From Hollingsworth Films
“Kyle Hollingsworth, keyboardist of The String Cheese Incident, goes behind the scenes with personal footage, recapping Summer 2012 on the road, in anticipation for Kyle’s Brew Fest BOULDER 2012…including video of the covert Jellyfish release!”
Websites & Links: KyleHollingsworth.com | StringCheeseIncident.com | LiveCheese.com
From AlanEvansTrio.com
Website & Links: AlanEvansTrio.com | Facebook | RoyalFamilyRecords.com
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 Mound, Life on Mars?, The Mango Song, Strange 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 Gin, Fluffhead, Run 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 Meat, Access 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
From The Heavy Pets
Tour Dates
8.1 – Highland Tap & Burger | Denver, CO
8.2 – Three20South| Breckenridge, CO
8.3 – Hodi’s Half Note |Fort Collins, CO
8.4 – LoHi Music Festival | Denver, CO
8.6 – Southern Sun Pub & Brewery | Boulder, CO
8.10, 8.11 & 8.12 – Green Parrot | Key West, FL
8.17 – Suwannee Valley Flood Jam @ Spirit of the Suwannee | Live Oak, FL
8.24 – Avondale Brewery | Birmingham, AL (Phish after party)
8.25 – The Five Spot | Atlanta, GA (Phish after party)
8.30 – Double Down Live | Gainesville, FL
8.31 – Crowbar | Tampa, FL (w/ Greenhouse Lounge)
9.1 – Freebird Live | Jacksonville Beach, FL (w/ Greenhouse Lounge)
9.2 – Savannah Craft Beer Fest Rhythm and Brews | Savannah, GA
9.5 – Jewish Mother Backstage | Norfolk, VA (w/ Long Miles)
9.6 – 8 x 10 | Baltimore, MD (w/ Long Miles)
9.7 – The Blockley | Philadelphia, PA (w/ Long Miles)
9.8 – Mojo on Main | Newark, DE
9.9 – Catskill Chill Music Festival | Hancock, NY
9.12. – The Wonderbar | Boston, MA
9.13 – Brooklyn Bowl | Brooklyn, NY
9.14 – Wormtown Music Festival | Greenfield, MA
9.15 – Putnam Den | Saratoga Springs, NY
9.20 – Westcott Theater | Syracuse, NY
9.21 – Nietzsche’s | Buffalo, NY (w/ Timbre Coup)
9.22 – The Werk Out – Thornville, OH
Websites & Links: TheHeavyPets.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
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
From CashOrTrade.org
“CashOrTrade goes 4.0!! Thank you for embracing the face value mission! The past 3 years have been amazing. This face value community has grown to over 30,000 strong and continues to set the standard within the ticketing industry.
While this new website is undergoing changes we hope that the 4.0 framework affords us the ability to expand on all the great ideas and feedback we have gathered over the years. We have organized the website into 3 main genres; Tickets, Products, and Community. Offering face value tickets, products for cash or trade, and community posts like rides, housing, and services will make it easy to close the loop and unite this good spirited, fair trade community.
Our Trade List API integration is one of our proudest accomplishments. The CashorTrade Trade List API technology is easy to use and simple to plug into any website or blog offering a feed of CashorTrade posts in real time to your site’s visitors. View our partners.
Features under construction are our COT Storefronts and COT Groups. All members will have the ability to set up their very own COT Storefront where products and trades can be organized and searched on. COT Groups will provide you the ability to share your trades to sub-communities within the greater CashorTrade network.
We are members of, and run many face value trading groups. The Phantasy Tour Face Value Group, the CashorTrade Facebook Group and Page, our Twitter Network, the iTour Mobile App, and many other Facebook Trading networks. Giving each group an exclusive place within COT should make trading with close friends extremely easy. The texting, phone calls and email chains will be replaced with an easy to use interface.
Stay tuned as we continue to release new features. We welcome your feedback. By continuing to embrace face value we hope to restore affordable ticket prices, and renew the concept of ethical barter. We will continue to work with our legislators and provide you with the tools to become part of the process. With the new framework anything is possible, and we are dedicated to making a positive change in the industry. Thank you for your support and embracing face value.
We send a special thanks to Adam Scheinberg for all his help with this project. Thank you Adam.”
Websites & Links: CashOrTrade.org | Facebook | Twitter
From SCIOfficial
“Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads joined SCI during “Rosie” on July 14th, 2012 at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA. Video produced by Jason Kopelman – HearSeeFeel. Photo by Brain Spady.”
Websites & Links: StringCheeseIncident.com | LiveCheese.com
From Cope
“Florida’s dexterous musical juggernaut, COPE, announces a Summer 2012 tour with stops in Georgia, Virginia, North & South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The four-piece rock outfit played a killer set at Wanne Music Festival in April and they headlined Orange Blossom Jamboree this year. On this tour, they’ll be making appearances at Mantrabash and The Werk Out.
Known for explosive live performances where roots-rock passages blend seamlessly with bluegrass, funk, reggae and electronic breakdowns paired with soaring vocal harmonies, COPE is ready to introduce their dance party inducing sound to new audiences.”
Announced Tour Dates
July 6 – Cafe Da Vinci | Deland, FL
July 7 – Will Call | Miami, FL
July 12 – Jack Rabbits | Jacksonville, FL
July 13 – Skipper’s | Tampa, FL
July 14 – Bamboo Room | Lake Worth, FL
July 19 – Will’s Pub | Orlando, FL (w/ Big Something)
Aug 2 – Soho Bar & Grill | Columbus, GA
Aug 3 – Surrey Tavern | Augusta, GA
Aug 4 – Congress Street Social Club | Savannah, GA
Aug 8 – West End Trading Company | Sanford, FL
Aug 9 – Handlebar| Pensacola, FL
Aug 10 – Mockingbird Café | Tally, FL
Aug 11 – Bayou Bills | Valdosta, GA
Aug 12 – JJ’s Bohemia | Chattanooga, TN
Aug 13 – Cosmic Charlieʼs | Lexington, KY
Aug 14 – Woodlands Tavern | Columbus, OH
Aug 15 – Wilbert’s | Cleveland, OH
Aug 17 – Rootwire Music Festival | Logan, OH (Papadosio, Dopapod, Ott and more)
Aug 18 – Crooked 1|Erie, PA
Aug 19 – Bullfrog Brewery | Williamsport, PA
Aug 22 – TBD | Charlottesville, VA
Aug 23 – Doc Taylorʼs Seaside Market Lounge | Virginia Beach, VA
Aug 24 – Ten O One | Winston Salem, NC
Aug 25 – Peachtree Tavern | Atlanta, GA (Phish after party)
Websites & Links: TheRealCope.com | Facebook
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
Websites & Links: StringCheeseIncident.com | LiveCheese.com | SCI Tickets
Umphrey’s McGee Summer Tour 2012 Dates:
7.1 Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park, NJ*
7.3 Kresge Audtiorium, Interlochen, MI*
7.4 Moonlite Gardens, Cincinnati, OH*
7.5 CEFCU Center Stage at the Landing, Peoria, IL*
7.6 Weekend at Harmony, Geneva, MN Two Set Festival Performance
7.7 White River State Park, Indianapolis, IN*
7.28-29 Catalpa NYC Music Festival, New York, NY Two Set Festival Performance
8.6-10 sUMmer School at Full Moon Resort, Big Indian, NY
8.10 Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
8.11 The Klein, Bridgeport, CT
8.12 moe.down 13, Turin, NY
8.24-26 Summer Set Music Festival, Somerset, WI
8.30 Crossroads, Kansas City, MO
8.31 Green Mountain Eco Fest, Eldridge, MO
9.1-2 North Coast Music Festival, Chicago, IL
9.5 Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, VA
9.6 The Norva, Norfolk, VA
9.7 Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre, Wilmington, NC
9.8 Pisgah Brewery, Black Mountain, NC
9.12 Simon Estes Amphitheater, Des Moines, IA
9.13 Sumtur Amphitheater, Omaha, NE
9.14 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (w/ Railroad Earth)
9.15 Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO
9.19 Workplay Soundstage, Birmingham, AL
9.20 Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
9.21 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
9.22 Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville, KY
* With very special guests G. Love & Special Sauce
Jones Beach 1, 7/3/2012
The entire first leg of Phish’s 2012 tour contained some of the most consistently well played shows since the 2009 reunion, with ample Midwest love taboot! However, the crew and I had just enough time and energy left for two more shows out east in Wantagh New York. Seeing the band at new venues is always a treat, especially one with such fantastic views as Jones Beach. I can’t pick a clear cut favorite show from this run, but July 3rd at JB is certainly in the running.
Set one began with a “bustout” to end all bustouts in Little Feat’s Skin it Back. The last time the band played this song, I was three months away from being born. After standard versions of Possum and Tube we saw another rarity in the Beatles Happiness is a Warm Gun. Mike’s Groove followed, I could hear these three songs every damn show, especially when they are played this well. Other standouts from set one included the now rare Ya Mar, ZZ Top’s Jesus Just Left Chicago, and Golgi Apparatus except this time, we all could “see the sea.”
Set two of Jones beach 1 is easily one of the best sets I have seen Phish perform. It would have been nice to see the Chalkdust Torture stretched out into some “type II” jamming, but a classic straight forward version kept me smiling to say the least.
Whenever you see the band play several shows in a row, repeats will happen. What followed next was the third “Sand” and fourth cover of T.V. on the Radio’s Golden Age from this run of shows. However, when they are played this well, with great improvisation, it’s hard to complain. This version of “Golden Age” contained easily the best jam of the night.
A raging Wolfman’s Brother > Walk Away came next. “Walk Away” continues to be one of the most energetic songs you will see this band play. After the crowd, as well as the band, had a chance to “catch their breath,” we saw another version of possibly my favorite Phish ballad in Bug.
Another personal favorite The Wedge came before possibly the best Run Like an Antelope Phish has played in over a decade. I always love this song, despite some recent versions lacking a truly defined “peak.” This version raised a few eyebrows to say the least. Some Marco? Polo! shenanigans gave way to some “Mike-O” bass grooves; followed by the best ending to an “Antelope” I’ve ever heard by far.
Time to “Run-Run-Run-Run-Run” to the bathroom before my bladder explodes, not one “pee break song” in the whole set. A standard version of Character Zero closed out one of the best shows I have seen my favorite band play, ear to ear smiles all around. See you tomorrow, happy birthday America.
Highlights from Jones Beach (Night 1): Skin it Back, Mike’s Song > I am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Sand > Golden Age, Walk Away, Run Like an Antelope
Jones Beach 2, 7/4/2012
The grand finale of this nerds run of first leg shows. The only complaint on this end, No Fireworks on July 4th ?!? For shame. Parking lot idiots provided plenty of fireworks after the show, so I got my fill. Now, onto another stellar show!
This show certainly had an “old school” feel to it with the opening segment of Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues. The fifth different Velvet Underground cover since the Deer Creek shows came next in Head Held High. Another old school segment came next in The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday > Avenu Malkanu > The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday, the first performance since Alpine Valley 2009.
Some new school Phish appeared next in Kill Devil Falls. A set that was all over the place, but somehow still “flowed” saw a lovely version of Bittersweet Motel played next. The funk was then brought in Moma Dance. Well-played versions of Gumbo, David Bowie, and the rare treat “Susskind Hotel” soon followed. The only real complaint from set one is a song I just cannot get into, a steaming pile of Alaska.
Another hilarious Hold Your Head Up and Fish cover came next. I got my wish. We were all “tucking” in delight to an absolutely hilarious cover of Prince’s Purple Rain. The “tuck” shtick has yet to get old, so far, and I can admit, I was “tucking” in the purple rain right along with my favorite goofy drummer. An acapella version of our National Anthem closed a very different, but still highly entertaining first set.
Set two saw a few songs I had been hoping to hear all week and finally got. One of my favorite Phish covers started things off, Stevie Wonder’s Boogie on Reggae Woman. Next came another strong showing of two songs I will have a hard time ever getting tired of in Tweezer and Twist. It’s not often I find myself wishing that one song be scrapped from a set entirely, but I have never been much of a fan of Taste and an extra eight minutes of Tweezer or Twist would have been quite nice seeing as those two songs were clearly the highlight of set two.
After Taste, the set never seemed to fully pick up steam again. Standards of Quinn the Eskimo, Julius, another “Rock and Roll,” and a decent Harry Hood rounded out the middle of set two. After another ho-hum version of Show of Life I thought I was going to see nine Phish shows without hearing one of my all-time favorites. I was wrong.
Set two was up and down, but ended with an incredible version of Slave to the Traffic Light that was just beautiful, as well as fitting due to the grueling drive ahead of us the following morning. A classic encore combo of Sleeping Monkey and Tweezer Reprise (with no damn fireworks) closed out an overall solid July 4th show at Jones Beach.
Websites & Links: Phish.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LivePhish.com
From Phish.com
“On July 3rd and 4th, Phish will play two sold out shows in Wantagh, NY. Both shows will be webcast live at LivePhish.com. The webcasts are available for pre-order now, along with a Jones Beach event t-shirt. Individual shows are available for $14.99 and a two-night pass is available for $25.99.
LivePhish.com will broadcast a 9-camera, high definition shoot with high quality audio mixed live. You can tune in on your large screen TVs via HDMI-equipped PCs or Macs, as well as on Android devices, Boxee, and Xbox game consoles.”
Websites & Links: Phish.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LivePhish.com
June 20th, 2012 – “Elko” by Railroad Earth at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC.
Websites & Links: RailroadEarth.com | Facebook | YouTube
From Phish
“”Down With Disease > Sand” from Phish’s 6/28/12 show at Klipsh Music Center in Noblesville, IN. Download the entire show at: http://2nu.gs/1nPYSN“
Websites & Links: Phish.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LivePhish.com
