NYS Music 20​19

Tag: Page McConnell

  • In Focus: Nothing Finer Than Phish In Carolina

    Phish fired on all cylinders at North Charleston Coliseum, making their seventh visit to the South Carolina venue deliciously-memorable for the sold-out crowd. Bust-out covers, banter, and barely played original tunes elevated the already enticing jam tapestry that this band is known for.

    Page McConnell, Jon Fishman and Trey Anastasio sing “Carolina”

    The band began the three night run with an acapella “Carolina,” which was last played on 12/30/2016 at Madison Square Garden. “Carolina” was followed by the crowd hyping Phish original, “Party Time.” The bust-outs continued with “Strawberry Letter 23” by Shuggie Otis, marking the fourth time that the band has played this beloved cover. During the second set, the audience was treated to Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter,” last played 12/29/2018 at Madison Square Garden.

    Trey Anastasio was all smiles at North Charleston Coliseum

    “I Been Around,” last played at MGM Grand on 11/1/2018, made an appearance, complete with humorous lead in pun. Trey said: “Hey Page, I’ve been wondering. Where have you been anyways?” Page cleverly replied “I’ve been around,” which lead into the song.

    Two barely played original tunes graced the set list, including “Destiny Unbound,” last played on 2/23/2019. The encore included an even more rare “Bittersweet Motel,” last played on 7/6/2016.

    Phish certainly gave their dedicated fans a reason to travel to the Palmetto State. They are back in action the next two nights at North Charleston Coliseum. Both nights are understandably sold out, however Phish is offering a live webcast of the event. Visit Live Phish to prevent further FOMO on this already legendary run.

    Setlist courtesy of phish.net

    Friday, December 6

    Set One: Carolina, Party Time, Strawberry Letter 23 > Undermind, I Been Around > Divided Sky, The Sloth, Destiny Unbound, We Are Come to Outlive Our Brains > My Friend, My Friend[1] > About to Run, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, David Bowie

    Set Two: Axilla > Scents and Subtle Sounds > No Quarter > Your Pet Cat, Mercury > Saw It Again > Limb By Limb[2] > The Lizards, Suzy Greenberg

    Encore: Bittersweet Motel[3] > Death Don’t Hurt Very Long > Loving Cup

    [1] No “Myfe” ending.
    [2] Unfinished.
    [3] Lyrics changed to “halfway from Charleston to Pittsburgh.”

    Page McConnell got funky at North Charleston Coliseum

    Saturday, December 7

    Set One: Fluffhead > Ocelot, Nellie Kane > The Dogs > Reba, Halfway to the Moon > Train Song > Guyute, Strange Design, Moonage Daydream

    Set Two: The Connection, Mr. Completely > Crosseyed and Painless > Dirt, Cool Amber and Mercury > Split Open and Melt > Crosseyed and Painless > Split Open and Melt, A Life Beyond The Dream > Wilson > The Squirming Coil

    Encore: Grind, Frankenstein

  • Vida Blue Reunites at the Capitol Theatre

    On September 21, 1970, Vida Blue no-hit the Minnesota Twins in his eighth career major league start for the Oakland Athletics. 49 years later and fresh off the release of their new album Crossing Lines, Page McConnell’s All-Star band with the same namesake reunited at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester and knocked the ball out of the park.

    Vida Blue

    The band played every song from their new album and a few tasty “seasoned veteran” Vida Blue songs as well as covers from prior tours. The main set included heavy hitters “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon and “Sheep” by Pink Floyd. Gary Numan’s “Cars” was part of the encore, and really got the balcony shaking.

    Page McConnell, Adam Zimmon, Russell Batise and Oteil Burbridge love playing together.

    Vida Blue’s current batting order includes Page McConnell (keyboards), Russell Batiste (drums), Oteil Burbridge (bass), and newcomer Adam Zimmon (guitar). McConnell, best known for his work with the rock band Phish, was full of banter throughout the show and introduced his bandmates halfway through their marathon two and a half hour set. McConnell, Batiste, Burbridge and Zimmon were all smiles the entire time and clearly loved playing together. At one point, McConnell mentioned that they plan to play together again soon, causing the crowd to erupt with excitement. The fans sincerely loved the show and want more Vida Blue.

    Oteil Burbrige

    Setlist: Analog , Real Underground Soul Sound, Where Did It Go, CJ3, Jealous Guy, Phaidon, Dry Spell, Checking Out, Where’s Popeyes, Weepa, Maybe, Who’s Laughing Now?, If I Told You, Final Flight, Sheep, Most Events Aren’t Planned

    Encore: Electra Glide, Cars

    Setlist courtesy of phish.net

    The fans want more Vida Blue

  • Vida Blue Returns with First Album in 15 Years, Single Available Now

    Page McConnell, Oteil Burbridge, Russell Batiste & Adam Zimmon Join Forces on a new album Crossing Lines, due in September from Vida Blue.

    Phish keyboardist, Page McConnell is reviving his side-project Vida Blue. Comprised of Oteil Burbridge (bass/Dead & Company,) Russell Batiste (drums/The Meters,) and Adam Zimmon (guitar/Ziggy Marley, Shakira), the foursome has announced the release of the first Vida Blue album in 15 years. Crossing Lines will be available digitally Friday, Sept. 20. There will be a vinyl and CD version of the album releasing in October and can be pre-ordered on Phish Dry Goods. The album’s fist song, “Analog Delay” is available digitally now.

    Crossing Lines, produced by McConnell, included the original trio and is joined by new member Zimmon on guitar. McConnell is also responsible for the exclusive cover illustration of the record Vida Blue.

    McConnell assembled Vida Blue in 2001 after attending shows by both Burbridge and Batiste, and made their live debut at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom before heading into the studio to record their self-titled studio album. Upon release in June 2002, Vida Blue received high praise from critics. 

    Vida Blue will support the release of Crossing Lines with a series of live performances in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Port Chester, NY. Ticket pre-sales begin Wednesday, July 24. For complete details and ticket availability, visit Page McConnell’s website. Check out the single “Analog Delay” below.

  • Phish Blazes On at Merriweather Post Pavilion 2019

    Vermont’s jam loving rock band, Phish, graced the stage of the woodsy meets urban Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, as they blazed on their 2019 summer tour. The June 22, 2019 show included a debut from Trey Anastasio side project, Ghosts of the Forest. Phish consists of Trey Anastasio (guitar), Mike Gordon (bass), Page McConnell (keyboard, organ) and Jon Fishman (drums).

    MPP is located in the heart of Symphony Woods, a woodland preservation designed by famous architects, Frank Gehry and N. David O’Malley in 1967. It was originally built as a summer stage for the National Symphony Orchestra. The venue has won over popular music acts because of its natural surroundings and excellent sound.

    Set one kicked off with “Undermind,” from the album with that name. Two funky fan favorites followed, “Tube,” with a delicious jam from McConnell, and the Son Seals’ cover, “Funky Bitch.” The fire-and-ice jam vehicle “Steam” was up next, followed by phish classics “My Sweet One” and “NICU.”

    Phish slowed the set down with the debut of “Friend,” from Anastasio’s side project Ghosts of the Forest. This band was created to play songs honoring Anastasio’s long time friend, Chris Cottrell, who lost his battle with cancer in 2018. Meaningful lyrics pierce hearts: “why do we have to wait until it’s gone to know what love is?”

    The boys pressed the gas pedal for “No Men in No Man’s Land,” off their album Big Boat. Classics “The Horse” > “Silent in the Morning,” from the album Rift, had the crowd with arms in the air. Jam monster “David Bowie” was played next, and for the first time in 2019. The set closed out with “Squirming Coil,” from Lawnboy as the sun set behind the venue.

    The second set was full of segues and jamming, starting with “Ghost,” from Story of the Ghost. “Ghost” transitioned to the a jam sandwich with high energy “Axilla,” then into new tune, “Set Your Soul Free.” The Pink Floyd-esque “What’s the Use?” and finally “Billy Breathes” followed suit.  

    “Death Don’t Hurt Very Long,” from their new album Kazvot Vox, started the second segue sequence. The next layer in the jam triffle was “Backwards Down the Numberline” from the 2009 release, Joy. The perennial Phish favorite “Harry Hood” was up next, and Anastasio’s on point guitar work had the crowd feeling good. The boys transitioned into “Rise/Come Together,” another new song. The final layer was the classic “Golgi Apparatus,” ironically last played almost one year ago at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

    Phish sent their fans home happy with “Bug”  > “Character Zero,” including an electrified closing jam. Phish fans await what night two has in store for them. Tickets are sold out, but can be obtained through CashorTrade.

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Set 1: Undermind, Tube, Funky Bitch, Steam > My Sweet One > NICU, Friend[1], No Men In No Man’s Land > The Horse > Silent in the Morning, David Bowie, The Squirming Coil.

    Set 2: Ghost > Axilla > Set Your Soul Free > What’s the Use? > Billy Breathes, Death Don’t Hurt Very Long > Backwards Down the Number Line > Harry Hood > Rise/Come Together > Golgi Apparatus.

    Encore: Bug > Character Zero.

    1 – debut

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