_Photo via @PhishFTR_

Phish closed out their fall tour and three-night run in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with another two-set show full of improv and bustouts, continuing the “never miss a Sunday show” theme started earlier this summer.

The band kicked the night off with a classic pairing of “Runaway Jim” and “Foam” before kicking into their biggest bustout of the night in “Mexican Cousin.” The ode to tequila made its first appearance since June 19, 2012 (110 shows). A particularly spirited “Ocelot” followed before the newer “Sugar Shack,” which gave way to “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing.” The Undermind track would kick off a five-song closing run that would feature a fair amount of interesting improv.

While “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing” would feature a funk-centric Type I jam, the “Halfway to the Moon” that followed explored a more psychedelic space before the band broke into their first true jam vehicle of the night in “Bathtub Gin.” The “Gin” kept up with the stellar versions performed on this tour as the band weaved its way through a 14-minute jam that featured Anastasio and Page McConnell teaming up for an improv section that ranked among the best in the first set.

The following “Free” showed the first sign of what would be a theme throughout the night as the band inserted portions of the “Martian Monster” track from their second set on Halloween night. While “Free” has been fairly standard in the 3.0 era, this version may serve as the most compelling as the band stretched out the middle section to include more “Martian Monster” quotes. “Walls of the Cave” closed the set and also a callback to the final track from the Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House.

The second set started with yet another noteworthy version of what very well could be the Phish song of the year in “Chalk Dust Torture.” The band wasted no time diving into a full improvisation, intent on delivering an extensive version. When all was said and done, the 16-minute performance transitioned into an equally as impressive “Piper,” with the band locking in for true four-member improv. An upbeat “Theme From the Bottom” and funky “Wombat” followed as the band moved towards the final three songs of the set, starting with a “David Bowie” that once again included “Martian Monster” quotes from the band members.

After “The Line,” Phish quickly launched into “You Enjoy Myself,” which would serve as the finale for the set. The nearly 30-minute version would feature more of a full-band approach to the tune as not only did they partake in some full band improv during the appropriate section but also each indulged during what normally is Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman’s bass and drums section.

While the duo started their typical jam, Anastasio grabbed his megaphone and amplified the siren through his mic before taking his new sound on the run as he ran around the stage, reminiscent of Fishman’s antics during “Hold Your Head Up.” Gordon joined the guitarist in his sprint around the stage, culminating in the two coming together for a megaphone/bass encounter. Before the band broke into a vocal jam, Mike Gordon decided to play his fight bell with drumsticks, prompting a full-band percussion jam as all members hopped on the drum kit, which ultimately led into the closing vocal jam.

An encore of “The Moma Dance” and “Slave to the Traffic Light” closed the show. Phish will return to the stage in December when they kick off their New Year’s run at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL.

Here’s a look at the setlist as it appears in our Box Scores section:

Phish
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV

Set 1: Runaway Jim, Foam, Mexican Cousin, Ocelot, Sugar Shack, A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing, Halfway to the Moon, Bathtub Gin > Free, Walls of the Cave

Set 2: Chalk Dust Torture$this->footnoteID(‘1’,’‘) > Piper > Theme From the Bottom > Wombat, David Bowie, The Line, You Enjoy Myself

Encore: The Moma Dance > Slave to the Traffic Light

[1] Unfinished.

Notes: Mexican Cousin was played for the first time since June 19, 2012 (110 shows). Page teased Rhapsody In Blue at the end of Halfway to the Moon. Free, Walls of the Cave, Bowie and YEM all contained Martian Monster quotes. Chalk Dust was unfinished. Toward the end of the YEM jam, Trey picked up his megaphone and began using the siren on it as he ran around the stage. Eventually Mike joined him, and Trey ended up holding the megaphone up to the bass. Mike then began playing his fight bell with drum sticks while Trey went to the drums and played along with Fishman. Eventually Mike and Page joined in, so that all four were playing on Fish’s kit. Prior to Moma, Page thanked the audience and crew.