Phish Won’t Return to Watkins Glen in 2012

Phish front man Trey Anastasio threw fans for a loop earlier this year, when he told Rolling Stone that 2012 would be, “a less busy touring year” for the group. What 2012 will hold for Phish hasn’t become any clearer since the publication of that article in June, but we do now know of one event that won’t take place – a return to Watkins Glen International race track. Track official Ryan Lake told local paper The Leader that, “we are a motor racing facility and have decided to focus on our racing events, as well as the wine festival, in 2012.” [Scans of Article via @Pete716 – Pt. 1, Pt. 2]

[Photo via Andrew Hill]

Held over the Fourth of July Weekend, Phish’s Super Ball IX drew approximately 30,000 fans to the famed upstate New York race track for a three-day festival. By most accounts, area residents raved about the fans (and the economic impact) and fans felt similarly about the venue and surrounding areas. Outside of Mike Gordon’s planned performances at Jam In The Dam, neither Phish nor the individual band members have any gigs scheduled in 2012 as of press time. Since Trey spoke with Rolling Stone in June and mentioned the possibility that Phish would enter the studio in 2012, there’s been no further word on if and when the recording of a follow-up to 2009’s Joy would commence.

[Hat Tip – @Pete716]