Running high off the first two nights, I was full of nervous excitement for 12/30. Our Portland, OR non-Phish crew did a lot of fun sightseeing once we finally dragged one of our friends out of the house by noon. 12+30+25 equals 67, just wanted to mention that. The three of us made a pilgrimage (for me, it was the second year in a row) where we went to the Hilton where Luigi allegedly shot and killed the healthcare CEO. He was also apparently incarcerated in Brooklyn near where we were staying and we were hoping to see his trial but it was not active during the dates of our trip. Went to the MoMA next and spent like literally the next 5 hours in there, incredible stuff, maybe one of my favorite museums. Great Color Field exhibit with a few Helen Frankenthaler pieces, including one I've made an art piece with before called "Chairman of the Board" (1971). I posted this online and made a prediction with it: "Moma Dance and a Play It Leo are in route for tonight". Trey also made this funny MTA video where he talks about switching away from MetroCard. We love pro-transit Trey Anastasio!

Got to the show early and fraternized with some section mates. Really, some super cool people. They gave me tips on how to put up and hide my "CDT REPRISE" sign that I was posting up during the sets each evening. No sooner were we discussing it when they break into Chalk Dust Torture to begin the show. Always incredible and this meant that CDT Reprise was on the table (or am I too optimistic?). Ol' reliable Moma in the two slot is always a dance party, but this one takes a left turn by segueing back into.. Chalk Dust Torture??? Fuck yeah! Was this a way for Phish to satisfy the CDT Reprise sign by "reprising" Chalk Dust Torture? Maybe! We will never know for certain, but I feel like it's gotta be a nod.

Nice little jaunt into blues-ish territory with the BOTT, Axilla always great for the crowd, and I love Divided Sky. Was exactly one year since I saw my last one (12/30/2024). The Blaze On that was teased the night before emerges now, and then a solid Tube (both of these felt like they could be a bit longer but who really gives a shit, it's 2025 Phish it's all great). I was thinking at this moment, they gotta do something psychedelic next, maybe like A Day in the Life. Bam - Melt! Always goes so hard, and this was a really good version. I wanted to note that I feel like I heard a CDT tease for a second in here, Trey maybe thinking about going back into it but decided not to. Great end. To me, this set peaked at the start and finish with the CDT > Moma > CDT and the Melt.

This next set is one of my favorites of the run and maybe of the year. Ghost through Twist is a must-hear. This is an hour-plus of Prime Phish. As others have said, the Crosseyed is where the energy hits its highest notes, this had the place rumbling and the peak in Crosseyed was simply unbelievable. It felt like Hampton Halley's level of techno-tronic demolition. One of my favorite moments of the run for sure. I thought the set was going to end after Cavern but we got the First Tube, always a rager. I jumped up and down for the entire song. What a set!!!!

Nice encore too with the Drift While You're Sleeping. This is, bar-none, the best ever version to date of Drift While You're Sleeping. They get to a real nice peak here. I like Drift, it has a great message. I find folks that shit on stuff like Drift or any new stuff to be just such annoying downers that really need to examine why they became fans of the band in the first place. Congrats, bro, you don't like a new song that they played? And you went online to talk about it? You're so brave, king. Can I suck your cock? I actually have so much more respect for people that are not afraid of championing new material, those who keep an open mind, and who enjoy the evolution of their careers. Anyways, fun encore and I spilled out into the cold Manhattan night, but stopped at the Taco Bell Cantina first for a nice snack (couldn't resist that). Another great 12/30 show, especially the second set. Check that out! One more evening to go....