See Phish Bust Out XTC’s ‘Melt the Guns’ for First Time Since 1987
What's happening
Phish performed XTC's 'Melt the Guns' at Fenway Park, marking the first time the jam band has played the track since 1987. The performance represents a major "bust out"—a rare song selection—following the band's recent nostalgic run at Madison Square Garden.
Who's involved
Phish is an American rock band formed in Burlington, Vermont, in 1983, consisting of guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman, and keyboardist Page McConnell, all of whom perform vocals. XTC was an English rock band formed in Swindon in 1972, known for their angular guitar work and elaborately arranged pop that gained a considerable cult following despite sporadic mainstream commercial success.
Why it matters
Deep cuts and rare performances drive engagement among Phish's devoted fanbase, who meticulously track the band's setlists and celebrate unexpected song selections. A 35-year gap between performances of an obscure XTC track underscores how thoroughly Phish fans document and anticipate every detail of their shows, making such busts out significant moments in the band's live history.
The story
Phish delivered a major surprise to fans at Fenway Park when the jam band performed XTC's "Melt the Guns," according to Rolling Stone, marking the first time the song has appeared in a Phish setlist since 1987. The performance came just days after Phish completed a nostalgic run at Madison Square Garden, continuing what has been a particularly generous tour in terms of rare material and fan-favorite deep cuts.
The band, which formed in Burlington, Vermont, in 1983, has built its reputation on musical improvisation and extended jams during live performances. Guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman, and keyboardist Page McConnell—all of whom contribute vocals, with Anastasio serving as the primary lead vocalist—have cultivated a fanbase known for their devotion and their meticulous tracking of every song selection across tours and decades.
XTC's "Melt the Guns" originates from an English band that achieved only sporadic commercial success despite gaining a considerable cult following. Formed in Swindon in 1972, XTC moved through multiple musical styles, from angular guitar riffs during the punk and new wave era of the 1970s to elaborately arranged pop, never quite fitting neatly into contemporary trends. The song's relative obscurity makes its appearance in a Phish setlist all the more noteworthy to longtime fans.
A 35-year gap between performances of any song represents an extraordinary "bust out" in Phish terminology—a rare selection that generates immediate buzz among the fanbase. For a band known for improvisation, such unexpected choices often become the highlights fans discuss for months or years, particularly when pulled from the catalogs of other artists rather than Phish's own extensive original repertoire.
The Fenway Park performance signals Phish's continued willingness to surprise audiences even in their fourth decade as a working band. With their recent MSG engagement already noted for its nostalgic quality, the addition of such a deep cut suggests the tour will be remembered not just for revisiting the band's own classics but for exploring unexpected corners of rock history.