To mark Phish’s 40th-anniversary co-authors Andy P. Smith and Jason Gershuny have revisited and updated their 2018 released 100 Things Phish Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die to present a contemporary and overarching look at the revered Vermont jamband’s epic history. As an ode to their continued evolution, the book pieces four decades of memorable concerts, must-do activities surrounding the band experience, and more distinctions of phandom. The updated text is due on July 30 via Triumph Books.
The revisited edition of 100 Things Phish Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die traces the band’s trajectory from their initial 1983 appearances through 2024, highlighting moments from New Year’s Eve concerts past to Halloween, studio albums, festivals, fans, and other venerable mentions denoting the specialty of the foursome: Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Page McConnell, and their following.
Building on the 2018 release, the book’s latest edition presents 10,000 new words pertaining to the band and their activity between 2018 and 2014. Also included is an unfeigned forward written by Relix Editor-in-Chief Mike Greenhaus. Furthermore, Sphere thoughts are revealed, in addition to other timely topics such as pandemic projects, NYE 2023, and more. Serving as the leading image and cover art is a striking still from Gamehendge 2023, captured by Scott Harris.
“Beginning 2024 at the stroke of midnight with a full Gamehendge set, then Sphere, and a new album, and the tour, and the first festival in eight years. This year is pretty beefy. If we jump cut 10 years down the road, like, how is 2024 gonna be remembered, or stand out among the 40-plus years of this band? To me it feels kind of momentous, but maybe that’s just being in the moment,” reflected Smith.
Gershuny added, “Gamehendge, with the size and scope and mythology, what that meant to the fanbase, for that to be the starting point of this year—and for it to be done in that way, with the theatrics, and just really giving it their all for the first time in 30 years… it really was an emotional, heartfelt moment. And they just followed up: Mexico was great as always, and then to have the Sphere on top of that and the festival coming up. And then who knows what’s gonna be happening the rest of the year. This will be one of those years that people talk about. And it makes sense because we’re coming off their 40th anniversary. This is the launch to 40 and beyond. And they’re killing it.”
Pre-order 40th Anniversary Edition of 100 Things Phish here.