Phish surprised fans today with the announcement of a trio of fall shows at MVP Arena in Albany, slated for Friday, October 25, Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. The fall weekend shows will benefit The Divided Sky Foundation.
Phish has a storied history in Albany, having played 17 shows in the city since 1989, starting at Pauly’s Hotel, and last having played in the Cradle of the Union in 2018. There are of course a history of shows in Saratoga Springs, both at Skidmore along with shows at SPAC, most recently in 2023 when Derek Trucks showed up, which was also a benefit, in that case for flood victims and recovery in Upstate New York and Vermont.
These October shows, however, will be the first ever three night run for Phish in Albany. Read more in our history of Phish in Albany – Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
100% of profits from the two shows will benefit the Divided Sky Foundation, which was established in 2020 during the Beacon Jams (held by Trey Anastasio at the Beacon Theatre over eight weeks during quarantine), to build and support a residential recovery program created for people who want recovery. With a non-clinical model, Divided Sky Foundation is designed to motivate and inspire without judgment, recognizing that addiction is a disease and not an absence of willpower.
Housing up to 46 guests, the Divided Sky facility is a newly-remodeled former hotel with a stunning view of nearby Okemo Mountain, offering a non-clinical program anchored in the 12 Steps, emotional sobriety, and mindfulness. The Albany benefit concerts will enable Divided Sky to continue to make its immersive Residential Recovery Program affordable to all, with partial scholarships available to those who demonstrate need.
A limited number of complimentary “Gratitude Tickets” will be made available to recovery professionals, recognizing their essential work helping individuals and families affected by addiction. Anyone who works in recovery or a related mental health field may request tickets at DividedSky.org/benefit. (Priority will be given based on geographic location, with an emphasis on New York State and New England.)
The Phish shows will take place at Albany’s MVP Arena (née Knickerbocker Arena, a.k.a. Pepsi Arena, Times Union Center), in downtown Albany on South Pearl Street. The weekend shows, while just before Halloween, are not implied to suggest any Halloween shenanigans as Phish is known for, but you can never rule out surprises with a pair of fall shows like this.
A ticket request period is open here until Monday, September 16 at 12pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 20, at 12pm. Travel packages are available here starting on September 11. A special pre-show reception will be held on Saturday, October 26. Tickets will be available for this event both during the Phish ticket request period and during the public on-sale.
Stay tuned for plenty of pre and post-show events lined up for October 25-27 when Phish returns to Albany.
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