Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-10-03
Phish | Atlantic City, NJ | October 2, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave
Phish returned to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Friday, October 2, for their seventh performance at the nearly century-old venue. The night opened both a three-night stand and the band's 2026 Fall Tour, marking Phish's first Boardwalk Hall appearance since the 2013 Halloween run.
The show began with "Fuego," the title track from the band's 2014 album. The Vermont-based quartet was firing on all cylinders early in this fourteen-minute version. There wasn't a hint of rust, even though Phish hadn't played since a three-night stint at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado last month. The jam included notable interplay between Page McConnell and Trey Anastasio.
"A Wave of Hope," from 2024's Evolve, came next and stretched to a hefty seventeen minutes as Anastasio settled into a deep pocket. "Slave to the Traffic Light" followed. Mike Gordon stepped forward on bass during this classic original while Anastasio worked the tension-and-release peak.
Next came "Pillow Jets," a bubbly cut from Evolve. McConnell layered digital textures on the synth as Gordon and Anastasio danced around a slow, slightly dark groove. An edgy transition via McConnell ushered the band into "It's Ice." Phish sailed through the composed section and then synchronously flipped into "Ghost."
This "Ghost" went deep, with Gordon leading with a thump-fueled charge. Jon Fishman drove hard, and McConnell added a funky edge on the clav. The jam turned light and airy while drifting into Type II territory. Anastasio also slipped in a tease of KISS's "I Was Made for Lovin' You" during the song. McConnell moved back to the baby grand to steer things home as Anastasio shifted into overdrive. The crowd roared as the band found the way back to "Ghost" and stuck the landing.
Set two kicked off with "Oblivion," another Evolve track, and settled into a mellow, layered jam led by Fishman. McConnell added ambient washes on the synth while Gordon dug in. Anastasio's melodic lines climbed steadily as the jam built.
Fishman then locked into the "Down with Disease" drum beat, and the band dove in. Gordon steered the tune, while Anastasio moved to the mini drum kit, giving the song more cowbell. McConnell carried the melody with noodly, spacey runs as the jam pushed into open, exploratory space. Anastasio pounded the hi-hat while facing McConnell on synth, then returned to guitar as Fishman picked up the beat. McConnell swirled on the piano. Phish at their exploratory best.
Leaving "Down with Disease" unfinished, the band slid into "Tweezer," from 1992's A Picture of Nectar. Lighting designer Chris Kuroda (CK5) was on point with the light changes, and glow rings flew across the floor. Gordon and Anastasio wove around each other while McConnell colored the jam on the clav. The vibe was dark but brilliant. Gordon slapped the bass as Fishman leaned into the percussion, and McConnell played synth with one hand and clav with the other like a wizard. Gordon and McConnell then traded lines, while Anastasio added effects and textures before heading back to the mini drum kit. Whale-like sounds echoed through the hall. Gordon was emerging as the all-star of the night.
The jam mellowed, stopped briefly and launched into "Mercury," from 2020's Sigma Oasis. Kuroda painted the crowd in vermilion as Fishman moved to the marimba and Anastasio stayed laser sharp. The guitarist repeated the phrase "death don't hurt very long" as the band slid into the Kasvot Växt song "Death Don't Hurt Very Long," back after one-hundred shows. Fishman sang the ominous lyrics, and a thick, funky groove anchored the tune.
The band then dropped into "Fluffhead," the epic from 1989's Junta, and Phish was in peak form. McConnell ripped the baby grand in the composed section, and Anastasio nailed the intricate passages. The foursome locked in to close out a second set played without a single break.
The encore opened with "Alumni Blues," which sandwiched "Letter to Jimmy Page." Neither had been played in 158 shows, since July 12, 2023, making the welcome throwback a genuine bust-out. The crowd was more than alright after that blues-rock frenzy. "Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S." closed the night. Anastasio was precise and cutting, Gordon held down the low end and McConnell filled in on piano. Anastasio leaned into the tasty prog-rock buildup as fans stood on their feet, arms in the air.
Phish will finish the Atlantic City run with two more nights at Boardwalk Hall (Oct. 3 and Oct. 4) before heading south. The band will play two sold-out nights at Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront in Richmond, Virginia (Oct. 6-7), then stop at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida (Oct. 9). The eight-date fall tour will wrap with two sold-out shows at The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama (Oct. 10-11). Looking further ahead, the band will return to Mexico for Phish: Riviera Maya at Moon Palace Cancun (Jan. 27-30, 2027). Head on over to the band's official tour page for more details.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Phish
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Venue: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Date: October 2, 2026
Set One: Fuego, A Wave of Hope, Slave to the Traffic Light, Pillow Jets > It's Ice > Ghost[1]
Set Two: Oblivion > Down with Disease[2] > Tweezer[3] > Mercury > Death Don't Hurt Very Long[4] > Fluffhead
Encore: Alumni Blues[5] > Letter to Jimmy Page[5] > Alumni Blues, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Notes:
[1] Trey teased "I Was Made for Lovin' You" (KISS).
[2] Unfinished. Trey on mini drum kit.
[3] Trey on mini drum kit.
[4] Last played August 7, 2024 (100-show gap).
[5] Last played July 12, 2023 (158-show gap).
