Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-10-05
Phish returned to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday, October 3, for the second night of a three-night stand that opened the band's 2026 Fall Tour. Coming off a jam-heavy tour opener on Friday, the quartet leaned into a classic-feeling Saturday first set before anchoring the second set with a twenty-five-minute "What's Going Through Your Mind."
"Sand" began set one with a gentle groove. Page McConnell was on the clav early. The band gelled early, with Trey Anastasio particularly strong on guitar. Mike Gordon matched up well against the guitar during this twelve-minute version of the Farmhouse (2000) staple. "Everything's Right" came next and brought a slow-simmer blues-rock jam that ran nearly fifteen minutes. The crowd held tight, knowing a monster show was ahead. A quick "Back on the Train" was followed by "Stash," which saw more delicious licks from Anastasio.
"555" brought McConnell to the Hammond B3 organ. Gordon took off his fancy jacket to reveal a sparkly shirt and showed excellence throughout his own tune, a Fuego (2014) cut that first debuted in this very room on Halloween 2013. Absent for nineteen shows, this version stretched past nine minutes. "Mountains in the Mist," back after an eighteen-show gap, was quite mellow and perfectly placed. The energy ratcheted up during "Bathtub Gin." Jon Fishman showed patience and precision on the kit. Anastasio achieved lift-off with signature peaks as the music soared to new heights. Lighting Director Chris Kuroda dispatched the rings onto the crowd. The jam went deep and ended the first set on a high note.
A twenty-minute "Chalk Dust Torture" kicked off set two. The foursome launched into a high-energy jam. McConnell continued with atmospheric elements on the synth. Gordon increased the funk and also used some interesting effects. Anastasio once again dished out more prog-rock-inspired tension and release, and slipped in a tease of "Oye Como Va."
Anastasio flashed Gordon a smile before unfurling the lyrics to "What's Going Through Your Mind." McConnell, facing away from Anastasio on the synth, stayed on top of the groove, combining with Gordon to bring deep funk. Fishman was on fire as the tempo was quick. McConnell pivoted to atmospheric again, which stitched together the high energy from his bandmates. Anastasio switched to the mini drum kit, and Gordon was out front with dominating bass. Anastasio eventually returned to guitar and brought the song back around to its refrain before returning to the kit for one more percussive explosion. The crowd was on their feet and exuberant as the twenty-five-minute version came to a close.
That energy shifted into "Mike's Song." Gordon worked a quote of "What's Going Through Your Mind" into the lyrics, which caused Anastasio to smile. And what a ripping "Mike's" this version was. Gordon was in overdrive. Anastasio eventually brought the song to a delightful conclusion. McConnell kept the music flowing, and usd the transition into "Waste." This was the first time in their career that they used the Billy Breathes (1996) ballad as the lone filling within a "Mike's Groove." Anastasio was in Jedi-mode as Fishman slayed the kit.
Fishman never stopped drumming, which served as the perfect segue into "Weekapaug Groove." Gordon resumed his dominance as the band elevated the deep funk he seeded. Fans launched confetti as this jam peaked. The band grabbed a few breaths before mellowing into a short but sweet "Monsters," the Evolve (2024) track's first appearance in fourteen shows. This slow-burning dark jam continued the peak-and-valley narrative via Anastasio.
The band did not hold back and unleashed "Harry Hood." Gordon once again ripped the funk. The band was locked and loaded during the composed sections. The jam saw the crowd energized in unison. The set ended with vigor.
"Character Zero" opened the encore. The crowd erupted again as the band dialed up the energy. "Sleeping Monkey" followed, its first appearance since April 19, 2025 which is a gap of seventy-seven shows. Anastasio told the crowd he was a Jersey boy, handed McConnell a towel to wipe away mock tears and changed a lyric to "down to the shore." Fishman sang the high parts in falsetto. The crowd was enamored as they brought the song home on the train, with Fishman repeatedly yelling the song's train-bound refrain. "Tweezer Reprise" ended the show and closed the loop on Friday's "Tweezer." The energy was electric as the band drained the power chords.
Phish wrapped up the Boardwalk Hall stand on Sunday, October 4, and is en route to Virginia for two sold-out nights at Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront in Richmond (Oct. 6 and Oct. 7), their first Richmond shows since 1994. From there, Phish will make its way to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL (Oct. 9) before wrapping the eight-date run with two sold-out shows at The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, AL (Oct. 10 and Oct. 11). Fans without tickets can catch every remaining date via LivePhish. In the new year, the quartet will head back to Moon Palace Cancún for Phish: Riviera Maya (Jan. 27-30, 2027). Visit the band's official tour page for more details.
Check out more photos from the show. Also, view our gallery and review from Phish at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on October 2, 2026.
Band: Phish
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Venue: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Date: October 3, 2026
Set One: Sand, Everything's Right, Back on the Train, Stash, 555, Mountains in the Mist, Bathtub Gin
Set Two: Chalk Dust Torture[1], What's Going Through Your Mind[2], Mike's Song[3] > Waste > Weekapaug Groove, Monsters, Harry Hood
Encore: Character Zero > Sleeping Monkey[4] > Tweezer Reprise
Notes:
[1] Trey teased "Oye Como Va."
[2] Trey on mini drum kit. Trey Anastasio Band original.
[3] Mike quoted "What's Going Through Your Mind."
[4] First performance since April 19, 2025 (77 shows).
