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
haha I watched the first episode of that – really ridiculous. but hilarious. I never got around to watching the rest of the season.
Anyone out there with extra festival tickets for sale? I almost came up on one last week, figured I’d check here before hitting the website…
Eastbound and Down is piss your pants funny.
“Your FUCKIN OUT!”
Small hurricane like storm movng into the bay area, everyone stock up on holy nugs…could a doozy.
FYI :audio archive is about 25% populated….
Miner – I’m curious, what does that mean exactly, that the archive is 25% populated? Is it in the process of slowly filling up right now?
OOOH YEAHHH!!! Thanks Miner
It means I am 1/4 of the way through entering shows/setlists/data/photos, etc. into the database. I am juggling three projects per day, and thus it can’t get my full attention right now. I would predict that within a few weeks we will have a fully populated archive with every show that is on this site, and it will be growing every day.
Also, I updated the Miner’s Picks on the home page sidebar. I *think* it should have all of em, but I feel its still missing a couple…anyhow….anyone got a topic for tomorrow? 😉
East Bound is great! Ridiculous and crude but great!
Speaking of storms:
One just blew into NOLA and put 6 inches of water in my special lady friend’s car. I just got done scooping out water with a big gulp cup. It ain’t easy living below sea level.
Miner,
12/7/97 – Dayton.
Miner: I liked your “we’re pregnant” story from a while back. Lay a good story on us. Something fall tour themed if possible.
Miner, feel free to let us in on that yet-to-be announced gig at the Centrum tomorrow 😉 Looking forward to an archive update.
Still coming up short on New Haven ’98. Aside from the DWD and Dude appearance, the only thing I remember was sitting in nearly every different area of that arena. Middle of the floor, high Fish, I did a few laps between the 100 and 200 level during the first set dancin my ass off. Spuuuuuuuuuun. Good times.
12/7/97 – Dayton! Fall 97 perfection. That 2nd set is gold. Not nearly as deep as some of the 4 song monsters earlier in the tour, but the execution was flawless. I can listen to that Reba for days on end.
dunno if it’s been posted but Hoodstream is streaming red rocks night two.
hoodstream.com
okay, I decided to wait until a little later in the day for the setlist today. I was also moving into a new house today, so that kind of kept me busy.
I
Tour’s On!*>
Who Is Going Where>
CCCC (sumodie’s essay)>
The Dunk>
Making Choices>
Bad Spunions**>
Trey on Keys
JOTD (99)>
Shat & Dribble***>
MGMT?
Spun Math
Drug Sherpa>
Pessimists****
II
Albums Wanted^>
The Setlist Guessing Game^^>
Hazy Hartford Memories^^^>
SOAM App>
Ziggy>
Lottery^^^^>
Musical Chairs>
Kenny
E: Archive^^^^^
Note 1: Additional Dates teases throughout 1st set
* Album Art tease
** Port-o-Potty Horror Jam
*** Very Nasty Jam
**** Exaggeration Jam
Note 2: 2nd set included multiple references to the 1st set bathroom habits songs/jams
^ Everyone’s Opinion Jam
^^ Dude of Life tease
^^^ Ziggy Jam
^^^^ Exile teases
^^^^^ Encore has references to prior jams
maybe my life will settle down some day. just in time to go to Indio…
@Kenny : “I’m ready to buttfuck this party.” That show is gold.
nice type III!!
I really want to catch one of these shows. It is very unlikely, but i still want to try to hit one.
If I could choose I’d hit the 2-nights at the Knickerbocker,CCCC,MSG (all 3), and then the VA finale.
But, in the real world, I can’t drive and going to New York for 3 days to see concerts is not going to happen, especially with school going on.
If I could choose, I would go to all of the shows. but yes, the real world is a tough thing, making me able to only go to CCCC. oh well. I thought I wasn’t going to get to see them at all so I’m happy.
anyone who is going to indio…i will bet you 2 indio beers on that they play exile vs. the album of your choice?
@ type III enjoy the new crib
I may be way behind the times on this observation but has anyone noticed phish photoshopped onto some of the Halloween album covers. I only found three that really stand out. The first one is Rush with Trey and Page moving the piano from Colorado 88. Next is Steely Dan with Fishmans viking helmet on the pretzel man. Last is the most obvious of them all. The Beastie Boys album has all four of the boys in the sardine can. If yall have been talking about this already sorry for bringing up old news but if not what do you think it means.
Just saw Trey at MSG at the Ranger game!
It’s a bit late for the working class East Coasters, I know. I am seriously debating on which run I’m going to try for. Syracuse, Philly? Detroit, Cincinatti? Not sure… but it’s going to be fun figuring out.
Just to add a sentiment in regards to current posts, Eastbound and Down is fuckin’ funny. Cheers :^)
after this morning’s casual potty talk, ill never again have a meltdown at a show because i felt the need to put nature’s need in its proper place – ill just let it fly!
seriously, though, made me realize that we ALL have had our challenging phish moments. sometimes i forget and think its just me -lol!
re: ziggy
after my first few listens to ziggy,while i dont dispute its brilliance, it doesnt have enough rippin rockers for a crazy large party,imho. several tunes are quite talky in fact. i wouldnt be disappointed necessarily, but im holding out for a more raucus choice. plus im beginning to feel that ziggy is TOO obvious.but what do i know. ill certainly be spinning ziggy some more -the sonic production is gorgeous.
of course, id love to have phish take another crack at crafting a concept album. if ziggy can inspire that,bring it on @ feight.