Over November 27 and 28 2009, Phish performed two nights at Albany’s Times Union Center, the latter of which produced one of the band’s ultimate jams from their ‘3.0’ era. Opening set two with “Seven Below” and segueing seamlessly into “Ghost,” the band put forth 45+ minutes of Type II jamming (improvising beyond the song’s composition and structure) that still serve as one of their best from the last 10 years.
Listen via LivePhish.com, Phishtracks.com, stream the full show, or just the 45 minutes of “Seven Below” -> “Ghost” below.
Set 1: Party Time, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Uncle Pen, Sanity, Foam, Walk Away > NICU, Alaska, Split Open and Melt, Joy, Vultures, Backwards Down the Number Line
Set 2: Seven Below > Ghost, Cool It Down > Gotta Jibboo, Let Me Lie, Wolfman’s Brother > Julius
Encore: You Enjoy Myself
This show featured the first Uncle Pen since July 11, 2000 (129 shows). Ghost contained a tease of Seven Below.
Portland-based quintet Fruition has come a long way since busking on the streets of Portland, and as they take the country by storm, they’re not afraid to dive into new ideas in their latest album release Wild As the Night.
Perhaps the greatest talent of this group is their ability to weave in and out of different genres with ease, and their versatility can qualify them to perform at all types of festivals, from Telluride Bluegrass to Bonnoroo (both of which they’ve played).
The album is a true testament to this group’s musicianship and experience. The opening track “Forget About You” is riveting, with piano-arpeggiated runs to fill the spaces between the thunderous drum beat that carries the song. As the commotion builds, we’re introduced to tight three part harmonies and rhythmic mandolin strums. The title track of the album has a rich balance that warms the mix, and just as you get past the tenderness of the ballad, you’re suddenly thrown into the trip-hop trance of “Sweet Hereafter.” It’s here where the beat thickens, the heads bob and the mandolin is given a bit more bite so as to mimic an electric guitar.
Wild As the Night is unique glimpse into the band’s history, which has lasted more than several years. While they can all play multiple instruments, there is no fight for attention on this album. This group has their own language, and they leave space to breathe and allow each other to contribute. They even describe themselves as pieces of a bigger part when it comes to their music, and it’s evident in the album as well as their live shows. A band this creative and daring can generate a buzz quickly, so do yourself a favor and catch one of their shows while they’re still on the rise.
Fruition will be stopping by the Hollow in Albany on February 1, and if you’re in NYC, you can catch them at the Brooklyn Bowl on February 5. For info and tickets, check out their website and Facebook page.
Top Tracks: Forget About You, Wild As the Night, Sweet Hereafter
Electronic wizard and free music advocate Gramatik made people dance into the early morning hours with his digital weave of urban and funky beats at the premiere EDM venue in Brooklyn, Avant Gardner. He was supported by incredibly talented colleagues Opiou and Balkan Bump for a night of organic, hip-hop-infused electronica.
Balkan Bump is an electronic artist who mixes live instruments, world music and digital production. Trumpeter, producer and enthomusicoligist Will Magid is the brain child behind this band. A tapestry of funky beats, stellar trumpeting and dance hall vibes was cleverly woven throughout the set. At one point, Magid announced that he was playing a one word song, and everyone should sing along. That song was “Tequilla” by The Champs, and it was a huge hit with the crowd.
Opiou, a producer and artist from New Zealand, was up next, and brought his Kiwi electronic heat. Also known as Oscar Davey-Wraight, this DJ is known for funky beats and deep bass grooves, as well as a penchant for keeping the dance floor alive well into the late night. Will Magid joined Opiou during the middle of his set on trumpet, creating a refreshing organic synergy. His signature buildups and drops continued throughout the set, framed with an engaging LED light display and plenty of fog.
Gramatik took the stage to a packed crowd that was ready to dance. And dance they did. Denis Jašarević is Gramatik, hailing from Slovenia, and is known for his mind numbing hip-hop beats and fresh remixes. He played with guitarist Adam Stehr, adding an organic feel to his live performance. His stage setup included several LED panels that displayed colorful graphics, a healthy dose of fog, and a stacked lighting rig that fostered an elevated visual experience.
This evening’s stellar performance included samplings of “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” by NYC’s own Beastie Boys and “Can’t Get Enough” by Gramatik’s frequent cohort Griz. Will Magid joined the party on trumpet for a tune, and the crowd was loving every second of this vibrant collaboration. Gramatik noted that this was his last show of 2019 and he sure went out with a bang.
The Disco Biscuits returned to Syracuse for two nights, their first run in the Salt City since Halloween 2015. The masters of live electronica and improvisation performed four flawless sets to enthusiastic crowds at SI Hall at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse on November 22 and 23.
On Friday, following an energetic “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” opener, guitarist Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig stretched the intro to “Run Like Hell” out for an extended period before a triumphant burst into the Pink Floyd cover, then took the long route into an inverted “Aquatic Ape.” A full “Hot Air Balloon” closed the five song set, one of the few this tour to feature no new material that the band has been breaking out.
Set 2 opened with a pair of ‘global’ tunes, “Jigsaw Earth” and “Story of the World,” the latter of which sandwiched the remained of the set. “Anthem” and “Rocket Science,” two new originals debuted this tour, filled the sandwich, with an “Orch Theme” meshed in between. With the clock ticking, Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance” served as an encore, with the show ending right at 11pm. A sweaty and smiling crowd rejoiced at one of the finest nights of the tour thus far.
Disco Biscuits, Syracuse, NY – Friday, November 22 setlist via PhantasyTour:
Set 1: M.E.M.P.H.I.S. > Run Like Hell1 > Aquatic Ape2 > Svenghali3, Hot Air Balloon Set 2: Jigsaw Earth, Story Of The World > Anthem > Orch Theme > Rocket Science > Story Of The World Encore: The Safety Dance
unfinished
inverted version
ending only
The Biscuits’ Saturday performance featured a pair of new songs, a Tractorbeam jam, and one of the best sets from the eight fall shows thus far. Two songs, “Mulberry’s Dream” and “Crickets,” were each interpolated with “Catalyst” and recent debut “4th of July,” respectively. In between these two combos found another new tune, “Electric Slinky,” part of a potential series of ‘Slinky’ songs, including “Freebis Slinky.”
Set 2 was filled with pure heat from start to finish. The four song set featured three roughly-15 minute jams, and one monster jam that went past the half hour mark. Opening with “Clocks,” a debut from earlier this year, the band ventured into “Gangster” which was met with cheers and fist pumps from the audience. What came next was one of the longest jams of the tour (thus far) and the highlight of the weekend. A 30+ minute “Spacebirdmatingcall” featured a Tractorbeam jam on Crackazat’s “Fly Away,” which draws on Earth Wind & Fire’s “I’ve Had Enough” and seemed to never let up as the band dove deep and kept exploring what the jam had to offer. “Little Shimmy in a Conga Line” wrapped up the set nicely, and a pairing of “Frog Legs” and the ending section of “Run Like Hell” from the previous night’s version cemented the night as one of the best of the tour. Setbreak is indeed over.
The Disco Biscuits head south to Florida for four shows in mid-December, then return to New York City where they will close out the year in Times Square at the Playstation Theater, which will close on December 31st following their performance.
Disco Biscuits, Syracuse, NY – Saturday, November 23 setlist via PhantasyTour:
Set 1: Mulberry’s Dream > Catalyst > Mulberry’s Dream, Electric Slinky, Crickets > 4th of July > Crickets Set 2: Clocks > Gangster > Spacebirdmatingcall > Tractorbeam Jam1 > Spacebirdmatingcall, Little Shimmy In A Conga Line Encore: Frog Legs > Run Like Hell2
The energy level at Cohoes Music Hall was infectious on Thursday, November 21. Wax Future set the tone from their first note, that this was sure to be an epic school night. The main event that followed was nothing short of stellar. Lotus curated two sets that flowed seamlessly and had everyone at Cohoes Music Hall sharing the groove. Check out the full setlist and photo gallery below.
Set One: Eats The Light, Livingston Storm, One Last Hurrah, Philly hit>Spiritualize>Contagion>Spiritualize, 72 hrs Awake
Set Two: Move Too Fast>Fortune Favors, Kalea, 128>Comptroller>Echoes, Plant Your Root>128
Chicago’s Mungion, a funk/rock jam band, and the Magic Beans, another impressive jam band from Boulder, Co, delivered funky fall tour heat at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY. Both bands wrapped up an exciting fall tour on the East Coast together, alternating closing duties nightly. Mungion did the honors at the Knitting Factory. The Bushicks, a local Brooklyn band, opened the evening for these talented bands.
John Adamski of the Busicks
The Brooklyn native Bushicks are a power trio hailing around the tri-state region. The band consists of Jonny Patrizio (Vocals/Guitar), Jessica Bogwicz (Bass) and John Adamski (Drums/Vocals). The trio was joined by a saxophonist this evening for most of the set. They delivered their signature rock, including a sweet cover of “Axilla” by Phish.
Casey Russell, Scott Hachey and Chris Duffy from the Magic Beans are feeling it.
The Magic Beans wove their tasty funk/soul/rock sounds next. The Bean band members include Scott Hachey (guitar/vocals), Casey Russell (keyboards/vocals), Chris Duffy (bass/vocals), and Cody Wales (drums/vocals). The band began by immediately dropping into a deep jam, showcasing their exceptional improvisational skills, and never looked back. This band specializes in space jam funk, and did not disappoint.
Mungion
Mungion picked up the jam vehicle where the Magic Beans left off, and dove into a rocking jam of intricate riffs. This band is made up of Justin Reckamp (guitar), Joe Re (keys), Sean Carolan (bass), and Matt Kellen (drums). The exciting directions, stellar compositions and expressive improvisation were apparent from the first note.
Scott Hachey of the Magic Beans
Both the Magic Beans and Mungion are firing on all cylinders after their 2019 fall tour through the East Coast. Mungion is closing out 2019 by playing December 29-31 at Martyr’s in Chicago, Ill. The Magic Beans are playing one night at the Goat in Keystone, Co on December 28. They resume touring with Snowstalk, their own winter festival in Frisco, Co on January 24-25, 2020. The Colorado based lineup includes Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident, as well as skiing at Copper Mountain, and is certain to be a special event.
Voodoo Dead will headline the 14th Annual NolaFunk Mardi Gras Ball, to be held at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on February 6. The supergroup features Steve Kimock, Dead & Company’s Jeff Chimenti, moe.’s Al Schnier, John Morgan Kimock and The Meters’ George Porter Jr.
With a recently announced tour that includes shows in Ardmore, PA and three shows in Japan, the group will also headline the 2020 Skull & Roses Festival, held annually in Ventura, CA, celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead.
Tickets for both American shows go on sale Friday, November 22 at 12 noon.
Voodoo Dead 2020 Tour Dates
Feb. 5 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall Feb. 6 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre Feb. 9 – Tokyo, Japan – Unit Feb. 11 – Yokohama, Japan – Bay Hall Feb. 12 – Osaka, Japan – Club Quattro Apr. 2 – Ventura, CA – Skull & Roses Festival
Goose finished the first leg of their fall tour with a sold out show at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo on Saturday, November 16 after moe.’s hometown show. Coming off an opening set for the Disco Biscuits at the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, and a sold out show at The Summit in Columbus, Ohio, the Connecticut based quartet rolled into Buffalo for a late-night moe. after party. The two-set show ran past 2:30 a.m. and highlighted the band’s ability to dig deep into their funk and folk inspired jams.
photo by Zach Todtenhagen
Guitarist and vocalist Rick Mitarotonda guided the band into the first song of the night, a cover of The Wood Brothers’ “Atlas,” before they segued to “Arcadia.” From their 2016 release Moon Cabin, the extensive jam emphasized many of Goose’s best qualities – ever-danceable rhythms, layered melodies, and a dramatic apex. Following a “Let’s Go Buffalo” chant led by Pete Anspach (guitar/keys/vocals), they launched into the reggae-inspired “Indian River.” A slow building rhythm section illuminated a vocal improv component and carried the band to the set closer.
“Drive,” the fourth and final song of the first set was snappy and funk infused and took on a life of its own, clocking-in at well over 15 minutes. An anchored pocket was dominated by bassist Trevor Bass and Ben Atkind behind the kit, while Pete’s rhythm guitar supported Rick’s soaring leads.
Set two picked up where set one left off, with chants of “goose” blanketing the room. The crowd was immediately captivated by the trancey “Creatures.” Dark, echoing, and reverberating, “Creatures” produced a visceral movement within the crowd. A segue to “Shama Lama Ding Dong,” an elevating cover from 1978’s National Lampoon’s Animal House, clashed artistically with the darkness of “Creatures” and preceded “Slow Ready” – a slower synth-laden version of “So Ready.”
photo by Zach Todtenhagen
The segues continued with a rendition of A-ha’s “Take On Me,” before they closed their second set out with “Hot Tea.” Unable to leave the stage for an encore break, Pete took a moment to show his appreciation and gratitude for the fans. The encore started with a cover of “Short People,” off Randy Newman’s 1977 release Little Criminals, that came before their first ever Hot Tea Reprise – dubbed “Teaprise.”
Goose will continue their fall tour on December 5 when they embark on a four-night Colorado run starting with the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins, followed by an already sold out show at Cervantes Other Side in Denver, and finally two nights in Steamboat at the Old Town Pub on December 7 and 8. They will then make their way through St. Louis, Chicago, Covington, and Indianapolis, before their sixth annual Goosemas show at the Wall Street Theater in Norwalk, Connecticut. For more information on tour dates and to purchase tickets, head here.
And just announced this week, Goose will head to Tennessee in March when they tape an episode of Bluegrass Underground for PBS on March 27. The filming will take place at The Caverns of Pelham, TN. A very limited amount of single day and 3-Day Packages go on sale Friday, 11/22 at 11AM CST
Setlist – November 16, 2019
Set 1: Atlas {1} > Arcadia {2}, Indian River, Drive
Set 2: Creatures > Shama Lama Ding Dong {3} > Slow Ready > Take On Me {4}, Hot Tea
Encore: Short People {5} > Teaprise {6}
Notes:{1} The Wood Brothers. | {2} “Lets Go Buffalo” chant. |{3} Otis Day & The Knights. |{4} A-ha. |{5} Randy Newman. |{6} Hot Tea reprise, First time played
including a three-night run at The Capitol Theatre in February and Artpark in June, Almost Dead fans around the country will be treated to the supergroup performing the music of the Grateful Dead with their own signature style.
Tickets are available via Facebook presale for these newly announced shows starting Wednesday, November 20 in three groups, beginning at 11 AM and continues at 12PM and 1PM. Passwords for these on sales will be announced via the JRAD Facebook page. General onsale will start Friday, Nov. 22 in three groups at 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
More dates will be announced in coming weeks.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead 2020 Tour
Nov. 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl (Headcount benefit) Feb. 21 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre Feb. 22 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre Feb. 23 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre Mar. 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live Mar. 13 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee Mar. 14 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant Mar. 15 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant Apr. 25 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station Apr. 26 – Atlanta, GA – SweetWater 420 Fest May 1 – New Orleans, LA – Mardi Gras World Ballroom May 2 – New Orleans, LA – Mardi Gras World Ballroom June 5 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre June 18 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion June 19 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark almost dead June 20 – Boston, MA – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion July 9 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Amphitheater July 10 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre July 11 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater Sept. 25 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater Sept. 26 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
30 years ago, moe. was born in Buffalo, and over the ensuing years the local home town fanbase has only grown. So it was no surprise when nights two and three of the three-day Town Ballroom run sold out weeks in advance. Check out some photos from the second day of the run, Friday November 15th.
