Onoleigh has just released her powerful and emotional single “Walls,” co-written with John Oates and Nathan Chapman.
John Oates is one half of the iconic New York-based duo Hall & Oates. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the prestigious BMI Icon Award as well as numerous American Music, MTV awards, and multiple GRAMMY nominations. Since forming his legendary pop duo with Daryl Hall in the early 1970s, they have gone on to record 21 albums, which have sold over 80 million units, making them the most successful duo in rock history.
Onoleigh started her career as a social worker in Missouri, going to Tennessee to pursue singing in her 20s. She blurs the lines between genres, creating a blend of Americana, rootsy rock & roll, and empowered country music. Years before outlets like CMT hailed her as one of Nashville’s newest stars, though, Onoleigh grew up in the small town of Mahomet, Illinois, where songs by the Eagles, Carrie Underwood, Fleetwood Mac, and Adele played on the local radio, influencing her to inspire others through her sharp songwriting and performances.
Onoleigh is a born performer…her connection with her audience is genuine, soulful, and authentic. Then there’s that knock your socks off, big-time voice of hers that she delivers with emotional energy and range. She’s got it all.
John Oates
“Walls” is dynamic and stunning, with Onoleigh singing about her childhood bedroom in a way that’s both evocative and electric. Co-written with John Oates and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), the song finds her addressing the bedroom walls that watched her grow up, wondering what advice they’d give to her now as an adult. Featuring her powerhouse vocals and beautiful instrumentals, “Walls” is a strong addition to her eclectic discography.
Sibling group The Zorbas Trio released their debut single, “Still I Breathe,” ahead of their Hudson Falls show at the Strand Theater on December 4. Composed of siblings Callista, Demetra, and John Zorbas, the group plays original folk rock tunes, as well as covers ranging across genres.
The group’s first single, “Still I Breathe,” is a dark folk-rock track with strong vocals, as well as evident piano and guitar skills. The sibling trio shows strong collaborative skill, which will prove to be important in their upcoming album.
The Zorbas Trio is currently based out of Saratoga, as Upstate NY natives. Pianist and composer John Zorbas is the youngest of the three, specializing in classical and jazz. Demetra, the second oldest of the Trio, brings lead vocals and bass, and is also an actor, fine artist, and trap shooter. Finally, Callista, the eldest sibling, also lends lead vocals as well as her guitar skills. She is also an actor, writer, and fine artist, in addition to her musical skills.
The Zorbas Trio will play a show at The Strand Theater in Hudson Falls on December 4 at 7PM. The event is free. More information is available here.
Listen to “Still I Breathe” from Zorbas Trio below.
Indie rock group Real Estate announced their upcoming album, to be released this February 23 titled Daniel. This release will mark the band’s sixth full length record, as they prepare to embark on their cross-country tour with two shows in New York State.
The first single off Real Estate’s upcoming album is out now, titled “Water Underground.” The track comes with an official music video inspired by the 1990s Nickelodeon show The Adventures of Pete and Pete. Starring members of the show’s original cast, Danny Tamberelli and Michael C Maronna, the video pays homage to the 90s nostalgia and both the band and actors’ shared New Jersey roots.
Real Estate will embark on an impressive North American tour this spring, with two shows across New York State. The group will play at NYC’s Webster Hall on April 18, followed by Woodstock’s Levon Helm Studios on April 20. The tour spans over 30 cities, beginning this March 1 in Vancouver, BC.
The band’s upcoming album, Daniel, was recorded in nine days at Nashville’s RCA Studio A facility. The 11-track record touches on themes and topics from their earliest work, revisited with the perspective of adulthood and experience. Daniel is available for pre-order now.
General onsale for tickets begins on December 1. Local and artist presales begin on Nov 29. More information is available at realestatetheband.com.
Real Estate 2024 Tour Dates
03/01/24 – Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre*
03/02/24 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox*
03/03/24 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall*
03/05/24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Urban Lounge*
03/06/24 – Denver, CO @ The Gothic Theatre*
03/08/24 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf*
03/09/24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom*
03/10/24 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park*
Lukas Nelson and The Promise of The Real brought their fall North American 2023 tour to the Capitol Theatre on November 22, 2023. The band is currently touring in support of Sticks and Stones, their latest release. This is their second appearance at the Capitol.
Lukas Nelson + POTR
Nelson guided the POTR on a musical journey through peaks and valleys, exploring a range from soulful ballads to roots rock. Notably, The Promise of The Real, with Lukas Nelson, served as the backing band for Neil Young from 2015 to 2019. This baptism by fire equipped them with the experience needed to ascend to the status of a headlining band.
Lukas Nelson + POTR
The members of POTR—Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals), Logan Metz (keyboards, lap steel, guitar, harmonica, vocals), and Tato Melgar (percussion)—collaborated with Nelson to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a local bar with friends, rather than the formality of a theater.
Lukas Nelson backed by Anthony LoGerfo
As Thanksgiving Eve unfolded, a sense of family permeated the night’s theme. Lukas Nelson paid tribute to his mother by dedicating ‘Icarus’ from the band’s newest recording to her. In the middle of the show, the members of POTR stepped off the stage. Nelson then took center stage, donning an acoustic guitar, and delivered a heartfelt rendition of Willie Nelson‘s ‘Angels Fly Too Close to the Ground.’ The performance left us questioning whether Lukas was honoring his father or undergoing a transformative moment right before our eyes.
Ben Chapman
Originating from Georgia and currently residing in Nashville, Ben Chapman kicked off the night. As a self-described ‘broke ass songwriter,’ he set the evening’s vibe. Chapman’s honky-tonk flair had the audience tapping their feet throughout his set. Adding a personal touch, he covered the Grateful Dead’s ‘Friend of the Devil,’ imprinting it with his unique style.
The tour continues through mid – December with a final show at the Maui Cultural Arts Center in Hawaii.
Comedian, actor, and podcast host Sebastian Maniscalco has announced his 2024 It Ain’t Right Tour, stopping in New York City, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse.
Sebastian Maniscalco is the undisputed king of physical comedy, hailed by The New York Times as the “hottest comic in America.” He has been performing for over two decades gaining a massive loyal fanbase. With his tireless work ethic and undeniable talent, Maniscalco commands the crowd with his witty jokes and honesty. During his latest tour, he conquered New York City by selling out Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, UBS Arena, and Prudential Center. With residencies at the Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City, as well as the Wynn, Encore Theatre in Las Vegas, he continues his record-breaking arena shows that earned him the top spot on Pollstar’s Top Comedy Tours list.
He has also starred in six comedy specials for networks such as Netflix, Showtime, and Comedy Central. Maniscalco’s success in comedy extends beyond the stand-up stage. His talents have translated to film, television, and podcasting. His new series Bookie, co-produced by Maniscalco and Chuck Lorre, premieres in November of 2023 on HBO MAX. The show follows a veteran bookie navigating the impending legalization of sports gambling and the evolving culture that bounces him around Los Angeles.
Credit: Peggy Sirota.
Maniscalco can be seen on the big screen in projects such as the animated feature film The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the Neil Bogart biopic Spinning Gold, and the dramedy Somewhere in Queens with Ray Romano and Laurie Metcalf. In 2023, Maniscalco marked his first role as a leading man when he co-wrote and starred in About My Father, loosely based on his Italian family experience, alongside Robert De Niro. Maniscalco also appeared in Martin Scorsese’s crime drama, The Irishman, and Peter Farrelly’s Oscar-winning Green Book.
Along with TV and standup, Maniscalco currently hosts two podcasts, Daddy vs. Doctor and The Pete and Sebastian Show. He is also the author of the national best-selling memoir, “Stay Hungry,” an inspiring, and honest collection of essays that traces his career from trials and tribulations – to reaching the pinnacles of comedy success.
“Hop on the ‘It Ain’t Right’ tour, where I’ll roast today’s absurdities – nonexistent manners, wallet-wincing prices, and the social media circus,” said Maniscalco. “Join me in laughing at the wrongs in this shameless world!”
Tickets will be available starting with artist presale on Wednesday, November 29. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, December 1 at 10 a.m.
IT AIN’T RIGHT 2024 TOUR DATES:
Thu Jul 11 – Norfolk, VA – Norfolk Scope Arena
Fri Jul 12 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
Sat Jul 13 – Asheville, NC – ExploreAsheville.com Arena
This upcoming Sunday, December 3, sister band the Screaming Orphans will perform their first ever Christmas concert at The Roslyn Cellar located at 1221 Old Northern Blvd, Roslyn, New York as part of their Mini Christmas Tour.
Their performance begins at 3:00 pm on Long Island. Even though it’s a matinee, be prepared to experience the same level of craic as a weekend night show. The Screaming Orphans promise to curate a party atmosphere that rivals a vigorous session. So you can count on dancing and singing (or if you’re tone-deaf like me, the closest you can to singing) along to various Christmas tunes.
Expect to hear songs like “Jingle Bells” and “Christmas Time Is Here” but with a Screaming Orphans’ twist. The Screaming Orphans’ signature sound, which consists of melodic old-school pop with heavy folk influences, can be heard on these classics, transforming these staple songs into the Screaming Orphans’ own. But what truly makes these songs their own is their transcendental harmonies. Their haunting harmonies rise out of the extraordinary sibling bond that binds the band together.
“When your siblings, you instinctively know what the other person is going to do…
It’s like we’re telepathic at times.”
Gráinne Diver, guitarist and vocalist of Screaming Orphans
The four sisters (Angela Diver on bass, violin and vocals; Joan Diver on drums and vocals; Marie Thérèse Diver on keys, accordion, and vocals, and Gráinne Diver on guitar and vocals) possess a powerful sibling bond that’s heard not only in their enchanting harmonies but also in their lively performances.
Drummer Joan noticed the sisters tend to ramble off and converse between themselves during shows. “We’re terrible chatters,” guitarist Gráinne stated. At times the sisters won’t even finish their sentences. But that doesn’t matter. They understand what the other is saying in a way only siblings can understand.
“When your siblings, you instinctively know what the other person is going to do,” Gráinne stated. It’s this deep sibling connection that allows the band to easily improv during performances. “We don’t play our songs like we record them. It’s not like we sit down and learn all these parts. We tend to play things differently live,” Gráinne stated. “As a family, we sort of know if somebody goes off on a different musical tangent, so we follow them. We might glare at them though,” Gráinne laughed. “It’s like we’re telepathic at times.”
The Screaming Orphans featuring sistersGráinne, Marie Thérèse, Joan, and Angela Driver.
The Screaming Orphans aim to recreate this familiar bond with their audience during their shows. “For a lot of our shows, we want people to feel like they’re in our sitting room. Or we’re in the house or kitchen and just having a sing-song,” Gráinne stated. “Everything is very much like, we’re all friends. We’re all sitting ‘round having a bit of fun.”
While the band is excited to have some more fun with their fans, Gráinne stated this tour is a bit more nerve wracking than their previous ones. Why? This is the Screaming Orphans’ first live Christmas performance. Their only other Christmas show was a live streamed concert back in 2020 during the midst of the pandemic.
Despite the nerves, Gráinne looks to the bright side. For starters, the band won’t need to worry about the internet going in-and-out like it did during their live streamed concert. Gráinne reminisced on it and jokingly said, “We were all just going, I hope the internet drops during a song we don’t know!” Keeping up with her good-natured spirit, Gráinne viewed the newness of this tour with excitement. “Sometimes it’s better craic when you’re not too sure of something.”
One thing everyone can be sure of is there will be plenty of Christmas songs being sung at The Roslyn Cellar on December 3. The Screaming Orphans will be playing almost the entire discography of their 2021 album Happy Christmas Vol. 1 along with a couple extras not featured on the album.
Speaking of Happy Christmas Vol. 1, fans can expect a new Christmas album by the Screaming Orphans to come out next December. The band is currently working on a new pop album and plan to work on their new Christmas album soon after. Covers, such as “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, along with at least two original songs are said to make their way onto the album.
For now, fans can enjoy the Screaming Orphans perform their songs off Happy Christmas Vol. 1 along with a number of joyful covers on December 3 at 3:00 pm at The Roslyn Cellar in Roslyn, New York. The Screaming Orphans will then continue their Mini Christmas Tour, performing with The Spain Brothers and The Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio on December 9 at The Rex Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire. For more information about their tour dates and to purchase tickets, click here.
Grammy-nominated R&B sensation Fridayy is heading to New York City as part of his “A Night w Fridayy” tour. The Def Jam signee is in the midst of his first country-wide trek following the release of his self-titled debut-album in August of 2023. Moreover, the Haitian-bred singer will hit 4 major markets during a 4-date mini troop. Presented by Live Nation, the Philadelphia native will perform in four of the countries biggest markets, further establishing himself as a force in the industry. With this intention, the tour will begin with a sold-out show in Atlanta on Friday, December 1, followed by a two-night east coast run — icluding a hometown performance in Philadelphia’s Theater of Living Arts — and a stop at Manhattan’s Webster Hall. Altogether, “A Night w Fridayy” culminates with another sold-out show in Los Angeles.
Grammy-nominated Fridayy heading to Webster Hall on December 5
Fridayy’s Comeup
Following years laying groundwork, Fridayy gained mainstream traction with features on DJ Khaled’s “God Did” and Lil Baby’s “Forever,” with the former’s success earning him 3 Grammy-nominations. Since then, the R&B crooner has gone on to release his debut project while continuing to set personal milestones. Accordingly, he made his BET Soul Train Awards debut this past Sunday as he performed his latest single, “When It Comes To You.”
Spaghetti Eastern Music is returning with two new singles that demonstrate the range of guitarist Sal Cataldi’s project, the acoustic vocal ballad “Sweet Home Anywhere” and a blues-inflected electric guitar instrumental “Jungle Blue.”
Critics from prestige outlets like The New York Times have heaped praise on Cataldi’s work since his debut album under the Spaghetti Eastern Music moniker, Sketches of Spam. This is a 16-track, 69-minute surf through a slew of contrasting moods, largely with guitar-driven instrumentals inspired by the acid funk of 70’s Miles, Krautrock, Ennio Morricone’s Spaghetti Western movie soundtracks and the icy sound of ECM Records guitar great Terje Rypdal. The disc’s acoustic titles included originals like “Wild One” and “Mama Called,” a cover of the Zappa instrumental rarity “Sleep Dirt” and a DADGAD-tuned, ballad paced reinvention of the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride.”
In 2020, Cataldi followed his debut album with a trio of acclaimed atmospheric singles, “Her Lemon Peel Raincoat – Because It’s Raining,” “Peace Within” and “And This is Their New Hoax,” a COVID-19 musical editorial featuring samples of President Trump’s most noted denials to Cataldi’s soundpainting guitars and synths. In 2021, he released “Blues for A Lost Cosmonaut,” a much-praised nine-minute plus maxi single, again in the ambient mode and “Solo Guitar Score for 2x2x4.” The latter EP is the soundtrack for a dance piece recorded live at the Avant-Garde Arama Festival in Woodstock inspired by his work with the guitar orchestra of Rhys Chatham and his love of Fripp and “White Light, White Heat”-era Velvet Underground.
“He’s the hippie guitarist playing to another dimension.”
John Swenson, Rolling Stone
In June 2020, Cataldi returned to the acoustic singer-songwriter mode with the single, “I Believe in Love,” which received significant critical praise and airplay, including promotion as song of the day by a NY artist, a “New York Slice” on WFUV-FM. In 2022, Spaghetti Eastern released three additional singles, the jazz and metal-infused instrumentals “A Fresh Kill,” “A Scanner Darkly,” and another delicate acoustic ballad, “I Believe In Love.”
Cataldi also made more beautiful sounds with “One Act Sonix,” the critically-buzzed about 2020 debut album from his spoken word/music side project, The Vapor Vespers, with noted Alaskan playwright/slam poet Mark Muro. The duo recently followed this up with two new singles in early 2022, “Sex” and “You Changed.” Cataldi is also one half of the improvisational and ambient Hudson Valley-based guitar and efx duo, Guitars A Go Go, with Rick Warren. Their first single, a 12-minute improv opus called “The Volcano Lovers,” was a preview of the bold experimentation featured in their recent CD debut, “Travel Advisory.”
“If Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain had a secret chill detour, Spaghetti Eastern Music would be the soundtrack.”
“Sweet Home Anywhere” is a delicate DADGAD-tuned ballad, indie-songcraft that highlights the artist’s pristine acoustic guitar work, close vocal harmony and emotional lyricism. It’s a song that tells a troubled former lover that, though they are no longer together, his door is always open.
“She’s sweet home anywhere// Good night baby, you can come back again, if you need a friend.”
Many have experienced breakups, but the worst are the ones where you have to breakup while still in love. This single perfectly voices this phenomenon. It can also be translated to friendships: when you are no longer friends with someone for one reason or another, but would always welcome them back with open arms.
Maybe it’s really about growth, and while growth is good– it can really sting.
“Jungle Blue” is a 360-departure from the above, an atmospheric electric instrumental driven by percussive cross-rhythms, dreamy washes of electronics and echoed pianos, a duo of sustained Ebow guitars and the guitarist’s always melodic, blues-inflected guitar runs. Cataldi calls it a cinematic marriage of new beats and electronic sounds with melodies and improvisation that harkens to the British blues boom of the ‘60s.
This song, completely unlike “Sweet Home Anywhere” has an almost alien feeling to it, as if it were from another universe or planet, and somehow made its way to Earth. It’s unsettling yet comforting. It should be in a spy movie, and yet, it should be the credit scene of a murder mystery.
“Jungle Blue” is a paradox itself– it’s beautiful and unsettling in all the right ways, and the only way to understand it is to listen.
Coming December 1, Spaghetti Eastern Music will release a trippy guitar solo “Health,” set for a short film by Kingston filmmaker/choreographer Hanna Bass. Her short film, “Fragments of Light,” is a tale of Bass’ cinematic journey, including her original career as a professional ballerina, and the transition from the ballet world to the realm of cinema.
Catch their monthly gigs at City Winery Hudson Valley starting on December 6, as well as a double gig live at The Falcon on December 15 with Teddy Kumpel and Nome Sane.
In a festive celebration of Italian musical heritage, the American Classical Orchestra (ACO), under the guidance of Founder and Artistic Director Thomas Crawford, is set to enchant audiences with a holiday concert program on Thursday, December 14 at 7 PM at Corpus Christi Church, located at W. 121 St. between Broadway & Amsterdam in Manhattan.
This concert marks the second of four Manhattan performances by the ACO this season, featuring a captivating selection of Italian works, including the rediscovery of Antonio Bencini’s long-lost Christmas oratorio “Gesù Nato” and Antonio Gianettini’s “Magnificat,” in collaboration with the Academy of Sacred Drama.
The heart of the program lies in the resurrection of Antonio Bencini’s forgotten masterpiece, “Gesù Nato,” rescued from the depths of the Vatican archives. This Christmas oratorio, composed in 1742, offers a glimpse into the enchanting world of the Nativity, featuring vocal soloists, a choir, and a vibrant orchestra of trumpets, oboes, and strings. Antonio Gianettini’s “Magnificat” and five psalm settings, written for four-part chorus with string accompaniment, further enrich the program, providing a sonic tapestry rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition.
The evening will be graced by the talents of renowned soloists:
Linda Tsatsanis (Soprano): Praised by The New York Times for her “ravishing” performance at the Boston Early Music Festival. Kate Maroney (Mezzo-Soprano): A CBC and Naxos recording artist, also recognized for her expertise as a voice and vocal pedagogy teacher at Mannes School of Music and Yale University. Alex Guerrero (Tenor): Applauded by The New York Times for his “apt comic timing,” Guerrero has been a featured singer in numerous ACO performances.
The members of the American Classical Orchestra Chorus will join forces with the soloists to deliver a mesmerizing performance under the baton of Thomas Crawford.
Antonio Gianettini, a 17th-century Italian organist, singer, and composer, will take center stage with his Psalms and the majestic Magnificat. Having served as maestro di cappella to Francesco II d’Este, Duke of Modena, Gianettini’s compositions were cherished in both Italy and Germany during his lifetime.
The rediscovery of Antonio Bencini’s “Gesù Nato” is a significant musical event, offering what is likely the modern premiere of this hidden gem. Composed in 1742, the oratorio captures the spirit of the Nativity and was tucked away in the Vatican Library for three centuries before resurfacing.
This performance is a collaborative effort between ACO and the Academy of Sacred Drama, founded by ACO violinist and scholar Jeremy Rhizor in 2013. The Academy is dedicated to Baroque oratorio that draws inspiration from biblical tales and the lives of saints, enriching the cultural and spiritual experience.
Tickets for this musical extravaganza are priced at $75, $55, and $35, and can be purchased at ACO’s website or by calling ACO at (212) 362-2727, ext. 4.
It was inevitable that the band would get something going for their 20th anniversary run, as you just don’t disregard an occasion like that for any reason – you just play. Fans waited for the announcement by the time IT was over, figuring that the band would go on its first Halloween run since 1998, adding to anticipation that the band would put on another musical costume, with endless limits.
poster by Hollie Dilley
However, as the band inspected exactly what the date of the first show was, so that a 20th anniversary was correctly timed, it seems that the date of 10/30/83 was incorrect, even though they had a 15th anniversary out in Vegas of 1998. As it turns out, the first show for the ROTC folks was 12/2/83, and they arranged a four night Northeast run to celebrate, with special guests at the first show, and an elongated show at the final destination, Boston’s Fleet Center, with a myriad of special guests guessed at in anticipation of something spectacular. The Boston show had its highlight in the set break montage video, but no special guests to mention of. Fans were happy though, as it was by far the hardest ticket since NYE 2002 to obtain, and those who were warm inside had no complaints from where they were sitting.
By far the coldest Phish run ever, the shows had snow, ice, wind, and more snow as the band progressed from Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, to the Wachovia Center in Philly, to the Knickerbocker Arena (note: not the Pepsi) in Albany, and the Fleet Center in Boston as part of a four-day run of shows many fans attempted to see all four of. The run could even be characterized as one gigantic show: Nassau was a solid opener, Philly was the bathroom/cigarette/beer break, Albany was the second set heat, and Boston was the after-party.
Outside at all these shows, it was far too cold/rainy/snowy to have a lot scene of any kind, so fans simply piled into bars and parking garages to peddle what they had to keep the tour afloat for themselves, in hopes they might make the next show, and/or home in the coming days.
Artwork by Drew Suto
Some fans felt that this run was spectacular, and perfectly executed, even though others wondered where the spark from summer 2003 went. At least a few older fans looked at the run as sealing the bands fate in their eyes, with the best years clearly behind them, especially after the Vegas 2004 run. Many fans wondered what happened, although Miami might have swayed some opinions in the end.
Nassau featured not only the highly appropriate guest in The Dude of Life on vocals for a rare (and final) ‘Crimes of the Mind’, but also a setbreak wedding of two highly committed fans of the band and each other. Making a Phish show your wedding venue was only done previously at the Clifford Ball, and a tribute to the concentrated community spirit of Phish.
poster by TRIPP
Philly had high-energy crowds a day after Nassau, but execution had some fans wondering what was up. Tom Marshall came up to sing lyrics to ‘Buffalo Bill’, a departure from his regular appearances on ‘Run Like an Antelope’. The Philly show left fan waiting for more indeed.
Albany, the second hometown to Phish, one of the regular tour starts, endings and all-around in-betweens, the Knick was the home to famous Dead shows and disks, as well as memorable Phish shows (see 12/13/97 – Bring on the Dude!). The entire atmosphere of this show was positive, as special guests at the two previous shows made fans wonder who was next to sit in. Following “YEM” in the second set, Trey brought up a very special guest, the band’s first guitarist (aside from Trey), who left the band under mysterious circumstances – Jeff Holdsworth. The original songs that he had written – “Camel Walk” and “Possum” – were played with a degree of both difficulty and success by Holdsworth with the band he left behind almost 17 years ago. A cover of “Long Cool Woman”, by the Hollies was played by the part-time quintet, a tribute to the first show that Holdsworth was playing at. By the time the band broke into Antelope, you could no longer hear Jeff, as his guitar was turned down to inaudible levels, as his playing could not keep up with the boys who ventured beyond the three-year mark. Tom Marshall came up to sing the original lyrics that he penned, and the show ended with a monster version of Hendrix’s “Fire”, again with Holdsworth. Fans were pleased to see him on stage again, but a computer operator in Canada definitely overstayed his welcome that evening in Albany.
However, the overall purpose for bringing Jeff out was a symbol that Phish was and is about family. Boston featured a memorable second set and a video montage during the setbreak that fans clamored to see, particularly since the first notes of Fluffhead were heard in a dormroom video from the early 1980s. This more than made up for a first set that many wondered if anything special would be brought out for the second set, particularly the special guests everyone talked about coming – Santana, the Giant Country Horns, anyone and everyone?! Fishman handed out a cake towards the front row during setbreak for fans to dive into, as many did, regardless of sticky hands that would not be cleaned till after the show. The second set did bring the heat fans were looking for, with monster versions of “Maze,” “Frankenstein,” and “Piper,” that made this show and run well worth it. Regardless, the detractors are present on the vibe/performance of this run, as it was an asterisk to many between a hot summer and even hotter time in Miami for New Years Eve.
Phish – Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY – Friday, November 28, 2003
Set 1: Bouncing Around the Room, Runaway Jim, Ghost > What’s the Use? > AC/DC Bag > First Tube, Frankie Says > Bathtub Gin -> Free
Set 2: Waves > Sample in a Jar > Down with Disease[1], Walls of the Cave, Two Versions of Me, Crowd Control[2], Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove
Encore: Crimes of the Mind[3]
[1] Unfinished. [2] Debut. [3] The Dude of Life on vocals.
Disease was unfinished. This show included the debut of Crowd Control. Trey introduced Mike to sing “his song.” Crimes of the Mind (first since July 10, 1994 at SPAC – 504 shows) featured the Dude of Life on vocals. During the song, the Dude congratulated Phish on their 20 years together, and wished them success for 20 more.
Phish – Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA – Saturday, November 29, 2003
Set 1: Wilson > Cars Trucks Buses, Limb By Limb, Dirt > Seven Below, Divided Sky, Fast Enough for You > Julius
Set 2: Twist -> Simple > Taste > Makisupa Policeman[1], Buffalo Bill[2] > David Bowie, Strange Design > Character Zero
Encore: Friday
[1] Keyword referenced waking up in “Hempstead.” [2] Tom Marshall on vocals.
Trey teased San-Ho-Zay in Seven Below, Julius, and Twist. The lyrics to Makisupa referenced waking up “in Hempstead.” Later in Makisupa, Trey commented on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the band, and noted Makisupa as the first original Phish song ever played. Trey also commented on his long-standing friendship with Tom Marshall and said that Tom had written Makisupa when he was a child. Trey brought Tom out on stage and noted that he thought Makisupa was written in 1969, leading Tom to note that we “have a 60’s song.” Prior to Tom singing on Buffalo Bill, Trey noted: “Tom is now going to sing you a song about a boss, a log, and a piece of rope.”
Phish – Pepsi Arena, Albany, NY – Monday, December 1, 2003
Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Stash, Guyute, Thunderhead > Sparkle, Wolfman’s Brother > Good Times Bad Times
Set 2: Tweezer -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > You Enjoy Myself, Camel Walk[1], Possum[1], Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress[1] > Run Like an Antelope[2]
Encore: Fire[3]
[1] Jeff Holdsworth on guitar and vocals. [2] Jeff Holdsworth on guitar and Tom Marshall on vocals. [3] Jeff Holdsworth on guitar.
Tweezer was preceded by a Dixie tease. Camel Walk through Fire featured Jeff Holdsworth on guitar. This was Jeff’s first known performance with his former Phish brethren since May 17, 1986 (1,348 shows). Camel Walk, Possum, and Long Cool Woman (first since October 30, 1998, or 180 shows) also featured Jeff on lead vocals. Antelope featured Tom Marshall on vocals.
Phish – Fleet Center, Boston, MA – Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Set 1: Harry Hood > Cavern, Birds of a Feather, Ya Mar, Horn > Piper > Anything But Me, Water in the Sky, Down with Disease
Set 2: Rock and Roll -> Weekapaug Groove[1] -> Tweezer Reprise[2] > Frankenstein -> Kung -> Frankenstein, All of These Dreams, The Wedge, Boogie On Reggae Woman > Cities > Maze, Waste
Encore: Bug
[1] Unfinished. [2] Mike’s Song lyrics sung by Trey.
This gig commemorated the 20th anniversary of the first Phish show. In the audience, a section of seats were roped off to make way for a music stand. The music stand held a three-ring binder that contained lyrics from the Phish canon, but it did not play an active role in the performance. Ya Mar contained teases of The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana). At the end of Disease, a video screen descended behind the stage. As the house lights remained down, a 25+ minute video was played featuring retrospective highlights from throughout Phish’s career. Before the second set, Mike brought out a tray of desserts and shared them with fans in front of the stage. Highway to Hell was briefly teased by Trey before Rock and Roll. Weekapaug was unfinished. Tweezer Reprise included lyrics (sung by Trey) from Mike’s Song. Appropriately, the post-show house music was the Beatles’ song Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band (which begins with the lyric, “It was twenty years ago today…”).
