Category: Photo Gallery

Phish Strikes It Big In Atlantic City Once Again

After three successful shows here last year, Phish and its summer tour returned to Atlantic City over the weekend of August 5-7. Night one of the three-show run went off without a hitch, with a setlist full of classic tunes mixed with newer jam vehicles. With the stage set up right between the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk and the ocean itself, each set, and even the encore, had some decidedly shore-like vibes.

The night began with the venerable “Chalkdust Torture” in the opening spot, with its customary high-energy thrust to get things started. A sudden shift to “Wilson” followed, eliciting cries of the same from beach folk throughout. Things then got decidedly funky with the next clean segue into the all-too-appropriate “Sand,” with Mike Gordon leading the rhythmic charge on bass. The opening set also featured a moody “Theme From The Bottom” with its aquatic undertones only adding to an already picturesque setting.

The first set’s closing sequence was one to behold, starting with a “Sigma Oasis” that yielded a mesmerizing jam that saw the song get stretched out further than it ever has before. Eventually, the familiar opening chords to “Cities” took form and Phish launched into this always welcome cover song. The set then came to a close with a brief but euphoric “More.”

The second set saw the jam button still very much in the “on” position, with stalwarts like “Soul Planet,” with its ocean-filled lyrics, and “Down With Disease” prominently involved. And nestled in between the start and finish of “Disease” was the aptly-titled “Ruby Waves.” This newer addition to the Phish catalog, pulled from guitarist’s Trey Anastasio’s ever-expanding solo material, continues to explore new roads and push boundaries of live improvisation.

The second set came to a close with a pairing of Phish heavy hitters. “Story Of The Ghost” featured its traditional roundhouse punch of rock, this time with some serious “No Quarter” teases thrown in for good measure. “Harry Hood” then tied a bow on the set, with a brilliant jam that patiently built to an especially joyous peak. A “Sleeping Monkey” that certainly “took it on down the shore” served as a more than fitting encore selection before a surprising, but explosive, “Free” served as one last final jam to whet the collective appetite for what’s sure to be another two nights of incredible music.

Setlists via Phish.net

Phish Atlantic City Beach – Atlantic City, NJ 8/5/22

Set 1: Chalkdust Torture->Wilson > Sand > Plasma, Theme From The Bottom > Back On The Train, Sigma Oasis->Cities > More

Set 2: Axilla (Part II) > Soul Planet >Down With Disease > Ruby Waves > Down With Disease> Ghost> Harry Hood

Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Free

Soul Planet contained a tease of Dave’s Energy Guide from Trey and a tease of Dog Log from Mike. Trey teased Midnight Rider in the first Down with Disease and No Quarter in Ghost. Shipwreck was quoted in Sleeping Monkey. Mike teased Dave’s Energy Guide in Free.

Saturday night’s show in Atlantic City may not have had as many aquatic themes as its predecessor, but the jams continued to be rich and plentiful. The opening set began in fairly tame fashion with a straightforward “46 Days” that steered right into “The Moma Dance” in its familiar two-spot in the lineup. “Olivia’s Pool,” aka “Shafty” before “Shafty,” then made another rare appearance, only the third one since being revived at Alpine Valley in 2019 after a near 22-year shelving.

A first set “Bathtub Gin” finally offered some of the first real intensive jams of the evening, with Page McConnell throwing down vigorously on both the baby grand and electric pianos. Fittingly, Phish then dusted off another number, this time it was Page’s “Heavy Rotation” from his self-titled 2007 album. It was the first one performed in more than seven years and only the second one ever. And instead of ending the first set in typical fashion, Phish tacked on a rip roaring cover of David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream,” with Trey Anastasio unleashing a bevvy of musical peaks with his soloing efforts.

Saturday’s second set started with some Atlantic City fireworks in the background and maintained that explosive demeanor throughout, starting with a set opening “No Men In No Man’s Land.” The ensuing jam then progressed into a “Tweezer” that almost felt expected at that point, with the second set staple offering another ample platform for improv. Another second set favorite in “Simple” was played to perfection and later transitioned into a “Backwards Down The Number Line” that had the entire beach kicking up sand in various directions.

The set then closed with another pairing of Phish classics. “Golgi Apparatus” featured a stretched out and somewhat different ending, showing the band continue to rework songs that have long been established. “Slave To The Traffic Light” then brought another complete second set to an end before an encore of “A Life Beyond The Dream” > “Tweezer Reprise,” ironically the same exact encore of last year’s middle night, sent everyone on their way along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Phish Atlantic City Beach – Atlantic City, NJ 8/6/22

Set 1: 46 Days > The Moma Dance, Olivia’s Pool > My Soul, 555 > NICU > Bathtub Gin, Heavy Rotation > Character Zero, Moonage Daydream

Set 2: No Men In No Man’s Land > Tweezer, Set Your Soul Free > Simple > Backwards Down The Number Line > Golgi Apparatus > Slave To The Traffic Light

Encore: A Life Beyond The Dream, Tweezer Reprise

Trey teased Norwegian Wood in 555. Heavy Rotation was performed for the first time since July 22, 2015 (253 shows). Trey teased Under Pressure in Simple. During the soundcheck, Beth was briefly sung by Trey and Knuckle Bone Broth Avenue contained Shipwreck quotes as well as If I Only Had A Brain teases from Trey and Mike.

With one night left to play, Phish treated Atlantic City to a customarily thorough and enjoyable Sunday show. “Wolfman’s Brother” kicked things off, the first time its done so for a show since 2016, and the band instantly got locked back in with another groove-centric jam. This carried right over in the “Tube” that followed and wasted no time finding a path all its own courtesy of a jam that changed both keys and moods. An opening set “Fluffhead” was well received as Phish navigated their way through this vintage tune with relative ease. “Gumbo” found a nice home towards the end of the set which came to a rousing finish thanks to “Carini” and another breakneck jam created in its wake.

The band found no reason to stray far from the classics in the second set, made evident with a traditional “Mike’s Groove” sequence that got everything started. A breath of “new” air was inserted with “A Wave Of New Hope” with this addition continuing to impress by producing one monstrous jam after another. A flawless “You Enjoy Myself” then followed, with yet another “second” jam following the vocal one, another sign of Phish continuing to tinker with the classics. An encore pairing of “Wading In the Velvet Sea” and “First Tube,” replete with Anastasio guitar theatrics, then closed out the second, and hopefully not the last, run for Phish on the beach of Atlantic City.

Phish Atlantic City Beach – Atlantic City, NJ 8/7/22

Set 1: Wolfman’s Brother, Tube, Mountains In The Mist, Ocelot > Fluffhead, Mecury > Gumbo > Carini

Set 2: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, A Wave Of New Hope > You Enjoy Myself > Suzy Greenbeg

Encore: Wading In the Velvet Sea, First Tube

Trey teased Mr. P.C. in YEM.

photo gallery by Filip Zalewski

August 10, 2022
In Focus: Phish Return to Blossom Music Center

Phish played the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on August 2, following a night off after a fantastic run in Maryland. The Blossom Music Center is a special place, a beautiful wooden, wedge-like structure nestled in the forests of Ohio. If you are from New York, I would highly recommend you make the trip if you have not yet, it’s certainly up there with the best sheds around. This was my first time there, but it certainly won’t be my last.

The band started the night off with a nice acapella version of “Strawberry Fields Forever,” which they played for only the second time. “Crowd Control” was up next, and then a mid-set “Punch You In The Eye.” After this was a short “46 Days” before delighting the crowd with a “You Enjoy Myself.” They did a short vocal jam before dropping back into another second “YEM” jam, which the crowd ate up. Keeping the funk going, was a short “Tube” before slowing things down with a “Shade.” A gorgeous “Reba” was a perfect soundtrack to the color leaking from the sunset sky. They wrapped the set up with the staple set closer of “Cavern.”

Phish has really been feeling “Free” this summer, and they opened up the second set with a monster 25-minute version. “Esther” was next, which they unfortunately struggled through due to Trey’s guitar being out of tune. “Blaze On” followed, the jam was on the shorter side, and then Trey started off “Scents and Subtle Sounds.” As they worked their way through the composition, the sound twice completely cut out for a few seconds. The band played through it and either didn’t notice or they tried to make it up with what was probably the jam of the night. This version was heavy on the dark funk, with a gorgeous ambient outro. Maybe it was a nod to the night being the 19th anniversary of the IT music festival from 2003, which was the band at their peak in ambient jamming, but probably not. A short but sweet “2001” got the whole place dancing, before a wild and beautifully cacophonous “Split Open and Melt” had some in the crowd staring at the stage in awe.

It was amusing to see the confusion and then elation as the Page started up “Bathtub Gin” for the encore. Even though the band was a little bit short on time, they were able to cut out the fat and immediately get right to the good stuff as the jam matured into a some very opulent themes and textures before wrapping up the night.

Phish Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls , OH 8/2/22

setlist via Phish.net

Soundcheck: Funky Bitch, My Soul, Crowd Control (this soundcheck is possibly incomplete)

Set 1: Strawberry Fields Forever, Crowd Control, Punch You in the Eye > 46 Days > You Enjoy Myself, Tube > Shade, Reba, Cavern

Set 2: Free > Esther > Blaze On > Scents and Subtle Sounds > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Split Open and Melt

Encore: Bathtub Gin

Strawberry Fields Forever was performed for the first time since July 22, 2017 (168 shows). Fish quoted Strawberry Fields Forever in the YEM vocal jam and in the jam that followed. Trey teased Also Sprach Zarathustra at the end of Gin.

August 10, 2022
Stryper invades the Southern Teir at The L in Horseheads

Born in the 80’s, Christian heavy metal band Stryper is back and touring in full force. They recently made a stop in at The L in Horseheads on July 24 in support of their “Calling on you Tour 2022,” in front of a packed house.

The current lineup consists of lead vocalist/guitar player and original founding member Michael Sweet, Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass) and Robert Sweet (drums.) Since their beginning the band has produced a amazing 14 albums and a strong following worldwide.

Before the show, NYS Music had a chance to Interview lead singer and founding member Michael Sweet via phone as they made their way from the previous nights show in Pennsylvania to New York.

Charlie Berch: So where did you guys play last night (Sat. July 23rd)?

Michael Sweet: We played at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale, PA. It was a great night, great crowd. We last played their in 2019.

CB: Doing some research on you guys we found a good article about how you struggle at times cause the Heavy Metal community doesnt really embrace you like they should and the religious side doesn’t embrace you like they should cause your just “too much”for them. How do you find balance between the two?

MS: We don’t really try to balance it we just do what we do. It just comes natural, we’re not trying to fit into any “club”or “group” or anything we just kinda write and record, create and perform the music we love and everything falls into place, and obviously the lyrical content and the message is real too us. We all have a deep faith and its a very real thing for us. Thats why we’re not accepted by both sides, from the Christian side the mainstream side, you know cause we’re just different. I just think that they really dont know how to think about the way Stryper goes about things. And its been like that from the very beginning and its still like that. Things have gotten better in some ways and worse in other ways but it doesn’t stop us from us doing what we’re hear to do.

CB: Do you guys ever run into situations where you try book shows with other bands but your so different that you have a hard time finding bands to play with?

MS: Well you know, sometimes it is. I mean we’re one of those bands that would love to go out and open for bands like Judas Priest or Iron Maiden, and I feel like we would fit right in but unfortunately I don’t think that’s recognized often because of what and who we sing about. I think we get written off alot because of that. They’d say things like “Oh, it’s those Christian guys again.” People assume we’re going to be one way but when you come see Stryper perform its a rock show. And it’s like going see Van Halen or Judas Priest or any other band like that. But again our lyrical content is just different from their’s but in the end we’re a band, a rock band, we put on a show, and its loud and aggressive and lot of fun. It’s not a weird experience and I think some people think it might be and its not. But we’d love to fit right in with those bands but we continue doing what we do and thats why we go out and headline on our own. Do tours and ground runs all the time and fly dates and get opening bands for us and its a different band every night. We used to tour back in the day with bands like White Lion, Hurricane, TNT, Loudness, so many different bands that we performed with that opened for us we’d always figure out a way to work it out and go out and tour in one way or another weather its on our own or weather its played festivals for other bands we’ve done it all and it works out.

CB: The venue you’re headed to – The L in Horseheads – the other night had Lita Ford and we mentioned to one of their techs that you guys were coming and he said to be prepared for one of the best live shows we will ever see and that you guys will rock this place, so we just wanted to pass that nice compliment on.

MS: Well thats amazing, ’cause you know thats interesting cause we hear that from time to time. People that have seen alot of bands but they came and saw us and they felt like that we was one of the best live shows they have seen. That’s what I mean, I think people have these expectations that they think its going to be one way you know like us coming in sitting on stools and pulling out Bibles preaching to people and they dont expect it to be a rock show, and thats what it is – a rock show!!

August 4, 2022
East goes West: Joey Bada$$ celebrates 10 years at House of Blues San Diego

Celebrating 10 years since his first release Enter the Void in 2012, Joey Bada$$ performed at House of Blues San Diego on July 27. With a double decker venue, open house bar and mosh pit, House of Blues held a great environment for the show.

Joey was born and raised in Brooklyn and a member of the hip hop collective, releasing 3 mixtapes along with various solos. With his debut album 1999, produced at age 17, Badas$$ finally got the recognition he deserved in June 2012.

Joey’s opener Capella Grey set the tone for the crowd and left them begging for more prior to Joey Bada$$’s set.

It was a big night not only for Joey but for his fans and their excitement to the new album release 2000. The album set the bar and exceeded all expectations since the last release back in 2017. Including hits such as “Brand New 911” and “Written in the Stars” along with many others.

Joey noted it had been 5 years since his last release and performed some of his greatest hits “Devasted” and “Temptation” from ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, released in 2017. During the show he stated “I had a kid, a babygirl,” and shared how his daughter Indigo Rain has become a huge part of his life outside of making music, and played a role in such a big comeback.

With 10 years under his belt and many more to come Joey continues to bring his own groove to rap and the hip hop community.

http://perrisage.com

http://perrisage.com

http://perrisage.com

Joey Bada$$ – House of Blues, San Diego

August 2, 2022
In Focus: Lita Ford Live at The L in Horseheads

Classic rock legend Lita Ford brought her heavy metal music from yesteryear to the “L”in Horseheads on Friday, July 22nd in front of a very excited crowd. Her line up consists of herself, Patrick Kennison (guitar), Bobby Rock (drums) and newly acquired bassist Martin Anderson.

photo by Tammy Peer

Since her early days with Joan Jett in the Runaways, Lita once again proved she hasn’t lost her touch at 64 years young, she can still take control of the venue and crowd. Getting away from the traditional structured tours Lita now plays as a ‘hired gun” playing for festivals, events and stand alone shows nationwide.

The last time Lita was in the Southern Tier was opening up for Vince Neil at Tags in Big Flats in 2019. Tonight it was her show and her solid lineup that took no prisoners. Just coming in from a show in Iowa, the stop in the Southern Teir at the “L” was before heading off to South Butler, PA and all points west.

photo by Charlie Berch

The set was a mixture of her entire career with some of her top hits, “Kiss Me Deadly, “Hungry” and “Close my eyes forever” with guitarist Patrick Kennison singing the Ozzy Osbourne part of the lyrics and “Cherry Bomb” from her Runways days. Also a huge hit that night was her version of Elton John’s “Bitch is Back.” It does not look like the ‘Queen of Metal’ is ready to slow down anytime soon. To find other Lita Ford shows this year visit her website.

Photos by Charlie Berch

August 2, 2022
Earth Wind and Fire bring soldout show to Artpark

Earth Wind and Fire played in Lewiston at Artpark on Sunday July 31st. Earth, Wind & Fire is an American R&B band formed in Chicago, in 1969 and led by founder Maurice White. Also known as EWF, or the Elements of the Universe, the band has won seven Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards.

They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.They have sold over 90 million albums worldwide earning them a place on the list of best-selling music artists where they are ranked as the seventh best selling American band of all time. Earth Wind and Fire are currently on tour with Santana and touring all over the states this summer.

Sunset at Artpark.

The show was a near sellout with a capacity at Artpark near 10,000 people. With that said, some fans had a good experience and others, not so much, but it really depends when you arrived at the show. Prior to the show, the venue posted online many times to arrive early and expect heavy traffic and they were 100% correct. Those fans that arrived early, just as the gates opened, found parking and got in the venue prior to showtime. But those that did not heed the advice of the venue were waiting at the entrance for awhile after the show started.

The start of the show was delayed 15 minutes due to the amount of people still in line. There were various sections for fans to watch the show from. Front of stage area, marked seats by the soundboard, lower bowl and general admission seats. Fans were allowed to bring in lawn chairs to sit and watch the whole show. That helped a-lot as the average age in attendance seemed to be around 60 years old.

Gates opened at 6pm and the opener went on at around 6:30pm. This was not a typical opening band. The Brass Machine wondered their way around the crowd instead of playing on the stage. Fans seemed to enjoy this as they could directly interact with the band. The Brass Machine (formerly the Buffalo Brass Machine) is the one of the premiere touring acts on the live music circuit today, laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic package.

Three original members of Earth Wind and Fire. photo credit- Mike Miller

Earth Wind and Fire took the stage at 8:15pm and played for about an hour and 45 minutes. There are only three original members left in the band. Phillip Bailey on lead vocals, Verdine White on bas and Ralph Johnson on percussion and backup vocals. They have been making music since 1972, celebrating 50 years in 2022. The rest of the band is comprised of Myron McKinley on keyboard, John Paris on drums, Phillip Bailey Jr. doing backup vocals and percussion, Morris O’Connor on lead guitar, Serg Dimitrjevic on rhythm guitar and B. David Whitworth on percussion and backup vocals.

photo credit- Mike Miller

They played all of their hits and then some, including “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove” and “September.” You could not ask for better weather for an outdoor concert. The sun setting over Artpark gave fans a great backdrop to the concert with the Niagara River and lower gorge behind the stage. Many fans of the band were seen outside of the venue sitting in their chairs along the road into the Village of Lewiston as the concert could be heard from that far away. Beside the normal heavy concert traffic for an event like this, many fans enjoyed the show.

photo credit- Mike Miller

Earth Wind and Fire – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – Sunday, July 31, 2022

Setlist: Shining Star, Let Your Feelings Show, Mighty Mighty/Celebrate, Gataway, Saturday Night, Serpentine Fire, Sing a Song, Got to Get You Into My Life, Sing a Message to You, Keep Your Head to the Sky, Devotion, Reasons, That’s the Way of the World, After the Love Has Gone, Rock That, Fantasy, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, September, In the Stone

August 2, 2022
In Focus: Phish Return to Merriweather Post Pavilion

Phish continued their Summer 2022 tour as they rolled into Columbia, Maryland for a weekend run at Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP)

Fans got their first look at the venues upgrades from the renovations in 2018. The raised canopy and improved sound system is a major upgrade if you’re on the lawn, the sightlines in the pavillion have also improved. They have also added a “Skylawn” if you’re looking for an almost pavilion like lawn experience, if you can manage to get in there early. The one thing they forgot to improve were the bathrooms, as the wait could take a good 30 minutes.

A bit light on the improv, Phish leaned on a mix of classics along with some surprises deep from their catalog for the first night of the run on a beautiful, but hot, Maryland summer night. The night started off with “Sand” to get things cooking. Next was an always welcomed “If I Could”, before throwing things back into high gear for the heart of the set with “Buried Alive”, “Set Your Soul Free” and “Llama”. Next Page took over with a “Halfway to the Moon” as the sun set. The song featured some improv for the first time in the song’s history as the jam melted into “Shafty.”

Afterwards was a take on The Brothers Johnson classic “Strawberry Letter 23”, which again, the band took the song out for an extended spin for the very first time. They made the perfect call to end the set with a Lizards, and not a person in the building disagreed with it.

The second set started out focusing more on the songs before loosening into a slippier fourth quarter. “First Tube” started the set off and had the venue pumping. Next up was a “Fuego” that included some of the better improv of the night. After was a solid combo of “Sigma Oasis” and “Prince Caspian.” The peak of the show was next with “Waves,” “Meastick” > “Simple. “

“Waves” was the another fantastic jam, and the “Meatstick” was one of the better versions they have played in some time. The band linked up like a funk Voltron and it felt like we were back in 1998. “Meatstick” oozed into a ‘Simple” that was sublime. Simple turned into “The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony,” which turned into a rocking “Suzy Greenberg” to wrap the set up. The encore started with a fun “Alumni Blues” > “Letter to Jimmy Page” > “Alumni Blues” and ended with a rocking “Character Zero.”

Knowing not to miss a Sunday show, Phish fans returned to MPP for a show with on-again, off-again rain throughout the day, best described as “alternately annoying, refreshing, fun, beautiful, obnoxious, baptizing, cleansing, cold, healing, and joyous” by phan @ZZBenz.

Set one began and ended with 15 minutes versions of “A Wave of Hope” and “Ghost,” respectively. Prior to “Ghost,” Mike Gordon Band’s “Mull” took a surprise turn as a jam vehicle, stretching out farther than many expected, and segued neatly into the Junta composition, “Foam.”

Prior to playing a Set two opening “Halley’s Comet,” Trey and Mike briefly teased “Those Were the Days” (All in the Family theme). A long-awaited “Tweezer” featured a jam on “All Along the Watchtower” before delving into a unique final seven minutes of improvisation. After a jump to “Wingsuit,” a little bit more “Tweezer” was played before working into “Birds of a Feather.” A rare second set “Taste” gave way to “What’s the Use?” which had Trey ‘holding the note’ in a “Divided Sky” manner. A combo of “The Howling” and “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” closed the set, with a three song encore of “Show of Life,” “Loving Cup” and “Tweezer Reprise” to wrap up another Sunday show at MPP.

Phish keep the tour moving to the beautiful Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, then Clarkston, MI at Pine Knob Music Center, before returning to the East Coast for three nights in Atlantic City over August 5-7.

Phish – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD – Saturday, July 30, 2022

Soundcheck: My Soul, Fluffhead

Set 1: Sand, If I Could, Buried Alive > Set Your Soul Free > Llama, Halfway to the Moon -> Shafty, Strawberry Letter 23 -> The Lizards

Set 2: First Tube > Fuego > Sigma Oasis > Prince Caspian > Waves > Meatstick -> Simple > The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg

Encore: Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues > Character Zero

The jam out of Halfway to the Moon contained Shafty lyrics from Trey and Page and teases from Trey and Mike. Mike teased Miss You (Rolling Stones) in Strawberry Letter 23 and Flash Light in Character Zero.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA-N7BMMrjI

Phish – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD – Sunday, July 31, 2022

Set 1: A Wave of Hope, Dogs Stole Things, AC/DC Bag > Sparkle > Back on the Train, Mull > Foam, Ghost

Set 2: Halley’s Comet > Tweezer > Wingsuit > Tweezer > Birds of a Feather, Joy > Taste > What’s the Use?, The Howling > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

Encore: Show of Life, Loving Cup > Tweezer Reprise

Mike teased Twenty Years Later in Ghost. Mike and Trey teased Those Were the Days before Halley’s Comet.

August 2, 2022
Phish Return to Jones Beach for First Time in 9 Years

Phish continued their 2022 Summer Tour as they performed their first shows since 2013 at Northwell Health at Jones Beach in Wantagh. The pair of shows were heaters and displayed no lack of jamming prowess or song selection, as fans got a healthy dose of deep jams and surprises over the two days.

The parking lots and beaches were full of fans, with a Lot scene that brought our vendors of food, clothing, art, merchandise, fresh coconuts with rum, and everything else you’d expect to find at a Phish show under the Long Island summer sun.

Night one began with “The Curtain” and featured a deep “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan” well worth seeking out on LivePhish.com. “Roggae” as the sun set behind the venue hit the spot and gave way to fan favorite “Pebbles and Marbles.” The fiery “Maze” led into a set closing “Squirming Coil,” in perfect time for the sun to completely set and envelop the crowd in darkness (save for Chris Kuroda’s ever-impressive light show).

The second set provided an enormous opening segment with pandemic tune “I Never Needed You Like This Before” leading the way and giving space for “Leaves,” which to some may look like the energy was sapped out of the room but instead developed into the jam of the run, with a beautiful, ethereal mediation ensuing. The segue from “Everything’s Right” into “The Mango Song” was as smooth as they come, and a trio of high energy songs closed the set with “Most Events Aren’t Planned” > “Chalk Dust Torture” > “Julius.” An encore of “Harry Hood” was as fitting as it gets, the band extending the third section of Hood as Fishman hit his ‘Moo’ samples to drive the peak of the jam home.

Night two brought a show-encompassing “Mike’s Groove” that featured an set 1 opener of “Mike’s Song” and a show closing “Weekapaug Groove.” A hefty “Wolfman’s Brother” stood out as the highlight of the first set, along with the second ever performance of the Sci-Fi Soldiers tune “Something Living Here.”

Set 2 never seemed to let up as the energy flowed from “No Men In No Man’s Land” into “Down with Disease” for 25 minutes of fist-pumping, head-nodding grooves. Another Sci-Fi Soldiers tune, “Don’t Doubt Me” was performed for two fans in the front row wearing ‘Genuine Asshole,’ a reference to the song’s lyrics. After “Golden Age” jumped into the mix, the softest landing possible came in the form of the ever rare “Lifeboy”. Before getting back into the “Weekapaug Groove,” “Fluff(head)” came to New York, and an encore of “Slave to the Traffic Light” paid fans safe travels as they headed to the next stops in Raleigh, NC and Columbia, MD.

For those heading to Atlantic City for Phish, Anchor Rock Club has added two free, interactive daytime events to its weekend programming during Phish’s three-night Atlantic City run on Sat. Aug. 6 and Sun. Aug. 7 from 2-4 p.m. The Helping Friendly Podcast (HFPod) is hosting The Disco Biscuits’ Jon Barber on Saturday and Phish lyricist Tom Marshall on Sunday. Fans can catch it streaming live, or register for free with the venue to attend in-person.

Setlists via Phish.net

Phish – Northwell Health Jones Beach – Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Soundcheck: All of These Dreams, Don’t Doubt Me -> Billie Jean, My Soul

Set 1: The Curtain > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S. > Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan -> NICU, Roggae, Pebbles and Marbles, Bathtub Gin > Maze, The Squirming Coil

Set 2: I Never Needed You Like This Before > Leaves > Everything’s Right -> The Mango Song, Most Events Aren’t Planned > Chalk Dust Torture > Julius

Encore: Harry Hood

Phish – Northwell Health at Jones Beach – Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Soundcheck: My Soul (incomplete)

Set 1: Mike’s Song > Wolfman’s Brother > Ya Mar, 46 Days > It’s Ice > All of These Dreams, Something Living Here > Axilla (Part II) > When the Circus Comes > Run Like an Antelope

Set 2: No Men In No Man’s Land > Down with Disease > Don’t Doubt Me -> Golden Age > Lifeboy > Fluffhead > Weekapaug Groove

Encore: Slave to the Traffic Light

photo gallery by Rob Tellerman

July 28, 2022
In Focus: Phish Cast A Wave of Hope in Hartford

Phish tour rolled on from Bethel to Hartford on Sunday, July 24, as thousands of fans flocked to Central CT with the mantra ‘Never Miss a Sunday Show’ proving true once again.

The first set began with “Cars Trucks Buses,’ a nod to the Traffic that surrounded the former Meadows Music Theatre. A surprise Big Boat track ‘Breath and Burning’ followed in the two-slot, taking more of a stroll that fans may have expected. The sustained energy from the next four tunes – “The Final Hurrah,” “Free,” “Yarmouth Road,” and “Plasma” – made way for thr highlight of the set, a 17 minute-plus “Sigma Oasis” that before closing with “Limb x Limb” and “Sand.”

Set two was a tale of two halves. The first half of “A Wave of Hope” > “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing” > “Blaze On” clocked in at a combined 55 minutes, with the first two songs blasting off with heavy Type II improvisation and magnificent drumming from Jon Fishman who propelled the band through the jam. The second half of the set kept the energy going with “The Wedge,” “Farmhouse,” “Backwards Down the Number Line” all of which on paper may seem like a snoozfest but when the heat is set so high, a cool down is in order. Yet the heat was ramped up again to close the set with “Character Zero” and a rare “Tube” > “First Tube” encore.

Phish rolls into Jones Beach on Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since 2013

Setlist via Phish.net

Phish – Xfinity Theatre, Hartford, CT – July 24, 2022

Set 1: Cars Trucks Buses, Breath and Burning, The Final Hurrah, Free, Yarmouth Road, Plasma > Sigma Oasis, Limb By Limb, Sand

Set 2: A Wave of Hope > A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing > Blaze On > The Wedge, Farmhouse > Backwards Down the Number Line > Character Zero

Encore: Tube > First Tube

Trey teased Mr. P.C. in Tube

Photo gallery by Filip Zalewski

July 26, 2022
Widespread Panic Perform Long Awaited Beacon Theatre Run

Widespread Panic held their long-awaited 5-night residency at New York City’s Beacon Theatre this from Thursday, July 21st to Monday, July 25th. The Athens, Georgia band had performed in February and March 2020 just before the pandemic set in, and this new run of shows had been long anticipated and originally scheduled for September, 2021. The shows were pushed to January 2022 then again to July. NYS Music was there on opening and closing night – check out photos from Night 1 and show as well as the setlists and video.

Widespread Panic, Beacon Theatre, 7/21/2022. Photo by Buscar Photo

The atmosphere of the historic theater was electric at the start of the residency. The sidewalks were filled with small vendors selling all sorts of fan art, jewelry and merchandise. Fans were walking up to groups of people handing out stickers and fliers. The official merchandise table was as busy as can be, even with all the competition with numerous t-shirt options outside on the street. Fans were piling in, excited to see what songs would be played on night one.

Widespread Panic, Beacon Theatre, 7/21/2022. Photo by Buscar Photo

The setlist for night one was just what you would expect from Widespread Panic: a surprising career spanning set with various covers and extended jams. After playing “Goodpeople”, the band played “Dark Star” with a “Goodpeople” reprise at the end. Set two featured covers from War (Four Cornered Room), The Beatles (You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away), and Bloodkin (Henry Parsons Died).

Widespread Panic, Beacon Theatre, 7/21/2022. Photo by Buscar Photo

The run continued at the Beacon Theatre on Monday, with a compact first set featuring huge versions of ‘Hatfield’ and ‘Tie Your Shoes’ which segued cleanly into the set closing “Blackout Blues.” Set 2 was straight fire from the get-go with a party starting “Disco” that pushed into ‘”Big Wooly Mammoth” and from there things only got hotter. A long sandwich of “Chilly Water” > “Surprise Valley” > “Arleen” > “Surprise Valley” > “Chilly Water” was as fulfilling as it sounds, with the crowd letting loose as the run came closer to the end. A stand alone “Airplane” by Jerry Joseph preceded two more fiery tunes to close the show, “Postcard” > “Conrad.”

What followed was a 5-song encore – only the fourth five-song single encore in Panic’s 36 year history – and the song selection could not have been finer. Paying tribute to old friends, legends and inspirations, they began with Col. Bruce Hampton, and his song “Basically Frightened” (also the name of a great documentary on the Colonel) before shifting into an unexpected “Mountain Jam.” Panic does not cover Allman Brothers Band tunes very often, maybe a tease here and there, but a proper “Mountain Jam” with former ABB guitarist Jimmy Herring leading the charge, is as Georgia as you can get in NYC short of eating a peach at the same time. John Bell picked up his mandolin for Bloodkin’s “End of the Show,” which normally would be the final song of an encore but on this final night of the run, two more surprises were in store. Black Sabbath’s “Fairies Wear Boots” got a proper southern rock treatment, with David Bowie’s “Heroes” closed the set, a fitting bookend to the run that began with Panic’s own song “Heroes,” a nod to the audience who stuck it out amid a pandemic and three reschedules and brought the love to the Beacon Theatre once again.

Listen to Monday’s show and all others from the run via Panicstream.com.

Widespread Panic next heads to Atlanta for a four-night run at The Fox Theatre starting August 10th.

Setlists via Panicstream.com

Thursday, July 21st

Set 1: Heroes, Rebirtha, Papa Johnny Road, Goodpeople, Dark Bar, Goodpeople, Papa’s Home, Shut Up And Drive, Blue Indian, Wondering

Set 2: Cease Fire, Henry Parsons Died, Time Zones, Happy, Jamais Vu (The World Has Changed), Four Cornered Room, Impossible, Worry, Hide Your Love Away, Ain’t Life Grand

Encore: Down, Makes Sense to Me

Friday, July 22nd

Set 1: From The Cradle, Please, One Arm Steve, Stop Breakin’ Down Blues, Can’t Get High, I’m Not Alone, There Is A Time, Holden Oversoul, Sleeping Man.

Set 2: Little Kin, Action Man, Better Off, Jack, Love Tractor, Drums, Goin’ Out West, Stop-Go, Walk On, Imitation Leather Shoes.

Encore: Gimme, Give, No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature

Saturday, July 23rd

Set 1: Pigeons, Sharon, Junior, Up All Night, Christmas Katie > Radio Child, Glory, Greta > Cream Puff War

Set 2: Flicker, Tall Boy > Fishwater, A of D, Driving Song > Machine > Barstools and Dreamers > Zambi Jam > Driving Song > Happy Child > Dear Prudence, Climb to Safety

Encore: Time Waits, Travelinâ Man > The Waker

Sunday, July 24

Set 1: Send Your Mind, All Time Low, Bear’s Gone Fishin’ > Ride Me High > You Got Yours, Space Wrangler, Walkin’ (For Your Love), Protein Drink / Sewing Machine

Set 2:Rock > Party At Your Mama’s House > Ribs and Whiskey, Halloween Face, Me and the Devil Blues, Bust It Big > Drums > One Kind Favor > Bust It Big, North

Encore: Red Hot Mama

Monday, July 25th

Set 1: Saint Ex > Hatfield, Pilgrims, This Part of Town, Thought Sausage, Honky Red, Tie Your Shoes > Blackout Blues

Set 2: Disco > Big Wooly Mammoth > Chilly Water > Surprise Valley > Arleen > Surprise Valley > Chilly Water, Airplane, Postcard, Conrad

Encore: Basically Frightened, Mountain Jam, End of the Show*, Fairies Wear Boots, Heroes

w/ JB on mandolin

‘Spanish Moon’ tease during ‘Tie Your Shoes’

‘Day Tripper’ tease by JoJo after ‘Airplane’

July 26, 2022