Guitarist Trey Anastasio of Phish performs during the band’s June 20 show at Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester. Courtesy photo

MANCHESTER – The Vermont bred rock band Phish opened their summer tour and delivered a much-anticipated evening of music to a full house last month at Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester.

This being the band’s first performance in the Granite State in 15 years, fans eagerly welcomed them back with open arms and open ears.

As the first performance of a three-night run, many of the band’s dedicated fans planned to attend all three nights. The three-and-a-half-hour show consisted of two sets of music with a half-hour intermission. ASL interpreters on the floor of the venue were visible from most sections of the 11,770-seat venue.

Emerging from the late-1980s into the 1990s, Phish was formed in Burlington Vermont. The musicians are guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman. Establishing a loyal fan base which grew steadily as they toured throughout New England and across the country. Signing with Elektra Records in 1991 and forming their own independent label, JEMP Records, in 2005. Each of the band members has been involved in their own solo projects and recordings. Anastasio recently completed a national solo acoustic tour.

Phish opened the first set, reaching into its earlier catalogue of songs. With Anastasio on most vocals and his melodic, adventurous guitar solos, the steady funk groove of “Moma Dance” immediately had the audience dancing to the music. The bouncy train-rhythm-funk-laced, “Get Back on the Train” followed, from the band’s album Farmhouse (2000). The funk-rock groove continued with “Wolfman’s Brother”, followed by the deeper, dreamy “Theme from the Bottom”.

Gordon then took to the mic for “The Old Home Place”, the band’s rendition of the 1963 bluegrass tune by The Dillards. Turning up the high energy rock and roll, Phish busted out “46 Days”, from the album Round Room (2002). “Birds of a Feather” and “Slave to the Traffic Light” closed out the set.

The quartet eased into the second set with “Bouncing Around the Room”, from their second album release Lawn Boy (1990). High energy rocker “Sample in a Jar” followed. “Life Saving Gun”, from their latest release, Evolve (2024) morphed into a non-stop jam which continued throughout the second set.

Masters of live improvisation, Phish then delivered what their fans expect and love: a musical ride…flowing through — rock, jazz, ambiance, abstraction — evolving into deep funk grooves. Segueing through the songs “Twist” and “Piper”, Gordon’s dynamic, expressive bass playing and Fishman’s masterful alternating — rock, jazz, shifting on a dime timing — paved the way. The energy and soundscape created felt as if it was moving with the audience.

The band’s sonic explorations were seamlessly matched by Chris Kuroda’s immersive light design, transforming the venue into a spaceship seemingly ready for takeoff. The set concluded with “Everything’s Right” from Sigma Oasis (2020). As the crowd sang along — “Everything’s right so just hold tight…” — the band and audience were truly connected, a highlight of the night.

As expected, Phish returned to the stage for an encore. McConnell’s vocals lead it off with “Strange Design” — with its sweet melody and lyrics — followed by the long-time fan favorite, Harry Hood. Adding a surprise third encore; the always fun, rock and roll tune “Suzy Greenberg” featured funky-swing grand piano solos by McConnell. The show concluded with the foursome bowing and graciously thanking the crowd, leaving an elated and energized audience. The stage was now set for another two evenings of a musical Phish experience, each to be completely unique, featuring different songs, and improvisational jams.

The SNHU Arena staff did a top-notch job hosting Phish for the three nights. The entry and exiting of the venue were smooth. Elm Street opposite the entrance was set up for vendors, providing an outdoor fair atmosphere. Indoor concessions were easily accessible. The staff were welcoming, helpful and the atmosphere relaxing, contributing to a positive, pleasant experience.

In addition to making each individual concert available for purchase or streaming through the website livephish.com, Phish allows recording at their shows. Recording the concerts is an art itself, with “tapers” investing in quality gear. Recording and sharing of analogue cassettes of earlier years, has been replaced with digital downloads, and internet streaming, making sharing, collecting and listening to the music more accessible.

Phish has long been committed to connecting with their fans and audience. For fans that live in New Hampshire and New England, it was a thrill to have the band so close to home. Phish will be enthusiastically welcomed back and when the band returns to New Hampshire, the fans will be there.