On Tuesday, Phish announced what everybody has known for quite a while, the boys will be back in New York City for their New Year’s Run. It has been no secret that the band signed a multi-year deal with MSG in 2010, and everyone has known since years ago where we’d be come December 28, 2012—back in The Garden again. Phish and New Year’s Eve at MSG has become an institution over the years, as the community has descended upon the capitol of the world for their end of the year celebrations in 1994 (just the 30th), 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011, and now 2012. And following a series of bunk performances in New York City last holiday season, I’d expect Phish to come out polished and firing for redemption come the end of December. Although the band has just as much time off as they did last year before the run, one would expect Trey to hold practices this time around—something that was absent from 2011’s debacle. Only a week after the long-awaited date of 12.21.2012, we will filter back into The World’s Most Famous Arena to conclude, without question, the best year of Phish since their return. But this time, it’s gonna’ be different!
For the first time in 23 years, Madison Square Garden will completely remove the seats from their floor and offer general admission tickets! But there is a catch that might make a huge difference depending on how hard they patrol the floor. Instead of having one, flowing open floor, MSG will sell “GA front” and “GA rear” tickets. The effect of this segmentation could result in more crowded environs for both sections. Without the ability for the masses to “push up” and crowd the front when the show begins, the back of the floor may not loosen up as usual and provide the dance space that spunions have come to love on GA floors. Perhaps fans’ preoccupation with the floor will free up the classic 300 level walkway that was so congested by construction last year? Here is the ideal scenario: they “undersell” the floor and require a separate entrance for all GA ticket holders, disallowing anyone without a ticket and bracelet from coming near the GA area. Who knows how things will turn out, but after last year’s clusterfuck at MSG, any change has to improve the situation!
The mail order window is now open through October 15, and with the new setup, one can request GA Floor only, though cannot specify front or rear. This is always a nice option so that one isn’t stuck with a handful of 400 level stubs come mid-October. Best of luck in the lottery, and we’ll be meeting in The Big Apple before you know it for a final serving of 2012 Phish!
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Jam of the Day:
“Carini -> Tweezer” 12.28.11 II
One of few redeeming jam sequences from last year’s New Years’ Run
