Phish began 2019 New Year’s run at Madison Square Garden (pics, video, setlist)

Opening with the debut of the new original “Evening Song,” the addition to the band’s repertoire sung by guitarist Trey Anastasio was also the 258th different song played by Phish in 2019 — a new record for a calendar year. It also marked the second straight show-opening debut following the fall tour finale in Charleston earlier in the month. “No Men In No Man’s Land” came in the second slot, charging ahead with an early jolt of energy that set a tone for the entire night. Bassist Mike Gordon then triggered the low-end swampiness that kicks off “Down With Disease.” The unexpectedly placed mid-first set “DWD” opened up some for Trey to stretch out for a few minutes during the lively and concise jam. Next, Gordon led the Phish debut of “20-20 Vision,” a country-tinged cover written by Joe Allison and Milton Estes recorded first by Gene Autry. [JamBase]

As Yo La Tengo were playing the penultimate night of their Hanukkah run at Bowery Ballroom, Phish began their 2019 New Year's run at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night (12/28). Their first of four nights at MSG included the debut of the new "Evening Song," covers of The Who and Gene Autry, Phish's take on a couple of Trey's Ghosts of the Forest band tracks, and more. Check out pictures in the gallery above, and see the night one setlist, and some videos, below.

Phish's New Year's run continues over the next three nights, and you can try your luck at getting last minute tickets.

Setlist: Phish @ Madison Square Garden, 12/28/2019 (via)
Set 1:
Evening Song
No Men in No Man's Land
Down With Disease
20/20 Vision (And Walking Around Blind) (Gene Autry cover)
Ghost
Gumbo
Rift
Weigh
Dog Faced Boy
Twenty Years Later
Tube
Say It to Me S.A.N.T.O.S. (with 'Martian Monster' quotes)

Set 2:
Everything's Right
Beneath a Sea of Stars
Set Your Soul Free
Gotta Jibboo
Free
Piper
Drowned (The Who cover)
Ass Handed
Chalk Dust Torture (reprise)
Character Zero