Many Phish fans might be familiar with the name Holly Bowling. Those who don’t soon will, and those who know her name will get an inside look into the pianist’s rise in notoriety in the Phish community.
San Francisco-based Holly Bowling became well-known after the end of Phish’s hiatus for an interesting take on the band’s music: “jam-scriptions.” Just as it sounds, she takes Phish songs and turns them into a full solo piano arrangements.
This fall Conveniently Texan Pictures, the makers of the 2012 phan film “WIIIL-SOOON” about the mesh of the Phish song and the Seattle Seahawks, will release a short independent film to bring the story of Holly to light. It will feature an interview with Marco Benevento and include footage of Holly’s first East Coast performance on Aug. 10 at Philadelphia’s Howl At The Moon (performance to feature a surprise guest).
Those who have wandered around when Phish is in town have probably noticed a PhanArt Presents show exhibiting the Phish inspired art of several artists. Holly will be performing at times throughout the upcoming PhanArt Presents: A World Cafe Live One show on Aug. 12 with a special performance around 3 p.m. before Phish’s show hits The Mann that evening.
World Café Live in Philadelphia will host PhanArt’s “A World Café Live One,” an art exhibition inspired by the music of Phish, on Aug. 12. Show time starts at 11 a.m. and will conclude at 4 p.m. With more than 20 artist appearing at the event, PhanArt and A World Café Live One will surely bring you some of the best Phish-inspired art, with some exclusive pieces available for the Philadelphia and Magnaball shows only.
Admission to the event is free and will act as a warm-up for those who plan to attended the second show of Phish’s two-night stay at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, which is just a 10 minute walk from World Café Live.
Artists appearing at this one-of-a-kind art show will include Isadora Bullock, The Art of Ryan Kerrigan, Tripp’s Prints, Dr. Wookles, StuPINdous Creations, Jampanties, Setlist Tees, Josean Rivera, Pins by CZ, The Overhead View, Pin Me Down, Graphic Translations, Pinsanity Designs, Fred Sutter, Zenster Designs, S.A.W. Family Creations, Whole Phamily, [Brendan/LoPorto Studios], Blueskaithreads and Dogmatagram Designs. Fans will see a variety of Phish-inspired posters, pins, shirts and unique wears.
The Mockingbird Foundation will debut eight prints from their upcoming book, “The Phish Companion Third Edition.” The foundation has awarded more than 800,000 in grants over the past 15 years for musical education.
San Francisco-based pianist Holly Bowling will play a special performance throughout the show. Each set will feature Phish songs, including a complete rendition of “Tahoe Tweezer,” during the final hour starting at 3 p.m.
If that wasn’t enough for PhanArt fans, a curated beer list of Phish-inspired local craft brews will be on hand and selected by Beeradelphia director Michael Lawrence.
Creator, producer and promoter for the event Pete Mason is the founder of PhanArt as well as the author of PhanArt: TheArtoftheFansofPhish. Previous PhanArt exhibitions since 2013 have been held in cities such as Atlantic City, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami.
The official Gathering of the Vibes 2015 countdown is down to two DAYS. Before we finish stuffing all our camping equipment into our cars, we wanted to up the suspense by asking members of the ever-growing VibeTribe to tell us what they love about GOTV, and what being a member of the VibeTribe means to them. In no particular order, here are the responses we love the most.
Submission by cdrhead:
“My first introduction to ‘the vibe tribe’ was when I started collecting GD tapes. I lived in the next town over from Terrapin Tapes so I would walk in and buy blank Maxell’s there. I switched to cd and started buying blank cds there too. I got to know some of the folks that worked there a little. I would see Ken barefoot at shows, and I was slow to catch on to festivals but when I learned Ken was the promoter I knew GOTV would be good (and I still see him barefoot at shows). I got into message boards at dead.net, then moved to an international forum that got shut down. I came to the vibes board and found lots of friends. I live in CT so I started going to the Vibes full time when they moved it back to Bridgeport. The family feeling is there, we are one tribe.”
Submission by jefferjm:
“Being part of the Tribe means knowing that at least once a year I can arrive in a place where I can be completely myself, and free of worry and the judgement of others. It’s also my chance to spend the highest possible quality time with my 19 year old son. He was born 3 months after Jerry passed but Vibes and all the shows we attend together gives him the chance to see the community that changed my life for the better when I hopped on the bus on Halloween 1979 at the Nassau Colosseum. Vibes continues to be the highlight of our year.”
Submission by Occifer Boland:
“I could go on for pages upon pages…. I won’t. In 2002 my big brother passed away at 37 years old. He was a ‘boardie’ at the time . He died one month before Vibes 2002… He bought my ticket for us to attend together. I wasn’t going to attend, as I was still a mess from losing him. Five days before event, my brother’s crew told me my bro Bob would want me to attend. I went…NEVER LOOKED BACK!!! Only missed 2 Vibes since then. Became ‘family’ with so many. As someone else stated, this is my yearly vacation. I am now 37 years old (age my brother was when he passed away), I am grateful for the years I put in to honor his memory of a festival he enjoyed. And this year The String Cheese Incident is playing, the last fest I saw them was in 2001 with my bro.”
Submission by Depends:
“My first vibes, 2008, I knew no one there. Now, 2015, I have high hopes of seeing and hanging with upwards of 50 people, 25 of which I’m more than happy to call friends. I used to sit and wonder how/why so many younger people were there. I thought that it was an older person thing. Then I remembered my first GD concert, I was 15. I knew then, the teens and 20/30 somethings have had that same feeling. It’s home, with a heart.”
Submission by In A Silent Way:
“I wandered in by accident as the publicist for a local radio station, and met some of my favorite people in the world. I’ve been to two Vibe Tribe weddings, and my kids have had the privilege of growing up at Vibes. There is nothing, NOTHING like the hooting, hollering, and hugging that happens when the festival opens and everybody is saying ‘HAPPY VIBES!”
Submission by Lostsailr:
“In 1996, it was an ad in Dupree’s Diamond News that got us to get a sitter for out one year old twins and head to SUNY Purchase, to listen to some music to fill the void after the loss Of Jerry Garcia. We all wondered what would happen, now that there were no more shows to go to (there will always be more concerts, but not any ‘Shows,’ though Chicago did just prove me wrong on that point). We came upon a group of fellow deadheads we never met, but automatically knew we were home. We were even greeted by the first volunteer we came to that day, and have been greeting others the same way ever since: ‘Welcome Home!”
Not excited enough yet? The team at Gathering of the Vibes just announced some new acts this past week, including Road To Vibes winners Relative Souls, along with the incredible Nigel Hall and Eric Krasno. In addition to great music, great weather is being forecasted for this weekend, upward of 86 degrees. We hope you all try to get through the first half of your work week, and we thank everyone for their responses. We can’t wait to see you over this sunny, musical weekend.
STS9 has announced its 2015 Fall Tour, and highlighting the 22-show trek are two stops in New York. On October 25, the jamtronica act will headline the Town Ballroom in Buffalo before weaving its way through the Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland before landing back in the Empire State for a November 5 show at the Best Buy Theater.
STS9 Fall Tour 2015:
October 22 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
October 23 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
October 24 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
October 25 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
October 28 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
October 29 – Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
October 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
October 31 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
November 01 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Hulaween
November 05 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
November 06 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
November 07 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
November 08 – Richmond, VA – The National
November 11 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
November 12 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
November 13 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
November 14 – Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium
November 15 – Columbia, SC – Music Farm
November 18 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City Music Hall
November 19 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theater
November 20 – Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall
November 21 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
This year’s edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival stopped at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut, on Sunday July 19th. Along with 14 bands, the festival also brought scorching temperatures with it. Sunday’s heat was no match for metal fans though, as many camped out at the rail all day long or participated in throwing down in the mosh pits.
Music started on the Victory Records Stage shortly after 1pm with the Coldcock Band Winner, Dead By Wednesday. Although many fans were still in the parking lot hanging out or making their way into the festival, Dead By Wednesday didn’t seem to care and gave Mayhem everything they had. After their set was over, they welcomed fans to come hang out with them at the Coldcock tent. After a short 5 minute stage change, Code Orange was next up. This band formed back in 2008 and continues to grow. When they came on stage the Victory Stage area was starting to fill in and the mosh pits started. Code Orange did a good job getting the crowd ready for a long day of music.
Dead By Wednesday
The next two bands to take the stage were Shattered Sun and Sworn In. Shattered Sun took the stage right around 2pm when pretty much everyone was inside. People were either checking out the tents set up all around the venue or checking out what Shattered Sun had to offer. Touring behind their recent release Hope Within Hatred, the 6 piece band Shattered Sun showed they weren’t stopping any time soon. Sworn In took the stage after with a very aggressive and hardcore approach. At the start of their set, their singer told the crowd he wanted someone in the ICU by the time the song was over. This made for a fun time for anyone who was partaking in the mosh pits.
After Sworn In and a 15 minute stage change, Sister Sin took the stage. This female-fronted Swedish band was different then the rest of the more hardcore bands on the Victory Records Stage. Sister Sin had more of a throwback metal style that made it feel like the 80s. This change of style was accepted by the crowd and the entire crowd got into this band. After their set was over, Sister Sin went to their merchandise tent to meet fans who were already lined up waiting during the set.
Sister Sin
With the heat not letting up at all, Jungle Rot took the stage at 4pm and delivered a killer set behind their recent release Order Shall Prevail. Even with only having a short 25 minute time limit, Jungle Rot ripped through a handful of songs from 3 different albums including their newest. Fans were definitely left wanting to hear more heavy riffs and killer drumming out of the guys in Jungle Rot. Once Jungle Rot was done, fans used the quick break to go hydrate at the Rockstar Energy Drink booth and other places. Luckily, the setup was done perfectly with everything right around the Victory Records Stage, so fans didn’t have to miss any action. Thy Art Is Murder was up next. Touring behind their June release of Holy War, these guys were ready to show Mayhem what they were made of. Their setlist features tracks from both Holy War and their previous release Hate. The highlight of their set is when they kicked an autographed soccer ball into the crowd for the fans.
The last band to take the Victory Records Stage before things got hectic with the Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage and Victory Stage going back and forth between bands was Whitechapel. Generally classified as a deathcore band, Whitechapel displayed many different traits of other genres. This 6 piece band, which features a 3 guitar attack were the reason why many of the fans at the rail had been there all day. The dedication paid off those fans who stood in the heat all day long because Whitechapel surely did not disappoint anyone in Hartford.
Whitechapel
The Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage started off with The Devil Wears Prada. These guys had quite the mix of clean melodic vocals and hardcore screams. Being the first band to open the main stage, they didn’t have much space up on stage from being in front of every other band’s gear after them, but they were making the most of it. These guys were all over the stage and really getting the crowd prepared for the rest of the evening. As the skies darkened, there was no better time for Kissing Candice to take the Victory Record Stage. This gore-core band took the stage with masks and blood covered clothes. Fans who were lucky enough had the chance to pose for photos with them earlier in the day at the Coldcock tent.
With the music then shifting back over the main stage, fans were ready to see HELLYEAH. This band had the pit section inside ready to go before they even walked on stage. All the fans there knew who HELLYEAH were and they were prepared to thrown down. The set opened up with Vinny Paul standing up on his drum riser and giving the crowd the go ahead signal. The setlist was dominated by their last album, Blood For Blood. The only two songs that weren’t off that release were “War In Me” and the closing song “You Wouldn’t Know”. Lead singer Chad Gray took the time between songs to thank fans and to speak to them about how important music was to him. HELLYEAH continues to grow and this tour is only proof of that. Be sure to follow them in the news because there’s already talks about their next album coming early 2016.
HELLYEAH
The last band to play on the Victory Records stage came all the way from Melbourne, Australia and they were called Feed Her To The Sharks. This band was another that featured both clean melodic lyrics with a mix of heavy metalcore screams. They mixed their elements quite well and impressed everyone who left their spots at the main stage area. Their set was very short but they like many of the other bands made the best of their available time.
Overshadowing their setlist was the lurking set time for the mighty King Diamond. Starting right on cue, the lights dropped right at 8:10pm. King Diamond shortly appeared from the top of the stage structure they had set up. This was the first band of the day with a serious production. Complete with gargoyles and inverted crosses, King Diamond had a fantastic theatrical set. Not showing their age one bit, King Diamond and the rest of the band sounded absolutely fantastic. Even though the set was only an hour, the band got to play 10 songs and had a nice mix of both King Diamond and Mercyful Fate covers.
King Diamond
After a long 35 minute wait after King Diamond, Slayer fans watched the big white banner finally fall, revealing a relatively empty stage for a headliner. There was no time for disappointment though as Slayer opened the night with their new single “Repentless” which is the title of their new album that’s due out on September 11th. Along with this new track, fans who were just cooling down finally got blasts of fire from the stage. Fans knew there was a reason for just one big screen behind the stage and a row of cabs on each side of drummer Paul Bostaph. The pyrotechnics continued all through the evening and were on queue with the music. The giant screen behind the stage displayed album covers from each song or animated videos. This stage setup was spectacular and went with the music perfectly.
Slayer
The band was spot on all night long in every aspect. Tom Araya sounded absolutely fantastic behind the mic. Guitarists Kerry King and Gary Holt were top-notch, representing themselves as two of the best thrash metal guitarists of all time. Finally, Paul Bostaph was a beast behind the kit, not missing a single beat. Many people were skeptical with the recent changes that Slayer had gone through, but it is apparent that this change has rejuvenated the band and there’s no letting off the gas pedal.
Slayer Setlist: Delusions of Saviour (Opening), Repentless, Hate Worldwide, Jihad, Disciple, God Send Death, War Ensemble, When The Stillness Comes, Implode, Mandatory Suicide, Chemical Warfare, Ghosts Of War, Dead Skin Mask, Hell Awaits, South Of Heaven, Raining Blood, Angel Of Death
Mayhem Festival was scrutinized this year after they released the lineup, as it was deemed weak and not as impressive as previous years by fans. This was definitely not the case this year. Slayer, King Diamond, HELLYEAH, The Devil Wears Prada and everyone who took the Victory Records Stage put on one hell of a show that needs to be seen.
The tour has less than 2 weeks left to go before it ends in Dallas, TX. Check out the rest of the dates and cities here.
Walking into Camp Bisco was quite different this year than in years past. For starters, the bikers were replaced with police which kept things on the up and up and lead to a safer vibe throughout. As I walked in, there were two rows of your standard concert venders: merchandise, burritos, wicked gems, and further down the path was a small stage called Steamtown Stage. This stage was located in a smaller area right in front of the entrance to Montage Mountain, where there always seemed to be a bunch of people having fun.
Once you walked through the main gate there were, of course, more vendors, but also there were water stations strategically stationed around the venue so people could be safe and keep hydrated. The path further led to the main stage, Electric City Stage, with a pavilion feel and covered with a huge white tent — which would come in handy later on in the weekend. Past the Electric City Stage there were more vendors and checkpoints on the way to the water park, which had three slides, a wave pool and a lazy river. With the temperatures as high as they were, this would come in handy for those who wish to partake. Even cooler, just past the wave pool was the second main stage, which stage looked over a mountain where you could catch a glimpse of people zip lining or going on a scenic chair lift ride. This area was also home to the disco lounge. Inside the lounge DJs spun records and kids hula hooped, which continued throughout the festival. All in all, Montage Mountain was set up perfectly for Camp Bisco.
On Thursday, the Business Casual Disco started things off with a bang on the electric city stage. The smooth bass beats set everyone up for what was to be a rocking weekend. Kung Fu brought their unique sound to the Above the Waves stage, which is a double entendre — being next to the wave pool, and also being one of the Disco Biscuits classic songs. With the newly recruited Beau Sasser on keys, his presence was made very prominent throughout the band’s set. Being next to the wave pool and surrounded by tons of water rides, one might have asked themselves “Where am I?” You, my friend, are at the new Camp Bisco, where Kung Fu played their intricate part in adding excitement and fun to the party. It was almost Kismet as the band was finishing up their set, the sun slowly sunk behind the stage making for a most blissful moment. Sound Tribe Sector 9 tore things up back on the Electric City stage, and with beats galore a smile was on everyone’s face. Opening with “March” was the perfect choice. A bouncy number that had even the biggest skeptics hooked. A different rendition of the Nina Simone classic “New Dawn, New Day” was also a treat. It enabled people who may not be familiar with the bands catalog to connect. There was no other act better suited to open up for the The Disco Biscuits.
Marc Brownstein began the Biscuits set on the microphone with an announcement that they had started in Pennsylvania in 1999 and after a few years away it was good to be back home. When that segued into the Prince’s Purple rain hit “1999,” the crowd went totally nuts. Starting out with this song was an inspired way to kick off the party. Everyone was into it and it left the door open to endless possibilities, such as “Mr. Don” and a huge “Reactor” closer, which left confetti strewn all over as it popped right at the end. Sheer entertainment brilliance. After the Disco Biscuits, Twiddle played on the Above the Waves stage to a miniscule crowd — it didn’t help that Pretty Lights was playing the Electric City stage. Regardless of the numbers, these guys tore it up. With the raspy lead vocals of Mihali Savoulidis and his wailing guitar, there was no way those in attendance weren’t going to have a good time.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brought their raging style to the Above the Waves stage to kick off day two. Although there were many highlights in this electro fusions band’s set, none was more prominent than the Talking Heads cover “Psycho Killer.” The way lead singer Greg Ormont captured the spirit of the song was unparalleled, they had the whole crowd into their set with people actually walking around like pigeons! It was kind of weird but enormously fun. American Babies, Tom Hamilton’s home base, played a stellar set. The vocal range of Hamilton was soothing with passion while bassist Clay Parnell played with one hand. (His left hand appeared to be in a brace of some sort.) Hamilton’s shredding guitar brought the set to a close, leaving fans old and new wanting more. The indie electric duo CHERUB brought a new sound to the stage. Reminiscent of MGMT, the duo uses a lot of looping and beats to make their sound different. Their vocal ranges were in a league of their own hitting high and low all in the same line of a song. It’s refreshing to see a band take an idea and make it a reality, which is what CHERUB did.
For their second night of music the Disco Biscuits focused on their inversion style, inverting four songs in two sets. This is a style unique to the Biscuits which involves playing the middle and the end of the song before going back into the beginning. It’s really something to see. Opening with “Beethoven’s Fifth” and going into an inverted “House Dog Party Favor” was out of this world and performed flawlessly. As a surprise and a pleasant one at that, Marc Brownstein called up a guest singer to help the Biscuits take on the Hall and Oates number “She’s Gone.” This throwback got everyone’s attention, resulting in high fives circulating through the crowd and there was a happy vibe throughout the whole pavilion. The second set opened with the Grateful Dead’s “Help on the way > Slipnot” with a little help from Tom Hamilton. It was cool how they played homage to the Dead in a different way than most bands do. This was the Biscuits playing as the Biscuits, but playing a Dead song – not your average cover. This is when the fun really started for the fans as well as the band. Three inversions in a row: “Confrontation,” “Overture” and “Above the waves.” The Biscuits kept the crowd on their toes never knowing which song was coming next or which way it would be played. The covers continued with a take on Pink Floyd’s “Us and Them” featuring Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic on the saxophone. This slow melodic song showed a different side of the Biscuits, a more patient side and Dom’s sax only added to that serenity — really nicely done. This segued into the set closer “Helicopters” which took the subdued crowd and brought their energy back, preparing them for day three of Camp Bisco.
Saturday at Camp Bisco is always a little more filled with music than the days prior. The Disco Biscuits played 3 sets and if that wasn’t enough, there was something happening on most of the stages all day so boredom didn’t have a chance. The Disco Biscuits opened the Electric City Stage with the crowd pleaser “Astronaut,” a perfect start to the set, followed by a dark version of the staple “Vassilios” and finishing with an epic “I-man.” If this was the kind of set they opened with, one could only imagine what was to come later on. Reptar, a band hailing from Atlanta, Georgia played at the Above the Waves stage. Reptar had an indie punk feel to them with a lot of energy and the crowd ate it up. They would have been a great segue into Papadiso but due to a severe weather warning their set was pushed back and everyone was asked to please seek shelter. This is where the white tent came in handy. People huddled around the area waiting for the storm to pass. When it finally did, it left a euphoric rainbow and fantastic vibes. Since most people were under the tent anyway, they stayed for the Disco Biscuits. The energy was intense. Opening up with the classical piece “Saber Dance” the band showed off their diversity and solidified that they are not just a transfusion band, as they previously did in the festival by playing “Beethoven’s Fifth.” This set was solid with “Konkrete,” “Crystal Ball” and a Muse cover “Knights of Cydonia.” The latter was an extra special treat as it was the first time they had ever played it. Bassnectar was up next and made a lot of people extremely happy. His legions of fans took over the pavilion leaving Disco Biscuit fans to wander around aimlessly waiting for the Biscuits to reemerge. T just kept going and going and every song or beat or whatever it was sounded the same, but these fans ate it up. One fan actually said “I live for Lorin (Bassnectars real name).” Everything may not be for everyone but the crowd seemed to have a really good time. As the Bassheads dispersed to one of the DJ venues, the Bisco fans proudly regained their seats and were ready for the last set of the weekend, performed by the festivals namesake, The Disco Biscuits. Their last set was played so tightly and patiently you were able to tell that the boys have been practicing. This became even more apparent when they covered LCD Soundsystems “Home”. The whole crowd was bouncing and high fiving. It was definitely the highlight, not just of the set, but of the festival as a whole.
With August just days away, touring bands are beginning to release their fall tour dates, including some exceptionally special Halloween shows. The Motet has done just that, letting fans know that this Halloween will be an ode to one of the funkiest decades in history. Designating it “Mixtape 1977,” the Colorado funk band is taking their annual Halloween tradition on the road with stops in Des Moines, IA, Minneapolis, MN, Milwaukee, WI and Chicago.
The Motet has kept with tradition in the past holding Halloween shows held in their home state. With a new twist on things, they are spreading the love this fall, giving fans in the Midwest an opportunity to get in on the experience. Colorado fans can look forward to a new tradition with The Motet’s “Hometown Hustle” at The Ogden Theatre on November 13 and 14. Friday’s show will feature Chicago electro-funk band The Main Squeeze. For Saturday, The Motet will be rolling out the “Spirit of ’77.” This will feature a special second set of music from their Halloween shows “Mixtape 1977.”
In addition to the “Mixtape 1977” mini tour and “Hometown Hustle,” The Motet is hitting a number of festivals including Catskill Chill, Summer Meltdown, Phases of the Moon and Magnolia Festival. With stops in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas, Arizona, Massachusetts and New York, The Motet will be covering a handful of states other than the above mentioned theme nights.
Be sure to check their website and Facebook page for complete tour dates and information.
On Friday July 17, The Stone Pony Summer Stage was packed and ready for the funk driven 75 minute set from Lettuce to begin the night ahead of Umphrey’s McGee. Chicago’s finest took the stage just after 8 p.m. opening their 2-hour set with “Le Blitz” followed by “Educated Guess.” The crowd was energized and showed their appreciation with the band’s signature two hand rock signs raised high. Outside and along the venue, fans were standing in the back of pick-up trucks trying to catch a glimpse of the show while others without tickets scattered blankets in the grass nearby.
There’s nothing like a gorgeous night at the Jersey Shore, walking along the boardwalk, hearing the waves crash gently against the beach. One of the true icons of the Garden State, the famous wooden planked avenue is a place where children play and couples walk hand in hand, sneaking a kiss as they take in all that Asbury Park and its rich history has to offer. What was once a booming boardwalk complete with a casino, The Palace Amusement Rides, The Convention Hall and the renowned Tillie, still serves as home to the famous music venue The Stone Pony which has given rise to many local musicians, most notably Bruce Springsteen. While just a whisper remains of what Asbury Park once was to New Jersey, remarkably, The Stony Pony has remained while expanding their repertoire of musical acts and creating an outdoor Summer Stage to bring some energy and enjoyment back to a once sought after New Jersey beach destination.
On this gentle evening, Umphrey’s brought out the hard jams with “Push the Pig,” “Dump City” and “Mulche’s Odyssey.” Another jam filled selection entitled “Conduit” had a slight twist to it which was greeted delightfully by an appreciative audience as the band added a small cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls On Parade” before transitioning back to the song. This was not the only cover of the evening either with Ween’s “The Grobe” making an appearance as well as a lengthy four song encore which began with the iconic guitar riff and impeccable performance of Led Zeppelin’s, “The Song Remains the Same.”
Setlist: Le Blitz. Educated Guess, Deeper > Miss Tinkle’s Overture, Final Word > Push the Pig, Eat, Similar Skin, The Grobe, Conduit > Dump City, Mulche’s Odyssey
Encore: The Song Remains the Same, Ocean Billy > The Triple Wide > Ocean Billy
Recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rush has been at it for 41 years now since their 1974 self-titled release. Well, 41+ years including their earlier years playing local bars, high school dances, and their first 45 with A/B side singles in 1973. Their recent shows at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ and at Madison Square Garden in NYC as part of the R40 40th anniversary tour made a statement about the band who has persevered and grown a profound loyal fan base through the years while never flying close the mainstream limelight.
Though the Saturday show in Newark saw a windy deluge going to and from the arena, Monday’s sunny evening drew like moths a sea of people clad in Rush shirts to the sidewalks at 34th and 7th. A typical scene before a concert perhaps, though something was different in the air about this crowd. It was something more genuine than simply a visitation to nostalgia for long-time fans while anticipation welled in younger fans queuing up with tickets in hand.
Rush’s pair of New York area shows – June 27 at the Prudential Center and June 29 at Madison Square Garden – was a special treat on the R40 40th anniversary tour for many, making it easy to catch the band twice in the span of a weekend. It was an even greater special treat for these two shows, which brought an unexpected surprise in the first set.
R40 was all about a few key things which set this tour apart from some of the band’s recent tours – the set list, the fans, and at parting a feeling of mystery about what is next for Rush. It should also be called out that Rush devised a deft plot for the show – yes, plot – which keys in with the set list to bring things full circle.
Rush’s show format has been consistent for a while as they have not had an opening act in years: two full sets and an encore consisting of a mix-and-match of songs from various albums favoring the latest album. That did not change this time around but cue the first clever device – the set list. It started with their most recent works from Clockwork Angels (2012) and progressed backward through their releases without skipping back-and-forth in time. Rush has so far employed a rotation of set lists on this tour and not played from one list repeatedly, which made attending both NJ and NYC shows in a span of three days special.
Anyone familiar with Rush’s live act knows they have a boisterous sense of humor, from their intro videos and projections to the stage setup (when Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson began using direct inputs, they’d put other props in place of their amps, such as clothes dryers and chicken rotisseries). A newcomer to a live Rush performance may have been perplexed by what was happening in the backdrop but seasoned fans quickly caught on to the ensuing cavalcade of guys in Rush jumpsuits milling about to rearrange the stage in bits and pieces. Remember the plot we mentioned earlier? As the show went on the setup devolved in tandem with the timeline of the songs, starting with the steampunk props to the dryers, a wall of amps, a stack of amps and finally, in line with the band’s earliest shows, one amp each for Geddy and Alex propped on a chair. Neil Peart’s kit setup followed this progression too, at least as much as it practically could with his modern rotating platform kit appearing in the first set and a fixed double-kick kit reminiscent of the 2112 era taking center stage in the second set. Pay close attention as the insignia on the kick drum head in the first set is Peart’s subtle nod to the great jazz drummer Buddy Rich.
As Rush is not touring in support of any new music it felt like there was a synergy between the fans and the band – the loyal fan base making their presence known in gratitude for the years of music and the band feeding back to them a stellar performance, showing their gratitude for the support as well. While the aesthetics of the show certainly brought memories of listing to “2112” while procrastinating on some high school English assignment front and center for many long-time fans, it was the genuine loyalty that runs both ways that kept the energy high. Although, it seemed as though it took a few songs for the audience to really warmed up to that sustained energy perhaps due to less familiarity with their newer material.
Rush is well-known for their prowess as a trio for the sound they produce which they lived up to at these shows. Now in their early 60’s, the band members might be feeling a need to take it easy but Neil’s drumming was consistent as ever, Alex’s guitar lines executed with precision, and Geddy’s crunchy bass sound did its job. Geddy’s vocal performance seemed better this time than in a few of the recent tours, being able to cleanly hit the sustained high notes first evidenced early on during “Headlong Flight.” The band even did well emulating their stage mannerisms and recreating their sound from the beginning years while playing their earliest songs in the encore, namely by Geddy’s enthusiastic introductions his fellow band mates and the songs and minimal guitar effects. There were only a few infrequent blemishes on notes throughout the two nights which did not tarnish the performances.
My first Rush concert was at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on the R30 tour in 2004 as I was getting ready for my senior year of high school in Upstate NY. In all the Rush shows I have experienced on each of their tours in the eleven years since that first show there has never been as large of a crowd of kids (high school and younger) at a Rush concert than there was at the Prudential Center and MSG. It possibly is a side-effect of life-long fans bringing their kids to the show but it was incredible to see 9 out of 10 of them excited about the show – before, during, and after. As one long-time Rush fan Debra Ross points out, Rush is the ideal band for a younger music fan to get wrapped around.
Aside from mixing up the set lists between shows, something really pulled the heartstrings of fans when Geddy paused between songs to remarking “We’d like to deviate from the norm right now…” and broke out “Losing It” which has been played live for the first time ever during this tour, debuting in Toronto June 19 with the Prudential Center and MSG shows marking the second and third performance of the song. Even more rare, Rush brought a guest on stage, NJ local Jonathan Dinklage who played violin on tour with Rush as part of the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble in 2012/2013. Dinklage delivered a jaw-dropping performance on the song making it one of the most talked about parts of the show afterward. This was perhaps the most revered moment by many, including David C. who remarked it was a dream come true after 32 years of wishing to hear it live. Several other moments throughout the show made it special for many, including the longer songs of the second set – “2112,” “Cygnus X-1” and “Xanadu” where Geddy and Alex donned double-neck guitars. A consistent part of recent tour sets and a sort of rallying song for Rush fans, “Subdivisions,” yet again rang back at the stage with some of the loudest applause with the song’s opening notes.
While both nights were excellent for the music and sound quality, the MSG show felt like it was a notch above. The recently renovated arena felt more comfortable and cozy, perhaps a little bit less disconnected due to the oval-shaped bowl seating versus a more square setup. While NJ doesn’t have to pump their own gas, our pizza is better, you might say (and get the joke if you were at both shows). To call both of these shows a trip through nostalgia could be construed as a slight to what Rush is and represents. There is a strong resonance about the music and lyrics that keeps the shows fresh and relevant each time around especially with a growing fan base of younger folks.
So, is this it for Rush? Various articles and interviews point in the direction of this being the last major tour for the band but not the end. Hype-talk over the show grew into brooding as the Metro North train lurked out of Grand Central, almost an academic discussion over their future given Geddy’s closing remarks about hoping to see everyone down the road and the change of the projection of “R40” to “R40+” at the end of the show and some sentiment within the band about not touring anymore. That leaves one question as the R40 tour enters its second half: How do you say farewell to a band who’s music is the soundtrack to your life? Well, let’s hope to not have to think about that one just yet. Rush on!
Setlist: (differences between the Prudential Center and MSG shows noted by asterisk)
Set 1: The Anarchist, Headlong Flight, Far Cry, The Main Monkey Business, How It Is*/One Little Victory**, Animate, Roll The Bones, Between The Wheels*/Distant Early Warning**, Losing It (with Jonathan Dinklage), Subdivisions
Set 2: Tom Sawyer, The Camera Eye*/Red Barchetta**, The Spirit of Radio, Jacob’s Ladder, Cygnus X-1 Book Two: Hemispheres – Prelude, Cygnus X-1 Book One – The Voyage: Part 1, Drum Solo, Cygnus X-1 Book One – The Voyage: Part 3, Closer To The Heart, Xanadu, 2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx/Presentation/Grand Finale
Encore: Lakeside Park, Anthem, What You’re Doing, Working Man
*Played at the Prudential Center only
**Played at Madison Square Garden only
The fifth annual Frendly Gathering was held the last weekend of June at beautiful defunct ski mountain Timber Ridge Resort in the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont. With professional snowboarders Jack Mitrani and Danny Davis at the helm, Frendly set out to bring the masses together for a weekend of incredible music, camping, skateboarding, delicious food, yoga and most importantly, inclusiveness. With the motto “there is no ‘I’ in frends,” the festival was true to its word and brought out the best in their attendees.
For those who bought early arrival passes for Thursday, there was noteworthy music already happening once they were shuttled to the grounds. Devesh Duo Band and Gold Town welcomed Frendly goers setting up camp, followed by Burlington favorites Dead Set . With their unique renditions of classic Grateful Dead tunes, they got the bodies moving during the first beautiful sunset of Frendly Gathering.
Billed as The Smooths, Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle and Todd Stoops took the stage for a unique, smile-inducing set. A cast of characters joined in on the fun for “Frends Theme,” including Jack and Danny, Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle and Jack’s brother Luke Mitrani. The crowd was full of energy, singing along with every word. The magic began to swell, and it was only a matter of time before the rest of the masses would fill the mountain with hugs, smiles and high-fives.
By Friday morning, it was apparent that people were anxious and ready for the headliners of the weekend, Twiddle. Mihali did several solo shows in the Martin Guitar Dome where anyone could pick up a guitar and play throughout the weekend. But Mihali’s kid’s set in the dome was certainly something special, with the tiniest of Twiddle fans singing every word. The kid’s set really proved that the Gathering wanted every single attendee, from little to big, to be included in the magic. Even Ben and Jerry’s were in on the fun, handing out free ice cream throughout the weekend.
The Wood Stage, set in the dense forest with a giant teepee covering the stage, was the scene of some incredible shows on Friday. New Jersey natives Sleepy Man, consisting of a trio of brothers ranging from age 12 to 17, put on a show that left the masses boggled at what they had witnessed. Spitting out folk and bluegrass like they had been playing for 20 years, Sleepy Man left no stone unturned. The crowd was electric, showing their pride for Frendly’s youngest act. Following Sleepy Man was the sultry sounds of Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band. The eight-piece band sent horns blaring through the mountain, giving people the classic soul sounds sure to get them on their feet and dancing. Jumping back to the Woods Stage, Montana bluegrass band The Kitchen Dwellers took bluegrass to an entirely different level, blending psychedelia and bluegrass effortlessly.
Friday’s lineup was stacked, including Moon Hooch, Valerie June, Spirit Family Reunion and Canyon Collected. Each keeping the energy high, they were only paving the road for what would become an epic evening at Frendly. Heavy-hitting funk band Kung Fu brought the hammer down on Friday night, with new keyboardist Beau Sasser’s Hammond organ giving the crowd exactly what they were craving. The jam-funk brought the energy level at Frendly to new highs, especially when Mihali of Twiddle came on stage for “Hollywood Kisses,” which of course turned into “Mihaliwood Kisses.” After a full day of dancing and high energy acts, the crowd was still very ready for the headliners of the weekend: Twiddle.
If you were looking to hear your favorite Twiddle song, then they were anxious to give it to you. Opening with “Gatsby the Great,” Twiddle came out swinging. Every single person at the venue was on a Twiddle high, singing along and throwing the now-famous “peak” in the air. Torrin Daniels, banjo master from the Kitchen Dwellers, jumped in adding that extra something to an already incredible Twiddle set. Closing out the night with an epic version of “All Along the Watchtower,” no one left without a smile from ear to ear.
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and beat-boxer Lynx brought it all home Friday night after Twiddle. Her voice carried through the mountains, even to those too weary to stand after a heavy first day. It wouldn’t be the last we saw of Lynx though, as she played throughout the weekend on several stages, even making a stop in the Martin Guitar Dome.
Saturday came, and with it, some rain. But that didn’t stop the masses from doing their morning yoga and dancing to the incredible music that was to follow. If you were up early enough, your day began with a marching band down the mountain including Twiddle and Jack Mitrani and Danny Davis. As you hopped on the train, it led you down to the pond where Twiddle played to everyone huddled around the tiny body of water. It was an incredible way to kick off the final day, with everyone wearing their weary smiles with pride. The day was riddled with fantastic music, including Americana favorites The Kalob Griffin Band hailing from Philadelphia and an intimate Burton TeePee set from Nahko (of Nahko and Medicine for the People). Turkuaz took the Frendly Stage and before you knew it, the ultimate dance party erupted. Their horn-heavy funk eruption had a sea of people dancing effortlessly. Jumping back to the Wood Stage, soul band Con Brio kept the feet moving with their old-school approach to soul and funk.
In the middle of all the activities and music, there was some very important charity work being done by organizations like Love Your Brain and the newly-founded White Light Foundation. White Light raffled off Twiddle and Burton goods, raising over $2000 for the Kurn Hattin Homes for Children and Love Your Brain. If you bought even just one ticket, you could feel the good being passed on to those in need.
Even when the rain began to fall on Saturday evening, people gathered around for the inspiring international music of Nahko and Medicine for the People. The rain certainly did not deter fans from being included in the soul-healing music of Nahko. If anything, it was a welcomed sign from Mother Nature that we were all in it together.
Still the rain fell, but it did not stop every single person on the mountain from witnessing the final night of Twiddle. The crowd’s collective voices rang through the rain for songs like “Frankenfoot” and “Jamflowman.” It was magical, to say the least. Frendly Gathering most certainly delivered, paying homage to the ties that bind music-lovers together. If you came in with one friend, you left with many. If you came with the stresses of daily life on your shoulders, you left without them. Jack and Danny created the ultimate festival experience in the middle of Vermont, leaving everyone anxious for next year’s Gathering.
If you’re interested in seeing what all the fun was about, check out Frendly Presents YouTube channel, which has high-definition recaps of the entire weekend.
STS9 Fall Tour 2015:
