Phish to Play New Year's Eve at Madison Square Garden

No longer just on a victory lap after their triumphant reunion last year, Phish have been going full steam ahead and, by all accounts, are firing on all cylinders. The band recently announced -- and promptly sold-out -- a fall tour consisting of mid-sized arenas in secondary markets. That tour will conclude with a three-night stand in Atlantic City, ending on Oct. 31 -- Halloween. To celebrate the special occasion, Phish traditionally covers another band's album in its entirety as part of their "musical costume."

Fans who are disappointed that they couldn't score tickets to that holiday show have new hope for a different holiday: On Thursday, the band announced that they will bring their customary New Year's Eve run back to New York's Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2002. The three-night stand begins on Dec. 30 andin addition to a celebratory three-set show on New Year's itself, will include the very first show the band has ever performed on Jan. 1. Statisticians and math geeks -- some of whom tend to be Phish fans -- will merrily note the date: 1/1/11.

Phish's first show ever at Madison Square Garden was on Dec. 30, 1994. They returned the following year for a two-night stand that included New Year's Eve itself. That show, on Dec. 31, 1995, remains an all-time fan favorite that the band even officially released as a box set. Phish would make an annual pilgrimage to the storied venue for New Year's Eve runs for the next three years. Then, on Dec. 31, 2002, Phish returned to Madison Square Garden not only to celebrate New Year's Eve for their first time there in four years, but also to perform their first show back since taking a two-year hiatus.

Before their momentous return this year, Phish will perform two consecutive nights in Worcester, Mass. beginning on Dec. 27. Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning Oct. 9, but don't expect them to last very long. Get at 'em.