2008

Let me start off my recap of Widespread Panic’s intimate benefit concert at Irving Plaza last night by saying the band was firing on all cylinders and sounded great. But as good as they were, I had the worst concert experience I’ve ever had in my life. The venue was packed so far beyond capacity that the ceiling started falling down. It’s a miracle no one got hurt.

As we waited in line to enter the concert, which was a benefit for the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, I knew we were in trouble when members of the venue’s staff started selling entry to the show for $100 cash. The gig was way oversold already, but I guess when there’s a dollar to be made Live Nation and the foundation intended to make it.

Bill’s sons Alex and David kicked things off at 8PM with a speech about the history and goals of the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation. After about twenty minutes Widespread Panic took the stage to massive cheers from the crowd. I found what I thought was a nice space in front of the soundboard, but within minutes of the Heroes opener the floor was “buns to franks.” The Panic boys were feeling it from the first minute and I did my best to put the logistical shitshow out of my mind to focus on the music.

READ ON for more about Widespread’s return to Irving Plaza…

For the past two years, Umphrey’s McGee has been hard at work on an album of material that hasn’t been played live called Mantis. The band is proud of what

Saturday marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ White Album, so I thought I’d grouse around YouTube looking for a cool clip for today’s Pullin’ ‘Tubes. Yet,

Let’s face it, every single person in this “room” has air guitared a Trey solo or attempted to play their own vacuum like Fishman at some point along the way. But not too many people out there ever get the opportunity to take a real live stab at covering ’em. So today, we’ll take a look at some nods to the popular rock band as we highlight some truly stellar Phish covers.

Listening to bands cover Phish is entertaining, because generally speaking, you can really sense a sincerity by all of the band members to a) get it right and b) nail it. Plus, you know what they say: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

Benevento/Russo Duo: YEM -> Mike’s Song -> Freedom of Choice -> Mike’s Song 12/27/05

Duo Phish

Considering Marco Benevento closed out this Duo show with Mike Gordon by saying it’s the best they have ever played, it’s pretty clear that this one is special. The highlight of this phenomenal run has to be Marco’s ambient improvisation in the early segment of You Enjoy Myself and the subsequent interplay with Mike on the big build up, but just listening to Marco cover both the duties of Page and Trey with his arsenal of effects is jaw-dropping. If for some terrible reason you don’t already have this entire show, go get it, son.

READ ON for more Phish-y bustouts by the likes of moe., Phix and others…