Legendary jam band Phish has a special relationship with Las Vegas, where the band has staged a number of its unique Halloween concerts. Each time the band performs for Halloween, the members take on the “costume” of another act, performing an entire album that has influenced or inspired them. In past years, they’ve performed albums by the Rolling Stones, The Who and Talking Heads, and at Vegas Halloween shows they’ve delivered renditions of the Velvet Underground’s Loaded (in 1998) and the Disney album Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House (in 2014).
This year, the band will be back in Vegas for four nights, including Halloween, and fans have had months to speculate over what “costume” the members will be sporting. Even those who can’t score tickets to the coveted Halloween-night show will likely have plenty of surprises in store for them, though, since Phish is known for throwing covers, obscurities and variations on familiar material into their sets, all with the skillful improvisation that comes from musicians playing together for more than 30 years. A costumed concert is exciting, but the real thing is just as good—and sometimes even better.
MGM Grand, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28-31, sold out. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
