Phish’s July 20, 2024 stop at Xfinity Center felt like one of those summer tour shows that sneaks up on you. Not because it was subtle—there were big moments, deep jams, and a genuine sense of risk—but because it was so well-paced and thoughtfully constructed that the entire night flowed as a single, coherent statement. This wasn’t a sprint for highlights or a nostalgia dump. It was a confident, forward-looking show that trusted the audience to come along for the ride.
The band walked onstage with that calm, locked-in energy that usually signals a good night ahead, and “Theme From the Bottom” was a perfect opener. Spacious and patient, it let Trey stretch melodically while Page colored the edges with soft textures. The jam didn’t rush toward a peak; it just drifted and shimmered, setting a tone of openness. Sliding into “Back on the Train” kept things moving without breaking the mood. The groove was tight and bouncy, with Mike Gordon sitting deep in the pocket and Fishman giving it that easy, rolling push.
“Sand” was the first real signal that this show wasn’t going to play it safe. The jam grew darker and funkier, with Trey pulling back and letting the rhythm section lead. Page’s synth work added a slightly eerie edge, and the band collectively leaned into repetition, stretching the groove until it felt elastic. When they finally released it into “Bouncing Around the Room,” it felt earned. The crowd sang every word, and for a few minutes the whole shed felt unified and light.
The emotional heart of the first set came with “Backwards Down the Number Line.” Love it or hate it, this song has become a genuine communal moment at Phish shows, and this version leaned hard into that spirit. Trey played it straight, letting the lyrics and melody do the work, while the crowd responded with arms in the air and full-throated singalongs. That warmth carried into one of the biggest surprises of the night: “Human Nature,” its live debut.
Dropping a debut mid–first set always changes the energy, and you could feel the curiosity ripple through the crowd. Rather than feeling tentative, the band sounded confident and comfortable, treating the song as a launchpad rather than a novelty. The transition out of “Human Nature” into “It’s Ice” was sharp and clever, snapping everyone back into classic Phish mode. Trey attacked the composed section with precision, and the jam that followed was nimble and playful without overstaying its welcome.
“Wolfman’s Brother” brought the funk back, thick and deliberate, before the set closed with “Drift While You’re Sleeping.” The Ghosts of the Forest cover felt like a statement closer—uplifting, reflective, and expansive. The song’s build filled the venue, and the final peak felt less like a punch and more like a release. It was a bold choice for a first-set closer, but it worked, leaving the crowd buzzing and emotionally primed for what was coming next.
Set two wasted no time making its intentions clear. “You Enjoy Myself” is always a crowd-stopper, but this one felt particularly sharp. The composed sections were nailed, Trey’s solo soared without getting indulgent, and the vocal jam—often divisive—felt playful and brief enough to keep things moving. Rather than treating YEM as the end-all centerpiece, Phish used it as a doorway into something bigger.
That doorway opened into “Oblivion,” which continued to establish itself as a serious second-set vehicle. The jam grew slowly, shifting textures and tempos, with Fishman subtly guiding the band into new spaces. From there, the transition into “No Men in No Man’s Land” was seamless. This was one of the jam highlights of the night: energetic, exploratory, and patient. Trey and Page traded ideas, Mike pushed the groove sideways, and Fishman locked it all together with effortless authority.
“Monsters” served as a breather without killing momentum. It carried a slightly darker tone, giving the set some emotional contrast before the band launched into “Also sprach Zarathustra.” “2001” turned the venue into a full-on dance party. Lights pulsed, the groove went deep, and the crowd completely lost itself in the repetition. It was joyous and hypnotic, one of those moments where time seems to bend a little.
Without warning, Phish slammed into “Chalk Dust Torture,” and the shift was electric. Fast, aggressive, and unrelenting, it felt like the band saying, “We’re not done yet.” Trey pushed the tempo, Fishman drove hard, and the jam flirted with chaos without ever losing control. It was a thrilling way to cap the set—exhausting in the best possible way.
The encore was perfectly chosen. “When the Circus Comes” brought things down gently, its stripped-back feel creating a quiet, reflective moment across the lawn and pavilion. That calm didn’t last long. “David Bowie” came roaring in, twisting and turning through tension and release. The jam stretched and snarled, with Trey teasing dissonance before snapping back into the familiar theme. As if that wasn’t enough, “Say It to Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” closed the night on a celebratory high. It was loud, joyful, and a little ridiculous—in other words, pure Phish.
Walking out of Xfinity Center, there was that familiar post-show glow. This wasn’t a night built on one legendary jam or a shock-and-awe setlist. It was a complete show, thoughtfully paced and confidently played, blending new ideas with classic Phish instincts. Summer tour shows like this are why people keep coming back year after year: not because every night is historic, but because nights like this remind you how good this band can be when everything clicks.
Setlist
Set 1:
Theme From the Bottom >
Back on the Train
Sand >
Bouncing Around the Room
Backwards Down the Number Line
Human Nature (live debut) >
It’s Ice >
Wolfman’s Brother
Drift While You’re Sleeping
Set 2:
You Enjoy Myself >
Oblivion >
No Men in No Man’s Land >
Monsters
Also sprach Zarathustra >
Chalk Dust Torture
Encore:
When the Circus Comes
David Bowie >
Say It to Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Final Thoughts & Grade
Phish at Xfinity Center on July 20, 2024 delivered exactly what a great summer tour show should: strong flow, real exploration, and moments of pure communal joy. It balanced debuts and deep jams with crowd favorites, never losing momentum or purpose. Not every show needs to rewrite the history books—sometimes it just needs to remind you why this band still matters.