Phish Will Revisit 1995 with New Year’s Eve ‘Dinner and a Movie’ Broadcast, Audience vs. Band Chess Rematch
Phish have announced a New Year’s Eve edition of their ‘Dinner and a Movie’ broadcast series. On Dec. 31, the band will present Phish’s first New Year’s Eve show at Madison Square Garden: Dec. 31, 1995. The webcast will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.
In addition to the broadcast, the band have also announced a partnership with Chess.com, who will host a Band vs. Audience chess game, a rematch from the band vs. audience games of 1995, which were split 1-1.
“We’ve teamed up with the fine folks at Chess.com to host the Band vs. Audience online chess game which will start right at the top of the show and move at a decent clip,” read the band’s announcement post. “In short, fans will have 5 minutes to move their piece (the band will have no more than that as well). At the end of 5 minutes, whichever move has the most votes is the ‘audience’ move. Stick around during the set breaks as the band joins in from their various homes, playing a few moves and providing scintillating commentary on the game.”
The band shared a video announcing the broadcast, in which they parodied a sports documentary. They cheekily discussed their win in the first audience vs. band matchup, before bemoaning their collapse in the second game. Watch the video below!
In order to join in voting for the moves, fans need to register as a member on Chess.com. Registering is completely free. To do so, click here. The band has also shared two chess cheese board recipes for the “Dinner” aspect of the show; find the recipes at livephi.sh/chessmenu.
“For this final webcast of the year, our beneficiary will be none other than The WaterWheel Foundation itself,” read the announcement post. “Since 1997, the band and their fans have collaborated on a nationwide charitable endeavor by raising funds and donating the proceeds across the country. This year alone, collectively we have raised and donated nearly $750,000 to 27 different nonprofits during the Dinner And A Movie series. Join us in continuing to support those in need. Donate at www.phish.com/waterwheel.”
The show itself is often lauded as one of – if not the – best Phish shows of all time. It features a standout “Reba” in the first set, along with the rare “Col. Forbin’s Ascent” > “Fly Famous Mockingbird.” Set two opened with an inspired “Drowned” jam, which segued perfectly into “The Lizards.” The set closed with one of the finest “Mike’s Songs” ever performed, leading to the final set to open with “Auld Lang Syne” > “Weekapaug Groove.” Check out the full setlist below, via Phish.net.
New York, NY
Set I: Punch You in the Eye, The Sloth > Reba[1], The Squirming Coil > Maze, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird[2] > Shine[3] > Fly Famous Mockingbird > Sparkle > Chalk Dust Torture
Set II: Drowned -> The Lizards, Axilla (Part II) > Runaway Jim, Strange Design, Hello My Baby, Mike’s Song -> Digital Delay Loop Jam
Set III: Auld Lang Syne > Weekapaug Groove[4] > Sea and Sand, You Enjoy Myself, Sanity, Frankenstein
Enc: Johnny B. Goode
[1] No whistling.
[2] Narration discussed how Phish makes time in the Phish Time Factory.
[3] Phish debut; Tom Marshall on vocals.
[4] Unfinished.