The Road Ahead
After a whole lot of waiting, Phish finally dropped their fall tour dates last Friday, confirming many long-standing rumors and providing a couple surprises as well. The band will hit the road for 13 shows a little more than two weeks after Festival 8, starting in the Midwest on November 18, but remaining largely in the Northeast -here’s a preview.
The kick-off of Fall ’09 at Cobo Arena in Detroit, MI, though speculated upon, still surprised most fans. The iconic 12,191 seat venue was made famous by KISS in 1975 when they recorded their breakthrough album “Alive!”there. Having recently hosted a homecoming from the glam-rockers less than a month ago, Cobo Arena will host Phish before getting torn down later this year to expand Cobo Convention Center.
Cobo Arena - Detroit, MI
Following a rare-off day following the tour opener, the band hops south to Cincinnati for a two-night stand in the venue formerly known as “The Crown.” Phish has included The Crown on their tour docket consistently since Fall ’98, making these their sixth and seventh shows in the arena. Highlights from shows past include ’98’s “Bowie” and “YEM,” ’99’s “Sand,” “Limb,” and “Split,” and ’03’s “Bathtub Gin.” A building with a definite Phish-friendly legacy, this marks the band’s third twin-bill at The Crown; a Friday/Saturday combo that will certainly pull fans from all over the country.
War Memorial - Syracuse, NY
From Cincy, Phish will stop in Syracuse, NY for an intimate Sunday night at the 8,000-seat Onondaga War Memorial. A staple of the ABA and AHL circuits, Phish visited the under-sized venue during their hallowed month of November of ’94. Coincidentally, KISS is the only major rock act that routinely stopped at the venue better known for minor league sports and professional wrestling events. This one should be exciting! Following another day off, we bounce down to Philly to begin the highly anticipated east coast blowout. This high-key run starts with Phish’s first visit to the new-school Wachovia Center – across the street from The Spectrum. Philadelphia Phish never disappoints; and after a glorious past at The Spectrum, expect the band to christen their new Philly home in fine style.
Times-Union Center - Albany, NY
Only taking one day off on Thanksgiving Day, Phish will start working off their turkey the very next night, starting a third two-night stand at “Knickerbocker Arena” in Albany. Another historic haunt that has been violated by corporate sponsorship, this building has hosted many classic nights of Phish dating back to the historic 12/9/95 gig that included one of the top “YEMs” ever. The site of two tour-ending stands in the falls of ’97 and ’99, these upcoming shows will be Phish’s tenth and eleventh on Pearl St. Albany has always blended well with Phish, and this post-holiday stop looks to follow in that tradition.
CCCC - Portland, ME
The very next night, instead of making an expected stop in Worcester, MA, Phish surprised everyone by announcing a trip north to Portland, ME ‘s universally-loved Cumberland County Civic Center. Beginning with their first solo gig on 12.30.93, the 9,000 person room hosted five shows through ’99 and some truly epic Phish. A phenomenal room for a show, this Sunday night affair deserves a circle on everyone’s calendar.
MSG - NYC, NY
With two days to rest-up and relax, Phish finally returns to Madison Square Garden. Arguably the greatest Phish venue in the land, the band hasn’t stepped foot in the 34th St. mecca since their first comeback on 12/31/02. These three nights at The Garden – December 2,3, and 4 – are the “no-brainer,” “Get-Your-Ass-There-At-All-Costs” shows of the tour. In a building where Phish has dropped many career-defining nights of music, the prodigal band shall return for three more monster-sized shows laced with big-city psychedelia. And to cap off the tour, Phish flies south to Charlottesville, VA – home of their Red Light Management – in a move reminiscent of Winter ’03’s Greensboro finale. This year’s ending installment takes place in John Paul Jones Arena, University of Virginia’s brand-new basketball facility that opened in 2006 and holds over 15,000. This show not only concludes the tour, but also tops Phish’s only four-night run of Fall ’09. Though the tour is a relatively quick jaunt, almost every show will be a high-profile affair with more than a few guaranteed throw-downs. And when Phish steps indoors, the entire game changes; so watch out!
***
11.18.09 Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
11.20.09 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
11.21.09 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
11.22.09 War Memorial at Oncenter , Syracuse, NY
11.24.09 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
11.25.09 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
11.27.09 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
11.28.09 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
11.29.09 Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, ME
12.02.09 Madison Square Garden , New York, NY
12.03.09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
12.04.09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
12.05.09 John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
The ticket “lottery” is officially underway. The ticket request period will end this Friday, October 16th at 5:00pm EST.
Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, October 23rd, with additional dates going on sale Saturday, October 24th. For full show and ticketing information, please visit Phish.com.
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Jam of the Day:
“Bathtub Gin > 2001 > YEM” 12.2.99 II
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Phish1999-12-02d2t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Phish1999-12-02d2t04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Phish1999-12-02d2t05.mp3]A sparkling section of improv from Phish’s first show of December ’99 at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI.
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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
12.2.99 The Palace, Auburn Hills, MI < Torrent
12.2.99 The Palace, Auburn Hills, MI < Megaupload
The Palace - Auburn Hills, MI
Here is another tour-opener from the Motown area. This one got going quickly with highlight versions of “Antelope” and “Free” in the first frame, and heated up in earnest after the break with the smoking segment of “Bathtub > 2001 > YEM.”
I: Runaway Jim, Farmhouse, Heavy Things, Roggae, Run Like an Antelope, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Poor Heart, Sample in a Jar, Free, The Squirming Coil
II: Boogie On Reggae Woman, Gotta Jibboo, Bathtub Gin > Also Sprach Zarathustra >You Enjoy Myself > Little Drummer Boy
E: Bold As Love
Source: B&K 4023’s > V2 > D8 @ 44.1
Tags: 2009, Fall '09
in an ideal world: restrict access to only the $20s, slowly hand the venders one at a time with a smile until they start handing you stuff back. say thank you. enjoy.
THERE we go
that’s the one
can haz Gorge?
😮
^ to add to that, the audio file is the mk4v source, which IMHO is the overall best pull of all the sources for that show. I love the beef in Craig Davis’s source but the first set is all but ruined from wind issues.
This should be a sweet DVD with the rain falling (anyone see that crazy picture during Split that Miner had up a coupld months back?)
I have had the occasional shart. Not proud of it, just saying.
Good thinking Beeb…the sherpa…I like it!
@ kenny thanks for the heads up…Can’t wait to see this one
Late Night High Sierra ’04…drank all day, had a bunch of E and L in the evening to keep me up for the festivities…patiently waiting on a bench outside the hall after Tea Leaf Green, waiting for moe., spinning, spinning, down, down…I’m grabbing the bench like it’s the only thing that’s not spinning, feeling like I’m on the goddamn teacup ride.
Finally, I come to my senses enough to try to loosen my gut and de-stress and deal with the situation. Well, loosening my gut quickly became a major evacuation. Spent what felt like an eternity cleaning up, and made it back to the hall during moe’s first number. My friends were all “Where were you?” but other than that, no one had a clue.
I haven’t tripped since, mainly because I know I’d be too drunk to handle it, but I’ve eased off on the booze quite a bit since then, so maybe it’s time again…
It was kind of DD duty for us…being the Drug Sherpa…basically its halfway between being everyone’s bitch and everyone’s mother.
That MGMT record is total nonsense.
It is all about the production and the lyrics are just silly.
Just reminds me of those flaming lips records that had that lo-fi, hip-hop, techno pop sound going.
Nothing real ground breaking at all.
I gave it one listen and thought while not bad, def nothing exciting or worthy of a whole set of Phish.
This is on my list with U2, Beasties, Pearl Jam, Rage, Arcade Fire, and the Doors of if they play this one I’m done.
I will peacefully leave the scene to never return.
wanting to be able to trip cleanly was the first step in what led to me quitting drinking altogether…it just kind of phased out
oooh everyone’s gonna get panties in a wad re: @aw but I agree 100% except for the “never return” part
LOL Leo.
I once bought 12 waters and a bag of Skittles!
I wonder if they knew that something was amiss!
Setlist 10/12/09 Here’s what I got:
Set I
Can’t Hit ’em All,
First Impressions,
Free Date Speculation>
Southern Loveless,
Tales From The Darkside>
Spun,
Super Fly Snooka*
Set II
Disappointing shitpants>
Who Peed? I Peed>
Scatology**>
Dribble Method>
Beer Cup Class#
* Trey on Astral Keys and mini-kit (Haterade Teases)
** Port-A-John Tease
# W/ Teases of Pink Floyd’s Pigs on The Wing
I usually need a couple pulls of Beam to get me through the anxiety opening stages, then a couple more as the evening winds down.
@aw/mr.c – yep…panties knotted…but we’re all entitled to our hopes and I think no-matter what they play, they will make it worthy of a full set.
Add to that “Leave the Scene.”
Really guys, don’t you want to hear it before making this arching judgement?
Crimminy.
aw, makes sense for you, but Mr. C?
I;m surprised.
happy columbus day! I love the miner holidays!
@Neemor…good stuff there. I’m always amused at watching people’s buying/food/drink habits at shows. Early in the night it’s beer and maybe a liquor drink (ya know, a little help easing into lala land)…by halfway thru the first set, it’s usually multiple waters and something sweet…Skittles are perfect – it’s a rainbow of fruit flavors! What’s even funnier is watching somebody (obviously spun) buy nachos and a drink…they THINK they’re hungry…then try to figure out how to eat the nachos with both hands knowing they’ve got a 32 oz drink in the other. It’s a Homer Simpson moment…then the lightbulb kinda flickers, they smile, and put the drink on the floor…EUREKA!!!
aw, makes sense for you, but Mr. C?
nice to know Mr. C is part of the supreme race, and would never fall for the same ridiculous traps as aw
re: mgmt –
i also feel like its over produced indie nonsense. its like belle and sebastian with electronics. it doesnt suck but i myself cant see its worth amongst all the other great album possibilities. i would not be all that happy if they made that choice.
but to each his or her own right?
No, but aw you tend to be a bit more like me, pessimistic.
Mr. C tends to look on the bighter side of Phish.
That’s all I meant.
You’re talking about walking away from the band if they play one of ten albums.
Do they ever disappoint?
Seldom.
And with all the attention being paid to this Halloween (from all media), they won’t let us down this time.
It promises to be classic.
Hey ya’ll. Listened back to the first night of the ‘IT’ fest this weekend. What a massive jam / segue fest that was. It has me super pumped for the wide open, laid back phestival vibe that will be ‘Feight’.
re: JoTd, Geez, this ‘Gin’ has me dreaming of Cobo. What a rush! And, this is when ‘2001’ was in the future.
Just busting balls neemor
I am one of the most pessimistic assholes you will ever meet, that we can def agree on
I was more laughing at poor Mr. C having to be associated with my negativity
I have complete faith they will come through.
That is why I have been seeing them for so long
So far 2 out of their 3 Halloween records are in my top 50 rock records of all time
Just being honest with my opinions on MGMT
Of the post 1990 records I think Radiohead is the only one that would deserve being played
Full disclosure I am not that big a Radiohead fan but respect the records as being quite good
OK give me your top three choices. not what you think it will be but what you want it to be.
1. Doors
2. Doors
3. Doors
jk albert walker
I guess its the only lead that I have so…….. If it were up to me, Id pick either of the FZ records or some ziggy. Peaches has not been touched in quite some time.
aw and mr c always keeping it reals.
agreed that this monday thread is keeping me alive here at work.
and yo mr. c….they did that portajohn tip at GD JFK philly summer 89. i always thought that was a prank that was offsides. trust me, i’ve seen it all (having to beat kids down for dosing hotel doorknobs post show…not nice) and tipping a portajohn is really quite evil.
and “dribble method” is just plain wrong too. a few points given for style, but it’s still wrong.