This is part 3 of a series looking back at the history of Phish in Albany. Here are Part 1 and Part 2 as we eagerly anticipate the next round of shows at the Times Union Center this week.
December 1, 2003
2003 was a special year for Phish as it marked the band’s 20th anniversary of their first show ever. December 2, 1983 is generally recognized as the first public gig – a low key affair at a University of Vermont cafeteria where they may have even been known as Blackwood Convention. After ditching that moniker, and trading out guitarist Jeff Holdsworth for keyboardist Page McConnell, the Phish brand grew quite successfully over the next twenty years. To commemorate the occasion, Phish scheduled a “short but sweet” 4-show tour of the Northeast that culminated in a 20th anniversary show on December 2 in Boston.
12/2/83 Harris-Millis Cafeteria – University of Vermont
No proper fall tour in the Northeast, no matter how short, would skip over Albany, which was the penultimate stop. Remember, this was before Phish laid permanent claim to Madison Square Garden for indoor NY shows. The first two shows of the tour did not disappoint at all with special guests like the Dude of Life popping out for the encore in Long Island and Tom Marshall joining in on a classic version of “Buffalo Bill” the night before in Philadelphia. Now it was Albany’s turn and the band went even further back in their history for this guest selection.
In a move that seemed to be well kept under wraps, Phish brought out founding member and guitarist Jeff Holdsworth for a string of songs in the the latter part of the second set,.from the old school choice of “Camel Walk” to the “Run Like an Antelope” closer. In between these, Phish kept the nostalgia vibe strong with throw backs like a cover of “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,” the first song at the first gig 20 years ago, and the Holdsworth-penned “Possum” that’s a regular at live shows to this day. While nothing was quite astounding from a musical perspective in this portion of the show (Holdsworth seemed to be very low in the mix), the band still afforded him some solos to take as everyone got a fun glimpse of the band’s origins.
Set 1: Chalkdust Torture, Stash, Guyute, Thunderhead -> Sparkle, Wolfman’s Brotther -> Good Times Bad Times
Set 2: Tweezer -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > You Enjoy Myself, Camel Walk, Possum, Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress > Run Like an Antelope
Encore: Fire
Note – Camel Walk through Antelope with Jeff Holdsworth on guitar
November 27 & 28, 2009
Fast forward 6 years later and it was a whole different state of Phish in Albany. After the band’s disastrous “farewell” festival that was Coventry in 2004, a second hiatus followed that lasted almost five years and was finally ended with a trio of triumphant return shows at Hampton Coliseum in March of 2009. After those shows and a successful two-legged summer tour and Halloween shows in Indio, CA, the band was truly on the way back and picking up steam as they forged a new chapter in their career. While some jaded fans may have complained the consistency of quality live shows wasn’t the same yet or that the band’s “new sound” wasn’t quite the same, it’s generally agreed that Phish made an impact statement with this set of Phish Albany shows, courtesy of one of the most acclaimed stretches of music to this day.
Poster by AJ Masthay
Each of these shows has a flavor all their own in terms of what makes them special. Friday the 27th was highlighted by some unique song selections and a couple of memorable debuts. With an energy only upstate New York can deliver, Friday started off with a rip roaring “AC/DC Bag” > “Maze” one-two punch and things only took off from there. The first set also featured an electric “Gumbo” that gave MacConnell more than enough room to show off his chops and the very rare “Two Versions of Me,” from the band’s 2004 release Undermind. So rare, in fact, the song hasn’t been played live since.
Friday night’s second set was marked by two Phish debuts, one of which is still a live show staple. After a dark and moody “My Friend, My Friend” opener, the band played “Golden Age” for the first time ever, a TV on the Radio cover that few saw coming.
The rest of the second set continued to build with another cover, Little Feat’s “On Your Way Down,” before a truly epic sequence of “Fluffhead” > “Piper” > “Tomorrow’s Song,” another true rarity plucked from Undermind and, to this day, the only time the song has been played live.
Set 1: AC/DC Bag > Maze, Driver, My Mind’s Got a Mind of its Own, Gumbo, Bouncing Around the Room > It’s Ice, Two Versions of Me, Timber (Jerry) > Limb by Limb, Cavern > Light
Set 2: My Friend, My Friend > Golden Age, On Your Way Down, Fluffhead > Piper > Tomorrow’s Song, Prince Caspian > Harry Hood > Suzy Greenberg > The Squirming Coil, I Been Around
Encore: Fire
Poster by Steve Rogers
Saturday night’s Phish Albany show picked up where things left off the night before and turned the intensity up a notch, if that were at all possible. Starting with an ebullient “Party Time” opener, the atmosphere inside The Knick was electric as fans rejoiced in another show that helped further cement the band’s status as “back.” The first set also had its share of fun song selections like “Sanity” and “Foam” as well as the triumphant return of “Vultures” for the first time since the band’s reunion. But this show will go down in lore for the incredible piece of improv that began the second set.
“Seven Below” began things with a tightly wound composed section played with precision, that soon turned into a driving, soaring jam thanks to the efforts of bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman. The improvisation then touched on elements of prog rock, ambience and then some all while being fueled by majestic guitar play from a seemingly happy and healthy Trey Anastasio on guitar. As the jam slowly petered out some 20 plus minutes later, the distinctive opening guitar riffs of “Story of the Ghost” came into play and Phish was off and running again. A spirited and quick run through the song’s composition, fueled by plenty of singing along from the crowd, soon yielded to bouncy, near blissful jam that eventually turned into a dark, sinister, almost heavy metal-ish type throwdown, serving as the surest sign yet that Phish was back in a big way.
They could have ended the show right then and there and few would have complaints. A more than appropriately named cover in The Velvet Underground’s “Cool It Down” followed and was fairly short lived before a direct segue into “Gotta Jibboo” that picked things back up. However, it would be near impossible to top the masterpiece that was the close to 48 minutes of music that the first two songs produced. A monstrous “You Enjoy Myself” serves as only a footnote on this Albany classic.
Set 1: Party Time, Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan, Uncle Pen, Sanity, Foam, Walk Away > NICU, Alaska, Split Open and Melt, Joy, Vultures, Backwards Down the Number Line
Set 2: Seven Below > Ghost, Cool It Down > Gotta Jibboo, Let Me Lie, Wolfman’s Brother > Julius
Encore: You Enjoy Myself
Take a look at our 2018 review of Phish at the then-Times Union Center and stay tuned for coverage of this weekend’s three-night run in support of the Divided Sky Foundation!
Get the scoop on what to do before and after Phish during their three-night run in Albany over October 25-27!
photo by Dave DeCrescente
Formed in 1983 through flyers across the University of Vermont’s campus, Phish has had a career of steady incline for more than four decades. Amassing more than eight million sales in the United States, 14 studio albums, a seemingly endless list of live shows under their belt, and their own record label named JEMP records, Phish is a legendary psychedelic-rock-jam fusion to be reckoned with.
Comprised of members Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Page McConnell, Phish has accomplished what most bands have not in the face of multiple group hiatuses and solo endeavors- a legacy as one of the most influential jam bands that spans the first four decades of their achievements thus far and extends well into the prospective future.
With roots in the Northeast, Phish’s connection to New York can not be understated. The band has performed 83 shows in Manhattan’s historic Madison Square Garden to date, surpassing Elton John in 2023 to become the second most frequent musical act to grace the Garden’s stage behind record-holder Billy Joel.
The metro area hasn’t been the only one to experience the magic of Phish’s live performance, however. The group has traveled up and down the entire state, a feat highlighted in our three part series exploring their endeavors in Albany in particular over the course of several decades. Read part one, two, and three here.
Albany has hosted Phish countless times over the course of their career, making it one of few cities they still frequent where fans can track their progression as a band over the course of their visits to the area. Beginning in Albany at the city’s oldest bar Pauly’s Hotel to a crowd of 30-40 fans back in 1989, Phish has worked their way up to a three night stay at the MVP Arena this October 25-27.
In a historic announcement, Phish will be playing their first ever three show run in which 100% of the concert and merchandise profits will go to the Divided Sky Foundation. Established in 2020 during the Beacon Jams, Divided Sky Foundation dedicates themselves to building and supporting a non-clinical residential recovery program that recognizes that addiction is a disease and not an absence of willpower.
Colloquially known by its original name of Knickerbocker Arena, the MVP Arena will be host to Phish and thousands of devoted Phish heads over the course of the exciting and deeply meaningful weekend. For those in attendance, there’s a lot to know about attending the shows and everything in between for the weekend of Phish! But don’t worry- we’ve got you covered.
Primarily, the shows themselves- be sure to check the Arena’s extensive list of policies including bags and prohibited items on the event’s page before you leave home here.
Once at the venue, there are multiple entrances depending on which is nearest you. The main entrance faces Market Street, but if using the MVP Arena parking lot, visitors can use the arena entrance on level three. The Beaver Street entrance provides another route into the arena itself as well.
In addition to attending an unforgettable evening- or evenings- of live music, there’s plenty to see and do in Albany, Phish adjacent and beyond. Fans may find themselves enjoying a grilled cheese at the “Cheesiest Phish Pre Party,’ or adventuring through the Albany Capital Center for the 2024 Dead Man’s Hand Tattoo Expo that spans the duration of the weekend.
Looking for events to explore on a particular day? Read the day-by-day breakdown of the weekend of Phish below.
FRIDAY: OCTOBER 25
Prior to the opening evening, Gratefully Yours will be performing a free pre-show at the casual food and live entertainment venue Ophelia’s at 4:00 PM- only two blocks from MVP Arena. Later that evening the band will return to the stage for a $20 post-show performance with doors at 10:00 PM and a start time of 11:00 PM.
In addition to Gratefully Yours, The Big Dig Live will host a free groovy afterparty at The City Beer Hall with doors at 10:30 PM and a start time of 11:00 PM, and Lark Hall will be hosting The Jerry Dance Party with DJ Jerrbrother. Doors open at 11:00 PM and tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
SATURDAY: OCTOBER 26
Day two will open with a variety of events including a Divided Sky Foundation pre-show hosted by The WaterWheel Foundation, a PhanArt hometown art show and live music event, and another morning set at Ophelia’s that will loop back around for the evening post-Phish.
A Divided Sky Foundation pre-show event hosted by The WaterWheel Foundation will take place on the 26 prior to the event, a benefit exclusive to ticket holders who purchased the package alongside their ticket or ticket request.
If tickets to the Divided Sky Foundation pre-show aren’t in your hands, don’t worry. There’s plenty more to explore in the area, like the PhanArt Show at the Palace Theatre. In association with Mirth Films, PhanArt presents some of the scene’s best known artists as well as some of the area’s rising stars. From 12:00 to 5:00 PM, attendees can collect exclusive art and apparel, enjoy live music from acts like Kale and Sweeping Views, and treat themselves to free Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food as courtesy of Lark Street Ben & Jerry’s.
Annie In The Water will be the artist in residence at Ophelia’s for October 26, with a free acoustic set pre-Phish and two electric sets after the show at 10:00 PM with tickets at $20.
Saturday’s after parties also include acts like the Beau Sasser Trio, Adrian Tramontano, and Justin Hendricks coming together for a free show at The City Beer Hall with doors at 10:30 PM and show at 11:00 PM, and the Dude of Life Band alongside special guest Ella Fishman at the Empire Underground starting at 11:15 PM. Partial proceeds from the Dude of Life Band’s after party will benefit the Waterwheel Foundation with tickets priced at just under $34.
In addition to these incredible acts, The Jerry Dance Party with DJ Jerrbrother will return for one more night to wrap Saturday evening at Lark Hall in partnership with DayGlo and Nectar. Tickets are priced at $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
SUNDAY: OCTOBER 27
The weekend of Phish will conclude on the 27th. While there isn’t anything Phish-y to attend outside of the final performance that evening, the Albany Comic Con will be hosted at the Polish Community Center just a fifteen minute drive away from MVP Arena. Tickets are $10 online or at the door all day Sunday.
Kicking off an exciting three-show residency at Ophelia’sin Albany, it was a big night for Bridgeport, CT’s Big Shrimp on Thursday, October 17.
Rising from the ashes of the beloved buzz band Baked Shrimp following their surprise breakup earlier this year, the reimagined and reinvigorated group returned to the stage bigger, hungrier, and as it turns out, funkier than ever. Joining Big Shrimp on the bill and also making their Ophelia’s debut was NYC’s space rock juggernaut Escaper.
Big Shrimp played the first of a 3-show residency at Ophelia’s on 10/17/24.
Taking place on the same storied stage Goose headlined 5 years to the day prior, Guthrie Bell Productions has long made it a priority to bring the freshest and most exciting stars of tomorrow to the Capital Region today. With a legendary track record of spotting talent and creativity early, simply put, when Greg Bell books a band for a three-show residency, you know they must have something special going for them. A testament to the burgeoning music scene around Albany and with a community of dedicated fans and venues supporting local and independent acts, the atmosphere at 388 Broadway prior to the show felt ripe for discovery and growth.
Kicking off the evening with an exceptional set of exploratory and soaring jams was New York City’s Escaper. Comprised of Will Hanza (Guitar/Vocals), Phil Kadet (Keyboard/Vocals), Sam Crespo (Drums), and on this night, Josh Carter sitting in on bass for Luke Bemand (Lespecial), Escaper wasted no time setting the controls for the sun, opening things up with a sprawling and richly textured rendition of “Open Sky.” As the Albany faithful quickly took notice of the bands larger-than-life sound, the floorspace slowly began filling in with dancing fans eager to surrender to the music and immerse themselves in a night of soulful, sonic soundscapes and spontaneous expression. Rewarded for their curiosity with a pair of unreleased new songs, Escaper would keep the positive momentum going with “Fantasy” and “Chance.”
Escaper kicked the evening off proper with with an explosive set of jams in Albany on 10/17/24.
As the band pushed themselves through the technicality of their compositions, you could tell from the expressions on their faces they were enjoying this ride and creating this unique blend of music together. Captivating the audience with a hybrid of atmospheric soundscapes, intricate guitar work, tight rhythms and pulsating basslines, perhaps no song encapsulated Escaper’s vibe more beautifully than “Spaceship.” With its distinct hook and stunning keyboard work by the fully stretched out Phil Kadet, the song provided the biggest improvisational vehicle of the set. Brandishing a scarf and his beautiful red Gibson guitar, Will Hanza looked like a bonafide rockstar here and played like one too, uncorking his biggest and most impressive solo of the night during the song’s peak. Hyping the crowd for what was still to come, Escaper would close out with “No Strings” before joining the fans on the floor and dancing along to the high-octane grooves about to be served up by the arrival of Big Shrimp.
Escaper’s Will Hanza took Ophelia’s to the stratosphere on 10/17/24.
No stranger to Albany, the former members of Baked Shrimp have been playing at venues around the area for years now. This time though, it would be a whole different creature. Joining up with founding crustaceans Jared Sage Cowen (Guitar/Vocals) and Jager Soss (Drums/Vocals) are new additions Max Perrotti (Bass/Vocals) and Matt Takesh (Keyboard/Vocals), completing a dynamic transformation from a power trio to an edgier and more versatile, progressive-rock juggernaut. Playing only their 5th show together under the Big Shrimp moniker, the night proved to be a launching pad for both the band and the long-time fans who still weren’t quite sure what to expect out of the band’s newfound identity.
Big Shrimp played the first of a 3-show residency at Ophelia’s on 10/17/24.
Immediately putting any worries at ease with some “Words of Wisdom” to get things cooking, you could instantly hear the impact of Matt Takesh’s keyboard playing. Adding a whole new level of filth to the bands already funky sound, the excitement continued to build as the band worked their way through “Tired Eyes,” before turning vocal duties over to charismatic drummer Jager Soss for a throwback nod to the Baked Shrimp original tune, “Smoke ‘Em If You Got Em.”
While a few in attendance seemed to take the song literally, things on the floor continued to heat up with the appropriately titled “Tango” providing enough cause for some to dance as if their life depended on it. The freedom of the venue allowed for this kind of uninhibited behavior, as fans moved to the grooves, embodying the spirit of the jam band ethos: a celebration of community and creativity, creating an immersive experience that felt both intimate, expansive and genuine.
Jager Soss performing with Big Shrimp during their Ophelia’s debut on 10/17/24.
One of the most notable moments from night 1 of Big Shrimp’s residency would come next with the debut of a new original called “Nuclear Fruit.” Successfully taking the song out for its maiden voyage, it is now forever etched in musical history that it was first played at Ophelia’s. Changing up the pace a bit, the bluesy ballad “Painting Pictures” by Matt Takesh gave everyone a chance to catch their breath a bit before virtuoso guitarist Jared Sage Cowen stole it away again with one of the most stunning and emotive solos of the evening. The seamless transitions between songs and the hypnotic interplay between musicians kept the audience enraptured, highlighting Big Shrimps’ ability to blend different musical influences into a cohesive sound.
Big Shrimp’s Jared Sage Cowen dug deep into his bag of tricks on Night 1 in Albany 10/17/24.
Proving he’s not here to be your ordinary guy, Cowen would dig even deeper into his bag of tricks for an extraordinary rendition of “Ordinary Guy,” yielding some of the funkiest, most cathartic and most primal energy of the set. With catchy melodies, impressive solos, complex arrangements and shifting tempos and moods, the band kept you on your toes and bobbing your head the entire show. Throwing in one last surprise before bringing the evening to a close, Big Shrimp would revisit their roots once again by playing fan favorite “Chop Suey” from their previous entities final self-titled studio album.
Watch fan shot footage of Big Shrimp performing “Chop Suey” during Night 1 of their Albany Residency 10/17/24.
As the night drew to a close, the crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable, with chants for an encore echoing through the bar. The sense of connection among fans and performers alike was a reminder of the magic that live music can create. After receiving the subtle nod of approval from promoter Greg Bell, Big Shrimp would send fans home happy with a nostalgic cover of the “Peter Gunn Theme,” complete with Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me” teases, bringing night 1 of their Ophelia’s residency to an official end.
If you missed this incredible night, mark your calendars for their next show in two weeks when Big Shrimp return for their highly anticipated Halloween Extravaganza on October 31st. Featuring a surprise theme along with two sets of music and a costume contest with prizes, whether you’re a seasoned jam band lover or just looking for a ghoulishly good night of music and dancing, Big Shrimp is sure to deliver an unforgettable treat that will not disappoint. If their previous Halloween performances are any indication, NYS Music can tell you now, this will be a special show you don’t want to miss.
Big Shrimp | 10-17-2024 | Ophelia’s | Albany, NY
One Set: Words of Wisdom, Tired Eyes, Smoke ’em If You Got ’em, Tango, Nuclear Fruit (1), Painting Pictures, Ordinary Guy, Chop Suey.
Encore: Peter Gunn Theme (2).
(1) Debut; Original
(2) Big Shrimp Debut; Formerly performed as Baked Shrimp.
Notes: This was night one of Big Shrimp’s three-night residency at Ophelia’s in Albany, NY in Fall of 2024. “Peter Gunn Theme” contained “You Belong with Me” (Taylor Swift) teases.
Escaper | 10-17-2024 | Ophelia’s | Albany, NY
Setlist: Open Sky, Fantasy, Chance, Spaceship, No Strings.
This is Part 2 of a series looking at the history of Phish in Albany. Read Part 1 and Part 3 ahead of Phish’s return to the Capital District and MVP Arena.
The anticipation that builds on South Pearl Street outside the Knick/Pepsi/Times Union Center/MVP Arena is one that you don’t find many places where Phish plays in the Northeast. Streets are closed to all but pedestrian traffic, parking garages are popping off, local businesses are packed with customers and fans mill about from Shakedown to the bars and all points in between.
With five shows in the books in Albany so far in their career, Phish returned for seven more shows before the end of the decade and firmly made their mark for playing some of their best Fall shows here. While it was not called The Knickerbocker Arena after the 1995 show, the new branding of The Pepsi Arena was a moniker that did not stick – we just called it The Knick (and some of us still do) – even still that it’s now the Times Union Center. Whatever we call it, we know it’s home to some delicious Phish going back more than two decades. All setlists via Phish.net.
Art by Drew Suto
December 12 and 13, 1997
Back in 1997 when Phish was on the road destroying America, they wrapped up their legendary tour in Albany, as close to home as the boys from Burlington could get. And for two nights, they continued to raise the bar for performances in the Capital District, wrapping up the tour with two shows that featured stand out jams and memorable band antics.
Starting the first night off with a “Funky Bitch” that stretched out a bit and was followed with a “2001” that lasted nearly 11 minutes was par for the course back then – nevermind waiting until mid-Set 2 for that funky disco dance party – two songs in and you were getting down. Keeping the cow funk going with “Camel Walk” and an extended “Taste” were the appetizers ahead of a 16 minute “Tweezer,” where Trey and Mike built the anticipation right out of the intro. That first five and a half minutes of this “Tweezer” is furious, and the rest a big bowl of funk-icing. The ambiance on the outro led into “Train Song,” which begat “Character Zero,” the new yet familiar rocker that was locking in its place as a set closer.
“Saw it Again,” a new song for 1997 cracked the second set and drives in with pure rock and roll and a Zeppelin-esque jam that emerged as it grew closer to the monstrous 20 minute “Piper” that followed, complete with slow build (remember the days?). This furious “Piper” bursts out and like an energizer bunny it just doesn’t stop. Finally when the jam does subside softly, it works into a serene “Swept Away” -> “Steep” combo. “Prince Caspian” picked up speed again and headed toward more Zeppelin acid-rock right up to the last 90 seconds, where it starts to drift off into space before Trey returns with a penultimate “Izabella,” one of the few times it has been played, but somehow one of the nine played in 1997. Can you imagine? Nine “Izabella’s” in a single year? “Tweezer Reprise” would drain the final drop of energy out of the crowd, and for an encore, the early years of “Guyute” shone bright with a huge cheer from the crowd at the opening notes, and a furious “Antelope” with a “Buried Alive” tease thrown in for good measure.
Set 1: Funky Bitch -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Camel Walk, Taste > Bouncing Around the Room, Tweezer > Train Song > Character Zero Set 2: Saw It Again[1] -> Piper > Swept Away > Steep > Prince Caspian > Jam -> Izabella > Tweezer Reprise Encore: Guyute, Run Like an Antelope
[1] Extended jam.
The second night was my first Phish show, and I definitely wish I appreciated the opening 18-minute “Ya Mar,” but I came here for “Sample” and stayed for the lights-out “Hood.” Much like the night before, the beginning of the show would set the tone for the night, with a crowd pleasing “Axilla” and “Theme From the Bottom” to follow. The first set, to a newcomer, was non threatening and a nice way to ease into a Phish show. On relisten, this set is full of fan favorites, tunes that in 1997 were chased, and had a wonderfully funky ending with “Tube” and a rockin’ “Good Times Bad Times.”
Set two though was where Phish left it all on the table and left no stone unturned, starting with “NICU” and “Punch You in the Eye,” and a long dark “Ghost” just to get things started. And just as a “Ghost” jam is finding its end, Trey rips a “Mike’s Song” out of the ashes and lays a little extra mustard on to get it going. Just as the lyrics are wrapped up, this “Mike’s” becomes the thing of legend, deep bass lines and dark tones from the band precede the call to ‘Bring the Dude,’ which brought the crowd along for a wild ride while the band continued to ‘Bring the Dude’ in their pocket of this jam. I remember looking around, wondering where this ‘dude’ was going to emerge from, only to have the jam pick up speed and eventually work into “Llama.” The “Weekapaug Groove” has a tight “Catapult” inside, and Trey asking Kuroda to dim the lights for “Harry Hood” made the final moments of this final set of Fall 1997 as memorable as possible. The “My Soul” and “Squirming Coil” encore were on point, tying the show, and tour, together nicely. A hometown show is a great way to start a life of Phish and I’m glad my friend Mike gave me a ticket for this show. A few hundred shows later and I’m always looking back on this show with a smile.
Set 1: Ya Mar[1] > Axilla > 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[2] -> Llama, When the Circus Comes, Weekapaug Groove ->Catapult -> Weekapaug Groove, Harry Hood Encore: My Soul, The Squirming Coil
[1] Unfinished.
[2] Chants to “Bring in the Dude.”
November 25, 1998
In many ways, 1998 was an extension of the groundbreaking 1997 tours that Phish played, starting with The Island Tour in April and finding their way through the summer and a fall that already had produced a full show of Velvet Underground’s “Loaded” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” This show from the Pepsi Arena the night before Thanksgiving is a diamond in the rough and overlooked for the three night run in Worcester that followed the holiday.
Taken on face value, you might see “Roggae,” “Lifeboy,” and acoustic versions of “Sleep” and “Driver” in the first set and think this was a snoozer, but you’d be wrong. The show opens with a one-two “Punch You in the Eye”/”My Soul” combo before getting nestled into that first set groove with “Roggae” before “AC/DC Bag” picks things back up again. The rare “Lifeboy” can’t be argued with here – you might only have had six chances to hear it since 1998 – and the 20 minute “David Bowie” that follows hits all the marks. A couple of acoustic numbers to right the ship before “Good Times Bad Times” shows up for the second show in a row at The Knick
For the second run in a row, the crowd was treated to a huge “2001” and randomly, a “Golgi Apparatus” to follow, to open the second set. “Drowned,” “Caspian” and “Piper” flowed together seamlessly, a mid-set trio that set the stage for “You Enjoy Myself,” and why not keep the tramps out there for an out of left field “Been Caught Stealing?” A fiery “Llama” was once again found in Albany, and for an encore we were treated to the fourth, and final (so far) version of The Beatles’ “Something,” fan favorite “Guyute” and surprisingly, an acapella version of “Free Bird” which is still etched in my mind for the perfect cap to this high caliber show.
Set 1: Punch You in the Eye > My Soul, Roggae, AC/DC Bag > Lifeboy, David Bowie, Sleep[1], Driver[1], Good Times Bad Times Set 2: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Golgi Apparatus, Drowned -> Prince Caspian > Piper, You Enjoy Myself, Been Caught Stealing > Llama Encore: Something > Guyute, Free Bird
[1] Trey on acoustic guitar.
October 9 and 10, 1999
The saying is, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right?’ Well Phish opened up their next stop in Albany with “Punch You in the Eye” and after a quick “Wilson,” jumped into “Guyute,” which they apparently love to play here. The 20 minute “Ghost” keeps up the tradition of those long first jams that Albany shows are a known for.
It is in Set 2 where “Limb by Limb” got spacey and again, a “2001” emerges, and here is where we find the theme to Phish in Albany – long jams and repeated fan favorites. In the second set, the first three songs along combine for 45 minutes, followed by “Waiting in the Velvet Sea,” then a young song in the mix to mellow things out after a hot opening combo like that. “Simple” and “Loving Cup” close the set with “Slave” filling into the encore slot nicely. It’s a good thing they brought out fan favorites tonight, because the next night was a different story.
Set 1: Punch You in the Eye > Wilson, Guyute, Ghost -> Free, Sparkle > Possum Set 2: Limb By Limb > Also Sprach Zarathustra[1] > Down with Disease > Wading in the Velvet Sea, Simple, Loving Cup Encore: Slave to the Traffic Light
[1] Trey on keys.
Poster by Jim Pollock
For the end of their Fall 1999 tour, an album listening party for the soon to be released Farmhouse broke out in the first set. I won’t sit here and shame this set – it’s great, but that night it was a handful of new songs couples with some jams and a “Stash” at the end that was like the lot burrito I had that night – it didn’t sit very well. But for set 2, things went a little deeper, opening with a Jam that found its way into “You Enjoy Myself” without a vocal jam, “Prince Caspian” and “Train Song.” By the time the band got to “Bathtub Gin” they were in full rock star mode, and the “Character Zero” to close things out made for a well rounded if not slightly awkward setlist. “Contact” in the encore was fitting, and paired with “Misty Mountain Hop,” these four Vermonters were itching to get in their cars and head to the Green Mountains for six weeks of recording, rest and relaxation before heading out on tour in December with their eyes set on a millenium bash in Florida.
Set 1: Farmhouse, Gotta Jibboo, Heavy Things, First Tube, Dirt, Vultures, Stash Set 2: Jam > You Enjoy Myself[1] > Prince Caspian > Train Song, Bathtub Gin, Character Zero Encore: Contact > Misty Mountain Hop
[1] No vocal jam.
September 8 and 9, 2000
There is something to be said about tour openers in Albany – they are rare, but they are very, very good. The variety found in the show that kicked off their final tour before hiatus is remarkable, and on relisten, it gives a sampling of Albany shows past, and what we can look forward to when Phish opens up their Fall 2018 tour. A debut of Bob Marley’s “Mellow Mood” should be enough to get the juices flowing, and its the “Limb by Limb” and “Ghost” that follow that pick the pace up and give you an idea of the potential in store this night, and this tour. The next seven songs all blow by with relative ease before another big “Taste” emerges and “Golgi” closes the set out. Kicking off Set 2 with a tough “Birds of a Feather” precedes the Tony Markellis penned “Windora Bug” debut and an 18 minute “David Bowie,” and the blues tune “Back at the Chicken Shack.” A 16 minute “Bathtub Gin” paired with its own ambient jam with Fishman on vacuum and Trey on drums is that taste of 1.0 that you don’t find these days. Another show closing “Character Zero” wrapped up the show, with “Fire” in the encore slot.
Set 1: Mellow Mood[1], Limb By Limb, Ghost, Bouncing Around the Room, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Saw It Again, NICU, Glide, Axilla, Taste, Golgi Apparatus Set 2: Birds of a Feather, Windora Bug[1], David Bowie, Back at the Chicken Shack, Bathtub Gin > Jam[2] > Character Zero Encore: Fire
[1] Phish debut.
[2] Fish on vacuum and Trey on drums.
When you know it’s the last time you’ll see a band for a while, you make the most out of it, and that was the C.W. for fans that I rolled to this show with. I would see them once more this fall in Darien Lake, but for many, this was the end of the line for the foreseeable future – no one knew how long this break would be for, so rather than chance it, Albany packed the Pepsi Arena for the second night in a row. Opening with a “Possum” built off the anticipation from outside was the start to the night we needed, and deserved. A jam out of “My Friend” found its way into “Gumbo,” and then into “Maze,” so after four songs, this set was already following in the footsteps of past shows. “Boogie On,” “Roggae,” “Guyute” and “Antelope” as the second half of the set just kept raising the bar for what was possible this tour.
Opening with the new fan favorite “Gotta Jibboo” for a lengthy jam to start the set was a nice pairing to the “Possum” that opened the night. After a brief and rare “The Curtain,” a 20 minute “Sand” stood out as the jam of the night, partially because little that followed would compare. Michael Ray, of Sun Ra and Cosmic Krewe fame, would join the band on trumpet for “Makisupa Policeman,” “Cars Trucks and Buses,” and “Funky Bitch,” and while this was by no means Kid Rock sitting for the second half of a set later that tour, it did take the energy from earlier in the set and cast it aside. I never understood why Ray didn’t stick around for “Cavern,” which has a perfect fit for horns. And so for an encore that somehow had no discernable “You can feel good” ending lyrics, “Harry Hood” still clocks in at 17 minutes, with some lucky fans on the stage to enjoy it up close while Ray and Trey laughed it up as the jam came to a close.
Set 1: Possum, My Friend, My Friend[1] -> Jam > Gumbo -> Maze, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Roggae, Guyute, Run Like an Antelope[2] Set 2: Gotta Jibboo > The Curtain > Sand[3], Makisupa Policeman[3] > Cars Trucks Buses[3] > Funky Bitch[3] > Cavern Encore: Harry Hood[3]
[1] No “Myfe” lyric.
[2] Tom Marshall spoke the lyrics to Antelope.
[3] Michael Ray on trumpet.
And there you have it – seven performances by Phish from 1997-2000 that featured a few 20 minute jams, some bust outs and debuts, and a whole lot of rock n roll. Phish has a wonderful tradition of playing hot shows in Albany and with this being one of only 5 stops this Fall, you know they’ll be bringing the heat to the fans next week.
This is Part 1 of a series looking at the history of Phish in Albany. Read Part 2 and Part 3 here.
On October 16 and 17, 2018, Phish performed their 16th and 17th shows in Albany, a town that has played host to the band for nearly 30 years. Their long and storied history in New York’s capital dates back to when they were a mere bar band hungry to be heard, and their upward trend of success in their early career can be clearly tracked based on venues they played in the city as the years went on. There are very few cities that Phish still plays where you can track their progression as a band, and get a full snapshot of who they are/were by only listening to shows played in that city.
From the goofy bar band to the machine gun, rockstar days of Trey to cowfunk grooves, you can find almost any kind of Phish by listening to shows they played in Albany, and thankfully for us, that story is far from finished. We take a step back and remember the life-changing shows that took place in the city years before to (somehow) get even more excited for what’s to come.
Pauly’s Hotel, 5/11/1989
The first time Phish came to Albany, they performed to a crowd of 30-40 at Pauly’s Hotel, Albany’s oldest bar, dating back to the Civil War, and served as a home for Union soldiers returning from the conflict. While there is no known setlist for this show, Mike’s notes revealed that his bass was stolen out of the band’s truck (JEMP) at the loadout and never seen again.
Phish fans were few at the time, since this was their first trip to the Capital District from their roots in Burlington, so many in attendance were experiencing Phish simply because they were the band on the bill that night. Pauly’s has a history of music nearly every single night of the week, so you can stop in for a beer and catch a wide variety of musical acts for a small cover charge.
Pauly’s Hotel
Two fans who experienced Phish for the first time this night did so by design, and by accident. John Boeheim of Pawling, NY, was a SUNY Albany student at the time and heard of Phish from a Deadhead friend who went to Union College. Pauly’s was a short walk from his Ontario St. apartment and cover was only $5. John recalls the band playing “You Enjoy Myself” due to the trampolines that were used (likely with minimal effort by Trey and Mike with such a low ceiling above the stage), as well as “La Grange” and “Fee,” because a megaphone was used that night by Trey. There was a lot of banter from the band but no level of anticipation in the building – few, if any, had seen Phish before.
John recently went to Pinks NYC on the Lower East Side of Manhattan for a stream of the shows at Dick’s Sporting Goods park over Labor Day weekend. The experience left an impression on him – “These guys can still draw me to a tiny bar, with people new and unfamiliar, and this is happening at numerous bars around the country. What they are today compared to what they are then, the stream was just a step above couch tour where being 2,000 miles away didn’t damper the enjoyment.”
For John, it was like seeing a bar band, and that first night he may not have written down the setlist but they did have Junta tapes for sale, which he purchased, along with his friend Linda Lawrence, who was also seeing Phish for the first time, but unintentionally.
“I didn’t go to Pauly’s to see them, I went to the bar for beers with a friend who worked at WROW with me in promotions. I was about to drive across the country and live music wasn’t the plan tonight. We sat at the bar and maybe 25-30 people were there, There was crappy weather that night and the rumor was that Mike’s bass was stolen after the show.
“I picked up the Junta cassette from the merch table and I remember them playing “Divided Sky” because they were talking about the Rhombus and I had no idea what that meant. When I listened to Junta, I remembered that part of the show.”
“My first thought influence-wise was that Zappa was an influence of theirs. When Trey talked I thought his voice sounded like Zappa’s and that stuck out in my mind. I got a Zappa feeling about the compositional feel of how they played, and they were weird and goofy. The lyrics were obscure like Mothers of Invention but they were more zany lyrics than Mothers. I liked the jamming parts a lot.”
Palace Theatre, 11/20/1992
After a two year break from New York’s capital, the next time Phish returned their following had grown considerably, affording them to move out of the bars and into theaters. The Palace Theatre opened in 1931 as a “talkie” movie theater which presented vaudeville acts in between pictures. The modern incarnation of the theater opened up in 1989, just a few years before Phish’s first visit, with a capacity of 2,900.
Late into one of their heaviest touring years as a band, Phish came out firing on all cylinders with a high speed “Axilla”, and kept the pace up the entire show with a classic setlist that could have only been played in 1992. The first set highlights include a soaring “Reba,” a then rare extended “Stash” with Linus and Lucy teases, and a playful, unfinished “David Bowie” with a cover of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” breaking it up and multiple “Ring of Fire” teases tossed in for good measure.
Trey and Mike, Albany 92
The band showcased their compositional abilities in the second set with strong renditions of “Fluffhead,” “You Enjoy Myself,” and “Harry Hood” sprinkled throughout. Following “Hood”, in true early Phish fashion, the band made sure to embarrass Fishman by bringing him front and center with a cover of “Hold Your Head Up” which led to a playful rendition of Syd Barrett’s “Love You.” The band ended the second set with a little help from The Dude of Life who sang “Self,” a song he would record with the band a couple years later. Toss in an acapella “Amazing Grace” and a rocking cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times” and you’ve got yourself a stew.
Mark Durham can recall what the scene was like that night:
“The scene was typical for a Phish show; not too busy outside. There was a parking lot or two that had some folks hanging by the back of their cars, but no “shakedown” yet. It was tiny compared to anything they did later at the Pepsi Arena, but a little busier than the smaller shows. I was still able to walk in the back door showing no ID by saying that I was looking for a friend.”
“The crowd seemed a bit more organic and less frat like. They were still growing, and it seemed that if you didn’t like their music you just didn’t go. That being said, there were still plenty of chompers- just fewer and more spread out.”
“It was just amazing seeing them at the Palace. You know why it’s called that as soon as you walk in. I always felt that Phish played to the venue as well. With their more intricate performances being at places like the theater, and their edgier, harder playing was at the bars. When they got to the palace, they didn’t disappoint.”
Trey mentioned the Dude of Life in Suzy. Stash contained Linus and Lucy teases. Memories and Sweet Adeline were performed without microphones. Trey called Mike “The Man in Black” after I Walk The Line. Bowie was unfinished and included multiple Ring of Fire teases as well as a Jimmy Olsen’s Blues tease from Trey and a Simpsons signal in the intro. Chalk Dust and Tube contained Buried Alive teases from Trey. After Lengthwise, Trey wished a happy birthday to “Curtis” and then briefly teased Curtis Loew. Self (first since November 8, 1991, or 118 shows) featured The Dude of Life on vocals.
Palace Theatre, 5/5/1993
Less than six months after their debut show at the Palace Theatre, Phish returned to the capital district to play two sold out shows that are still highly regarded today. The first of which shares similarities with their 1992 Palace debut in the sense that the first set featured an extended “Stash,” The Dude of Life made a guest appearance, and “Amazing Grace” was performed acapella as an encore, but other than that they sound like a different band.
Mike Jenkins recalled what it was like being a Phish fan at this time, and how it changed:
“The early 90’s shows the relationship between the band and the fan base seemed more intimate. If you look at the ’93 setlist posted all of them have at least 1 song, usually in the 1st encore slot, where they performed acapella without miss. I don’t know if they could pull that off today. Not what they are doing now is better or worse, it’s all about perspective (ie. secret language vs. the woo).”
“Most fans held dear the “best kept secret”, “you don’t know what you’re missing”, and “you get it, or you don’t” vibe. As the band became more polarizing and popularity gained, as expected, the proportion of fans really into the music vs. attendees who wanted to be able to say they went to a show grew. The band and the legitimate fan base grew > grew apart > back together again > It’s all over > Holy Sh!t is this really happening > Growing pains > They’re Baaaaack!!! Personally, I am grateful for the 25+ year relationship I’ve had with this band and it’s fan base. It’s been the primary soundtrack of my life.”
Other than an explosive “Stash” the first set of 5/5/93 is relatively standard, though many of the songs performed were off their new album Rift, and thus never heard by many in attendance. Although the set was not out of the ordinary for 1993 standards each song was well-played with extra energy, and featured some interesting setlist calls, such as the “It’s Ice > Glide > Maze” before ending the set on a fiery “Golgi Apparatus.”
The second set is where things begin to get real interesting, real fast. It opens with an incredible segue fest of “Runaway Jim -> My Friend, My Friend -> Manteca -> My Friend, My Friend” which showcases the band’s ability to weave in and out of songs at will. They took no time to slow down with joyful renditions of “Poor Heart” and “Weigh” before giving the audience a chance to join in with “Big Ball Jam.”
If there was anything people would vividly remember from this run however, it’s the “You Enjoy Myself -> Jam” that closes the set. The stage was lined with musicians as The Dude of Life and the Aquarium Rescue Unit (at least Apt. Q-258 aka Jeff Sipe on drums, Oteil Burbridge on bass and vocals, and Jimmy Herring on guitar) took the stage for a bombardment of sound that just keeps giving and giving. After an acapella “Amazing Grace” in the first slot of the encore the band wasn’t finished messing around as they tossed the jazz classic “Take the A Train” square in the middle of a raging “Cavern.”
Tom Gazda recalled his experience at the show:
“5/5/93 was my second Phish show. During this time frame the band was playing a lot of Rift at shows and that was great for someone new to the band. With this being only my second Phish show, the whole “Big Ball Jam” had me like, “What the hell is this?” in the most positive sense. This seemed so far out the realm of what a rock band typically did. The YEM had a whole mess of additional people join them on stage (who I later learned was ARU and the Dude of Life). I got the sense I was supposed to know who they were, though I didn’t. I remember this going on forever and I actually found it to be slightly boring after a while.”
Phish – Palace Theatre – May 5, 1993
Set 1: Rift, Guelah Papyrus, Foam, Sparkle, Stash, Bouncing Around th Room, It’s Ice > Glide > Maze, Golgi Apparatus
Encore: Amazing Grace[4], Cavern > Take the ‘A’ Train > Cavern
It’s “Ice” contained a tease of “Pop Goes the Weasel” from Page and “Maze” contained Mission: Impossible theme teases from Page. The beginning of “My Friend” featured Trey on acoustic guitar. Trey dedicated “Ya Mar” to Sue on her birthday. “Ya Mar” subsequently included a “Two Princes” tease. YEM contained a “La Marseillaise” tease from Page and “Yield Not to Temptation” teases, did not contain a vocal jam, and was unfinished. The jam after YEM featured “The Aquarium Rescue Unit,” “the Dude of Life,” and Fish on vacuum. Amazing Grace was performed without microphones. The soundcheck’s Funky Bitch Blues contained a Funk #49 tease.
Palace Theatre, 5/6/1993
After wowing the crowd night one, Phish returned to the Palace for a second night where they did just as much damage to the historic building. They came out swinging with a hot “Chalkdust Torture” featuring “Lazy” by Deep Purple teases, a building “Mound” and dissonant “Split Open and Melt” to get the crowd amped. They continued the set with a handful of 1993 standards then broke away from the norm with a secret language filled “Possum” before welcoming up violinist Dick Solberg for an anything but standard “Lawn Boy.” The fun continued as they invited Jeff Walton to sing and play guitar with them as they closed the set as a sextet in true bluegrass fashion with “Why You Been Gone So Long,” “Tennessee Waltz,” and “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train.”
Albany 93 Palace Theater
The second set opened with an energetic “Suzy Greenburg” followed by a must-hear version of “Tweezer.” The melodic hose jamming in “Tweezer” is what dreams are made from as they jammed on Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” and The Dude of Life’s “Crimes of the Mind” before settling down to a relatively “Tela.” If the “Tweezer” didn’t do it for you, then the “Mikes Song” that follows should do the trick as the band morphs into a jam out of The Beatle’s “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” with Dick Solberg reentering the stage before a clean segue back down south with “Rocky Top.”
Thomas King recalled what it was like being in attendance for the jam:
“One of my most memorable concert experiences is the -> from Mike’s to Ob-La-Di.I was fourth row in front of Mike, locked in on Trey…until Trey started vanishing. Then the people in front of me started vanishing. The smoke machines were billowing like Mt St Helens, but the sound was so clear. I could barely see my friends next to me- and then, the strobe lights!! During that -> I felt an ecstatic combination of utter freedom with a healthy dose of disorientation. I felt like anything could happen, and the band could do everything they wanted.”
It wouldn’t be right to go an entire run without Fishman taking the spotlight following a classic “Hold Your Head Up” moment. He dedicated “Crackling Rosie” to Neil, who was on tour, before the band concluded the set with Jeff Walton joining them for a unique version of “That’s Alright Mama.” They concluded the run with an acapella “Sweet Adeline” followed by “Contact>Tweezer Reprise” to remind everyone that despite all the fun, they could still rock.
Tom Gazda vividly remembered his experience from the night:
“5/6/93 was an amazing experience for me. The secret language in Possum was very intriguing. I really liked when Dick Solberg and Jeff Walton came out, and the songs they sang. It was as if the show I was seeing was briefly interrupted by a very different, yet also very cool bluegrass/old time country concert. The Big Ball jam, again, was very cool to be a part of as we were on the floor. I remember Page’s ending solo in Squirming Coil really floored me; I couldn’t believe how good it was.”
“But the highlight of the night was the “Ob-La-Di,-Ob-La-Da” during Mike’s. I remember it to this day. They were jamming hard in Mike’s and they were bouncing on the trampolines. Then the smoke machines kicked out the thickest roomful of smoke I’ve ever experienced and then the strobe lights turned on. We were dancing hard in the aisle, about 25 rows back on Mike’s side, jumping up and down along with the band and freaking out to effect the strobe lights created in the smoke that had engulfed us by this point. Then Trey started playing “Ob-La-Di,-Ob-La-Da” and it was nothing sort of magical, one of those moments when time sort of slows down and you get that weird sense of your body being half-numb. 25 years and 70-something shows later, and it remains one of my top Phish experiences, and really, one of my top life experiences. I love thinking about it.”
“Then Fishman came out and playing the hand crash cymbals, lead the crowd on a sing-along of Crackin Rosie, another thing that was so far from what I’ve ever experienced a rock band do. “Why the hell doesn’t every band do shit like this, it’s fun as hell!!!” As an encore they played an unamplified barbershop version of Sweet Adeline, yet another part of this show that was so unique (and cool). I walked out of the show in a state of a punch-drunk euphoria only to end up on the sidewalk next to the theater, between the building and band bus. I saw Page walking out and got to shake his hand and awkwardly told him “Loved the end of Squirming Coil” as only a stoned-out college kid could. We spoke with Jeff Walton for a while who was drinking a beer on the sidewalk and who seemed a bit punch drunk from the experience as well. Then we hung out with Mike a bit, shook his hand and got to hear him explain to a bass-playing girl some of the tricks on how to play the bassline to Split Open and Melt (he admitted it was Trey who wrote the bassline). As walked back to the car I remember me and my buddy Al seriously kicking around the possibility of us driving to New Hampshire for the show that Saturday night (the legendary 5/8/93 show). Listening to this show when it was released as part of the LivePhish series, I strongly regret not going to this show.”
“One the things that really struck me about this band Phish that I couldn’t get over was how different their shows were from the shows I’ve grown used to seeing. Growing up in Queens and having pretty permissive parents, I got to see a lot of arena shows, mostly at MSG and Nassau Coliseum (Shit, the second show I ever saw was the mind-bending 1987 Pink Floyd show at MSG as a wide-eyed 16 year old.) Walking into Phish I was accustomed to what a typical large scale rock concert was like. So, I was quite taken by all the stuff Phish did that was different than that – the trampolines, never-the-same-setlist, next-level lighting that worked so amazing with the music being played, the big ball jams, the non-amplified acapella songs, 2 sets, the secret language, meeting the band outside the gig, the idea that any song can go anywhere on any given night, etc. And while the music was such high energy and reached out and grabbed me like nothing else had before, I also really loved that they punctuated it with elements that was designed to be straight-up FUN.”
Phish – Palace Theatre – May 6, 1993
Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Mound, Split Open and Melt, The Horse[1] > Silent in the Morning > All Things Reconsidered >Llama, Fluffhead, Possum[2], Lawn Boy[3], Why You Been Gone So Long?[4], Tennessee Waltz[5], I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train[5]
Set 2: Suzy Greenberg > Tweezer, Tela > Uncle Pen, Big Ball Jam, The Squirming Coil, Mike’s Song -> Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Jam -> Rocky Top[3], Hold Your Head Up[3] > Cracklin’ Rosie[3] > Hold Your Head Up[3], That’s Alright Mama[5]
Chalk Dust Torture contained Lazy (Deep Purple) teases from Trey. The Horse featured Trey on acoustic guitar. Possum contained Simpsons, Key Change, and All Fall Down signals. Why You Been Gone So Long, Tennessee Waltz, I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train and That’s Alright Mama were all Phish debuts. Lawn Boy, Why You Been Gone So Long, Rocky Top, both HYHUs, and Cracklin’ Rosie featured Dick Solberg on violin. Tennessee Waltz, I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train, and That’s Alright Mama featured Solberg on violin and Jeff Walton on acoustic guitar. Why You Been Gone So Long also featured Walton on vocals. Tweezer included a Sweet Emotion tease and a jam on Crimes of the Mind. Mike’s Song contained Cheap Sunglasses teases. Rosie was “dedicated to Neil, who’s on tour now!” Sweet Adeline was performed without microphones.
Knickerbocker Arena, 12/9/1995
Following a year away from New York’s capital, Phish returned in the winter of 1995 to deliver one of the most memorable jams of their career. Far too big to play the Palace again, they relocated to the Knickerbocker Arena (now the Times Union Center) where they played a sold out show to more than 17,000 fans (quite the leap from the 2,900 person venue across town.) The show took place during a full-blown blizzard, causing many fans to either not make it or have issues getting in and out, but stories to last a lifetime.
The first set began with a thrilling “Maze” followed by the new favorite “Theme From the Bottom.” Overall the set does not stand out much in the grand scheme of December 1995, but the entire set was played with restlessness and vigor. Filled with fresh songs from 1995 such as “Free” and “Billy Breathes,” the band used the set as an opportunity to show their growth in songwriting from their last Albany visit and fire up the crowd.
Like all shows during the 1995 Fall Tour, the second set began with an audience chess move (chosen by Antelope Greg Phelps) which continued the tour long game of chess between the band and the audience. “Timber (Jerry The Mule)” opened the set with a sick, demented jam that is often largely forgotten in the grand scheme of things, but absolutely worth checking out. “Wilson” follows next and Trey has fun with the Gamehendge standard by incorporating the soundbites of a Beavis and Butthead doll during the intro. A short, funky “Gumbo” follows before the band embarks on arguably the jam of the year in “You Enjoy Myself.” Anyone who is at all interested in Phish and hasn’t heard this jam needs to check it out immediately as this soaring, 34 minute masterpiece epitomizes the machine-gun sound Trey has perfected in 1995 before transitioning to a delicate and hilarious “silent jam” with Shaft quotes and a vocal jam featuring the Beavis and Butthead dolls once again.
After playing one of the most insane jams of their career, why wouldn’t the band take a break with the Page-led lounge classic “Lawn Boy?” “Slave to the Traffic Light > Crossroads, Sweet Adeline” ends the set with a defiant force that only 1995 Phish can produce. They victory lap with a then uncommon “Loving Cup” and send the crowd back into the blizzard with their minds lost somewhere in the storm clouds above.
12/9/95 was Vincent Alfonsi’s second show, and recalls it well. When asked about his experience he had this to say:
“12-9-95 was my 2nd show; epic YEM with Silent Jam. I already had a long history of great times at the Knick with the Dead. At the time I lived in Malta (just south of SPAC) during the week and West Hartford, CT on the weekend. Work was in Albany, but my friends were all still in CT so that’s where I went to party. As a result, the day of the show I was driving back up to Albany with 2 of my friends from West Hartford; one being my oldest friend of all. It should have been a 1:45 minute ride, but it took almost 5 hours to get there on account of the blizzard and all.”
“We Got there just in time for a slice of pizza before entering the show, and sat in the 200’s behind Fishman. The section was half empty, and very chill. Because of the blizzard we had rows to ourselves. I was enough of a noob to not recognize many songs that were standards, but the jams certainly weren’t lost on me. I was just making the transition from Jerry to Trey at the time. I’ve always felt if the entire crowd has to make extra effort, like standing in the rain or driving through snow, the band puts a little extra into it themselves, and they did. They played great. The Silent Jam was one of the funniest spur of the moment things I’ve ever seen at a show, and I left knowing that I was indeed a Phish fan. That show locked it in, and essentially cost me thousands of dollars in future ticket, webcast, CD, gear and download purchases.”
Adam E. was also in attendance and had this to say about his hazy experience:
“I am from Clifton Park, NY and had been going to the Knick for various shows since 1991. 12/9/95 was my 14th Phish show overall but first time in my “hometown” venue. Since then I’ve seen Phish at the Knick/Pepsi 8 times and it’s still one of my favorite places to see them. Having only seen Phish 4 times in Summer 95 I was excited for the three fall tour shows I had tickets for (Albany, Lake Placid x2). I was an undergrad in Plattsburgh at the time and my buddies and I drove down to Albany the day of the show. The pre-show scene in Albany is always pretty raucous and that day was no exception. It was cold/snowy and I recall the McDonalds on the corner of Madison and S. Pearl was overrun with the Phish crowd. It was a festive, friendly scene all around. The show itself was fantastic, lots of energy. Interestingly, the only vivid memories I have from inside the venue are the Beavis and Butthead doll quotes during Wilson, and the YEM silent jam. Otherwise I recall walking out of there on a cloud, knowing it was a good show.”
Phish – Knickerbocker Arena – December 9, 1995
Set 1: Maze, Theme From the Bottom > NICU > The Sloth > Rift, Bouncing Around the Room, Free, Billy Breathes, Dog Faced Boy, Chalk Dust Torture
Set 2: Timber (Jerry The Mule), Wilson[1] > Gumbo, You Enjoy Myself[2], Lawn Boy, Slave to the Traffic Light > Crossroads, Sweet Adeline
Encore: Loving Cup
Wilson and the YEM vocal jam featured quotes from a talking Beavis and Butthead doll. YEM also included a silent jam and a quote of the theme from Shaft.
Albany-native rockers The Jagaloons have announced the vinyl release of their newest album Forbidden Words on November 1.
The album was recorded in the Spring of 2023 at White Lake Studio in Albany, NY and originally was due to be released later in that year. But due to various delays with the pressing, the band pivoted to work with Ken Holewczynski at Tabu Recordings for the vinyl release. The album was released on streaming platforms and on CD on May 31.
The Jagaloons were also very lucky to be able to work with Dave Klein (Agent Orange, The Ghastly Ones) on the mastering and Stephen Blickenstaff on the eye-catching cover art. Along with the digital and CD release, The Jagaloons also made a video for the title track, “Forbidden Words” which was directed by Yasir Kahn and edited by Bryan Moak.
Hailing from Albany NY, The Jagaloons play guitar-driven, reverb-drenched, all-instrumental rock and roll. The trio takes the surf music of the 1960s and adds modern and eclectic influences, creating their own unique sound. The Jagaloons have performed all over the Northeast and down the east coast since 2015
with some big names in the surf scene like Messer Chups, Surfer Joe, The Surfrajettes, Los Tiki Phantoms and more.
The band will celebrate Forbidden Words with a release party on November 9 at The Hangar on the Hudson in Troy, NY. Joining them for the night will be Short Wave Radio Band, The Sci Flies, and The Sound Minds (featuring Chris Sprague of Los Straightjackets). The group anticipates the release of their vinyl of Forbidden Words to be released on November 1.
For more information on The Jagaloons and their upcoming vinyl release of Forbidden Words, click here.
On Saturday, October 26 from Noon to 5pm, PhanArt, in association with Mirth Films, will hold a hometown Art Show and Health & Wellness Event at the Palace Theatre in Albany
Featured during the show is New Paltz band Kale for the October edition of Palace Sessions Live.
Located just a 0.5 mile walk down Pearl Street from the MVP Arena (where Phish will perform for three nights) PhanArt at the Palace will feature dozens of artists and vendors from the Capital District and across the country from the greater Phish community.
Presented alongside Mirth Films, PhanArt will host artists and vendors offering a great deal of art, clothing, home goods, music inspired memorabilia and much more from dozens of small businesses, in addition to a Health and Wellness fair on the Second Floor of the Palace Theatre. There attendees will find Reiki, aerial yoga, interactive art, healing circles, psychedelic integration and much more.
Confirmed artists and vendors include Perpetual Hang, Scotty Radford Art and Design, BLURD Glass, YouEnjoyMyVegan, Ethereal Honey, Blazinâ Donuts, Fiddle and Feather, Unusual Conclusions, The Overhead View and many more.
Kale, a genre-blending indietronica jam trio from New Paltz, will be playing 2 sets during the afternoon, along with music from Sweeping Views in between performances. Kale combines a love of danceable electronic rhythms, soaring melodies, and energetic hooks into an improvisational channel that allows for deep exploration of the musical cosmos.
The Palace Theatre is located at the corner of Clinton and North Pearl Street, just a half mile walk to MVP Arena, where Phish will perform each evening from October 25-27.
The first hometown PhanArt show at Albanyâs historic Palace Theatre takes place on Saturday, October 26 from 12-5pm. Admission is free as always!
Upstate New York natives Annie in the Water have announced their next studio album Things to Do which will be released on October 25 to go along with two shows in NY in support of the album.
As a follow up to their 2022 album Sun at Dawn, Annie in the Water’s fourth studio album was written and recorded from 2022 to 2024 at Bijou Artist Space in Malta, NY. Things to Do represents a step forward for the band towards a new sound inspired by their surroundings Upstate. Things to Do is a love letter to the region they call home.
Musically, the album is a culmination of two years of hard work with the goal of creating a polished sound that transverses multiple genres. The songs are a reminder to honor one another, to dance while living life with intention, integrity, loyalty, and patience. Each person involved in this project left a tangible impact, creating a truly collaborative album.
Annie in the Water is an alternative rock band from Upstate New York. Since their first album in 2011, Destination, the band’s feel good sound found its roots in acoustic guitars without limits. Their songwriting, led by guitars and synthesizers over a ground-shaking rhythm section, gives the listener the ability to traverse multiple genres.
Annie in the Water will be playing three shows in support of their new album which are listed below. They will also have new album related merchandise and vinyl pre-sales available at upcoming shows.
Annie in the Water Tour Dates:
Saturday, Oct. 26th – Ophelia’s – Albany, NY (Phish at MVP Arena pre and after parties) Friday, Nov. 15th – Cooperstown Concert Series – Cooperstown, NY Saturday, Nov. 30th – Wonder Bar – Asbury Park, NJ (Supporting Fungkshui)
Union College and The Egg have announced details for the four-day residency by Eisenhower Dance Detroit from October 15-18.
The residency includes community outreach, a professional experience for local dancers and a public performance at The Egg.
A mini-residency in mid-September included an audition for local college dancers and a rigorous weekend rehearsal process for those selected. Jolita Brettler, Melanie De La Cruz, Ava DuBoff, Hailey Dunn, Livi Gwinnett, Grace Newcombe, Emily Tobar and Abby Wilder, all Union College dancers, will perform “State of Mind” by Eisenhower Dance Detroit (EDD) Executive Director Stephanie Pizzo alongside members of EDD at The Egg on Friday, October 18.
About working with the Union students, EDD dancer Lillie Hamilton said, “We admired their eagerness, dedication, maturity and focus.” About the experience of learning and rehearsing the work in a brief period of time, De La Cruz claimed, “Honestly, I feel stronger, both physically and mentally.” Dunn added that the intensity of the process was “challenging emotionally, physically and socially but I feel as though I have grown both as a dancer and as a human being.”
The residency is made possible by the partnership of the venue and college as well as a major gift from Gus (Union class of ’59) and Sue Davis (Sage class of ’60) in memory of their daughter Stephanie.
The residency culminates at The Egg on Friday, October 18. From 7:15pm to 7:45pm, Laurie Zabele Cawley, Interim Dance Director at Union College, will partake in a pre-show talk with EDD’s Pizzo conversing about the company and the evening’s program. The 8pm performance will feature “Legacy Island” by Filipino Norbert De La Cruz III; “En-code” by Australian, disabled choreographer Marc Brew; “Hyper” by hip-hop ballerina Micaela Taylor and “See Me” by the athletic Christian Denice. The aforementioned “State of Mind” will close out the evening.
Returning to the Capital Region in mid-October, the company will conduct three lecture/demonstrations, three movement workshops and eleven master classes at Union College and seven other locations in the local area. The activities will reach participants from elementary age to senior citizens.
The schedule of activities is found below. Activities with an asterisk are free and open to the public
Tuesday, October 15
Two movement workshops at Mont Pleasant Middle School from 1:09pm to 2:42pm
Two dance technique classes at Schenectady High School from 1:08pm to 2:41pm
An advanced modern dance class at Skidmore College from 3:40pm to 5:30pm
An intermediate ballet class in Union’s Henle Dance Studio from 5pm to 6:30pm
Wednesday, October 16
An intermediate modern dance class at Skidmore College from 10:10am to 12pm
An intermediate ballet class at Emma Willard School from 3:45pm to 5:15pm
A movement workshop for Proctors’ Acting Academy from 4:15pm to 5:15pm
An intermediate modern class in Union’s Henle Dance Studio from 5pm to 6:30pm
Thursday, October 17
An introductory modern class at UAlbany from 10:30am to 11:50am
An adult/senior class in Union’s Henle Dance Studio from 11:15am to 12:30pm
Two lec/dems at the Albany Academies between 11:30am and 12:30pm
A mixed genre exploratory class for adults & seniors at SPAC’s School of the Arts from 12:45pm to 2pm*
An open master class in Union’s Henle Dance Studio from 6pm to 7:15pm*
A lec/dem in Union’s Henle Dance Studio from 7:30pm to 8:30pm*
Tickets for the Eisenhower Dance Detroit performance are $35 and $45 and may be purchased in person at The Egg box office at the Empire State Plaza, by calling 518-473-1845 or online.
Albany buzzed with excitement from beyond the solar system as Big Something and Consider the Source brought their signature high-octane and other-worldly grooves to Albany on a brisk Wednesday night, October 2, as part of the Headspace 2024 Tour.
Lark Hall, recently revitalized by the set designers of HBO’s The Gilded Age, provided an intimate yet stunning backdrop for the night of sonic exploration and some seriously heady jams.
Ready for Blast-Off: Big Something and Consider the Source bought the Headspace tour to Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
NYC’s Consider the Source kicked off the evening, captivating the audience with their intricate fusion of sci-fi inspired progressive rock, jazz, and world music. The dynamic power trio, comprised of virtuoso guitarist Gabriel Marin, bassist John Ferrara, and drummer Jeff Mann, delivered an exhilarating performance that showcased both their next-level musicianship as well as their entire new album, The Stare, which was released in mid-September. The band had previous played Lark in April of 2022 as part of their intimate acoustic hybrid run, but on this night, it was straight balls-to-the-wall electric.
Bassist John Ferrara, and drummer Jeff Mann performing with Consider the Source in Albany on 10/2/24.
Continuing to push the boundaries of instrumental music with complex time signatures and intricate melodies, songs like “Trial By Stone” and “Mouthbreather” shook the venue to its core with their heaviness, while simultaneously creating a sonic tapestry that was both captivating and challenging to the listener.
From Marin’s expressive and distinctive double-neck guitar playing, to Ferrara’s melodic and thunderous finger-tapping bass solos, to Mann’s exceptionally creative drum fills, Consider the Source was firing on all cylinders at Lark Hall and it showed.
Treating the audience to spellbinding renditions of “Preemptive Vengeance” and “Unfulfilled and Alienated,” the intricate interplay between each member created a cosmic journey that resonated with both the soul and the mind. If you haven’t seen this band play before, you really need to. Helping the audience slip into the perfect headspace for what was still to come, Consider the Source was an excellent choice to kick the party off proper.
Watch fan shot footage of Consider the Source perfomring “Unfulfilled and Alienated” at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Transitioning to Big Something’s headlining set with a glorious circus-like introduction by crew member William, the colorful Burlington, North Carolina six-piece band delivered a masterclass in genre-blending with their unique brand of space-infused funk rock. Supporting the release of their ambitious new album, Headspace, the band is currently riding a wave of creativity and evolution.
Consisting of founding members Nick MacDaniels (guitar, vocals) and Jesse Hensley (guitar, vocals), the mesmerizing multi-instrumentalist Casey Cranford on saxophone and electric wind instrument (EWI), alongside the dynamic rhythm section of Ben Vinograd (drums), Matt Laird (bass), and Josh Kagel on keys and trumpet, Big Something have firmly established themselves as tried and true veterans of the jam band scene and a popular staple at music festivals around the country, including their own, The Big What, hosted annually in Mebane, NC.
Big Something made their Lark Hall debut on Wednesday, 10/2/24.
Back in the Capital Region for the first time since playing the Putnum Place in May of 2019, the band wasted no time reminding us they still can throw down with the best of them. Showcasing layers of sonic intricacy, catchy hooks and danceable grooves on the opening combo of “Algorithm” and “Love Generator” form 2014’s Truth Serum, Big Something then surprised everyone by slipping into a cover of “Blast Off” by another fan-favorite funk band, Lettuce.
Nick MacDaniels performing with Big Something at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Taking a moment to introduce the band and thank everyone for coming out on a Wednesday, the left-handed MacDaniels, who could be the long-lost brother of actor Michael Cera, hyped up the latest Big Something album, Headspace, before going into its opening track.
Until this point in the show, lead guitarist Jesse Hensley had been relatively reserved, but as “The Mountain” climbed to its peak, so did Jesse, uncorking an absolutely monstrous solo as the band reached its first true stretch of sustained improvisation.
The Curse of Julia Brown: Gabriel Marin of Consider the Source sat in with Big Something on 10/2/24.
Name dropping longtime friends and tour buddies Andy Frasco and The U.N. prior to “Clouds,” a song the two bands collaborated on, Big Something would get some more help from their friends in Consider the Source, inviting out guitarist Gabriel Marin to sit in on 2013’s “The Curse of Julia Brown.” resulting in one of most unique and memorable highlights of the show.
With the buzz in the hall now reaching a fever pitch, Big Something took the vibe even higher, reaching into their back catalog and pulling out their biggest hit to date next, “A Song For Us,” which all but blew the roof off the place. You can watch fan shot footage of that in the clip below.
Watch Big Something perform “A Song For Us” live at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Big Something’s performance was a celebration of their growth, with tracks from Headspace seamlessly woven into the fabric of their established hits with songs like “Megalodon” blending beautifully into their cover of David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream.” With the always smiling MacDaniels’ charismatic stage presence igniting the crowd, the synergy between the band members was palpable, as they effortlessly navigated through their setlist, blending styles from jam rock to funk and even hints of reggae and electronic influences.
Big Something’s Casey Cranford plays the EWI 4000 at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Stealing the show all night long though was multi-instrumentalist Casey Cranford on saxophone and the electric wind instrument. Running his EWI 4000 through an array of effects pedals, Cranford effortlessly created sounds and textures straight from another dimension.
That should come as no surprise, as the band has long had a fascination with all things extraterrestrial. From their alien-spired logo, to samples referencing U.F.O.’s and crash landings to the stuffed little green man sitting on top of the amps throughout the show, Big Something has crafted a stellar, interstellar sound fit for the future and a galaxy far, far away.
Big Something made their Lark Hall debut on Wednesday, 10/2/24.
Adding depth to the evening was the poignant backdrop of recent flooding in North Carolina, which has forever changed the landscape of the bands home turf and brought an air of solidarity among the musicians and fans. Seemingly using the music as a means to escape, the band never directly referenced Hurricane Helene, but noticeably shied away from playing water-based favorites like “The Undertow,” “Waves,” “Starts to Rain,” and “The Flood.” Instead Big Something would close out the main portion of their set with a big version of the infectious hand-clapper, “Timebomb.”
After a bit of deliberation backstage, the band would return for a final curtain call encore of “Tumbleweed,” the title track from their 2017 album of the same name. Afterwards, the band made sure to let everyone in Albany know how appreciative they are for the support and could be seen hanging out late into the night taking selfies and signing limited edition posters and tour merch.
As the night drew to a close, the concert proved to be more than just a display of talent, but a celebration of the power of music to unite and uplift. Both Big Something and Consider the Source left the stage with the audience buzzing, showcasing that in a world often overshadowed by challenges, the joy of live music continues to shine brightly.
The Headspace Tour continues on through October, and fans in Albany can only hope for a swift return of both bands, where their cosmic sounds will continue to resonate long after the lights go down.
Big Something | October 2, 2024 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Intro by William, Algorithm, Love Generator>Blast Off [1] , The Mountain, Clouds, The Curse of Julia Brown [2] , Song For Us, Megalodon>Moonage Daydream [3] , Timebomb.
Encore: Tumbleweed
Notes:
[1] Lettuce
[2] w/ Gabriel Marin (Consider The Source) on guitar
[3] David Bowie
Consider the Source | October 2, 2024 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Trial By Stone, I Can See My Eyes, Mouthbreather, New World Čoček, Preemptive Vengeance. Unfulfilled and Alienated.
December 1, 2003
The first set began with a thrilling “Maze” followed by the new favorite “Theme From the Bottom.” Overall the set does not stand out much in the grand scheme of December 1995, but the entire set was played with restlessness and vigor. Filled with fresh songs from 1995 such as “Free” and “Billy Breathes,” the band used the set as an opportunity to show their growth in songwriting from their last Albany visit and fire up the crowd.
12/9/95 was Vincent Alfonsi’s second show, and recalls it well. When asked about his experience he had this to say:
Adam E. was also in attendance and had this to say about his hazy experience:
