Dynamic septet, The Big Takeover Band, headlined at Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute in Utica on Monday, August 8. The show was a Levitt Amp Utica Music Series segment funded by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation.
The Big Takeover Band is rooted in the Hudson Valley. The group is led by charismatic Jamaican-born singer-songwriter Nee Nee Rushie. They play an extraordinary blend of Jamaican pop and reggae, with a touch of retro soul and Motown. The band is touring throughout August to the middle of September.
Aug. 12 – West Stockbridge, MA @ The Foundry West Stockbridge
Aug. 13 – Killington, VT @ Cooler in the Mountains Concert Series
Aug. 15 – Tupper Lake, NY @ Monday Summer Sunset Stage Series
Aug. 20 – Weston, CT @ Music in The Meadow
Aug. 26 – New York, NY @ Sunset on The Hudson
Sept. 04 – Saranac Lake, NY – Northern Current Music Festival 2022
Sept. 10 – Bozrah, CT – Camp Creek 2022
The Big Takeover Band conducted an upbeat performance compelling the audience to dance and clap along throughout the show. They commenced with an original instrumental piece. At the beginning of the second set, stage lights followed as Rushie walked out with a captivating smile and she began to sing. Her powerful voice matched with the spectacular sound of the band promoted excitement for most in the crowd.
Closing the show, The Big Takeover Band played a Jamaican pop original song. The crowd appeared joyful and cheered as if they didn’t want the show to end.
The show kicked off right on time at 3:55 P.M. with Classless Act jumping onto the stage filled with lots of energy. The band members were all over the stage trying to warm the crowd up. Formed in 2019 and consisting of five former strangers who met via TikTok and Instagram, they are a straight up rock and roll band. Many fans in the crowd enjoyed their short but memorable set. Some fans thought they played better than some of the other bands on the bill. Usually after their set, they will play in a small venue in the same city they are in, really showing dedication to their craft.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Photo credit- Mike Miller
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts went on at about 4:30 P.M. Their set length was about 60 minutes. Joan has been described as the “Queen of Rock ’n Roll,” and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. She has three albums that have been certified platinum or gold.
Poison
Drummer Rikki Rocket. Photo credit- Mike Miller
Next was Poison, who is a famous glam metal band formed in 1983 in Mechanicsburg, PA. The band consists of lead singer Bret Michaels, drummer Rikki Rocket, bassist Bobby Dall and lead guitarist C.C. Deville. The band achieved huge commercial success in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s and has sold 16 million records in the United States and over 50 million albums worldwide. From the start of their set, the band was filled with energy, running up and down the catwalk ramp. The fans in attendance loved that the band was wearing Buffalo Bills items (shirts, hats, and jerseys) for their hour-long set.
Mötley Crüe
Photo credit- Mike Miller
Next was Mötley Crüe, who had many stage props and visual effects, with multiple metal pieces hung around the stage. The drum riser was encompassed in a metal circle, with inflatable women robots, unique mic stands, and multiple lyric teleprompters around the edge of the stage for the lead singer. These teleprompters made it very difficult for the photographers to get photos. They also blocked the view of some fans in the front rows at the end of the catwalk. A video screen was then lowered.
They started their set at 7:30 P.M. sharp, with the whole floor filling with thick white fog/smoke. An intro video played to get the crowd’s adrenaline pumping (dubbed as a breaking news report). During their first song “Wild Side” many women dancers joined them on stage to sing and dance. “Shout at the Devil” used lyrics on the large screen behind them to have the crowd join along in chanting the lines. Every song they played seemed to be a fan favorite as it appeared every fan knew all the words. Mötley Crüe’s set ended 90 minutes later at 9 P.M., with a set full of classic hits and a cover medley of songs.
Def Leppard
Singer Joe Elliot. Photo credit- Mike Miller
To close out the show was Def Leppard with an insane lighting display. The stage had huge vertical video screens, massive light bars, and a long walkway connected to the stage. The fans in the crowd sang along to each and every word of their classic hits. They used the stage walkway into the crowd to give the fans up close, the best view money can buy.
Setlists:
Classless Act
“This is for You,” “Give it to Me,” “Time to Bleed,” “All That We Are,” “Classless Act.”
Joan Jet and the Blackhearts
“Victim of Circumstance,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Light of Day,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me,” “You Dry Me Wild,” “Everyday People,” “Fake Friends,” “Crimson & Clover,” “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” “I’m Gonna Run Away,” “I hate Myself for Loving You,” “Bad Reputation.”
Posion
“Look What the Cat Dragged In”, “Ride the Wind”, “Talk Dirty to Me”, “Your Mama Don’t Dance”, Guitar solo, “Fallen Angel”, Drum solo, “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”, “Nothin’ but a Good Time”.
Mötley Crüe
“Wild Side,” “Shout at the Devil,” “Too Fast for Love,” “Dont Go Away Mad,” “Saints of Los Angeles,” “Live Wire,” “Looks That Kill,” “The Dirt,” “Rock and Roll, part 2/ Smokin’ in the Boys Room/ White Punks on Dope/ Helter Skelter/ Anarchy in the U.K,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Same Ol’ Situation,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Primal Scream,” “Kickstart my Heart.”
Def Leppard
“Take What You Want,” “Let It Go,” “Animal,” “Foolin,” “Armageddon It,” “Kick,” “Love Bites,” “Promises,” “This Guitar,” “Two Steps Behind,” “Rocket,” “Bringin’ on the Heatbreak,” “Switch 625,” “Hysteria,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Rock of Ages,” “Photograph.”
New York city-based punk band, Baby Got Back Talk, has released a single and music video, “Season Premiere,” off of their upcoming full-album, Existential Shred, out on Sept. 9.
Photo: Kate Hoos
The band’s previously released single, “Model Minority,” debuted back in June, and paid homage to the My Chemical Romance hit “I’m Not Okay (I Promise).” Baby Got Back Talk consists of four members: vocalist/bassist G’Ra Asim, synth op/vocalist Rhiana Hernandez, lead guitarist/vocalist Jake Lazaroff, and drummer Wes Ruiz and has been bringing listeners great music since 2017.
Vocalist and bassist G’Ra Asim began working on the new single, “Season Premiere,” during his office hours as an English professor. Some of the lyrics, “I was searching for a guide/in the pages of poets/But I’m still not bonafide/as a sage or a stoic” describe the idea that we must accept we cannot always find the answers. One must feel free to pursue them on their own.
I’d spent so much time studying literature in the hopes that the bards of old held the wisdom I could use to orient my own journey. Students were looking to me to share that wisdom, yet I was keenly aware that I had so much left to figure out myself. The eureka moment we sometimes think we’re pursuing doesn’t necessarily deliver. The closest you can actually get is accepting that there’s no grand design to uncover, which means you’re free to make your own. ‘Season Premiere’ is the sound of four weary but still wide-eyed weirdos doing exactly that, and inviting the listener to do so in their own right.
– Vocalist and bassist G’Ra Asim
“Season Premiere” highlights Baby Got Back Talk’s pop-punk sound, similar to the rhythms and electric guitars of the early 2000s. In the music video, catch the band jamming out with a full set of drums, electric guitar, and more, in addition to them exploring the streets and landmarks of the city. Fans of the band can keep up with them across all platforms with the username @babygotbacktalk.
On July 19th, August Burns Red graced Rochester with their presence at Anthology during the Through The Thorns tour. On this tour, they were accompanied by Void of Vision, HollowFront, and We Came As Romans. Void of Vision kicked things off with their very enthusiastic front man Jack Bergin. Following them was Hollow Front who formed only a few short years ago.
Hollow Front
And to step up to the stage after them was We Came As Romans, a band that has been around since 2005 and has been through many member changes. As their set went on, the front man, Dave Stephens was definitely not one to stay still as he went from one side of the stage to other and at one point, stepped off the stage to the barrier in front of the crowd.Â
August Burns Red
Then finally we have the heavy hitter, August Burns Red. As everyone was waiting for them to take the stage, a very popular song was playing, “Chop Suey” by System Of A Down, which isn’t uncommon since they play a variety of songs in between bands but this was in fact, August Burns Red intro song as not long ago they released it as a cover. From the first song, to the last, their performance seemed flawless and on top of that, everyone was treated to a light show. To close out the night, one song they typically save for last is “White Washed,” which is one heck of a banger and is a perfect one to end the show.
On Thursday, August 4, an electric and explosive night to remember, ROT$ Worldwide, Inc. hosted their very own INTERN$ 22 RAGER underground artist showcase in Manhattan. These individuals, all relatively young, received the opportunity to present their artistry to one of the most musically creative and diverse cities in the world.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
According to Tiffany Swiney, Cofounder of ROT$ Worldwide, Inc., a communications agency with a focus on creative thinking free from socio-economic barriers, the company’s five summer interns brainstormed on a collective project, which in the end became the INTERN$ 22 RAGER event. Their challenge was to fulfill the behind-the-scenes tasks in preparation for the showcase. More specifically, the given instructions were to find a venue and several underground upcoming artists. After intense research, the location chosen was 404 Broadway New York, NY and those selected to perform were Arson, INDiGO, NuuDetta!, Fasquiat, Tenahoni, Hendo, Ka$hKenni, Vas, SANDWCH BOI, Daytona Levell, and Slick2x, along with a few others who were guests on different sets.
ROT$ is all about bringing young NYC creatives together in a safe space to sharpen their skills. It was so great to see everyone working together to hype the performers, get their content in, network, and to just be free.
Tiffany Swiney
Arson, one of the performers of the night and the show’s MC, shed light on how the theme came to be. What worked best for everyone was “nightclub rager,” a show with music to last a lifetime. According to Arson, the main genres of the night were rap, emo, trap, and alternative. The intention of this event was to show the diversity of and bring back the great energy from the NYC underground artist scene. After three weeks of preparation for the show, each performer developed an unwavering supportive family bond with one another.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
Although this was Arson’s first opportunity as an MC, the sky was the limit, as she so effortlessly captivated the crowd with her magnetic energy. Her brand began in a middle school parent-teacher conference, in which she was told she has a fire in her. The name Arson began to encapsulate who she is, as she grew up more secure and self-confident. Regardless of Thursday being her second musical performance, her fiery stage presence left her audience in awe.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I’m in love with who I was because she bled and fought for me today. I try to inspire as many people as I can and lend a warm safe space for people wherever I go. I have high energy, a fire burning bright in my soul and I feel like it comes out in my music. I will always be Elizabeth, but I’m also Arson.
Arson
Similarly to Arson, melodic, trap, and plugg rapper Ka$hKenni discovered their name as a result of their past. Since they were younger, their luck of finding random amounts of cash has yet to cease. Considering Ka$hKenni is perceived to be high class as well, they thought money should be incorporated into their rap name, with the meaning of luck and good fortune.
Ka$hKenni has been creating music for almost two years now, with her first performance at the INTERN$ 22 RAGER event. Ka$hKenni’s favorite song to perform on Thursday was “Find Me,” because of how suspenseful and intriguing the buildup of the 808s are. Nonetheless, it holds a special place in their heart because it was produced with their brother. After discovering the beat for the song, Ka$hKenni was not too fond of it at first, but their brother encouraged them to record to it, in case of a change of heart.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I didn’t know what kind of flow I wanted to have over the track, and I was stuck. I started thinking more and writing and that’s when I got the hang of it. It reminds me of something old Chief Keef would hop on and that inspired me to keep writing. I wanted the chorus to be very simple and I wanted to sing a little and that’s exactly what I did. We made that song in less than 30 minutes. The next day we played it on the speaker, and we honestly were shocked. I couldn’t believe I could make something like that. I played it for my friends and my brother played it for his and they couldn’t believe we made such a hit.
Ka$hKenni
Sometimes people have to step outside of their comfort zone to reach a new level in their life, and Ka$hKenni is a prime example of this. Ultimately, they want to be remembered as the one who never gave up.
Although the last to showcase their music, Slick2x’s artistry was nothing less than emotional, powerful, and moving. He said music means everything to him, which was undoubtedly noticeable. His performance is yet another step in the right direction, towards success and fulfilling the promise he made to his brother to always follow his dreams three days before his passing.
Photo credit: Courtney Griffin
Every artist has a different journey and personal motivation for fulfilling their music dreams. For Daytona Levell, developing as an artist was a challenge. Nonetheless, nothing deterred him from moving forward and pushing himself against all odds, even 100 to 1.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I have had a tough journey and at one point did not know what my image and brand should be. However, I decided to do what I love, and it came natural to me.
Daytona Levell
Artist, actor, and creative visionary SANDWCH BOI, chose his name as a joke in high school, during a rap battle and held onto it ever since. His artistry and persona differ exponentially from the average person, which is why his rap name falls under the same concept.
Even though Thursday night was SANDWCH BOI’s first time performing his own music, he’s been grasping his audience since 10-years-old, as an actor within the theater community. Therefore, his self-confidence only grew as the INTERN$ 22 RAGER event neared, especially with the support of his brother and friends, of whom the majority are fellow creatives.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
I had time to watch my friends grow in their craft and when it was my time to shine, they were nothing but supportive. We were just feeding off of each other’s energy it was amazing.
SANDWCH BOI
Out of SANDWCH BOI’s discography, “Saturn” was his favorite to perform at the showcase because of its amped up energy that gets the crowd jumping. Interestingly enough, “Saturn” is a freestyle that was made in just one take, a skill that usually takes years to master, because of how raw it is.
Photo Credit: Courtney Griffin
Considering how his performance created a shift in the night, with multiple mosh pits, everyone’s full attention and endless smiles to go around the room, SANDWCH BOI’s wish to have people “remember seeing this dude in an orange mask going crazy and turning the whole spot up” will undeniably be granted.
INTERN$ 22 RAGER will forever be a night of great nostalgia and euphoria for everyone in attendance, especially for the performers. This was an unforgettable learning experience for the artists involved and will help each one of them grow not only within their craft, but with their audience as well. August 4th, 2022 will forever be a raging night full of immeasurable vibes and timeless music.
Charismatic Connecticut improv rockers Eggy made a memorable debut in Woodstock on Friday, August 5th. Billed as the first ever ‘Midnight Scramble’ at the legendary Levon Helm Studios, the intimate and acoustically ideal venue provided the perfect space to serve up a verified barn burner. Featuring both an acoustic set and an electric set and surrounded by relatives and longtime friends, the entire evening had a true family affair feel and surprises no one saw coming.
Eggy kicked off their inaugural ‘Midnight Scramble’ with an acoustic set at Levon Helm Studios (8/5/22)
Eggy, comprised of guitarist and vocalist Jake Brownstein, keyboardist Dani Battat, bassist Michael Goodman and drummer Alex Bailey, take their name in loving memory of their late friend, Edward “Eggy” Torrence. Always in their thoughts, the emotional evening in Woodstock took place the same weekend as the five year anniversary of his passing. The significance not lost on the band, prior to the show members of Eggy let it be known via social media just how much playing the historic venue means to them. ‘The Midnight Scramble’ of course, is their way of paying homage to the legendary ‘Midnight Ramble” events that have taken place on the same property since even before Levon Helm‘s passing in 2012. Widely considered sacred musical ground, Brownstein revealed his first road trip after getting his driver’s license was to “The Barn” and the opportunity to grace the same stage was undoubtedly a milestone for the band.
Eggy’s Jake Brownstein and Alex Bailey sing their hearts out at The Barn (8/5/22)
Opting to play the show using Levon’s beautiful red drum kit, the acoustic portion of the evening began with “All The Way Down (Shadow Pt. 2)” and the momentum would continue to build through “Zugzwang” before entering the centerpiece of the set; “Finding and Losing.” From there fans were treated to the first cover of the night, the Jackson Browne penned “These Days,” which flowed directly into the song “Fragments.”
Keeping with the sentimental vibe, “Island Afterlife” was played next before keyboardist Dani Battat candidly addressed the audience. Showing his genuine appreciation for everyone who came out to the first ever ‘Scramble, Battat acknowledged the significance of this venue, the weekend as a whole and the somber anniversary of Edward “Eggy” Torrance’s passing. A heartfelt rendition of “Watercolor Days” was then played in his honor and brought the potent opening set to a proper close.
Scramble on: A surprise sit-in from Rusted Root’s Michael Glabicki and Ben Atkind of Goose was the highlight of the night (8/5/22)
After a brief intermission, Battat would do his part to wrangle in the stragglers still socializing outside with an extended keyboard solo dubbed “The Genetic Method” which segued beautifully into the intro of our second cover of the night, The Band’s “Chest Fever” which would also be teased throughout the rest of the set. Just down the road from Bearsville, a newer Americana-tinged tune called “Backyard Bear” came next and was followed by a spirited version of the song “Shadow.”
From there came the biggest surprise of the night when Eggy invited a few friends to join them; Michael Glabicki (guitar/vocals) of Rusted Root and Ben Atkind (drums) of Goose. Launching into a cover of Rusted Root’s 1994 smash hit “Send Me On My Way,” the excitement in the room was palpable. The look on each member of Eggy’s face radiating with pure joy, contagious and exhilarating to everyone on stage and in the crowd, if this musical moment didn’t give you chills you may need to consult a doctor.
Striking while the audience was hot, Eggy then rolled out their hardest rocking song of the night, a rare bowling themed tune called “12 Pounds of Pain.” With its infectious and easily identifiable riffage, the band not only took it for a funked-out walk, but also managed to weave in reprise teases of “Chest Fever” and “Send Me On My Way” to bring the exhilarating electric set full circle and leave the audience howling for encore. Happy to scramble on a little longer Eggy invited members of the opening act, the sensational Brad Goodall Trio, along with Goose drummer Ben Atkind, back out for an absolutely joyous cover-of-a-cover of “Don’t Do It.” Originally performed by Marvin Gaye and later made famous by Levon and The Band, the song served as both a fitting tribute and a perfect way to bring the inaugural “Midnight Scramble” to a close.
Check out pro-shot video of Eggy performing “Send Me On My Way” with Rusted Root’s Michael Glabicki and Goose’s Ben Atkind
Feeling inspired and riding the wave momentum, the band plans to enter a recording studio later this week. Along with major festivals like Resonance and Hulaween on their horizon, Eggy have also announced their first ever full headlining tour this Fall. With dates that include stops in Brooklyn, Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo, New Yorkers will soon have plenty of chances to see why this Connecticut quartet is rapidly becoming one of improv music’s most impressive and talked about acts.
For a full list of upcoming Eggy tour dates, see below. For ticketing details, head to the band’s website.
Eggy – “The Midnight Scramble” – Levon Helm Studios — Woodstock – August 5th, 2022
Set 1: All The Way Down (Shadow Pt. 2), Zugzwang, Finding and Losing, These Days[1] > Fragments, Island Afterlife, Watercolor Days[2]
Set 2: The Genetic Method[3] -> Chest Fever[4] > Backyard Bear, Shadow[5] , Send Me On My Way[6] , 12 Pounds of Pain[7] -> Send Me On My Way[8] -> 12 Pounds of Pain
Encore: Don’t Do It[9]
[1] Jackson Browne cover [2] Dedicated to Edward “Eggy” Torrence [3] FTP, The Band, Dani only. The rest of the band joined after for Chest Fever. [4] FTP, The Band cover [5] With Chest Fever (The Band) teases [6] FTP, Rusted Root cover, with Michael Glabicki on guitar and lead vocals, and Ben Atkind on percussion [7] With Finding and Losing teases [8] Rusted Root cover, With Chest Fever (The Band) teases [9] With Brad Goodall on piano, Rodney Elkins on drums and lead vocals, Craig Burletic on vocals, and Ben Atkind on cowbell. Alex on tambourine and vocals
For more photos from Eggy’s inaugural Midnight Scramble, check out the gallery below courtesy of NYS Music Photographer Zak Radick.
New York is already experiencing record breaking temps this summer, but that didn’t stop Gov’t Mule from bringing more heat by playing two fire sets at The Paramount in Huntington, Long Island on Sunday, August 7th. The band, led by guitar legend Warren Haynes, is currently in the middle of a tour that will conclude in January of 2023 with Island Exodus 13 in Jamaica. They will also be doing their New Years run at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on December 30th and 31st.
The August 7th show at The Paramount also paid tribute in the form of covers to greats such as Tom Waits, Elton John and of course The Allman Brothers Band. Set one started with “Traveling Tune” as well as other Mule classics such as “Game Face” with an added “Mountain Jam” interlude, and and a cover of Tom Waits “Make it Rain.” The quartet which also features Jorgen Carlsson on bass, Danny Louis on keys and Matt Abts on drums sounded phenomenal as they ended set one with another Allman Brothers cover “Kind of Bird.”
After a short break, the boys returned to the stage to start the second set with an Elmore James cover of “Blues Before Sunrise” which is also featured on their latest album Heavy Load Blues. Other highlights of set two included an Elton John cover of “Have Mercy on the Criminal” and “Birth of the Mule” which is off of their 1998 album Dose. They also snuck in a little Jimi Hendrix “If 6 Was 9” in the middle of “Larger Than Life” which was also on the 1998 album Dose. They concluded the second set with “Thorazine Shuffle”, yet another song of of their second album Dose.
The encore paid tribute to Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead by interjecting “The Other One Jam” in the middle of “Fallen Down” from their 2000 album Life Before Insanity. You can see all of the remaining Gov’t Mule tour dates here.
Setlist: Traveling Tune, Blind Man in the Dark, Steppin’ Lightly, Game Face / Mountain Jam / Game Face, Make It Rain (Tom Waits cover), Come and Go Blues (Allman Brothers cover), Which Way Do We Run, Kind of Bird (Allman Brother Band cover), Blues Before Sunrise (Elmore James cover), I Asked For Water, (She Gave Me Gasoline)(Howlin Wolf Cover), Have Mercy on the Criminal (Elton John cover), Birth of the Mule, Monkey Hill, Stone Cold Rage, Larger Than Life / If 6 Was 9 / Larger Than Life, Thorazine Shuffle
Encore: Fallen Down / The Other One Jam / Fallen Down
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.
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
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
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.
On Aug. 3, Connecticut-based rock band Goose released the ninth episode in their short film series, Day of Show. The newest episode focuses on the band’s debut show at NYC’s iconic Radio City Music Hall on June 24-25.
Goose Live at Radio City Music Hall. (L-R): Trevor Weekz (bass), Ben Atkind (drums), Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Jeff Arevalo (vocals, percussion) Peter Anspach (vocals, guitar, keys). Photo: Adam Berta
The jam band Goose consists of Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keys, guitar), Trevor Weekz (bass), Ben Atkind (drums), and Jeff Arevalo (vocals, percussion, drums). Their sound fuses multiple genres and their most recent release, Dripfield, combines pop and psychedelic elements into one. Goose recorded the full album in Woodstock with production by D. James Goodwin at The Isokon.
The new Day of Show, episode highlights the band’s first show at Radio City Music Hall as they celebrate the release of their critically acclaimed album. Directed by Bryan Murphy, viewers can watch Goose in intimate behind-the-scenes footage during their sold-out shows at the venue. Featuring the band, crew, close friends and family, and fans watching the band perform some of their best work, the just over 20-minute video is a must-see.
Goose’s performances at Radio City Music Hall included one acoustic and two electric sets, with sit-ins from Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, Father John Misty, Stuart Bogie, Dave Nelson, and Dripfield’s producer D. James Goodwin. The video gives all a chance to take in the legendary Radio City Music Hall during one of the band’s most exciting moments.
Trey Anastasio (R ) and Rick Mitartonda (L) – Photo: Michael Nuchereno
With previous performances at landmark festivals such as Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Peach Music Festival, and Newport Folk Festival, the band is currently having a career-defining season. Fans of Goose’s music, and short film, can catch the group at more performances this summer. To see the upcoming tour dates, and the full short film release, see below. Tickets can be found at Goose’s website.
DRIPFIELD FALL TOUR 2022:
8/12 – Columbia, MD – The Chrysalis Amphitheater
8/13 – Columbia, MD – The Chrysalis Amphitheater
8/16 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)
8/17 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)
8/18 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)
8/20 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
8/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
8/23 – Stateline, NV – South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe (SOLD OUT)
