On a hot fall afternoon, Phish warmed their fans' hearts with a mellow set of music and a side of doughnuts.

The band performed its first acoustic set at any of its eight solo music festivals during the past two decades. And that was one of several firsts for the Vermont jam band.

It also was the first time Phish has performed a third day at a festival, and its 12:25 p.m. launch was the earliest it has performed at a festival. Consequently, the promoters offered coffee and doughnuts to fans willing to wait in line instead of sandwiches and soft drinks.

Frontman Trey Anastasio also said it was the first time he had ever performed for a Phish festival crowd that was sitting down.

Anastasio encouraged the Empire Polo Club crowd to sit down because, he said, “We are going to be playing a lot of mellow tunes.” They sat down after the second song. Anastasio and bassist Mike Gordon also sat and played until near the end, when Anastasio said he was too ADHD to continue sitting.

Despite the 90-degree heat, international fans of all ages raved about the performance.

“One to 10, it's a 12,” said Rafael Pinto of Brasilia, Brazil. “I'm thrilled.”

Brian Butzier of Travers City, Mich., and Charlene Perez of Belize said the heat made the acoustic set better.

“I thought it was really good,” Perez said. “It was so mellow.”

One of the local residents at the festival, identifying herself as Jennifer O. of La Quinta, called it “just a perfect Sunday morning.”