PHISH 3D - IN THEATERS APRIL 30TH from Phish on Vimeo.
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Showing posts with label Phish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phish. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
PHISH3DfromF8FTW!
I can vouch for the sentiments expressed in the following preview, although everyone knows I'm pretty biased. Anyway, if you've ever been curious to go to a Phish show, but couldn't bare the thought of all the weirdos, DON'T GO TO THE MOVIE THEATER ON APRIL 30TH. That is all.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Bouncing Round the Country
And so ends the spectacle of Phish's Festival 8...
We stumbled our weary bones back home at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, a full 13 hours since arriving at LAX for our flight to CLE. This was after packing up the campsite and battling Los Angeles commuter traffic for 140 miles to get to a buddy's apartment where we stayed on Monday night. Exhausting? Yes. Regrettable? Not in a million years.
The planning that went into the fest included everything from coffee and donut provision to 40,000 people on Sunday morning, to ambient light effects on palm trees surrounding the stage. That is to say, they thought of EVERYTHING. Unlike other festivals I've attended, there was ample sinks, bathrooms, even showers (?!?!). They even set up a veritable microbrewery tent (be still my heart) with over 50 different kinds for sale. The routes in and out of The Empire Polo Club grounds were well planned, and we barely had to wait at all upon exiting the highway (which, if you've waited in line at Bonnaroo for 10 hours, you know how painful it is). Our campsite was at the far end of the site, but the walk to the Farmer's Market (yes, they had that too) or the venue itself was no longer than 10 minutes past palm trees and scenic mountain vistas in the distance.
The concerts themselves were something to behold. The band, which for the past few years (really since 2000) had been seemingly going through the motions, were firing like mad on all cylinders and melting people's faces like in days of old. Friday nights' opening ceremonies aptly set the stage for the weekend to come. Opening with 'Party Time' a raucous (if repetitive) new song, the band rocked out old favorites like 'Chalkdust Torture', 'NICU', 'Stash', and 'Cavern'. Interwoven excellently into the fabric were three songs from their newest release 'Joy'. The crowd really seemed to adopt the new stuff, as 'Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan' debuted in the middle, with 'Ocelot', and a beautifually jam-laden 'Time Turns Elastic' closing the set. Set two for the night saw the band come out with guns blazing, absolutely hammering a string (that included PYITE->Down With Disease ->Prince Caspian->Wolfman's Brother->Piper->Joy) at the onset that had fans shaking what their Mother's gave them. For the encore, a righteous sounding Character Zero sent everyone to their tents (or their parties) with a grin and a feeling like Saturday would be Christmas morning.
Saturday morning dawned cold but bright, with the temperature climbing from 45 degrees at about 6:00 a.m. to 90 by 2:00 p.m. This leads to the odd predicament in tent sleeping. By freezing the night before, it's necessary to load up on every tshirt, sweatshirt, sock, and jacket you brought with you. But by 9:00 a.m., the temp is beginning to rise so quickly that it's nearly unbearable to be wearing anything but shorts and a lone tshirt. We ventured to the Arts & Crafts Area, where attendees could create their own rock cairns/piles/what have you, the Farmer's Market, where fresh produce and wheat grass infused beverages beckoned, and The Overlook, with its' Bloody Mary Bar, Movie Theater, and 100 foot Ferris Wheel (like I said, everything...).
The shows themselves Saturday were inspiring in that "man I wish I could quit my job and follow Phish around the country" way. As it was Halloween, the rumor mill was grinding at full capacity with thoughts on what the boys would play for their second set "musical costume". This has become a Halloween tradition for the band, as they adopt cover an album in its' entirety. While many had their money on "Thriller", others thought David Bowie was a lock. Turns out, it was the Rolling Stones that had caught the band's eye, and they played a rollicking "Exile on Main Street" to the delighted crowd. The third (yes, third) set was as epic a performance as I've seen since the historic NYE 2000 performance at Big Cypress. Though only five songs in length, Trey made the absolute most of the hour and forty minute set. The jams were tight and uber-funky, with Mike dropping bass lines straight out of 1997. The closer, and my absolute favorite, You Enjoy Myself, closed out the set. How would they top such a mammoth set? With Suzy Greenberg, of course. I have never seen so many people go from standing still to dancing/flailing/cheering with every ounce of their being like when the first familiar notes of Suzy dropped (with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, to boot). And Sunday, Christmas morning again...
Sunday the show opened early, with a noon set. This was Phish's first ever all acoustic set, and if you know Phish fans, to witness "a first" is a cause for celebration in itself. As noted previously, the band provided coffee and donuts gratis to all fans (a logistical feat by any measure), and broke out gems such as (the never before played live) Sleep Again (another First!), Train Song, and Driver. I was anticipating more bluegrass, but was not disappointed when it didn't turn out to be. The 21 song set really shows how the 5 song set from the night before was a wonder. Sets two and three relied on staid favorites from the old days, from AC\DC Bag and Reba, to Tweezer and Mike's Song. Interestingly, rather than the good old Mike's-> I am Hydrogen -> Weekapaug Groove progression, they went with a Mike's->2001->Light->Slave to the Traffic Light formula that effectively kept the audience guessing, just like every other aspect of the band for the weekend. They do indeed like their surprises...
Fittingly, Tweezer Reprise closed the festival, with Chris Kuroda applying his master-touch to the unparalleled light show, and Trey thanking the crowd for a truly fun weekend. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: they say Disney World is the happiest place on earth; I say, not while there's a Phish concert going on...
See you in Cinci...
We stumbled our weary bones back home at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, a full 13 hours since arriving at LAX for our flight to CLE. This was after packing up the campsite and battling Los Angeles commuter traffic for 140 miles to get to a buddy's apartment where we stayed on Monday night. Exhausting? Yes. Regrettable? Not in a million years.
The planning that went into the fest included everything from coffee and donut provision to 40,000 people on Sunday morning, to ambient light effects on palm trees surrounding the stage. That is to say, they thought of EVERYTHING. Unlike other festivals I've attended, there was ample sinks, bathrooms, even showers (?!?!). They even set up a veritable microbrewery tent (be still my heart) with over 50 different kinds for sale. The routes in and out of The Empire Polo Club grounds were well planned, and we barely had to wait at all upon exiting the highway (which, if you've waited in line at Bonnaroo for 10 hours, you know how painful it is). Our campsite was at the far end of the site, but the walk to the Farmer's Market (yes, they had that too) or the venue itself was no longer than 10 minutes past palm trees and scenic mountain vistas in the distance.The concerts themselves were something to behold. The band, which for the past few years (really since 2000) had been seemingly going through the motions, were firing like mad on all cylinders and melting people's faces like in days of old. Friday nights' opening ceremonies aptly set the stage for the weekend to come. Opening with 'Party Time' a raucous (if repetitive) new song, the band rocked out old favorites like 'Chalkdust Torture', 'NICU', 'Stash', and 'Cavern'. Interwoven excellently into the fabric were three songs from their newest release 'Joy'. The crowd really seemed to adopt the new stuff, as 'Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan' debuted in the middle, with 'Ocelot', and a beautifually jam-laden 'Time Turns Elastic' closing the set. Set two for the night saw the band come out with guns blazing, absolutely hammering a string (that included PYITE->Down With Disease ->Prince Caspian->Wolfman's Brother->Piper->Joy) at the onset that had fans shaking what their Mother's gave them. For the encore, a righteous sounding Character Zero sent everyone to their tents (or their parties) with a grin and a feeling like Saturday would be Christmas morning.
Saturday morning dawned cold but bright, with the temperature climbing from 45 degrees at about 6:00 a.m. to 90 by 2:00 p.m. This leads to the odd predicament in tent sleeping. By freezing the night before, it's necessary to load up on every tshirt, sweatshirt, sock, and jacket you brought with you. But by 9:00 a.m., the temp is beginning to rise so quickly that it's nearly unbearable to be wearing anything but shorts and a lone tshirt. We ventured to the Arts & Crafts Area, where attendees could create their own rock cairns/piles/what have you, the Farmer's Market, where fresh produce and wheat grass infused beverages beckoned, and The Overlook, with its' Bloody Mary Bar, Movie Theater, and 100 foot Ferris Wheel (like I said, everything...).
The shows themselves Saturday were inspiring in that "man I wish I could quit my job and follow Phish around the country" way. As it was Halloween, the rumor mill was grinding at full capacity with thoughts on what the boys would play for their second set "musical costume". This has become a Halloween tradition for the band, as they adopt cover an album in its' entirety. While many had their money on "Thriller", others thought David Bowie was a lock. Turns out, it was the Rolling Stones that had caught the band's eye, and they played a rollicking "Exile on Main Street" to the delighted crowd. The third (yes, third) set was as epic a performance as I've seen since the historic NYE 2000 performance at Big Cypress. Though only five songs in length, Trey made the absolute most of the hour and forty minute set. The jams were tight and uber-funky, with Mike dropping bass lines straight out of 1997. The closer, and my absolute favorite, You Enjoy Myself, closed out the set. How would they top such a mammoth set? With Suzy Greenberg, of course. I have never seen so many people go from standing still to dancing/flailing/cheering with every ounce of their being like when the first familiar notes of Suzy dropped (with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, to boot). And Sunday, Christmas morning again...
Sunday the show opened early, with a noon set. This was Phish's first ever all acoustic set, and if you know Phish fans, to witness "a first" is a cause for celebration in itself. As noted previously, the band provided coffee and donuts gratis to all fans (a logistical feat by any measure), and broke out gems such as (the never before played live) Sleep Again (another First!), Train Song, and Driver. I was anticipating more bluegrass, but was not disappointed when it didn't turn out to be. The 21 song set really shows how the 5 song set from the night before was a wonder. Sets two and three relied on staid favorites from the old days, from AC\DC Bag and Reba, to Tweezer and Mike's Song. Interestingly, rather than the good old Mike's-> I am Hydrogen -> Weekapaug Groove progression, they went with a Mike's->2001->Light->Slave to the Traffic Light formula that effectively kept the audience guessing, just like every other aspect of the band for the weekend. They do indeed like their surprises...Fittingly, Tweezer Reprise closed the festival, with Chris Kuroda applying his master-touch to the unparalleled light show, and Trey thanking the crowd for a truly fun weekend. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: they say Disney World is the happiest place on earth; I say, not while there's a Phish concert going on...
See you in Cinci...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
24 Days and Counting...
If this gives you chills, then you're in the club... God I cannot wait for 8.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
City of Broad Shoulders (and Great Beer)
We recently disembarked from our summer excursion to Chicago, the 'city of broad shoulders' or 'the windy city', take your pick. It was indeed windy during our stay, but the neighborhood we chose to stay in, Wicker Park, was more hipster than blue collar. We crammed quite a bit into our short three day stay, here's some highlights...
We stayed in the Wicker Park Inn, a hip little colonial B&B on a quiet residential street. We had our own suite, complete with kitchen, though we took advantage of the restaurants around town and didn't have much use for anything other than the refrigerator. It backed up almost directly under the 'el', but through a fantastic insulation and soundproofing effort, what we heard was only a low hum. Full disclosure; though it bills itself as Bed & Breakfast, there's no breakfast to be had.
The neighborhood itself is gentrified, and recently so. It reminded us quite a bit of Tremont, if Tremont was a neighborhood in a thriving city. Lots of house remodels and rehabs of the predominant colonials, plenty of new construction (town homes and condos), and a cornucopia of restaurants and bars. Small Bar was a place I had been wanting to hit for a year or two, and it was magically right around the corner from our place. Even better, we found an almost identical replacement for our beloved Rodenbach Grand Cru (RIP; at least in the US): Bokker Cuvee
des Jacobins Rouge. I think we drank it as fast as it took us to pronounce it. To go along with the opulent sour ale and Surly IPA (talk about hop-kick), we treated ourselves to fried cheese curd, though we somehow missed the poutine (dammit). Then I accidentally stole a cool poster that I thought was out of date, but wasn't (my bad, Small Bar).
Day two consisted of shopping, lots of shopping. Boutiques are as prevalent as patio dining in the neighborhood, and we hit what seemed to be the vast majority. Luckily, we happened upon a fantastic used book store where I scored a copy of Harvey Pekar's Our Cancer Year, which kept me entertained as Katie sought out must haves and unbeatable bargains.
The evening portended the main event, and the reason for our journey:
Phish. We battled the unGodly frustrating rush hour traffic and arrived at Toyota Park two hours before showtime. The vibe in the lot was good, lots of smiles, beers, and hippies. The show itself was sort of bizarre. First off, the venue is mainly a soccer stadium, so the setup didn't lend itself the personality or closeness of Blossom, Star Lake, or Deer Creek (amongst many others), though somehow we managed seats pretty darn close to the stage. I've read the reviews from a number of attendees, but there doesn't seem to be much consensus other than it was what equated to an 'average' show. The highlight for me was the rarely heard "Carini", it's dark chords and Chris Kuroda's light show melding seamlessly into the chilly Chicago evening. One (slightly) weird thing was that the encore was "Loving Cup", a encore staple I know, but one that was the encore for the last show I went to as well. With no offense to Phish or The Rolling Stones, I hope this is a trend that doesn't continue.
Day three actually saw us back on the road for home, with a much anticipated stop at Three Floyd's Brewing Company in Munster,
Indiana. We lunched in their Brewpub, somewhat oddly located in an entirely non-descript industrial park. The food was fresh and tasty, but the beer stole the show. The Dreadnaught IPA, with an incredible 100 IBU's, capped our trip with the perfect conclusion. With growler in hand, we began the long trip back to Ohio, sated, satisfied, and ready for more. Next up: back back to Cali Cali...
We stayed in the Wicker Park Inn, a hip little colonial B&B on a quiet residential street. We had our own suite, complete with kitchen, though we took advantage of the restaurants around town and didn't have much use for anything other than the refrigerator. It backed up almost directly under the 'el', but through a fantastic insulation and soundproofing effort, what we heard was only a low hum. Full disclosure; though it bills itself as Bed & Breakfast, there's no breakfast to be had.
The neighborhood itself is gentrified, and recently so. It reminded us quite a bit of Tremont, if Tremont was a neighborhood in a thriving city. Lots of house remodels and rehabs of the predominant colonials, plenty of new construction (town homes and condos), and a cornucopia of restaurants and bars. Small Bar was a place I had been wanting to hit for a year or two, and it was magically right around the corner from our place. Even better, we found an almost identical replacement for our beloved Rodenbach Grand Cru (RIP; at least in the US): Bokker Cuvee
des Jacobins Rouge. I think we drank it as fast as it took us to pronounce it. To go along with the opulent sour ale and Surly IPA (talk about hop-kick), we treated ourselves to fried cheese curd, though we somehow missed the poutine (dammit). Then I accidentally stole a cool poster that I thought was out of date, but wasn't (my bad, Small Bar).Day two consisted of shopping, lots of shopping. Boutiques are as prevalent as patio dining in the neighborhood, and we hit what seemed to be the vast majority. Luckily, we happened upon a fantastic used book store where I scored a copy of Harvey Pekar's Our Cancer Year, which kept me entertained as Katie sought out must haves and unbeatable bargains.
The evening portended the main event, and the reason for our journey:
Phish. We battled the unGodly frustrating rush hour traffic and arrived at Toyota Park two hours before showtime. The vibe in the lot was good, lots of smiles, beers, and hippies. The show itself was sort of bizarre. First off, the venue is mainly a soccer stadium, so the setup didn't lend itself the personality or closeness of Blossom, Star Lake, or Deer Creek (amongst many others), though somehow we managed seats pretty darn close to the stage. I've read the reviews from a number of attendees, but there doesn't seem to be much consensus other than it was what equated to an 'average' show. The highlight for me was the rarely heard "Carini", it's dark chords and Chris Kuroda's light show melding seamlessly into the chilly Chicago evening. One (slightly) weird thing was that the encore was "Loving Cup", a encore staple I know, but one that was the encore for the last show I went to as well. With no offense to Phish or The Rolling Stones, I hope this is a trend that doesn't continue.Day three actually saw us back on the road for home, with a much anticipated stop at Three Floyd's Brewing Company in Munster,
Indiana. We lunched in their Brewpub, somewhat oddly located in an entirely non-descript industrial park. The food was fresh and tasty, but the beer stole the show. The Dreadnaught IPA, with an incredible 100 IBU's, capped our trip with the perfect conclusion. With growler in hand, we began the long trip back to Ohio, sated, satisfied, and ready for more. Next up: back back to Cali Cali...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Phishburgh
Last Thursday the stars aligned, we got tickets, and saw Phish in Pittsburgh. Well, Burgettstown, officially, a wooded hamlet seemingly nowhere near Pittsburgh (sort of like when the Cavs played in Richfield). The forecast called for overcast skies with the threat of rain, but when the gates opened and the happy crowd streamed into the rolling lots at 3:30 pm, the sun came out in all it's June glory and dispelled any fear of rain.The scene in the lot was not markedly changed in the approximate 5 years since the "retirement" commenced (this following the "hiatus" of two years previous). This is a good thing. Phishlot is a rarity in society, or at least the society I live in. Everyone and anyone is game for a friendly greeting, a quick convo, and a best wishes for a great show. The anticipation builds as the craft beer supply diminishes. Friends reunite from their disparate cities, and we were no exception; C-Note from Columbus, Wolff just off the red-eye from L.A. Talk of shows, years, now over a decade past; of epic Fluffhead's and incendiary I am Hydrogen -> Mike's Song -> Weekapaug Grooves (and you caught them with the Giant Country Horns!?!? Oh my jealousy knows no bounds). But it's all good, because we're all here now...
And then the gates open... The energy is a palpable thing. It's like waking up on Christmas morning at 4:30 as a kid, knowing you have to wait, but so excited that your head might explode at any given moment. The lawn fills, everyone primes their engines to get down. Sandals are stacked neatly with purses and sunglasses in little piles, and the sun begins to turn the sky that shade of orange that only seems possible on wonderful days like this. Quick, anxious banter back and forth: What will they open with? Prayers for a Gamehenge, but not really believing that any of us will ever see it in our lifetime... but; what if???
Then, the PA music stops and the roar starts from the front of the crowd. Kuroda hits the lights, the boys take their places (in the old lineup, which is nice), and the party really gets started.
I love a place where everyone, everyone, can dance as ridiculously as they are moved to, and not a soul bats an eye. Think about it; have you ever been to a place like that?A little something for everyone tonight; with a first set that includes tunes from ends of the back catalog; Divided Sky into Heavy Things? Who knew? Buzz around the campfire seemed to be that the general consensus was this was looking like a nice retro mid-nineties show. By this, for the uninitiated, they mean something along the lines of the following:
1. Slightly after the small-show age where you could still walk up and buy tickets at the door and they used to interact with the fans (great examples here), but
2. Just entering the extra-funky peanut butter period where Mike (Gordon, our beloved bass player extraordinaire) really started to hammer out some deep lines, and just as
3. They were beginning to really expand the repertoire; abandoning old favorites like Timber Ho and Faht, while introducing us to new favorites like Guyute and Down With Disease.
I guess I'm rambling... So, I'll just say that overall, being back at a show was like (and I mean this with all sincerity) rediscovering something you didn't realize you'd lost. Not a purpose or a way of life, per se, but a reminder that there always exists an alternative, a reprieve, an escape from the grind that so unforgivingly swallows our hours.
So... anyone want to hit Chicago?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Visions of Bonnaroobians Dance in My Head...
Let the Tent Vortex fun begin...
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