Category: June

Events in the Month of June

Video ~ “Chain Store” by Jimkata and 2013 Summer Tour Dates

Announced Tour Dates

5.16 – Buffalo, NY | Nietzsche’s
5.18 – Bellefontaine, OH | Tribal Connections Festival
5.24 – Greenfield, MA | StrangeCreek Festival
5.26 – Chillicothe, IL | Summer Camp Festival
6.7 – Hamden, CT | Spaceland Ballroom
6.8 – Brooklyn, NY | The Paper Box
6.13 – Harrisburg, PA | The Abbey Bar
6.14 – Philadelphia, PA | The Blockley
6.15 – Williamsport, PA | Bullfrog Brewery
6.28 – Manchester, CT | The Main Pub
7.3 – Baltimore, MD | The 8×10
7.4-6 – Possum Holler, NC | The BIG What?
7.11 – Kalamazoo, MI | Bell’s Brewery
7.13-14 – Highbridge, WI | Abstract Family Jam
7.25-28 – Bridgeport, CT | Gathering of the Vibes
8.2 – Peru, NY | Backwoods Pondfest
8.3 – Oneonta, NY | Oneonta Hills Rock Fest
8.8 – Pittsburgh, PA | Thunderbird Cafe
8.9-10 – Patriot, IN | Midwest Community Summit
9.6-8 – Catskill Chill Music Festival | Hancock, NY
9.13-14 – Sherman, NY | Night Lights Festival
9.20-21 – Naples, NY | Purple Pig Festival

Websites & Links: Jimkata.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Vimeo | Archive.org

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Review ~ A Whole Lotta Midwest Phish Love (Part 2) by Matt Heredos

Deer Creek 2, 6/29/12
Friday night at Deer Creek saw the band come out with a slew of rarities. The opening segment of Crowd Control and Dinner and a Movie gave way to the first cover of the Velvet Underground’s Sweet Jane since the 1998 Halloween cover set of the album “Loaded.”

More rarities came in the form of MoundLife on Mars?The Mango SongStrange Design, and a personal favorite, Big Black Furry Creatures from Mars. A well-played cover of the Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps closed out a very diverse, and cover heavy set.

Set two saw another Down with Disease opener that was stretched out a bit more than Riverbend’s version, much to the crowds delight. This version saw many distinct sections of improvisation that lead into another very strong version of Sand.

From there things felt a little rushed to say the least. A goofy version of Twist that saw Trey pronouncing his bandmate’s names in several ways, “Shif.” Decent versions of Bathtub GinFluffheadRun Like an Antelope, closed the set, along with another rarity in Ride Captain Ride.

This set started out incredibly strong, and the show as a whole would end in a similar fashion with a three song encore of: Cavern, the rare Sanity, and First Tube. All in all, a great pair of shows back at the old home place.

Highlights from Deer Creek (Night 2): Dinner and a Movie, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Down with Disease > Sand, Bathtub Gin, Cavern, Sanity, First Tube

______________________________________________________________________

Alpine Valley 1, 6/30/12
Without a doubt, my all-time favorite run of shows from Phish is Deer Creek > Alpine Valley. After a short drive up, and a brutal stretch of traffic in Chicago, (lesson learned, again) Alpine Valley was in sight. Night one opened with a combo of songs I had been longing for in My Soul and Daniel Saw the Stone. This first set, while fun, seemed to be a bit all over the place and lacked a word many Phish nerds like to use, “flow.”

The set did contain the first Reba (with whistling!) of the Midwest run, this song is what made me fall in love with this band and I could hear it every show and be happy. The set closed with a nod to the amazing 2010 Alpine show on 8/14/10 with The Oh Kee Pah Ceremony and Suzy Greenberg. See you in 15.

Set two was another set that seemed to lack “flow,” whatever that means. The opening trio of Backwards Down the Number Line, Carini, and Wilson were all decent versions, but left the improvisation fan hungry for more. We finally saw some improvisation with another Golden Age and Rock and Roll, with a short but sweet 2001 sandwiched between them.

The highlight of the night came next in what is quickly becoming one of my favorite combos of songs to hear in Steam and Piper. The former is quickly becoming one of the most sought after songs and was surprisingly played only once in the first leg of shows. A strong version of Character Zero ended this up and down set. Led Zeppelin’s Good Times Bad Times closed out the first night back at Alpine Valley.

Highlights from Alpine (Night 1): The Oh Kee Pah Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg, Steam > Piper

______________________________________________________________________

Alpine 2, 7/1/2012
After one of the other delights of Alpine runs, a stay at a buddy’s lake house, we were geared up for a great closing show of a fantastic return to Deer Creek and Alpine.

When Phish opens any show with Bob Marley’s Soul Shakedown Party, you know you are in for a fantastic night (see 12/30/09, 7/3/11). This night was no different, first set especially. Another Velvet Underground cover came second in the Fishman sang Lonesome Cowboy Bill. Rare showings of MeatAccess Me, and A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing filled the middle of the set. Then we saw Page pick up his keytar, time to rage.

A mid first set Frankenstein ! I could get used to that. An exceptional version of Maze, an extended Fee, and a beautiful The Squirming Coil closed out what might be the best first set I’ve seen this band perform.

Set two picked up right where we left off. The powerhouse “jam vehicle” cover of the Talking Heads Crosseyed and Painless (which was called by yours truly) took off and got quite spacey. It made its way into one of the newer Phish covers every one appears to relish in, Zeppelin’s No Quarter. A stellar version of Light, that contained some of the best improvisation of the tour, gave way to a solid, but perhaps too short, version of Ghost.

As amazing as the first half of set two was, the latter half had its moments, but was somewhat inconsistent, (or maybe we were just spoiled from the stellar first set and start of set two). A somewhat perplexing spot for the segment of Back on the Train and Farmhouse somewhat drained the energy. The highly energetic 46 Days picked things right back up before settling down again for Heavy Things and Joy.

Another fan friendly Meatstick closed out a show that had some incredible highlights, with very little to really complain about, at least from this fan’s perspective. A fantastic showing of Midwest love from this band that brings nothing but good times, but that itch wasn’t quite scratched all the way, see you at the beach.

Highlights from Alpine (Night 2): Soul Shakedown Party, Meat, Fee, Maze, The Squirming Coil, Crosseyed and Painless > No Quarter > Light > Ghost, 46 Days

______________________________________________________________________

2012 Phish has been some of the best Phish I have ever witnessed. I am a very lucky nerd to be able to see as many shows as I have with such a great crew, I could not ask for anything more and after nine incredible shows in the months of June and July, that Phish show itch was finally scratched, for a month or so at least. See you all in St. Louis!

Cream of the Crop Highlights:

Websites & Links: Phish.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LivePhish.com

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Review ~ A Whole Lotta Midwest Phish Love (Part 1) by Matt Heredos

A Whole Lotta Midwest Phish Love by Matt Heredos
There are a few certainties during Midwestern Summers: corn will grow, temperatures will rise, and in all their active years since 1992, Midwest Phish will be plentiful. Phish’s 2012 summer tour is no different. Seven shows can be considered “Midwest” from the tour’s first leg alone, starting at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, and ending with a return to historic Alpine Valley in Wisconsin for a pair of shows.

Going to multiple Phish shows in a short time span can seem redundant to the non-fan. Seeing the band perform is clearly the driving force behind traveling such great distances, but in reality, it is about so much more than seeing a band play. It’s about sharing experiences with longtime friends, and new acquaintances, all of whom are there for the exact same reasons you are, for the most part.

One the biggest reasons I choose to follow this band is because Phish takes you everywhere. Almost any place you would ever wish to visit, Phish will have a show close enough to any city, town, or festival you wish to explore.

Shows Attended:Bonnaroo, TN (6/10/12), Cincinnati, OH (6/22/12), Cuyahoga Falls, OH (6/24/12), Noblesville, IN (6/28/12), Noblesville, IN (6/29/12), East Troy, WI (6/30/12), East Troy, WI (7/1/12), Wantagh, NY (7/3/12), Wantagh, NY (7/4/12)

______________________________________________________________________

Bonnaroo 6/10/12
Sometimes, as was the case this summer, that itch to see your favorite band can get the best of you. So much so, that you drive seven hours south to a show in which you currently have no way of getting into. At Bonnaroo 2009, I saw Phish for the very first time. Three years later, they would return to the farm down in Tennessee to close out the 2012 festival. As of 7:00 PM on 6/9/2012, three friends and I had mulled around the idea of going to Bonnaroo for the day on Sunday. With no work to get in the way, the adventure to Bonnaroo was too tempting to pass up.

The idea of waiting around the festival gates to catch people leaving early and buying their wristbands was tossed around, and amazingly, it worked. While I can’t fully endorse the ethics used in seeing this show, sometimes that itch to see your favorite band makes you do some bold and or stupid things. The show itself was a much expected “festival set,” but a “Down with Disease” opener into “Funky Bitch” was a great way to start a great night nonetheless.

The mention of seeing Kenny Rogers’ set prior to Phish was mentioned, but grabbing the best possible spot for Phish’s set took priority. We were all lucky enough to see Mr. Rogers share the stage with Phish for a sing-a-long version of The Gambler. It was quite a treat to see, even with the massive screens at Bonnaroo showing Rogers’ Botox filled face in great detail (which likely was rather, weird, for those fans hanging out with Lucy that evening).

The first set was rounded out in typical “festival set” fashion with a combo of new and old Phish set closers in “Backwards Down the Number Line,” and “Cavern.”. Set two saw one of the few songs that I have been “chasing” ever since I first saw them in concert in “Shafty.” Anyone who has attended Bonnaroo can tell you the mid-day heat can be “hell” to say the least. The highlight of the show came from an extended Carini-> Shafty. All in all, a fun show for a spur of the moment trip down south.

Highlights from Bonnaroo: Carini-> Shafty, Rock and Roll

______________________________________________________________________

Riverbend 6/22/12
The 2012 run of Midwest Phish shows started in Cincinnati. By all accounts, shows like this one are the reason I, as well as many other people, choose to follow this band. A show with bustouts (including the first “Shaggy Dog” since ’95), extended improvisation, and on stage shenanigans should satisfy even the most jaded of vet’s pallets.

The show began with a song I have wished the band would open with for some time in “Wolfman’s Brother.” In the latter portions of the 1st set, Fishman goofed on the beginnings of “Poor Heart” and “Moma Dance”, and graciously took a bow, so we were treated to a slew of songs which all began with the drums. These songs contained three of my personal favorites in “Llama”, “Buffalo Bill”, and “Saw it Again.” A fantastic set, see you in “15” minutes.

Set two began with “Down with Disease,” the classic set two opener powerhouse. A decent jam was cut short for an oddly placed “Guelah Papyrus.” The “Kill Devil Falls” and “Twist” that followed contained some damn good jamming brah, the latter especially. “Sand,” arguably the most consistently well played song of leg 1, came soon after.

Sand lead its way into “Roggae” in a very interesting segue which some people love, others not so much. Three straight forward, and well played, rockers closed the set in “Carini,” “Chalk Dust Torture,” and “Golgi Apparatus.” A rare encore of “Fluffhead” closed out a fantastic show in the Nasty.

Highlights from Riverbend: Wolfman’s Brother, Peaches En Regalia, Saw it Again, Kill Devil Falls > Twist, Sand > Roggae, Fluffhead

______________________________________________________________________

Blossom 6/24/12
The 23rd was a day for roller coasters and other shenanigans for this Midwest crew. A fun time, but I guess you really aren’t supposed to miss a Burgettstown show. Sunday saw Phish’s return to the site of arguably their top 2011 performance overall, Blossom Music Center surrounded by Cuyahoga National Park. If ever you find yourself close to Cuyahoga, you should take some time to explore your surroundings, you’ll thank me later.

Sunday’s show had some fun moments, but if ever a show had a “Sunday” feel to it, this was that show. The only things that stuck out from the first set were a well-played “The Wedge,” the pleasant “Corinna,” and a goofy “Meatstick” with onstage dancers from the crowd. Some of the dancers had no clue how to execute a proper meatstick dance, for shame.

Set two began with a nice combination of “Golden Age” and “Ghost.” They brought out the big “G”uns to start, :: ba dum chink:: The Stones cover of “Sweet Virginia” mellowed things out but was a treat to here. A mid second set “Tweezer” will always bring a smile to my face, this one brought a lot of laughter as well (Don’t forget to eat your pudding).

A rocking opening segment gave way to an interesting jam filled with “Under Pressure” AND “Ice Ice Baby” teases (Theirs goes, ours goes, theirs goes, ours goes….). When no one seemed to know the lyrics to “Under Pressure” Trey stated: “Well, this is going nowhere, let’s get a bunch of girls up here to dance around to the Meatstick! Yeah!” A return to the melody of “Meatstick” was played briefly. One of their stronger covers in “Walk Away” came next.

After a strong showing in Walk Away, the set relaxed greatly. I was happy to take a breather after a rough few days of travel and couch hopping, but those wanting to keep their dancing shoes may have been hoping for more. A “Loving Cup” “Tweezer Reprise” encore closed the book on this fun, relaxing, Sunday show. See you back home !

Highlights from Blossom: The Wedge, Meatstick, Ghost, Tweezer, Walk Away

______________________________________________________________________

Deer Creek 1, 6/28/12
Taking a year off from the classic Deer Creek and Alpine run was heartbreaking for the home town folks of each venue. (Although three fantastic nights at UIC last year were a great change of pace). These two sweltering hot nights in Noblesville, Indiana proved why you never miss a Deer Creek show.

A TAB staple “The Birdwatcher” seemed to shrink the venue down to size for the relatively undersold DC show. What followed next was a treat for many, arguably (with myself) my favorite Phish song, “The Curtain With.” The highly sought after rocker “Fuck your Face” came next, followed by one of the top things on my very dorky Phish wish list: An “Old Home Place” at the old home place. Other well-played rarities filled the set such as “Pebbles and Marbles”, “Weigh”, a very fitting “Cool it Down”, and “Tela.”

Set two was a lot of fun. Period. A song I’ll be glad to hear any night, no matter the length, “Mike’s Song”, opened things up. It transitioned to a very well played duo of “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters” and “Back on the Train.” The always goofy Phish sandwich of “Hold Your Head Up” and a Fishman sang cover were next.

Fingers were crossed for a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain” which was last played at Deer Creek ’99. We did get one of my other favorite Fish tunes, Syd Barrett’s “Bike.” After Fish aimlessly ran around the stage for the closing end of “HYHU,” Mike brought us into “Weekapaug Groove;” forever and always, one of my favorite songs. Even this version where we saw Jon Fishman pick up Trey’s guitar and makes awful, yet hilarious, noises. Fishman would retake the wheel on drums which would lead to a fairly well played latter half of the groove.

The “4th quarter” of DC night one saw some of my favorite moments from the entire run. An exceptional “Waves” that ever so gently transitioned into “Bug” were pure bliss. A well-played, energetic “David Bowie” closed out set two. A song some love, others take breathers for “Show of Life” started the encore. Another solid Reprise closed out a great return to one of the best places to see this band play.

Highlights from Deer Creek (Night 1): The Curtain With, McGrupp and the Watchful Hose Masters-> Back on the Train, Waves > Bug, David Bowie

______________________________________________________________________

Part 2 coming soon!

Websites & Links: Phish.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LivePhish.com

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Video ~ String Cheese Incident Service Charge Free Summer Tour 2012

From SCIOfficial
“Buy SERVICE CHARGE FREE tickets to every summer Incident now at StringCheeseIncident.com. We just made a new batch of SERVICE CHARGE FREE tickets available for every single summer Incident including The Hangout and Hornings Hideout!”

Announced Tour Dates

June 28th-July 1st Electric Forest, Rothbury, MIJuly 5th-7th Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
July 10th Deer Valley Amphitheater, Park City, UT
July 12th Pepsi Amphitheater, Flagstaff, AZ
July 13th Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
July 14th-15th Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
July 19th-22nd Horning’s Hideout, North Plains, OR (More artists TBA)

Websites & Links: StringCheeseIncident.com | LiveCheese.com | SCI Tickets

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Video ~ Papadosio Awake Inside Tour 2012

Upcoming Shows

June 15, 2012 – Impulse Music & Arts Festival @ Durhamtown Plantation Resort
June 21st-24th, 2012 – Sonic Bloom Festival @ Shadows Ranch
June 28th-July 1st, 2012 – Electric Forest Festival @ Double JJ Resort
June 30, 2012 – Nomadic Roots Festival @ The Cove Campground
July 5th & 6th, 2012 – High Sierra Music Festival
July 20, 2012 – All Good @ Legend Valley Concert Venue and Campground
August 11, 2012 – Gnarnia @ Beech Mountain Resort
August 16th-19th, 2012 – Rootwire Festival @ Kaeppner’s Woods

Websites & Links: Papadosio.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Archive.org

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Video ~ Phish Announce 2012 Summer Tour Schedule

From Phish
“Phish returns to the road this Summer beginning June 7th with back to back shows at DCU Center in Worcester, MA and ends with three consecutive nights at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY.

A limited number of tickets are available NOW through Phish Tickets online ticketing system at phish.portals.musictoday.com. The ticket request period is currently underway and will end Monday, March 12th at 11:59am Eastern. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, March 16th.”

Announced Tour Dates

6/7/12 DCU Center, Worcester, MA6/8/12 DCU Center, Worcester, MA
6/15/12 Bader Field, Atlantic City, NJ
6/16/12 Bader Field, Atlantic City, NJ
6/17/12 Bader Field, Atlantic City, NJ
6/19/12 nTelos Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA
6/20/12 nTelos Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA
6/22/12 Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
6/23/12 First Niagara Pavilion, Burgettstown, PA
6/24/12 Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
6/28/12 Klipsch Music Center, Noblesville, IN
6/29/12 Klipsch Music Center, Noblesville, IN
6/30/12 Alpine Valley Music Center, East Troy, WI
7/1/12 Alpine Valley Music Center, East Troy, WI
7/3/12 Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, NY
7/4/12 Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, NY
7/6/12 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
7/7/12 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
7/8/12 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

Websites & Links: Phish.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LivePhish.com

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Looking Back at Wakarusa 2012 ~ Reviews, Videos, Photos & Audio

Reviews & Photos

Audio & Setlists

Websites & Links: Wakarusa.com | Facebook | Twitter | Myspace

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail