In just a few hours, Phish will take the stage in Las Vegas for the latest chapter in their storied Halloween history, as tonight not only marks their 2016 seasonal offering but also commemorates the 30th anniversary of their very first Halloween show, played in 1986 at Goddard College in Plainfield, VT. 

One of the more notable parts of that very night in the Sculpture Room, aside from one of the first known versions of “David Bowie,” was a rare cover of XTC’s “Melt the Guns,” performed just four times in 1986 and 1987 by Phish. Take a listen below. 

Phish also peppered the set with many covers they still dust off from time to time today, including “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” “Peaches en Regalia,” “Skin It Back” and others. As we await to see what shenanigans await tonight in Las Vegas, revisit the beginning of Phish Halloween from thirty years ago today. 

Here’s a look at the setlist:

SCULPTURE ROOM, GODDARD COLLEGE
Plainfield , VT

Soundcheck: Bertha (performed by The Joneses), Blues Jam (with members of The Joneses)

SET 1: Mustang Sally, Camel Walk, Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light, Melt the Guns -> Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley, Halley’s Comet[1] > Back Porch Boogie Blues > Shaggy Dog, Fluffhead

SET 2: Jam > AC/DC Bag, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Peaches en Regalia > David Bowie[2], Have Mercy[3] > Harry Hood, Sanity, Skin It Back > Icculus, Alumni Blues

[1] Richard Wright on vocals.
[2] First known version.
[3] Jah Roy on vocals.

This show was a co-bill with The Joneses. Trey and Mike quoted Fuck Your Face and Minkin during the Melt the Guns intro. Have Mercy featured Jah Roy on vocals. Halley’s Comet featured Richard Wright on vocals. This show contained the first known version of David Bowie.

Setlist via Phish.net.