When Uncle Billy has his hat on, you know you are in for a heater... Saturday night delivered just that at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA The Dead faithful showed up in the usual fashion to the home of Tom Brady. At every turn on shakedown you ran into a stealie with the Patriots’ iconic symbol replacing the bolt. But upon entering the stadium, you have a different feeling, a new vibe. After speaking with multiple venue employees and hearing how excited they are for the jam juggernaut to take the stage. It’s a lot different one of the media coordinators told me, we had a country fest here recently. This crowd is much better behaved.
At 7:30 sharp the crowd is stirring with anticipation as the band takes the stage. the sun still shining bright the electric first chords of Eyes Of The World ring through the stadium. Setting the tone with the Bobby Weir penned Black Throated Wind / Easy Wind keeping things in the family. A personal favorite came up next with Loser. Coming in hot as a pistol with what I think was the highlight of the first set Bird Song, captivating young and old fans with gigantic smiles. Making things easy for a tour bust out on a botched Box Of Rain had the smiles even wider as the crowd cheered John Mayer on. Bobby jokingly saying Take 2, Once again bringing the band into its closing number where the energy and vibe blowing as strong as the nights breeze.
At last the sun has gone down and the fun is only getting more fun with a thunderous Help On The Way opener. Followed by the usual suspects in Slipknot and Franklin's Tower keeping the energized circus jazzed with excitement! Paving the way for the ever so cherished rendition of Heʼs Gone. Allowing Bobby to shine in a beautifully done Dark Star taking the tempo down to a simmer. Everyone in the joint knew what was happening next. With the rhythm devils favorite moment of the evening.
Delivering a powerful drum solo with Oteil jumping into join the fun. Opening up the floodgates to Space with genre bending synth and electronic drum play closing out the duos drum and space section of the evening. Bringing the mood into one of the more beautiful moments of the set with a timeless Stella Blue. Taking the tempo up to a boiling point with the Crickets cover Not Fade Away, that has a seamless transition into a charging rendition of Going Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away reprise.
Closing out the set with the crowd keeping the energy going with a Not Fade Away of our own bringing the boys back for a Beautiful Cover of The Weight by The Band. Most definitely one of my favorite part of this monstrous encore was Oteil bringing home the third verse with a grandeur of swagger and confidence. A perfect way for an evening of peace, love and music to come to conclusion.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, where does someone start? This funk, soul powerhouse brings the ruckus with so much elegance and class. Wednesday night in Jersey City they did just that and then some. The White Eagle Hall was in for a mid-week high energy old school get down right from the get-go. Slightly Stoopid opened tonight setting the tone for Karl Denson to come out for a dueling sax solo to end the rock steady set!
Just after 10pm the house lights went down for the San Diego born band to take the stage. Fresh off the release of their third album Gnomes and Badgers, KDTU brought together old and new tunes alike. Setting the funky tone with Catching Sparks and the new song Gossip, which is sure to become a fan favorite in no time! Bringing the soul with “I’m your biggest fan” allowing the band to tease its way through funky breaks and some soulful play on the Rhodes and organ.
Sticking with the soulful funk vibes the band played into one of my personal favorites New Ammo. Taking us into the evenings end with the high energy gospel jam Time to pray with perhaps my favorite solo of the evening.
Karl Denson showcasing his musicianship with a scorching flute solo to close out the song. I can most assuredly tell you that KDTU will take you to church at any given night they hit the stage. Keep your eyes peeled for dates in your local area and give the new album a spin or 3, its worth the smile and your ears will thank you!
I was ten years old when the boys from Vermont unleashed what we know it as today…Island Tour ’98. Four shows spanning two states in the northeast. Long Island in New York and Providence in Rhode Island. But I’m sure many of you already know that. As Phish wrapped up a raging summer tour, everyone was already in full throttle with New Year’s rumors and possible fall tour plans. As the time got near, my mission was clear, and a 6-night run of shows was announced. A 3.0 island tour if you will. Starting right after Thanksgiving for two nights in Rhode Island, a Sunday show in Long Island with a 3-night cap in Charleston, South Carolina (they would later announce a one-night stand at the famed Philly Met).
Still wiping my eyes from my Thanksgiving food coma, I took the pilgrimage an hour south for the tour opener in Providence Rhode Island. As I met up with old and new friends alike a couple of hours before the show, it was hard not to feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. After all, Phish hadn’t played in Providence for almost a decade. Playing the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (originally Providence Civic Center) is an experience all on its own, the barn is used mostly for minor pro hockey and college hoops. I don’t believe many renovations have been done since the doors opened. At around 8pm, the house lights came down, and the fantastic 4 took the stage. Opening up with the Grammy-nominated “First Tube,” sending the crowd into a dancing frenzy. The tone was set for the night to come!! A bubble busting “The Final Hurrah” followed up by an inspiring “NICU” with an electric solo from the chairman of the boards. This first set was surely turning out to be a special one. Right when I was least expecting, A bust out of “Bye Bye Foot” last played in the summer of '97 at Deer Creek. While I’m sure some 3.0 phans had never heard the song, the jaded vets surely had some opinions on the matter, as one standing next to me wouldn’t shut the F*ck up about it! A funky “Gumbo” put that talking elder into a silent but happy dance circle. Wrapping the first set up with a fiery cover of Hendrix's “Fire,” leaving the crowd anxious for what wildness will unfold in set 2.
As the house lights dimmed once more, the crowd shouted and hollered with excitement as the opening chords and lyrics belted through the small arena. “LEE FORDHAM SOLD ME OUT” Lee himself having passed away this past May bringing even more meaning for the song as the band played on! (Lee actually never did sell out Trey, but the lyric was too cool to change) The rest of the second set was riddled with Phan favorites thicker than “Plasma,” which found its way three or so times throughout the set! Two of my personal high lights coming from a beautiful “Birds of a Feather” as well as the always rocking James Gang “Walk Away.” Setting the boys up for a beautiful 4 tune encore. Starting things off with “Meatstick” and finishing the first night off with “Bug,” Which will always have a special part in my heart as it was the encore to my first ever show in 2003.
Check out more photos from the show.
SET 1
First Tube
The Final Hurrah
NICU
Steam
Scent of a Mule
Bye-Bye foot
No Men In No Man's Land
Gumbo
My Soul
Maybe
Sand
Fire
SET 2
46 days
Back on the Train
Plasma
Farmhouse
Light>
Plasma>
Birds of a Feather
Joy
Simple
Set Your Soul Free>
Plasma
Walk away
ENCORE
Meatstick
Sleep
Driver
Bug
Opening night in New York City is always a special evening. The energy, buzz and all-around excitement is a contagious feeling as any. None however quite like the first night back after a year and couple months of a pandemic which kept all of us away from our families, friends and live music.
As the crowd made its way into a fully packed Beacon Theatre for the return of the beloved Phish front man, who is no stranger to this room. Having played a residency just 6 months prior for all to watch on the interwebs. Albeit this time turned the other way and Trey Anastasio was facing a full audience and it was so soul refreshing.
Check out more photos from the show.
