-minute mark. Upon listening back to these jams, you don\u2019t notice time passing as the jams continue to build and escape the noodly uncertainty that improvisation can lend itself to. Versions of \u201cChalkdust Torture\u201d (24 minutes), \u201cDown With Disease\u201d (20 minutes), \u201cFuego\u201d (20 minutes), \u201cBlaze On\u201d (23 minutes), \u201cDrowned\u201d and \u201cA Song I Heard the Ocean Sing\u201d (40 minutes combined) as well as \u201cTube\u201d (15 minutes) are just a some of the standouts in the first 8 shows. Phish is jamming on typical jam vehicles and non-traditional songs as well, keeping the audience on their toes. Expecting the unexpected is part of the Phish experience, but that has never been truer than during The Baker\u2019s Dozen.<\/span><\/p>\n