Trey Anastasio of Phish fame performed the first set of shows this week as the Beacon Theatre reopens for in-person performances.

Anastasio, who is also popular as a solo act, played his second of two performances Wednesday night at the venue on the Upper West Side. These were the first live shows with an audience in more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The last time I was out for live music was March 2020, that was last time, so it’s been over a year. I am so happy to see Trey and to see all my friends that I know here just because we all know each other in the Phish community,” said fan Erin Kelly.

Anastasio, who lives nearby, also performed eight streaming shows at the Beacon in the fall called "The Beacon Jams," which were documented in a short film called, "What Calls You Home."

For Trey and Phish fans, this return was a musical milestone not to be missed.

“We watched Trey all through COVID play at the Beacon. We were dying to get here and watch him live, and now we're here in person to see him play. Trey is just magical," said fan Michele Galesi.

The Beacon Theatre, with nearly 3,000 seats, is both a beloved neighborhood venue and a favorite for jam bands. Both shows sold out and everyone had to show their vaccine cards on the way in.

There were, of course, a lot of Phish fans at the show. They’re known as Phish Heads, and Aphishianados. They buy their tickets on the Phish net. And the music is the Phish scales.

And many fans have Phish names for themselves that either come directly from Phish songs or other parts of the Phish community. And because many die-hard fans know each other, when they see each other at the concerts, it’s serenPhishity.