On this blustery evening, Kendall Street Company brought the crowd to attention with a full band sound chocked with the influence of jam and alt rock from the late 1990s. A cover of ZZ Top’s “La Grange” was a key energy-driver, followed by an odd yet fun final song performed in the persona of a German band, Sauerkraut. Catch them at the Westcott Theatre on December 5 and Mercury Lounge December 21-22.
After a 30 minute break, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – singer/guitarist Greg Ormont, guitarist Jeremy Schon, bassist Ben Carrey, and drummer Alex Petropulos – took to the stage for an opening funk trio of tunes to start the night, “Henrietta,” “Live It Up,” and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Around The World.” The quartet who formed in 2007 at University of Maryland are workhorses pushing well into their 17th year with no signs of slowing down. Sustained funk jams were moderated by mixed improv that was anything but formulaic.
A little something for Star Wars fans, “The Imperial March” was sandwiched inside “White Night,” and for giant ape fans, “King Kong” followed. A crowd ranging widely in ages from Gen X to Gen Z was dancing along to every song, grinning when the thumping rhythm section vibrated the floors of Empire Live.
Frequent collaborator, saxophonist Lee Ross, joined the band for “J-Town” and stuck around as Jake Vanaman (Kendall Street Company) joined on sax for “F.U.” Driving rock peaks from “Feed the Fire” gave way to “Julia,” which while chill to start, embarked into a surprisingly complex jam to end the set. An encore of “Fun in Funk” was the last piece of the puzzle for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong this evening in Albany.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – Empire Live, Albany – Friday, November 8, 2024
Setlist: Henrietta > Live It Up > Around The World, White Night > The Imperial March > White Night, King Kong, My Own Way, Distant Times, J-Town* > F.U.*^, Feed The Fire, Julia Encore: Fun in Funk * w/ Lee Ross on alto saxophone ^ w/ Jake Vanaman (Kendall Street Company) on tenor saxophone
Ithaca indie electro rock outfit Jimkata performed at Indian Ladder Farms on Friday, November 8, on the heels of the release of Running in Place. The event was marked by their own IPA on tap, “Running in Place West Coast IPA.â
Performing in the Clear Mountain Room, the recently opened venue boasted a decent sized crowd who traveled to the outskirts of Albany County for a unique setting for a Jimkata show. On the brisk evening, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch, Packy Lunn and new bassist Cooper Casterline were clearly having fun on stage, teasing “Crosseyed and Painless” a few times during an “OG” Jimkata show with a healthy amount of improv.
Next up for Jimkata are shows in Washington D.C., the Midwest and in January, Colorado.
It has been just over a week since Phish played three shows in Albany, raising $4M from ticket and merchandise sales, as well as live stream fees, all to support the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Foundation and the recently opened facility in Ludlow, VT.
photo by Conor McMahon
The non-profit addiction recovery organization started by Trey Anastasio has set a $10M fundraising campaign goal to support the facility through capital improvements, future property acquisitions, increasing staff and ensure a scholarship fund that remains accessibly to anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay.
“It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are to Phish and their fans for this generosity. But this isn’t about words–it’s about action. And because of these concerts, we will be able to help many more people take charge of their lives and to recover from addictions.”
Melanie Gulde, Program Director and co-founder of Divided Sky
Watch the video below for an overview of the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program featuring testimonials from Anastasio, Gulde, guests, alumni, and staff.
This type of fundraising haul is not atypical for Phish. In 2023, Phish performed two benefit concerts at SPAC, raising over $3.5M for flood recovery efforts in Vermont and Upstate New York and welcoming special guest Derek Trucks. There are also two Phish charities – the band’s Waterwheel Foundation and the fan-based Mockingbird Foundation – have both raised millions of dollars for local causes and charities since their inceptions in the late 1990s (Ed. note: I am on the Board of Directors of Mockingbird Foundation, supporting music education across the country.)
The hometown show feeling provided a unique buzz in the air to the pre and post-show festivities, for although Phish was here in 2018, the mid-week shows were marked by cold and rain, and aren’t the most memorable shows the band has played on South Pearl Street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PofMFlw8MJI
The mellow anxiety of seeing so many people at the hometown venue fed into the buzz, a unique combination as a trio of shows were upon the crowd. Friday night’s show paid tribute to Phil Lesh, who passed away earlier that day, and the band brought out the jams early as well as throughout a huge second set.
Saturday night opened with “Possum,” just as the Saturday show in 2000 began, and a well rounded set highlighted by “Stash,” “Tube” and “Bathtub Gin” laid the groundwork for an action packed Set 2. From “Disease” onward, there was hardly a moment to breathe, let alone be distracted by Game 2 of the World Series, until late in the set during “Lonely Trip” where the unfortunate few who looked up at TVs near the bar had to suffer for the only letdown of the weekend. The “Dave’s Energy Guide” tease in Fuego (around the 9-minute mark) was just one highlight of this set, where deep improv driven by Page McConnell aided in keeping fans as dialed in as the band was.
By Sunday, where the banner hanging in the rafters would need to change from 16 to 19 shows, this friends and family affair started with shout-outs contained in the lyrics to “Heavy Things” and the newer “What’s Going Through Your Mind.” A bust-out of “Access Me” followed, along with spooky jams in “My Friend, My Friend” and an intense, never-ending jam in “Kill Devil Falls.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MguC2nYEK7U
For the five-song second set, “Everything’s Right” led the way for a 16-minute installment, followed by “Chalkdust Torture” going beyond the 23-minute mark, and “Mercury” – complete with a restructured intro – following suit. A breather from “Wading in the Velvet Sea” gave way to the original McConnell Vida Blue number, “Most Events Aren’t Planned” which has found a second life since appearing during Phish’s Baker’s Dozen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9w1K0pIncw
To close the run, you might have expected “Divided Sky” but that would mean Phish doing something predictable. Instead, a four song encore, punctuated by the opening “Gotta Jibboo” (shout out to Albany’s Jibboo Crew!), with “Waste,” “Bug” and “Character Zero” closing the run of three incredible and charitable concerts.
Now, for those who attended the shows, you knew the cause was charitable given the month of rumors preceding the announcement of the shows, but there were times when the local media might have otherwise not known. The initial news of the concert announcement was shared of course, but when Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple sent out his press release noting a total of four arrests from the concert weekend, this is where the local media in Albany (like WTEN) could have made a small effort to tie the charitable aspect of the shows to the minor number of arrests (with around 50,000 tickets sold, that’s a ridiculously small percent of attendees – if they even were – at 0.008%) or go a step further and compare these few arrests to other local concerts held at MVP Arena.
Running pat-on-the-back news makes sense for Sinclair-owned WRGB, but the disservice begins with ignoring the purpose behind these shows, which supports those most affected by opiate addiction, by eschewing the steps taken by the other 99% of attendees to these shows that supports the treatment center in Ludlow, VT.
Beyond that, three concerts in a row at MVP Arena are an economic boon to the city, with sold out hotels across the region, full restaurants and bars on Pearl Street, and Downtown Albany seeing a busy weekend of tax revenue coming into the region, much from out of state. These tax dollars from music tourism are a real thing that continue revitalization efforts in the local economies of music destinations like Albany; whether the local media wants to investigate this angle remains to be seen.
WNYT’s Zach Richter gave ample coverage to the shows with a focus on the Divided Sky Foundation, one that presents the cause as tied to the band through Anastasio’s recovery journey since his 2006 arrest in Whitehall brought him to sobriety. But when the arrests are shared in a Monday segment, no connection between the two is made.
The Times Union did not run the story on the arrests, instead opting for a brief review and gallery of the shows, a true look at the shows with a focus after the fact on the charity side of the shows. Why is the TU the outlier here, when all the information on the shows is readily available to anyone seeking the answer? But therein lies the rub – you have to want to seek out more than what is spoonfed to you. Otherwise, you’ll eat anything they feed you.
With $4M raised from the shows, I would challenge these outlets to find out what other bands and artists out there do anything similar, and focus on the benefits of these shows – in and out of the arena – rather than the few bad apples.
You can support the Divided Sky Foundation by picking up merch from the shows, or visit the website directly here
Less than two months to go until Phish celebrates their 16th New Years Eve at Madison Square Garden. Get more info here.
There are cover bands and tribute bands, and then there are bands who take the tribute to another level. One of those bands is Dark Star Orchestra, who recreate classic Grateful Dead shows in their entirety, as they were once performed. Enter Reprise, a band that does for Phish what DSO does for the Dead – but with the added bonus of not only playing a classic Phish show from the town/area they’re playing in, they also make it a point to have the show be as accurate as possible to the original performance, in terms of song length, antics, commentary, and even interplay between band members and crew.
Photo by Chris Bobillo
On Saturday, November 2 at Lark Hall in Albany, Reprise – Cal Kehoe (Pink Talking Fish – guitar), Scott Chasolen (The Machine, Ulu – keys), Chris DeAngelis (Kung Fu, The Breakfast, RAQ, The Machine – bass) and Adrian Tramontano (Twiddle, Kung Fu, The Breakfast, RAQ, Marble Eyes, Mihali – drums) – brought to life one of Albany’s classic Phish shows, calling back to December 13, 1997, the Fall 1997 tour closer.
Photo by Chris Bobillo
For me, this was not only my first Reprise show, but they were recreating the first Phish show I ever saw live. While my memories from that show are limited to “Sample in a Jar,” “Good Times Bad Times,” the lights going out during “Hood” and the cacophony of ‘bringing the Dude’ during “Mike’s Song,” I have relistened to that show more times than I can count. The tour closer stands out in one of Phish’s greatest tours, and begged for regular relistening to see what I missed that night when I was still a noob.
The show is chock full of jams, some rarities and new songs (for 1997) and some silliness that you only find at a Phish show when the band is dialed in and wrapping up a tour. I know this show by ear, and without looking at the setlist, let the show play out as it originally did just under 27 years ago, seeing what surprises were in store, but more importantly, how well Reprise did their homework on the recreation of the improvisation within the show.
To that end, as students of this particular show, they nailed the assignment with flying colors. The “Ya Mar” was played to nearly the same length as the original 18+ minute jumping off point for the show, including the end of the jam that never really ended the song proper. A good chunk of the first set beyond that may appear on paper to be pedestrian, but the tempo of the “Theme From the Bottom” ending, the 11-minute “Vultures,” and the thrilling “Tube” that gave way to a set closing ball of energy in “Good Times Bad Times” gave an ebb and flow to the show that lines up with the original show, no complaints registered.
Photo by Chris Bobillo
The second set opening with “NICU” kept that free-flowing vibe going out of setbreak (were these the same length of time as well? A good question for manager Tom Marshall.) and into “Punch You in the Eye,” which never lets down but especially never in the second set. With dancing in “The Landlady” from Kehoe and DeAngelis, the full recreation is there, all the way down to the sudden intro of a ’97 “Ghost,” which is the jam of the night in both cases, overlooked for the “Mike’s” that follows, but still worthy of inspection.
Then again, that “Mike’s Song” is one of the odder things to catch at your first show, especially having no idea who this ‘Dude’ was they were suggesting to bring to the stage. The weirdness that Phish, and now Reprise, feed to fans amid an improv-vehicle is the launching point for the most furious part of this jam. By the time the weird returned in “Catapult,” wrapped up in a “Weekapaug Groove,” the set had flowed with the same ‘final show of the tour, all jams must go!’ intensity, wrapping up with a “Harry Hood” that saw the lights turned off, only a disco ball illuminating patrons and the stage.
photo by Pete Mason
The encore of “My Soul” paired with the sentimental “Squirming Coil” closed the night as Kehoe, DeAngelis and Tramontano walked off stage to cheers while Chasolen closed the song on piano, before departing the stage to cheers from a dedicated audience who hung on for every note of the show.
The only way this could have been more accurate (beyond the setbreak timing) is if an oddball opening act – ala J. Willis Pratt and Bionic, who opened for Phish this evening in 1997 – were to have performed ahead of Reprise.
Even though you can never go back and see your first show a second time, no matter how many times you relisten, Reprise offers the next best thing – four top notch musicians who do their homework, nail the songs and jams and master the interplay of Phish with self-assured panache.
Reprise plays Northampton, MA on December 19, 2024, recreating a classic show from the area. Tickets and more info here.
Setlist via Phish.net
Reprise – Lark Hall, Albany – Saturday, November 2, 2024 – recreating Saturday, December 13, 1997
Set 1: Ya Mar[1] > Axilla[2] > Theme From the Bottom, Ginseng Sullivan, Strange Design, Sample in a Jar, Vultures, Tube, Good Times Bad Times Set 2: NICU > Punch You in the Eye > Ghost > Mike’s Song[3] -> Llama, When the Circus Comes, Weekapaug Groove -> Catapult -> Weekapaug Groove, Harry Hood Encore: My Soul, The Squirming Coil [1] Unfinished. [2] Contained Axilla II ending. [3] Chants to “Bring in the Dude.”
Ya Mar was unfinished. Mikeâs Song included Foxy Lady quotes from Fish and some memorable vocal interplay from the band that included a chant to âBring in the Dude.â During Hood, Trey asked Chris Kuroda to turn off the lights for a Blackout Jam and the audience responded with a shower of green glowsticks. The opening act was J. Willis Pratt & We’re Bionic.
On Thursday, October 24th, The Magic Beans and Squeaky Feet graced the stage at Lark Hall in Albany, unofficially kicking off an exciting “Phish weekend” with a vibrant and inspired set that encapsulated their unique blend of funk, rock, and psychedelic sounds.
Performing to a rowdy crowd of enthusiastic music lovers, the show was a testament to the Beans’ growth as a band and their deep connection to the jam band community as a whole. Serving up a thrilling journey through their ever-expanding discography, the evening played out like a fairytale for those looking to dance the night away.
The Magic Beans kicked off a storybook weekend in Albany on 10/24/2024.
Kicking off the story proper with a lively opening performance was Squeaky Feet. Planting the seeds for the memorable night with their energetic, prog-rock inspired grooves and dynamic on-stage presence, the Denver, CO based band also brought along some local pride in the form of guitarist Colin Shore, who formerly played in Albany underground favorite Mister F. Joined on guitar by Greg King, bassist Jimmy Finnegan, drummer Kevin D’Angelo and keyboard player Brian Keller, Squeaky Feet commanded your attention from the very first note of “Hyrule Temple.”
Local Pride: Guitarist Colin Shore performing with Squeaky Feet in Albany 10/24/24.
Locked in and firing on all cylinders, the band really opened things up for exploration on a 16-minute version of “Never Break.” Displaying all kinds of technical skills and chops for days, the near 20 minute “Pantomime,” the opening track from the bands 2023 debut album Cause For Alarm, would reveal itself as the centerpiece of the set. Seamlessly shifting from patient, multilayered improvisation to segments of infectious trance fusion, to triumphant, soaring peak solos that made it all but impossible to stand still, Squeaky Feet played like a well-oiled machine that really listens to what each other is doing.
Paying homage to their biggest musical influence, one of the most memorable highlights was the bands lengthy tease of Umphrey’s McGee’s “Booth Love” sandwiched inside a sprawling, 20 minute set closing “Premonition.” Drawing in the listener, then peppering them with an explosion of sound and skill, Squeaky Feet showed exactly why they are an emerging force to be reckoned with.
Squeaky Feet opening for The Magic Beans at Lark Hall 10/24/24.
After a brief intermission, it was finally time for the Capital Region return of The Magic Beans. Steadily making a name for themselves on the national circuit since their formation in 2010, the Beans have long shown an appreciation for the Albany area, likely due to the fact bassist Chis Duffy grew up in nearby Guilderland. Along with Duffy, The Magic Beans are comprised of charismatic lead guitarist/vocalist Scott Hachey, keyboard wizard Casey Russell, and drummer Cody Wales.
Blasting off with a 16 minute “Kid Rocket” opening jam, The Magic Beans quickly established their intentions to take Lark Hall to the stratosphere. The laid back, synth-heavy flow of RevHall would seamlessly transition into a lengthy “Handshake or Hug” jam, showcasing the bands’ ability to weave together diverse influences into an engaging musical journey.
The Magic Beans performing at Lark Hall Albany on 10/24/2024.
From here, Scott Hachey would switch out his electric guitar for an acoustic one on the foot-stomping, country tinged “Footprints in the Rain,” before taking the audience on a jazz odyssey through “Do Your Thing.” With the energy in the room growing and the dance floor widening out, perhaps the most impressive sequences of music would come next as a funky 13-minute rendition of “Night Games” would beautifully segue into a standout version of “Dr. Bubbleman,” before returning to the last verse of “Night Games” to complete one hell of an epic jam-sandwich. The crowd was particularly energized during this part of the show, losing their minds to the pulsating rhythms and infectious grooves The Magic Beans have become known for.
Circle of Life: Magic Beans bassist Chris Duffy grew up in Guilderland, NY..
One of the most unexpected highlights of the night was a surprise cover of “Circle of Life” from The Lion King soundtrack. Channeling his inner Elton John, this song was particularly potent for bassist Chris Duffy who sang it. Growing up just one town away, the storybook night felt like a homecoming of sorts for the man with the mohawk, coming full circle after more than a decade of touring with the Beans. Infused with their signature flair, the beloved Disney classic was transformed into a danceable anthem that had the audience singing along to every word, bridging the gap between nostalgia and modern psychedelia.
Scott Hachey and Casey Russell performing with the Magic Beans in Albany, NY 10/24/24.
Keeping the positive, life affirming vibes alive, the Magic Beans would offer up the title track of their 2019 album “Off Leash” next, taking the crowd on a spirited, 16-minute funk-fueled ride and ultimately confirming that “This is the part where you feel good.” Saving up perhaps the grooviest tune of the night for last, a stellar version of “Handcuffs” achieved a massive climax that left fans with their jaws on the floor and fully appreciative of the Beans’ undeniable talents.
While it seemed like the show was just about over based on the venue’s weeknight curfew, the adoration for the band was real and sustained and could not be denied. Answering the call for more, The Magic Beans would return to the stage for one last flight to the cosmos with an otherworldly “Space Cadet” to complete the mission and send fans into Phish wondering how any band could top this fantastically fun and inspired performance. The perfect start to an unforgettable weekend in Albany.
Magic Beans | October 24, 2025 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Kid Rocket, Rev Hall > Handshake, Footprints, Do Your Thing, Night Games > Dr. Bubbleman > Night Games, Circle of Life, Off Leash, Handcuffs
Encore: Space Cadet
Squeaky Feet | October 24, 2025 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Hyrule Temple, Never Break, Pantomime, Premonition
Rochester born singer-songwriter, producer, and harpist Mikaela Davis has announced a solo and acoustic tour throughout the northeast, including four stops in New York State.
Multi-talented vocalist, producer, songwriter, and harpist Mikaela Davis has been making waves since her initial release Delivery in 2018. Graduating from the Crane School of Music with a degree in harp performance, Davis bends the rules of genre and sound to her will with each release as she melds her classical training with 60s pop melodies, psychedelia, and driving folk rock.
Since her debut in the industry, Davis has shared the stage with the likes of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive, and Circles Around the Sun alongside her band members Alex Coté, Cian McCarthy, Shane McCarthy, and Kurt Johnson.
photo by Daniel Bocchino
Mikaela’s upcoming endeavor, however, takes on a less explored and much more personal shape- she has announced a series of six shows throughout the northeast that will feature John Lee Shannon of Circles Around the Sun on the guitar, herself, and her harp. The stripped-back series of six evenings on some of the northeast’s most beloved stages will allow for Davis’ harp background to shine even brighter.
Experimenting with new ideas as well as reimagining some old, she will be making appearances in Albany, Homer, Kingston, and Rochester over the course of the tour’s run in a string of special shows that fans new and old will not want to miss.
Tickets for Davis’ upcoming tour are on sale now, including shows at Ophelia’s in Albany on November 19, the Center for the Arts of Homer on November 20, Senate Garage in Kingston on November 23, and ARTISANworks in Rochester on November 24. For more information and ticket sales, visit her website here.
Mikaela Davis Solo Tour Dates
November 19: Ophelia’s – Albany, NY
November 20: Center for the Arts of Homer – Homer, NY
Albany Symphony has announced a dazzling new program for the month of November which features outstanding and captivating works presented November 16 and 17. The concerts take place at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
The November concert features Smetana’s “Moldau”, Joan Tower’s Cello Concerto, “A New Day” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” These shows take place on November 16 at 7:30 PM and November 17 at 3:00 PM. The evening opens with the flowing, lyrical, “Moldau,” by Czech composer, Bedřich Smetana, which evokes the Vlatava River (the Moldau). The piece evokes the composer’s deep love of his homeland.
“A New Day,” written in 2021 by GRAMMY Award-Winning composer Joan Tower, will feature cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. The piece is an appreciative, hopeful, and nostalgic work of art reflecting on love and a long, fruitful relationship. Joan wrote the piece with the thought in mind that this life of love lasts only a limited time, and a duo must appreciate every moment together until the end. Joan Tower is widely regarded as one of the most important American composers living today. Her works have been commissioned by major ensembles, soloists, and orchestras across the country and the world.
Composer Joan Tower
The evening concludes with one of the most beloved symphonies of all time, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” The piece was composed in 1893 while Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. It premiered at Carnegie Hall to ecstatic acclaim. Dvorak conceived the piece as a blueprint for future American composers to find their uniquely American voices. It is an anthem to America and reflects Dvorak’s great interest in Spirituals and Native American Music.
The 2024-2025 season runs through the American Music Festival in June. It includes the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival, a Symphony Side-by-Side with the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), Magic of Christmas, Tiny Tots concerts for young people, and more. The shows on Nov 16 and 17 are ones you’ll certainly regret missing. These shows highlight legendary classical pieces that have shaped the way composition is done. Seeing an art form like this is timeless.
For more information on the Albany Symphony and to purchase tickets for the upcoming November 16 and 17 concerts, click here.
The Palace Theatre, in partnership with the City of Albany’s 2024 Cash for Coats Drive, welcome the Nolanauts on Friday, November 8.
The free performance enjoines funk music lovers in the Capital District to support CA$H FOR COATS, with donations of $25 or more garnering an invite to a special VIP Reception area with complimentary food provided by The Hollow Bar + Kitchen.
The Cash for Coats program is a community-based initiative designed to collect funds to purchase new winter clothing items for Albany school children in need. Donations can be made the following ways.
Nolanauts is a fast rising, high octane, 10-piece rockin’ funk collective fired up about celebrating the joyful historical and contemporary fire of New Orleans music, sharing it with fans of all ages while creating a vibrant party atmosphere wherever they go. The ensemble features passionate, committed musicians of different generations playing music by Crescent City legends, from 50-60-year- old chestnuts to more contemporary songs.
Starting with a livestream presentation at The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio in Albany, fans, NoLaNauts have performed at such mid-size venues as Frog Alley in Schenectady, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, Lark Hall in Albany (including an opening slots for NOLA legends, Glen David Andrews & John “Papa” Gros), Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY and at the Rye Bread Music & Arts Festival. The band dropped their debut original single “Early Warning” in February 2023 and has three upcoming singles set for release throughout 2024.
The Palace Sessions is a live music series featuring some of our favorite regional & national acts performing in different spaces within the historic performing arts center. The Palace Sessions was conceived in 2020 through a partnership with the City of Albany & Mirth Films as an outlet to provide live music to the Capital Region (and entertain ourselves!) during a time when venues were closed and live music was difficult, if not impossible to come by as well as raise money to support the Palace Theatre.
The Palace Sessions lives on with free live performances in the Palace Lobby, open to the public and aired online.Past Palace Sessions performers include moe., Eastbound Jesus, Annie in the Water, Thomas Nicholas, Moriah Formica, and more… To enjoy past episodes of the Palace Sessions online, visit here.
On a crisp fall day full of anticipation for Phish’s return to Albany, a mist hung over the pre-show festivities with the news of the passing of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. The chatter of whether this would be noted or honored by Phish – when, and how – was debated by fans gathered around South Pearl from Beaver St. to Hudson Ave.
photo by Conor McMahon
Those conversations were quickly put to rest with the opening notes of “Box of Rain,” Phish’s first ever performance of the Lesh and Robert Hunter penned tune, and the first time for the four members to cover the Grateful Dead in more than 26 years (not including Bob Weir’s 2016 Nashville sit-in)
And with that, the show was off and running. Following the emotional “Box of Rain,” Phish dropped “The Moma Dance” into a traditional second slot, followed by a boisterous “Free.” The flow was set early with this trio of tunes as the first three-night Phish run in Albany was underway.
photo by Conor McMahon
A mellowing “Dirt” gave way to “Wolfman’s Brother,” which Lesh notably performed a stellar version with Phish in April 1999 at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. “No Man in No Man’s Land” and a deep “Theme From the Bottom” filled in next, with “Steam” and “Sand” closing the first set.
Setlist art by Coventry Phish
The second set began just before 10pm with a nearly 10 minute “Blaze On” (9:59 to be exact), giving way to the one of the biggest jams of the night in “Piper,” with a “Carol of the Bells” tease in “Piper” bringing Christmas a little early to the Capital Region.
photo by Conor McMahon
Segueing from a steady “Piper” jam into “Light,” the second set vehicle of “Tweezer” kept the improv-heavy set flowing, dipping into “The Wedge,” and a pair of songs perfect for Halloween, “The Howling” and “Monsters.” And while “Backwards Down the Numberline” could have closed the set, a fan on the rail very likely influenced the closing rocker found in “Carini.”
photo by Conor McMahon
An encore that kept the show rolling close to midnight began with “Sleeping Monkey,” the first in more than two years. Just when you think they’d wrap things up with “Tweezer Reprise,” the opening riffs of “Ghost” appeared, pushing the expected encore into the realm of the unexpected, finally seguing into “Tweeprise,” just as Freddie Freeman ended Game 1 of the World Series with a grand slam. Not the ending Yankees fans wanted, but a celebration nonetheless for Phish fans in Albany or home on the couch.
photo by Conor McMahon
Phish continues their run on Saturday night. Get the scoop on what to do before and after the shows here.
Box of Rain made its Phish debut after the passing of Phil Lesh earlier in the day. Carol of the Bells was teased in Piper. Mike teased the bass line from Shakedown Street in The Howling. This show was a benefit for Divided Sky Foundation.
Phish – MVP Arena, Albany, NY – Saturday, October 26, 2024
Set 1: Possum, Sigma Oasis > Back on the Train, Nothing, Stash, Bouncing Around the Room, Tube > Bathtub Gin, More
Set 2: Prince Caspian > Down with Disease[1] > Ruby Waves > Fuego > What’s the Use? > Golden Age > Lonely Trip, Harry Hood
Encore: Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light
[1] Unfinished.
Trey teased Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 during Back on the Train and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed during Stash. Nothing was played for the first time since June 1, 2022 (118 shows). Down With Disease was unfinished. Page teased The Little Drummer Boy at the end of Harry Hood. This show was a benefit for Divided Sky Foundation.
Phish – MVP Arena, Albany, NY – Sunday, October 27, 2024
Set 1: Heavy Things, What’s Going Through Your Mind, Access Me, My Friend, My Friend, My Sweet One, Limb By Limb, Mountains in the Mist, Kill Devil Falls, Walls of the Cave
Set 2: Everything’s Right > Chalk Dust Torture, Mercury, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Most Events Aren’t Planned
Encore: Gotta Jibboo, Waste > Bug > Character Zero
Access Me was played for the first time since August 31, 2019 (185 show gap). Trey teased We’re Off to See the Wizard during Limb By Limb. Stash was teased during Chalk Dust Torture. This show was a benefit for Divided Sky Foundation.
Sometimes an intimate theater experience can deliver just as big of an impact on a live music fan as a massive arena setting can. Murray’s Law, acoustic duo Brian Murray and Jimmy Law from well-loved jam band Dogs in a Pile, delivered just that, a larger than life sound and overall experience inside the small and cozy Swyer Theatre of The Egg on Sunday evening in Albany, New York.
Superstition strikes as to never miss a sunday show, especially when you can catch such great talent steps away from your apartment. The October 20, 7pm show started just minutes after, with a very gracious and thankful Murray and Law to those in attendance. The small theatre held a tiny but extremely devoted crowd, already releasing cheers and woos of support, eager to hear what the artistic duo had in store. Incredible sound, for one, was obvious almost at an instant and rang true through the two-set night.
Playing as a stripped down acoustic duo made a truly pleasant listening experience, as fans were able to better focus and dial in on the intricacies of their individual sounds as musicians, and further amplified by the quality of sound in the room. They traded on and off between impressively fast and fun fingerpicking to hard and steady jamming in front of a simple setup of a few tall candles, beautiful, colorful mosaic lamps and endless guitar pedals that eventually lent the audience some fun reverb bouncing off the walls of the Egg.
The night’s setlist was a carefully, and well crafted arrangement of DIAP tunes, covers from american folk and country greats and favored jam bands. John Hartford’s “Joseph’s Dream” opened up the show with easy listening before dropping into the intricate fingerpicking, or “travis picking” stylings of Merle Travis’ “Cannonball Rag”. The already amped up audience got to sample a new Dogs tune titled “Look Johnny II”, sandwiched right in between an expected and wanted Grateful Dead cover, “Jack-A-Roe,” where Law’s raw vocals shined, and an impressive rendition of Jim Croce’s “Walkin’ Back to Georgia.” A collective appreciation swept over the room and while most stayed seated, groups towards the back just couldn’t contain the groove, surrendering, dancing and loudly applauding through the night.
With a nod to the venue being titled the Egg, Murray joked the nut of his guitar fell off and had to be assembled back together like humpty dumpty just seconds before walking on stage. Lighthearted fans joked in response that we got a two-for-one concert/comedy special deal. After a quick break, the guitarists continued to excite the crowd in set two with their own ‘Go Set”, the Dead’s “Cosmic Charlie” and “Lazy Susan,” a new track Murray penned in Nashville, during a time he just so happened to meet Lucas Nelson. A personal highlight of the show was the heartfelt cover of recently deceased Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and Murray’s emotional vocals that accompanied it. Encore came to wrap up the special evening with a double header of Trey Anastasio Band’s “Ether Sunday” and the Allman Brothers’ “Soulshine.”
With Dogs in a Pile riding high popularity waves in the current scene and a ever-growing Dog Pound of fans, it was a true treat to be able to experience such a remote setting bursting at the seams with talent in musicianship and appreciation by both the duo and fans alike. Be sure to catch the full Dogs in a Pile group at Putnam Place in Saratoga for their New Year’s Run!
10/20/24 Murray’s Law at the Egg , Albany NY Setlist
Set 1: Joseph’s Dream, Cannonball Rag, You Didn’t Hear It From Me, Today, A Thing Called Love, Wildflower, Jack-A-Roe, Look Johnny II, Walkin’ Back To Georgia, Mr. Banker, Shenanigans
Set 2: Go Set> Cosmic Charlie>Go Set Ending, Lazy Day, Lazy Susan, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Burning Daylight > No Excuses > New Shoes> Power Trip
