Phish Fan Who Ripped a Bong During Sphere Show Gets Harsh Punishment
Since opening last year, the Sphere in Las Vegas has brought thousands of visitors both inside and outside the jaw-dropping venue. Rock bands like U2 and Dead & Company have taken up residencies in the one-of-a-kind building, including Phish with their four-night stint back in April.
The Phish residency coincided with 4/20, the beloved holiday for stoners around the world. One fan was so excited to celebrate at the Phish show that he filmed himself smoking out of a bong and shared it on social media, declaring he was the first person to do such a thing at the venue. The video was reposted by a Phish fan account on Instagram.
It was a fun joke for him at first, but it’s resulted in some serious consequences. On June 5, the fan account shared a follow-up to the viral post with a purported letter the smoker received from Madison Square Garden Entertainment, the holding company for the Sphere and other venues across the country.
“On April 20, 2024, you posted an Instagram video of yourself smoking inside the Sphere with the caption ‘First bong hit to ever be ripped in the Sphere,” the letter read. “You knowingly violated the guest code of conduct by visibly smoking inside the venue.”
“Sphere Entertainment Co. will not tolerate actions that threaten the safety and security of our guests, and employees,” the statement continued. “In light of your conduct, you are hereby indefinitely banned from Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, The Beacon Theatre, The Chicago Theatre, Sphere, and any other MSG Venue.”
“You are not to enter into or remain in any of the MSG Venues at any time in the future,” the letter decreed. “If you enter any of the MSG Venues, including, with respect to Madison Square Garden, the box office, Chase Square, and the concierge areas, law enforcement will be contacted to ensure your expulsion and you will be subject to the penalties.”
Cannabis was legalized for recreational use in Nevada in 2017, but venues like the Sphere are still able to enforce their own rules. With facial recognition technology in place at the Sphere, it’s unlikely he’ll be getting back in anytime soon.
