Phish

Memorial Day weekend always produces a number of different and distinct music festivals across the country, however one Midwest festival in particular has proved for countless years that they know how to throw a unique concert experience complete with a diverse music selection, an enthusiastic and experienced crowd, and a little help from the weather gods. This year’s annual Summer Camp Music Festival was one for the ages, providing fans with an unforgettable experience that won’t be outdone anytime soon.

To most of us who really pay attention to the current state of music and journalism, it comes as no surprise when I say that the quality and quantity of genuinely good music news and coverage coming out of the major media outlets has diminished substantially over the last decade or more.  They tend to focus more on pop artists, movie stars, and political discourse rather than covering and featuring truly great music (as they once did). 

After hanging out with Mike Gordon a bit the night before his show during the Toubab Krewe concert at the Fox Theater, I was more than ready to see his new lineup at the Boulder Theater. I pre-ordered his new album and enjoy listening to it especially on vinyl. Each time I have met him has been a peculiar, but enlightening experience.

Phish will kick off its 2014 Summer Tour on July 1 at XFINITY Center in Mansfield, MA and celebrate the Fourth of July with a three-night stand at SPAC Saratoga Springs, NY (July 3-5).They'll wrap up their summer outing with a trio of Labor Day weekend shows at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO (8/29-8/31). An online ticket request period for the tour is currently underway at http://tickets.phish.com and will end on Sunday, March 23 at 11:59PM ET.

I've been a die hard Phish fan for years. After the New Year's show, I had high expectations for the band members' side projects this year. If you have been following Trey Anastasio this winter, you too will know he has been an incredible act and displays the most incredible musicianship and shows his raw talent no matter who he is playing with. The ability to compose masterpieces and perform them with body moving jams.

The Allman Brothers Band headline a great line-up of outstanding performers for what is fast becoming one of the most popular Festivals in the country.  The 2014 Wanee Music Festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary Thursday April 10th through Saturday April 12th at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.

Phish returns to New Orleans 18 Years to the day to perform April 26th at the 2014 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The band will headline Saturday April 26th on the main stage. Other performers at the 2014 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival include Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Arcade Fire, Robin Thicke, Vampire weekend and hundreds more.Complete ticketing and VIP/travel package information can be found at http://lineup.nojazzfest.com/

On February 25, 2014, Megaplum/ATO Records will release Mike Gordon's new studio solo album, Overstep. It is available for pre-order now at Mike's Store and Phish Dry Goods on both CD and a 2-LP blue vinyl set. Overstep is Mike's fourth solo studio album, following Moss, The Green Sparrow, and Inside In.Beginning today, fans can listen to "Yarmouth Road", the first single from the album, exclusively at Rollingstone.com.

Phish returns to Madison Square Garden tonight in New York, NY for their New Year's Run to close out 2013 and it will be webcast at LivePhish.com. In order to celebrate New Year's with everyone, the band will offer live webcasts at LivePhish.com of each of the shows on the run (including Phish's New Year's Eve three-set performance) at New York City's Madison Square Garden: http://livephi.sh/MSG-HDLivePhish.com is broadcasting a high definition shoot with high quality audio mixed live.

On February 25, 2014, ATO Records will release Mike Gordon's new studio solo album, Overstep. Overstep is Mike's fourth solo album, following 2003's Inside In, 2008's The Green Sparrow and 2010's Moss. Fans can stream "Ether," the album's opening track here. Album pre-order details will be announced shortly.