Silver Bay YMCA’s bluegrass festival, Bluegrass in Heaven, is undergoing a rebrand to open the festival up to more people. The festival will now be known as “Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival.”
The new name aims to open the festival up to more people who enjoy the genres that fall into the mountain music category such as americana and folk. In addition to the new name, the festival is also sporting a new logo to help the rebrand along. The logo features a sun with some music notes behind a mountain range with the text Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival below it.
Silver Bay’s bluegrass festival originated in 2023, with the planning for it starting in 2022, when a long-time Silver Bay employee and volunteer, Terry Baker, approached Silver Bay with the idea. Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival is set to take place September 12 – 14. The lineup for the festival will be announced in the new year.
Silver Bay YMCA, founded in 1902, is in Silver Bay, NY, just minutes south of Hague. Its 700-acre campus along one mile of Lake George shoreline offers a breadth of programs for all ages. Silver Bay YMCA is consistently ranked one of the top ten family reunion sites in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places with the U.S. Department of the Interior. As a mission-based charity, Silver Bay YMCA offers outreach programs in addition to its core activities as a premier conference and family retreat center.
For more information on Silver Bay YMCA and their upcoming Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival, click here.
Park Street Hospitality has unveiled its latest project, Doc’s Bar & Lounge, a newly renovated event space located within The Park Theater in Glens Falls.
Formerly known as Doc’s Restaurant, this reimagined space on the lower level of the theater now offers a chic and versatile setting for intimate gatherings, corporate events, and special occasions. The floor plan has been reconfigured, removing the booths of the former restaurant to serve as a more functional multi-purpose event space, perfect for cocktail hours, family style dinners and more.
Combining stylish ambiance with enhanced functionality, Doc’s Bar & Lounge provides an elevated experience, perfect for catering to the diverse needs of its guests. This exciting expansion highlights Park Street Hospitality’s dedication to delivering unforgettable moments for the Glens Falls community and beyond.
Built in 1911, The Park Theater is the premier entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls, NY. This century-old theater holds a vast and rich history within the community and has been revitalized as a destination for performing arts, weddings, events and more. In 2021, The Park Theater Foundation was established, launching its inaugural outdoor Summer Concert Series and highly anticipated 2021/22 season.
The Park Theater remains a state-of-the-art performing arts center, featuring national and international touring performers, as well as local community artists and productions. With the renovation of Doc’s Bar & Lounge, the venue just got another exciting and stylish addition to its fan-favorite atmosphere.
For more information on The Park Theater and to stay up to date on future events, click here.
Rock powerhouses Breaking Benjamin and Staind have announced their upcoming co-headlining “Awaken The Fallen Tour.” The tour sees a single date in New York at SPAC on May 23. The bands are joined by special guests Wage War and Lakeview.
The 20-city tour kicks off on April 26 at Brandon Amphitheater in Brandon, MS making stops across the U.S. in Nashville, Tampa, Cincinnati, Green Bay, and more before wrapping up in Kansas City, MO at T-Mobile Center on June 1.
Staind is comprised of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and drummer Sal Giancarelli. The band was formed in 1995 in their hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts. Over the course of their career, Staind has released eight studio albums and twelve top 10 singles, selling over 15 million albums worldwide.
STAIND & BREAKING BENJAMIN âAWAKEN THE FALLENâ TOUR DATES:
Sat Apr 26 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
Sun Apr 27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Tue Apr 29 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum
Wed Apr 30 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
Sat May 03 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Tue May 06 – Lubbock, TX – United Supermarkets Arena
Wed May 07 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Sat May 10 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
Sun May 11 – Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center Propst Arena
Tue May 13 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre â RESCHEDULED DATE
Wed May 14 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre â RESCHEDULED DATE
Sat May 17 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Mon May 19 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Wed May 21 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Fri May 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
Sun May 25 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Tue May 27 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Wed May 28 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Sat May 31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Council Bluffs – Stir Cove Event & Concert Venue
Sun June 1 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
For more information on the upcoming “Awaken The Fallen Tour” and to purchase tickets, click here.
Canadian-born Avril Lavigne is the pop-punk singer-songwriter credited for paving the way for the female-driven pop punk music that became synonymous with the early 2000s.
Ushering in the era with her “Pop-Punk Queen” moniker and skater style with her debut studio album Let Go, Lavigne quickly rose to stardom with hits such as “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi,” charting at the top of the Billboard 200 with her first ever release.
Since then, Lavigne has released six albums, each to critical acclaim. In addition to her traditional successes, Countless artists from punk to indie rock to emo hip hop have named Lavigne as a major inspiration or influence, creating a legacy extending well beyond herself.
Avril also earned a Guinness World Record for being the youngest female solo artist to top the UK chart and saw the success of her hit “Girlfriend” emerge as the first music video to reach 100 million views on YouTube just four years after the website’s creation.
Originally announced at the beginning of the year, Lavigne has spent the majority of 2024 performing her Greatest Hits Tour across the globe.
Supporting the tour will be special guests Fefe Dobson, Simple Plan, and We The Kings- the latter two of which will perform during all New York Dates.
Avril Lavigne will grace the stages of four venues in New York, with shows in Saratoga Springs on May 27, Syracuse on May 28, Manhattan on May 30, and Bethel Woods on June 27. The full list of dates and venues is below.
For more information on the Greatest Hits Tour and all things Avril Lavigne, be sure to visit her official website here.
AVRIL LAVIGNE: THE GREATEST HITS 2025 TOUR DATES:
Sun May 18 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre
Tue May 20 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
Sun May 25 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheatre
Tue May 27 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
Wed May 28 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater
Fri May 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Tue Jun 03 – London, ON – Canada Life Place
Thu Jun 05 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Resort
Sat Jun 07 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Sun Jun 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Tue Jun 10 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Thu Jun 12 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
Tue Jun 17 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Wed Jun 18 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
Fri Jun 20 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sat Jun 21 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Mon Jun 23 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Thu Jun 26 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Fri Jun 27 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sun Jun 29 – Burls Creek, ON – Burl’s Creek Event Grounds~ (visit AllYourFriendsFestival.com for ticket details)
Sat Oct 18 – Las Vegas, NV – Las Vegas Festival Grounds~ (visit WhenWeWereYoungFestival.com for more info)
Rock legends Styx and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon have announced their upcoming “Brotherhood of Rock” tour. The tour sees two dates in NY including Empower FCU Amphitheater in Syracuse on July 14 and SPAC in Saratoga Springs on August 12.
Styx and Kevin Cronin have one of the strongest brotherly bonds spanning 25 years, especially since they’ve crossed paths on the North American concert trail along with the occasional joint festival concert. Fittingly, next summer they’ll join forces for the sixth time for their “Brotherhood of Rock” tour, along with special guest Don Felder of the Eagles.
The seven men comprising Styx – James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars), Terry Gowan (bass, guitar, vocals)—have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide, and each one of them is committed to making the next show better than the last. Styx draws from over five decades of barn burning chart hits, joyous singalongs, and hard-driving deep cuts.
Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man,” to the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady” from an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness” to a regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.
Styx in 2012
For his first solo summer outing, iconic vocalist and hit songwriter Kevin Cronin’s band features the same multi-talented lineup that toured America in 2024 as REO Speedwagon. Cronin continues to be joined onstage by lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt, who have played in REO Speedwagon since 1989.
Cronin began fronting REO Speedwagon in 1972, delivering a newly melodic sound, and setting the stage for the explosive HI INFIDELITY (1980). Fueled by massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run,” the RIAA Diamond Award-certified album remains a high-water mark for rock bands. He has written number one hits such as “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” and “Roll With the Changes,” “Time for Me to Fly,” “Don’t Let Him Go,” and “In My Dreams.”
Fast Tony Productions has announced the Sunday Blues Festival at The Parting Glass in Saratoga Springs for February 2, 2025.
Featured Guitarist – Toronzo Cannon
Headlining the festival is world-renowned blues guitarist and vocalist Toronzo Cannon. This isn’t just another night of great live music—it’s a celebration of the blues in a venue that captures the magic of intimate live performances.
If you’re a fan of blues, live music, or just good times, this is shaping up to be a night you won’t want to miss. Cannon has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of electric blues. His unique blend of modern Chicago blues, soulful vocals, and electrifying guitar work has earned him rave reviews from all over. Whether he’s ripping through an emotionally-charged guitar solo or delivering a poignant social commentary through his lyrics, Cannon’s performances leave audiences spellbound.
Fast Tony Productions may be new to Saratoga, but Anthony Mangano-Delaney has already shown his ability to pull off big events. His first show in November 2024, featuring Bywater Call, was a resounding success, drawing a crowd of 150 and setting the stage for continued exciting performances to come. Tony is also eager to see how Fast Tony Productions can carve out its space within the vibrant Saratoga music scene with venues like Caffe Lena, Putnam Place, and SPAC.
Known for its cozy atmosphere, The Parting Glass is the perfect backdrop for one of Chicago’s brightest blues stars. The festival kicks off at 5:00 PM with non-stop music leading into Toronzo Cannon’s headlining set at 7:30 PM.
For ticket information on the February 2, 2025, Sunday Blues Festival at The Parting Glass in Saratoga Springs, click here.
On a late-fall Sunday evening in Albany, Nine Inch Nails brought their “Further Down the Spiral Tour” to the Knickerbocker Arena (now MVP Arena). The December 4, 1994 performance was notable not just for the opening acts – Marilyn Manson and Jim Rose Circus – but also a show cut short when a fan threw a shoe at the head of NIN drummer, Chris Vrenna.
Ticket stub – Nine Inch Nails, Albany, NY – December 4, 1994
The second part of Nine Inch Nails’ Self Destruct Tour saw shows in Buffalo and New York City coming on either side of the Albany show, and following the release of the critically acclaimed album The Downward Spiral. With recent performances that summer – not only the legendary mud show at Woodstock 94, but also in Poughkeepsie at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center a few weeks prior on August 3, 1994 – the Albany show was hotly anticipated by grunge loving teens.
And while this show’s openers were Marilyn Manson and Jim Rose Circus, other openers this tour included bands from the grunge era – Hole, The Melvins and Pop Will Eat Itself.
Manson and his band were introduced onto the stage by the Jim Rose Circus, with a lineup including serial killer inspired aliases – Daisy Berkowitz (guitar), Twiggy Ramirez (bass), Madonna Wayne Gacy (keyboard) and Sara Lee Lucas (drums). This was among the first times fans could see the controversial Marilyn Manson live, and while memories of the opening set are fleeting – the 30 minute set likely began close to the ticket time of 7:30pm, with many fans still waiting to get inside – one fan recalls from Manson’s set a vulgar tirade directed at a young woman in the crowd.
Both before, during and especially after Manson’s set, hundreds of fans in seated sections rushed down the aisles past security, packing the floor to nearly uncomfortable levels even before Jim Rose Circus took the stage. The ensuing snarl of bodies on the floor meant the circus – a freak show, really – meant that there were many more eyes on the stage for graphic stunts. The modern-day circus freak show that first made its name at Lollapalooza 1992, had interjections from Rose who kept the crowd on the hook as ringmaster, guiding the captive audience through a series of tricks and stunts taking place across the stage.
Early 1994 NIN Tour After-Show Pass
Among the acts were swallowing and regurgitating razor blades, smashing a cinder block on a strongman’s chest, ‘eating’ sparks from a grinding machine, and one member of the circus taking a unstrung 1970s tennis racket (smaller than today) and squeezing his entire body through the racket, slowly but surely dislocating appendages and succeeding in the act. For the more adventurous, click here to see what the performance included, but for those in attendance, time has thankfully aided in forgetting some of this set.
Note – I was a week away from turning 17, and still to this day, have only rushed the floor at a concert once. While the Nine Inch Nails performance was as memorable as could be, the Jim Rose Circus interlude has stuck with me for 30 years. I don’t know where my seats actually were for the show, but they sure weren’t on the floor. Of all the times to rush the floor and crowd near the stage…
photo by Paul Carter
And for the next 20 minutes or so as the freak show went away and a screen lowered behind Nine Inch Nails’ gear, the anticipation grew steadily for an already GRAMMY-winning band (Best Metal Performance – “Wish”) to play songs from the new album, as well as the previous seven ‘halos‘. What would amount to a 74-minute show due to the aforementioned shoe to the head, was nothing short of memorable, albiet confusing at the end.
The Nine Inch Nails lineup for this tour included frontman Trent Reznor (vocals, guitar, keys), Robin Finck (guitar, keys, backing vocals), Danny Lohner (bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Chris Vrenna (drums), and James Woolley (keys, programming, backing vocals). With a sepia-toned screen/banner behind the band, projections followed along with the music as themes of darkness, death and generally disturbing imagery were shone, adding a visual layer to a band that drew heavily on imagery in music videos for “Closer” and “Hurt,” in addition to previous videos.
Ticket stub – Nine Inch Nails, Albany, NY – December 4, 1994
The band went through the setlist (seen below) as they likely did for many shows that tour – a good deal of The Downward Spiral songs, plus some older songs, and the anger-filled anthem “Head Like a Hole” closing the show. It was during this song that someone in the audience threw a shoe (rumored to be a boot, but alas, a sneaker) and hit drummer Chris Vrenna in the head. Presumably, someone threw someone else’s shoe, making it easier to avoid being caught for the offending toss.
Vrenna finished the song, the band left the stage, and a few moments later, an announcement would come over the public address system, saying “The drummer suffered a concussion. The band is unable to continue.â With that, the lights were up and the show was over. Confusion abounded but the crowd was shuffled out towards South Pearl Street, an abrupt ending to an epic evening.
Without a basis for pop-culture shoe-throwing references, this notable tennis shoe toss was relegated to urban legend status, as the incident took place a full three years before Austin Powers coined the phrase “Who throws a shoe, honestly?” and 14 years before an Iraqi journalist threw a shoe at then-President Bush.
photo by Paul Carter
On December 17, 1994, the Daily Gazette gave brief mention of the show in the “Spotlight” section of the paper by writer M.L., under the heading “Really Nailed.”
“For Nine Inch Nails drummer Chris Vrenna, the show ends when the shoe hits him in the head. The Nails refused to come back for an encore after their Dec. 4 show at the Knickerbocker Arena when Vrenna was beaned in the noggin by a sneaker thrown by rowdy fans, according to Soo Hyun, a music publicist in New York City.”
It does not seem though that Vrenna had a concussion, but given the circumstances and sudden stopping of the show, giving the audience a reason was paramount at the time.
This author’s NIN cap from the 90s, still in good/used condition
M.L. continues, “Although the show left a nice bruise on Vrenna’s head, it seems the offending sneaker injured the drummer’s pride more than his body, Hyun said. “There was no damage, it was just a shoe,” Hyun said. “He’s played while bleeding before without any problems.”
The show marked a first for Vrenna, as it was the first time he had been hit while performing on stage by fan throw items. Hyun continued “While fans often chuck objects at the band during their shows, the Knick concert was the first time that Vrenna has been struck while playing. They really expect this kind of stuff to happen.
Luckily, two audience recordings of this show are available here (Sony ECM-155 + Aiwa J505) and here (Sonic Studio DSM6 Mics + Sony TCD-D7). The recordings are decent for the time period, with a little chatter over ambient sections of songs. A close listen to “Head Like a Hole” may indicate when in the song Vrenna was struck – Head, meet Sole – but kept playing til the end.
The memory of the non-encore stands out, and looking back on setlists of the tour, “Closer” and “Something I Can Never Have” were among the songs the crowd missed out on. Still, between rushing the floor, a musical freak, a freak show, and Nine Inch Nails, the night of December 4, 1994 at the Knickerbocker Arena was nothing short of memorable.
Ticket stub – Nine Inch Nails, Albany, NY – December 4, 1994
While no video footage of the show exists, you can view the Nine Inch Nails performance a few days later at Madison Square Garden, on December 7 and 9, 1994, which shows what the entire show in Albany would have been like, encore and all.
Nine Inch Nails – December 4, 1994 – The Knickerbocker Arena, Albany
Setlist: Pinion. Mr. Self Destruct, Sin, March of the Pigs, Piggy, Reptile, Gave Up, Happiness in Slavery, Eraser, Hurt, The Downward Spiral, Wish, Suck, The Only Time, Down In It, Head Like a Hole
Spafford has just announced the first details of their 2025 Spring Tour which comes on the heels of an extensive winter run set to start later this week. The much anticipated run includes stops at iconic venues throughout the Northeast and will feature special guest The Jauntee on select dates. Spafford Spring Tour includes two New York dates as well. The second stop of the tour will be in Saratoga Springs on March 14 with a show at Putnam Place. Four days later the meteoric jam band will visit Buffalo Iron Works on March 18.
The tour also features a first time visit to the ski-mecca town of Killington, VT with a show at the Pickle Barrel. It later wraps up with a three-night residency at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, MA, from April 3-5.
Tickets go on sale Friday, December 6 at 10 AM local time through spafford.net where additional information can also be found.
Spafford Spring 2025 Tour Dates:
March 12-13: Broad Brook Opera House – Broad Brook, CT
March 14: Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY
March 15: Aura – Portland, ME
March 16: Pickle Barrel – Killington, VT
March 18: Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY
March 19: Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH*
March 20: Mr. Smalls – Millvale, PA*
March 21: Moontown Brewing Company – Whitestown, IN
The Park Theater Foundation of Glens Falls has announced its end-of-year lineup of shows and events for December.
A non-profit organization dedicated to hosting events that enhance the Glens Falls community, The Park Theater Foundation brings quality and affordable entertainment as well as performing arts educational opportunities to folks within the city and beyond.
With a wide variety of events and entertainments gracing their space, The Park has it all. In preparation for the conclusion of their 2024 schedule, the Foundation has announced its final shows of the year happening throughout December.
On December 5, The Park will present national mandolin championship winner Ethan Setiawan and Fine Ground with opening support from Alan Epstein. The show will begin at 7:00 PM with doors opening at 6:00 PM, and tickets are priced at $20 for early bird attendees or $25 at the door.
A throwback show will take the stage on December 7 featuring Eric Carlin’s Half-Dead- an authentic Grateful Dead concert experience. Tickets are $25 for early bird pricing or $30 at the door. Showtime will be at 7:30 PM, and doors will open at 7:00 PM.
December 19 will host an evening of jazz featuring The Music of Thelonious Monk with the Matt Niedbalski Trio alongside Adam Siegal and Jason Emmond. Tickets for this event are priced at $10, with doors at 7:00 PM and a showtime of 7:30 PM.
Concluding the year and The Park’s 2024 events will be their ‘New Year’s Eve Dinner & Comedy Show’.
Featuring a performance by the highly-acclaimed comedian Sean Donnelly, audience members will be able to enjoy a preliminary cocktail hour, a full three course pre-fixe menu dinner curated by Park Street Hospitality’s executive chef Matthew J. Delos, and a complimentary champagne greeting station along with the night’s entertainment for an all-inclusive price of $99.
Tickets for The Park Theater Foundation’s year-ending events are live now. For ticket purchasing and further information, be sure to visit their official website here.
Phish and the City of Albany have always had a cozy relationship. Going to back to 1989 and their first gig at Pauly’s Hotel, Phish has played a total of 17 shows in Albany during the course of their career. Shows in the early 90’s at the Palace Theatre helped establish their Upstate New York following. So it would come as no surprise when their 2003 20th Anniversary Tour rolled around that Albany would be one of the stops. This would only be a short, four-show trek around the Northeast, culminating in the “anniversary” of their first ever show on December 2.
The first two shows of the tour did not disappoint at all. Special guests like the Dude of Life popped out for the encore in Long Island on November 28, and Tom Marshall joined 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 tonight’s guest selection.
Picking up on the palpable December pre-show energy, the show begins with a “Chalkdust Torture” that ramps it up even more. The entire Pepsi Arena crowd seems to join in on the “Can’t I live while I’m young” line. A blistering guitar solo from Trey Anastasio highlights this one before all is said and done. The “Stash” that comes next allows for plenty more audience participation. It eventually develops into a dark, yet fairly uneventful jam. A standard run-through of “Guyute” then follows, with the Albany crowd audibly loving every minute of this first set Phish staple.
An interesting little juxtaposition of both styles and song histories then proceeds this. The delicately mellow “Thunderhead,” from 2002’s Round Room release, makes a rare appearance. It’s only the sixth live performance ever of this song. And, to date, it has yet to be played a seventh time. After a tidy little jam that gradually picks up in intensity, “Sparkle” emerges. The high pace, first set romper dates all the way back to 1991 and has been played hundreds of times.
“Wolfman’s Brother” finally gives the band a chance to stretch things out a little again. Aside from “Stash,” this is really the only other true “jam” of the first set. Mike Gordon’s aggressive bass play provides the fuel for this one and dominates throughout. Gradually, the rest of the band seems to catch up in this “Wolfman’s” that easily glides past the 15-minute mark after an exuberant finish. “Good Times Bad Times” then puts a cap on a rockin’ but relatively quick first set. Perhaps this was done to allow some additional set break practice time with the still-TBA special guest.
Before said guest would be revealed, there was still some business to tend to first. Phish would grace the Albany crowd with three classic songs sure to make any show memorable. “Tweezer” promptly begins the second set. It sees more inspired guitar play from Anastasio atop the funky rhythms generated by Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman. The jam continues to ascend accordingly until about the ten-minute mark, when it takes an ambient hard left turn. The music continues to devolve and get spacey for another few minutes before Fishman slyly increases the tempo and the band is off and running with the instrumental “Also Sprach Zarathustra” aka the theme to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Keyboardist Page McConnell takes control early on with his standard electric keyboard fills complementing Anastasio’s iconic guitar riffs.
Before the last remnant of “2001” even finish echoing, Phish launches into “You Enjoy Myself,” further delighting the Albany faithful with an epic start to the second set. There’s no issues with this version at all as the band rips through the composed sections with ease. Then another cohesive, psychedelic jam emerges with McConnell continuing to dazzle on piano.
Finally, it was time to reveal tonight’s special guest. It would be none other than Jeff Holdsworth, one of the original members and co-guitarists of Phish from its inception in 1983. Jeff would eventually leave the band before they gained much notoriety. Tonight marked the first time he played with Phish since a gig on May 17, 1986 at Goddard College in Plainfield, VT. As befitting for an anniversary run, they would play a few of the songs he wrote that are still regular fixtures at Phish shows to this day.
The first of these was “Camel Walk.” Holdsworth seems to have a little issue with the lyrics early on, but manages to keep it together for this longtime favorite. Trey then gives him proper thanks for writing that song as well as the next one, “Possum.” Despite some feedback issues, they manage to maneuver through this Phish classic as well, with Anastasio doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Jeff stays on stage and even takes lead vocals on the first song Phish ever played as a band, a cover of The Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress.” Understandably, he seems to be a little more comfortable singing on this one than the Phish songs he hadn’t played in more than 17 years.
“Run Like An Antelope” would then go on to close the second set. While Holdsworth would remain on stage to play guitar, he must have been turned down fairly low in the mix. This also gave Phish one last chance to surprise the Albany crowd. Longtime lyricist and friend of the band Tom Marshall emerged to deliver the song-ending vocals. One last cover, Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire,” would complete one of the more interesting and memorable Phish show in Albany’s rich history.
Check out the full audio below, or go here for track-by-track selections.
Phish – December 1, 2003 – Pepsi Arena – Albany, NY
Set 1: Chalkdust Torture, Stash, Guyute, Thunderhead -> Sparkle, Wolfman’s Brother -> 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 Fire with Jeff Holdsworth on guitar
