Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City was built in 1929 as a convention center. Over the years, the venue has hosted concerts by The Beatles, The Who, the Rolling Stones and Elton John. But last night during their show, Phish did something that none of the group’s musical predecessors had attempted at the venue: they stretched “Simple” beyond the 30-minute mark. In another first, arguably of greater note to Sir Elton, Phish became the initial artist to incorporate the venue’s iconic pipe organ into a show on the stage.
The Midmer-Losh pipe organ at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall was assembled over three years, from 1929-1932. It has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, as both the largest and loudest musical instrument ever constructed. The organ, which consists of 33,112 pipes, is currently in midst of restoration (Phish's WaterWheel Foundation has supported the effort), even as it remains a functional instrument, which is housed in eight chambers in a surround-sound configuration.
On Sunday night, Phish’s Page McConnell played the instrument at the close of the band’s first set. During “The Squirming Coil,” McConnell left his bench prior to the solo sequence that he typically delivers on piano and walked over to the massive pipe organ. He then finished the song in record-breaking fashion.
The band had taken the stage about 75 minutes prior to “Coil,” kicking things off with a version of “David Bowie.” The group had opened its Savannah show with “Bowie,” this past summer (7/14/26) but prior to that point hadn’t done so since 6/24/10 in Camden, NJ. A 20-minute version of “The Moma Dance” followed, continuing Phish’s recent tendency to open up songs during the first set. “Sigma Oasis” came next, with Trey Anastasio moving to his mini drum for a portion of the tune, as he has been doing occasionally since reintroducing it at Madison Square Garden this summer. The band’s “Coil” moment was also preceded by “Blaze On.” “Halley's Comet” and “Wilson.”
The second frame consisted of five stand-alone tunes, four of which featured some extended improvisation. It all began with “Split Open And Melt” (echoing the Savannah second set opener) which was followed by a 17-minute version of “No Men In No Man's Land.” The half-hour version of “Simple” came next, with Anastasio returning to his mini kit for a song that has been the source of instrumental exploration throughout 2026. A focused, affecting “Lonely Trip” occupied the fourth slot before Phish wrapped things up with a lengthy “You Enjoy Myself” during which the band members returned to their instruments following the vocal jam for an additional 10 minutes of active improv. An animated “Carini’ encore then closed a weekend of Phish, in which the band performed all original material, with nary a cover.
Next up for the group is a Tuesday gig in Richmond, VA.
PHISH, SUNDAY 10/04/2026
JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL
Atlantic City, NJ
SET 1: David Bowie, The Moma Dance, Sigma Oasis[1], Blaze On, Halley's Comet, Wilson, The Squirming Coil[2]
SET 2: Split Open and Melt, No Men In No Man's Land, Simple[1], Lonely Trip, You Enjoy Myself
ENCORE: Carini[1]
[1] Trey on mini drum kit.
[2] Page on pipe organ.
Sigma Oasis, Simple, and Carini featured Trey on mini drum kit. The Squirming Coil featured Page on the Boardwalk Hall pipe organ (the largest and loudest musical instrument on Earth). Trey teased Lonely Trip in You Enjoy Myself.
Setlist via Phish.net
