Phish’s July 24 stop at Mohegan Sun ended up being one of those sneaky-great summer tour shows—the kind that doesn’t rely on shock value or rarity chasing, but instead wins you over with flow, patience, and a strong emotional arc. This wasn’t a chaos-first, jam-at-all-costs night. It was structured, confident, and quietly powerful, with the band leaning into themes of momentum, release, and reflection. In a room like Mohegan Sun, where the crowd is close and engaged, that approach landed perfectly.
Right from the opening pairing of “AC/DC Bag” > “The Curtain”, it was obvious the band was thinking in transitions. “Bag” had that familiar forward push, crisp and energetic without being rushed, and sliding directly into “The Curtain” gave the set an almost ceremonial feel. Trey let the ending bloom instead of snapping it shut, setting a tone that said: we’re going to let things unfold tonight. That sense of patience carried through the entire first set.
“Steam” followed, bringing a darker, slinkier vibe into the room. Trey’s tone here was gritty and controlled, while Page layered in eerie textures that made the song feel more atmospheric than menacing. From there, “Maze” snapped everyone back to attention. It was sharp, focused, and intense, with Trey attacking the ending solo and Fishman driving it relentlessly. The contrast between the murkiness of “Steam” and the precision of “Maze” was classic Phish setlist construction.
“Farmhouse” provided the first real breath of the night. In recent years, the song has aged into a genuine crowd moment rather than a bathroom-break cliché, and this version felt warm and communal. The arena sang along, phones came out, and for a few minutes the show leaned fully into melody and comfort. That gentleness set up a nice pivot into “Mull,” a Mike Gordon tune that continues to quietly establish itself as a legit mid-set vehicle. The groove was thick, Mike was upfront in the mix, and Page’s clav work gave it a funkier edge than usual.
The back half of the first set is where things really locked in. “Reba” was the centerpiece—patient, melodic, and beautifully shaped. Trey avoided the temptation to peak too quickly, instead letting the jam glide and shimmer, with Page steering things harmonically and Fishman subtly shifting the feel underneath. It wasn’t a face-melter, but it was the kind of “Reba” that reminds you why the song endures.
Closing the set with “Most Events Aren’t Planned” was an inspired move. The Vida Blue cover brought a smooth, late-night vibe that felt almost lounge-like in contrast to the frenetic energy you might expect from a set closer. It was laid-back but intentional, leaving the crowd buzzing rather than blown out heading into set break.
After the lights went down again, “Blaze On” kicked off set two with optimism and bounce. This song has become a reliable launchpad, and the band used it exactly that way—stretching the groove, letting Trey explore melodic ideas, and gradually building momentum without forcing a peak. The transition into “Mike’s Song” was seamless, and suddenly the room was in full second-set mode.
“Mike’s” had teeth. The bassline was massive, Fishman locked into that signature stomp, and Trey’s playing felt more angular and aggressive than earlier in the night. Instead of heading straight into the expected territory, the band surprised everyone by slipping into “The Curtain With”—just the “With” section—creating a moment of musical déjà vu that tied the night together in a really satisfying way. From there, “Weekapaug Groove” brought the release everyone was waiting for, bright and celebratory, with the crowd fully unglued.
Rather than riding that peak too long, Phish made another sharp turn with “Leaves.” The song has matured into a strong emotional pivot point in set twos, and here it felt introspective and heavy in the best way. Trey leaned into the song’s weight, and Page’s piano lines gave it depth and gravity. “Fuego” followed, reigniting the energy with a fiery jam that balanced groove and lift, never getting chaotic but steadily building heat.
The emotional core of the set came with “Lonely Trip.” Trey’s solo song felt intimate even in an arena, and the crowd responded with a quiet attentiveness that’s always impressive at Phish shows. That reflective moment made the transition into “More” feel earned rather than corny. Instead of feeling like a forced singalong, “More” came across as genuine release—hopeful, cathartic, and unifying.
Just when it felt like the set might be winding down, “Fluffhead” exploded out of the gate. Tight, confident, and joyously executed, it was a reminder of how much fun this band can have with its most intricate material. The crowd lost its mind, and the band nailed the ending, sending everyone into encore break on a huge high.
The encore leaned fully into emotion and celebration. “A Life Beyond the Dream” was tender and sincere, with Trey clearly feeling every lyric. It’s become one of those songs that divides opinion, but in this slot, following the journey of set two, it made perfect sense. “First Tube” then did what it always does—blowing the doors off the place. Trey bounced, the lights raged, Fishman pounded, and the crowd danced their way out into the casino glow.
This wasn’t a show built on wild left turns or once-in-a-lifetime jams. It was a carefully constructed, beautifully played night that rewarded attention and trust. Phish at Mohegan Sun on July 24, 2024, felt like a band fully comfortable in its skin—balancing craft, emotion, and groove with the ease of musicians who know exactly when to push and when to let go.
Setlist
Set 1:
AC/DC Bag >
The Curtain >
Steam
Maze
Farmhouse
Mull
Reba
Most Events Aren’t Planned
Set 2:
Blaze On >
Mike’s Song >
The Curtain With (With section only) >
Weekapaug Groove
Leaves
Fuego >
Lonely Trip >
More
Fluffhead
Encore:
A Life Beyond the Dream
First Tube
Final Thoughts & Grade
This Mohegan Sun show may not dominate “best of tour” lists, but it absolutely delivered where it mattered: flow, emotion, and consistency. A smartly built setlist, strong playing across the board, and a crowd that stayed locked in made this a deeply satisfying summer Phish experience.