Swanzey, NH is truly a gorgeous place to host a vibrant music and arts festival that is chock full of tasty jams and talented artists. This year's rendition of the Northlands Music and Arts Festival, which is hosted in the Cheshire Fairgrounds, kicked off on June 16, 2023, with overcast skies and a full crowd of New England fans ready to hear their favorite jam rock artists, including Twiddle, Mike Gordon Band and Andy Frasco and the UN. The first day brought moments of rain, but overall the weather cooperated.
In addition to music, the festival featured multiple art displays, as well as live painting and art creation. Colette Aimee was one of the artists who contributed to this effort and made a live painting with humans in front of a stunning mural that she created as the festival played on.
Kanika Moore and Doom Flamingo were the first musicians to take the Echo Stage. Their set was filled with edgy rock and funk, as well as Moore's delightful stage presence and singing. The band members included Ross Bogan (keys/vocals), Thomas Kenney (guitar), Mike Quinn (keys/vocals/sax), Sean Bing (drums), and an unknown bassist sitting in for Ryan Stasik. They are certainly a new artist worth checking out this summer.
The all-female Super Sonic Shorties were up next, and included plenty of familiar faces from the jam rock scene, starting with drummer Nikki Glaspie (Nth Power), trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), and vocalist Kanika Moore (Doom Flamingo). The band lineup also contained saxophonist Katty Rodriguez (Beyoncé), bassist Tonya Sweets (Lizzo), guitarist Ella Feingold (Silk Sonic), keyboardist Amy Bellamy (G. Love), and percussionist Marcie Chapa (Beyoncé). This skilled group of ladies laid down some seriously awesome funk, jazz, r&b, and rock. The back and forth between Moore and Hartswick was magical. We look forward to seeing this group out in a non-festival setting.
The rising bluegrass outfit from Montana, the Kitchen Dwellers, followed and delivered their vibrant and intense blend of acoustic music. Shawn Swain (Mandolin), Torrin Daniels (banjo), Joe Funk (upright bass), and Max Davies (acoustic guitar) are the members of this up-and-coming squad. They delivered an entertaining performance of folk, rock, and bluegrass woven together with some psychedelic hues. Guitarist Mihali Savoulidis from Twiddle joined this quartet for a few heaters and elevated the set into the stratosphere.
Andy Frasco and the UN brought their highly engaging set next to the Mountain Stage, and what a set that was. Countless musicians joined this merry band for an hour-long set of surprises. Tonight's lineup was comprised of Fraso, guitarist Shawn Eckels, saxophonist Ernie Chang, bassist Floyd Kellogg, and drummer Andee "Beats" Avila. These musicians included Mihali, Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Rob Compa (Dopapod), Kanika Moore, Alex Petropulos (Pigeons Playing Ping Pong), Sam Lucid (Dogs in a Pile), Brian Murray (Dogs in a Pile), Luke Bemand (Lespecial) and members of the Funky Dawgz. The antics detailed drinking Jameson, switching instruments, and at one point, Andy was in the middle of the crowd. There's never a dull moment when this quintet is on the stage.
The Mike Gordon Band followed this high-spirited performance with a raging set of their own. Mike Gordon is widely known for his role as the bassist for Phish. His band included guitarist Scott Murawski, drummer John Morgan Kimock, percussionist Craig Myers, and an unknown keyboardist sitting in for Robert Walters. Hartswick joined the quintet on stage for a few tunes. Tonight's performance included a mix of originals and fun covers, most notably "Cities" by the Talking Heads. Murawski contributed fiery vocals during this fast-paced funky favorite. Gordon's father Robert was seen on the side of the stage enjoying the show.
Twiddle, from neighboring Vermont, closed out the performances this evening with two sets of reggae-infused jam rock, and funk. The quartet's lineup consisted of guitarist Mihali Savoulidis, keyboardist Ryan Dempsey, drummer Adrian Tramontano, and bassist Zdenek Gubb. The first set delivered a tasty "Apples" > "Every Soul" > "Brown Chicken Brown Cow" > "Apples." Set two was no slouch, as three songs surpassed the ten-minute mark with "Jamflow Man," "Beethoven and Greene", and the set ending "The Box."
Day one at Northlands was certainly memorable and full of incredible jams. Stay tuned to Gratefulweb.com for more coverage of Day Two. Check out more photos from Day One!
Dead & Company's Final Tour rolled on to Queens, NY for a two-night stand at Citi Field, home of the NY Mets. Night one in the Big Apple kicked off on June 21, 2023, at this MLB stadium, with a capacity of around 41,000 fans. The band brought two vibrant sets that included a sit-in by drummer Joe Russo, from Joe Russo's Almost Dead.
Citi Field hosted Dead & Company for the tenth time ever in their history this evening. The first set was overall very mellow, though began with "Shakedown Street" > "Bertha" > "Ramble on Rose." The latter received a cheer during the "Just like New York City" lyric. The bluesy "It Hurts Me Too" followed, with guitarist John Mayer showing his chops during the jam.
A funky "Dancing in the Streets" twirled into the set next, with bassist Oteil Burbridge front and center. Mayer sang a soulful and melodic "Althea," that was slowed down. "Let It Grow," from Wake of the Flood, saw the psychedelic jam energy build, as Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir sang the lyrics for this mighty tune that he co-wrote many years ago. Drummer Jay Lane and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti shined during this set-closing jam that had the crowd on their feet and thirsty for more.
The youngest person in the band started set two with a minor health announcement. Mayer quickly addressed his intention to sit for the second set. "It's my fault because I sat and then I got up. So, it's me, but, I'm gonna sit for this set, so thank you for understanding. I feel great. Someone gave me a white pill, and I took that. Someone gave me a blue pill, so I took that. And I think it's going to be great. So thank you very much."
The band dove into a melodic "China Cat Sunflower" with a jam that had some teeth, and flowed nicely into "I Know You Rider." We will miss them when they are gone, for sure. An eighteen-minute, explorative "St. Stephen" proceeded with tasty elements of jazz and rock layered in. "Uncle John's Band" was a joyous sing-along for this New York City crowd.
Drummer Joe Russo quietly joined the sextet for "Drums." Both Lane and Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart were part of this jam, as well as Burbridge on bass. The four eventually reached a convergence before a quick transition into a short "Space."
The music continued as the band segued into "The Eleven," which caused the crowd to cheer. The mood mellowed as they moved into a somber "Stella Blue," sung by Weir. The jam sandwich ended with an inspired "US Blues." The set and show wound down on a more chill note with "Black Muddy River." This well-placed song emphasized that nothing lasts forever, as this legendary group of musicians concluded one of their last nights together at Citi Field.
Dead & Company 6/21/2023 Set List Set One: Shakedown Street > Bertha > Ramble on Rose, It Hurts Me Too, Dancing in the Streets, Althea, Let It Grow Set Two: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, St. Stephen > Uncle John's Band > Drums1 > Space > The Eleven > Stella Blue > U.S. Blues, Black Muddy River Notes: 1 - with Joe Russo
The second day of the Northlands Music and Arts Festival, June 17, 2023, was considerably soggier than the day prior in Swanzey, NH. Several earlier acts escaped the rain, but everyone in attendance took a bath on this day. Music festivals are rain or shine, and most fans were prepared for the slosh-fest. This day's heavy hitters included The String Cheese Incident, who rarely venture into the Northeast, and jam funk specialists Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.
Dogs in a Pile, the emerging and electrifying jam rock quintet from Asbury Park, NJ, was one of the first bands to take the stage. Their line up included guitarist Jimmy Law, Keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan, guitarist Brian Murray, drummer Joey Babick, and bassist Sam Lucid. This band took jam exploration to another level, including a most righteous "Brokedown Palace" by the Grateful Dead. They are a must see on any festival line up this summer.
Neighbor, another up-and-coming jam rock band from the Northeast followed. This Massachusetts-based squad consisted of keyboardist Richard James, bassist Lyle Brewer, guitarist Lyle Brewer, and drummer Dean Johnston. The rain picked up intensely during their set, to which they responded with a well-placed, emotionally charged "Let it Rain" by Eric Clapton. The crowd was feeling the love during this cover. They are another highly recommended band on the festival circuit this summer.
Mihali and Friends were next on the ledger, which featured guitarist Mihali Savoulidis. Tonight's friends were comprised of keyboardist Scott Hannay, drummer Adrian Tramontano, and bassist Zdenek Gubb. This talented group launched into a fiery cover of "Burning Down the House." Dopapod's guitarist Rob Compa joined the party on stage, as he continued to solidify himself as the Sit-In King of this festival. Overall, Mihali and Friends were a lot of fun, and we look forward to our next show.
Orebolo, the acoustic trio that is also a subset of Goose, brought exciting covers and Goose tunes. This Connecticut-based group consisted of guitarists Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach, along with Jeff Arevalo on the cello. They played a fun cover of Elvis' "Return to Sender." They also hit on some nice Goose soft spots with "Rockdale," "Silver Rising," and "Thatch." The set closed out with a monster "Empress of Organos." As the rain poured down, the crowd yelled "You say, 'looks like rain today.' We say 'Oh what a day to be living!"
Baltimore, MD's Pigeons Playing Ping Pong followed this with a high flying, albeit soggy, bird act of their own. This quarter's line up was made up of guitarist Jeremy Schon, guitarist Greg Ormont, Drummer Alex Petropulos, and bassist Ben Carrey. The band went into a funky overdrive as they played their uptempo blend of jam rock. Compa once again appeared on stage, this time with Pigeons, and contributed another raging jam. It's a shame his band Dopapod wasn't on the line up. At this point, the rain was very intense, and everyone on the field was wearing a poncho.
The String Cheese Incident closed out the festivities for the evening. Their lineup included keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth, guitarist Billy Nershi, drummer Michael Travis, percussionist Jason Hann, multi-instrumentalist Michael Kang, and bassist Keith Moseley. They brought their signature blend of bluegrass and jam rock meets EDM and calypso to this incredibly wet New England festival. The first set brought a dark, reggae-inspired "Shantytown" that flowed nicely into the jam grass favorite "Valley of the Jig." A high energy, percussive, EDM-grass-inspired sequence. followed. Hartswick sat on the trumpet for the final tune of the set, "Rosie," which only elevated the dance-inducing vibe.
The Colorado-based sextet returned for another face melting set. They invited Hartwick and Arevalo to join them for a bust out: Michael Jackson's "Shake Your Body," last played on September 15, 2018, in Lyons, Colorado. The rain continued to pour, but this band kept the fans dancing with "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)," led on the keys by Hollingsworth. Kang wielded the fiddle masterfully as the band dove into the worldly albeit set ending "BollyMunster."
The eleventh annual Peach Music Festival in Moosic, PA at the Montage Mountain Ski Resort kicked off without a hitch on June 29, 2023. Despite a heat wave running through the country, the Northeast has seen very mild weather thus far, and Day One at the Peach was no exception. The merch table sold a lot of hoodies after the sun went down. The first day had a lighter schedule in comparison to the other days, and only one of the three stages had artists. Fans were enamored nonetheless as jam rock heavy hitters Goose and Twiddle put on raging performances. Friends of the Brothers and Thumpasaurus were on hand and delivered stellar sets of their own.
The Friends of the Brothers kicked off the festivities for the weekend on the Peach Stage, which is the larger, covered stage with reserved seating. This was a fitting spot for the septet as they primarily play songs from the Allman Brothers, who were an integral part of creating the Peach Music Festival. The current lineup included guitarists Junior Mack, Andy Aledort, and Alan Paul, drummers Lee Finkelstein and Dave Diamond, keyboardist Mike Katzman, and bassist Craig Privett. This all-star band brought a fun opening set.
The pancake-making Thumpasaurus followed with a very high-energy set that can only be described as funky death metal. The sextet also had a band member who made pancakes as the band played and flipped them out to the crowd. The lineup comprised guitarist Lucas Tamaren, drummer Henry Was, saxophonist Henry Solomon, keyboardist Paul Cornish, bassist Logan Kane, and pancake flipper Ben Benjamin. This in-your-face band jumped around on stage and put on a highly entertaining, non-stop set. Solomon's saxophone balanced out the intense guitar and bass riffs, which created a unique or perhaps "thumping" fusion.
Twiddle, the uplifting reggae meets funky jam rock squad from Vermont, took the stage for a fiery set that included plenty of tasty exploration. The quartet's lineup consisted of guitarist Mihali Savoulidis, keyboardist Ryan Dempsey, drummer Adrian Tramontano, and bassist Zdenek Gubb. We've said it before and we'll say it again: this band is unbelievably talented. We are still crushed that they are taking a hiatus, but certainly understand, and are taking every opportunity to enjoy them while they are playing. If you agree, we suggest you do the same!
Tonight's therapy session, care of Twiddle, included a mega jam sandwich that started with "Orlando's," from their album Plump (Chapters 1 & 2), and flowed into "Every Soul." Tramontano unfurled a head-turning drum solo that morphed into a "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson tease. This non-stop sequence rolled into "Marmunes the Faun" and ended back squarely in "Orlando's."
The bird band from Connecticut, Goose, closed out the first day with two sets of their signature originals and a pair of covers. Their current roster entailed guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, bassist Trevor Weekz, multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach, drummer Ben Atkind, and percussionist Jeff Arevalo. The band wasted no time, and dove into newer tunes "Feel It Now" and "Mr. Action." "Rockdale" from the Goose predecessor Vasudo hopped into the set list next, complete with a funky jam. Another new tune, "Lead Up," proceeded, which debuted on March 10, 2023, at the Capitol Theatre. The intensity slowly rose through the set, and elevated during an electric "Turbulence & The Night Rays." Lighting Director Andrew Goedde and his team got very creative with the large ceiling and the explosive light display. This absolute fire set ended in a blaze during "Butter Rum," which also turned into a massive singalong.
This quintet returned for round two and launched into even more improvisation, as well as the first of two covers: "Fish in the Sea" by Fat Freddie's Drop. This tune has become a staple for them since its debut in 2021. An inspired "Red Bird," along with "Silver Rising," saw some deep jams. The dance inciting "Drive" was up next, and the entire pavilion was moving and grooving to the well-executed tension and release. Mitarotonda's impeccable guitar skills led to a monster "Hollywood Nights" by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. The band was not quite done and dropped the jam of the night with "726" > "Thatch" to close out an epic festival performance.
The Peach Music Festival is back in action today. Stay tuned to Gratefulweb.com for more coverage. Also, view more photos from Day One at the Peach!
Twiddle Set
Jamflowman, The Friend's Theme, Orlando's > Every Soul > Adrian drum solo > Billie Jean tease > Mamunes the Faun > Orlando's, Lost in the Cold, The Box, Slippin in the Kitchen
Goose Set One: Feel It Now, Mr. Action, Rockdale, Lead Up, Turbulence & The Night Rays, Butter Rum Set Two: Fish In The Sea[1], Red Bird, Silver Rising, Drive -> Hollywood Nights[2], 726 > Thatch Coach's Notes:
[1] Fat Freddy's Drop
[2] Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Baked Shrimp, the prog rock band from Long Island, NY, heated the festival up early on the Garcia's Hand Picked Groove Stage. This emerging artist had a huge crowd at 2pm in the afternoon and put on a fun set.
Kanika Moore presents the Broadband was up on the Peach Stage, which is a rotating mix of female musicians. Drummer Nikki Glaspie was part of this talented squad. Their flaming hot set of funk and rock was the perfect kick-off for the first full day of the Peach Music Festival. Moore's vocals and stage presence were on point, especially for such an early performance. They played several covers from No Doubt, including "Just a Girl" and "Sunday Morning," as well as Whitney Houston's "What's Love Got To Do With It."
Festival attendees wondered who let the dogs out on the Mushroom Stage, and they weren't talking about canines. Dogs in a Pile, the rising jam band from Asbury Park, NJ brought some serious heat but were thankfully positioned near a cooling wave pool within Montage Mountain's water park. This Garden State quintet book-ended their set with "Wipeout" from the Surfaris. They dove into a rocking version of the Grateful Dead's "Jack Straw" in between, which unfurled a vibrant crowd singalong.
Trouble No More, an all-star tribute band of the Allman Brothers, brought their vibrant set on the Peach Stage. Guitarist Daniel Donato did his best to channel the energy of Duane Allman. He also hosted his own late-night set on the Mushroom Stage. Other band members included Brandon “Taz” Niederaurer (Guitar, Vocals), Dylan Niederauer (Bass Guitar), Jack Ryan (Drums), Lamar Williams Jr. (Vocals), Nikki Glaspie (Drums), Peter Levin (Keys) and Roosevelt Collier (Pedal Steel Guitar).
While Ween and Umphrey's McGee put on raging sets on the Peach Stage, TAUK with Kanika Moore was exploding on the Mushroom Stage. TAUK, the quartet originally from Long Island, NY, brought a tasty set of prog rock and funk fusion along with Moore's high-spirited vocals and stage presence. This was easily our favorite set, as all five musicians were in the groove. The Funky Dawgz horns made an appearance during the set and elevated this dance-friendly collaboration to another level.
The music rolled on into the early hours of the next day, led by music producer LP Giobbi on the Peach Stage. She has been turning heads recently with her Dead House set. Tonight's throwdown was pure bliss with her inviting energy and stellar beats. Her set included a cover of Goose's "Arrow." Soul singer Robbie Wulfsohn from Ripe sat in as her set waned, and sent the fans home with smiles on their faces.
For more coverage from Peach Festival 2023, view our review from June 29, 2023. Also, check out more photos from Day Two!
Goose, the rising jam squad from Connecticut, descended into Asbury Park, NJ on July 3, 2023, for their first stint at the Stone Pony Summer Stage. This was not just any night, as the township of Asbury Park planned to set off a huge fireworks display on the beach behind the venue. Goose timed their second set to coordinate with the fireworks, and the rest was history as far as this band delivering a truly epic two-set show.
This special night began with Van Morrison's "Wild Night." This song was played for the first time since October 5, 2022. The crowd knew they were in for a heater when this song opened the first set. The band wasted no time, and immediately dove into "Elizabeth" with a jam that grew legs and started dancing. Moon Cabin's Indian River followed though this version was dubbed "80's synth" given the pronounced keyboards by Peter Anspach in this very melodic tune. The band snuck in a "Welcome to the Delta" jam, which is a frequently teased tune in this beloved original.
Newer tune "Everything Music Go" was up next, and clocked in at almost seventeen minutes, marking this as the longest jam of the first set. Percussionist Jeff Arevalo and drummer Ben Atkind really shined during this tune. This also song has some serious jam potential, and we hope they keep exploring this exciting song. Goose's classic "Turned Clouds" turned into a singalong for the crowd, who were very tightly packed into an asphalt parking lot. The synth-friendly "Animal" closed out this inspired first set at the famed Jersey Shore venue.
The quintet returned for the second set after a very short break, and unfurled a high-energy "Yeti." Bassist Trevor Weekz lead the charge with a dark bass line that would leave "Yeti" unfinished and eventually drove into a raging, twenty-minute "Creatures." The fireworks kicked off at some point during these two songs. Lighting Director Andrew Goedde took advantage of this event by coordinating Goose's high-tech display with Jersey Shore tradition. The crowd could not decide which direction to look, at the stage or behind them at the fireworks.
The fireworks rolled on as the band dropped into heavy hitter "Arcadia." Arcadia's got me running, indeed. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda was on another planet as he watched the fireworks, and emitted a face-melting jam, all at the same time. As with all good things, the fireworks came to an end during "Arcadia," but the band wasn't done heating up Asbury Park. They decided to take the fans higher by playing "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant, last played on March 3, 2023, at the Okeechobee Music Festival. A twenty-five minute "Dripfield" closed out this mind-blowing set, as the stage filled with the song's green, purple, and blue lights.
The band returned to play "Magic Carpet Ride" by John Steppenwolf, to end this rocking show on a high note. Stay tuned to Gratefulweb.com for more coverage of Goose in Asbury Park, NJ at the Stone Pony Summer Stage. Also, check out more photos from the show.
Setlist Set 1: Wild Night[1], Elizabeth, Indian River[2], Everything Must Go, Turned Clouds, Animal Set 2: Yeti[3] -> Creatures, Arcadia, Electric Avenue[4], Dripfield
Encore: Magic Carpet Ride[5] Coach's Notes:
[1] Van Morrison.
[2] 80s synth version. With Welcome to Delta jam.
[3] Unfinished.
[4] Eddy Grant.
[5] Steppenwolf.
Goose returned to the Stone Pony Summer Stage, located in the parking lot of the famed Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on July 4th, 2023. The township decided to host their annual display on July 3rd, which forced the band to do the only thing they know: deliver a killer show full of exploratory jams and light up Independence Day in place of the fireworks. This Connecticut-based quintet threw a pair of first-time played covers and a set list rarity into a soon-to-be legendary two-set Garden State heater.
The show began with a short but sweet "Atlas Dogs," followed by the Vasudo original "Turbulence & The Night Rays." Drummer Ben Atkind took a moment between songs to say Happy Birthday to the glowing Leslie Mac, who is the co-host of the Goose Chicks Podcast on Osiris, amongst other accolades. The band then played "Mr. Action," and this one was for Leslie Mac.
The meat of the set came next with a vibrant, singalong-inducing "Butter Rum." This was proceeded by "Tumble," which was the longest jam of the set. The band had a few tricks up their sleeves, and the first came in the form of "U.S. Blues" by the Grateful Dead cover. Goose's predecessor Vasudo played "U.S. Blues" three times during their tenure, but Goose had not played the song prior. The audience appeared to really enjoy this classic USA-themed Dead tune. The band took a short break afterward.
The tricks kept rolling as the band started off the second set with "Wild Summer Nights" by John Cafferty, known for his work with John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band. An eighteen-minute "Thatch" saw some deeper exploration by the band. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach teased "Secret Agent Man" on the keyboard. Lighting Director Andrew Goedde and his team flexed their muscle with a stellar lighting display during "Into the Myst." This version was a bit shorter than fans are used to, as it transitioned into "What's Up" by the 4 Non Blondes. This song was last played at the Joy Theater in New Orleans on October 7, 2022, and rounded out the exciting cover trio. "Myst" remained unfinished.
The show was not over quite yet, as Goose decided to end the set with a monster, nineteen-minute "Arrow." Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda was on another planet during the deep jam, which included a mix of blues and funk guitar. Upon conclusion of "Arrow," the band stepped offstage and returned to the crowd on their feet and cheering. The show ended with a dance-inducing "Slow Ready."
Goose is back in action at the Newport Folk Festival on July 29th. Hop on over to their tour page for more details on their fall tour.
For more coverage of Goose in Asbury Park, hop on over to our review from July 3rd. Also, check out more photos from this show!
Set 1: Atlas Dogs, Turbulence & The Night Rays, Mr. Action, Butter Rum, Tumble, U.S. Blues[1] Set 2: Wild Summer Nights[2], Thatch[3], Hungersite, Into The Myst[4] > What's Up[5], Arrow Encore: Slow Ready
Teases: "Secret Agent Man" tease in Thatch Coach's Notes:
[1] Grateful Dead. FTP as Goose.
[2] John Cafferty. FTP.
[3] With Secret Agent Man tease from Peter.
[4] Unfinished.
[5] 4 Non Blondes.
Goose performed before their largest crowd to date for their debut at the lush and organic Saratoga Performing Arts Center, also known as SPAC, in Saratoga Springs, NY on July 7, 2023. This venue is a couple of hour drive from their home state of Connecticut and surely represents their home territory. Over twelve thousand of their fans showed up for what proved to be an epic performance full of jam rock and improvisation.
This show was ten years to the date of the last Vasudo show, which was Goose's predecessor consisting of Rick Mitarotonda, Ben Atkind, Trevor Weekz, and Matt Campbell. The growth in that time for this band is almost unimaginable, as is the transition from a basement to SPAC. At the time, fans in attendance wondered if they would ever see a subset of these musicians again. Thankfully, we know how that story ends.
The first set began with the band thanking the crowd, before diving into an energizing "Silver Rising," followed by "California Magic." The set heated up with "Animal," which clocked in over nineteen minutes. This was followed by another nineteen-minute scorcher with "Red Bird." The set ended on a high note with "Same Old Shenanigans."
The band returned after a quick break for an inspired "Empress of Organos." What a day to be living, indeed. This gem was a Vasudo original tune, and it's hard to believe that Mitarotonda wrote it so many years ago. David Gray's "Please Forgive Me," proceeded a raging, twenty-two minute "Thatch." This version included a Tequilla tease, and is worth a listen for sure.
"This Old Sea" was up next, and gave everyone a much-needed breather. The set ended with vigor as Goose unfurled "Dripfield," complete with the wild lights that Andrew Goedde and his team always bring during this tune released in 2022. The band stepped off stage and returned to a joyous welcome. They grabbed their instruments, and started playing the bass filled intro to the illusive "Factory Fiction." The second of two Vasudo tunes, this one was extra sweet for long-time fans with an almost twenty-minute jam.
Goose's notable debut at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center went off without a hitch. The band delivered what can only be described as an inspired performance before their largest crowd to date (not including festival sets). They are back in action on July 29 at the Newport Folk Festival. Head on over to their tour page for more details about their fall tour.
Set 1: Silver Rising, California Magic, Animal, Red Bird, Same Old Shenanigans Set 2: The Empress Of Organos, Please Forgive Me[1], Thatch[2], This Old Sea > Dripfield Encore: Factory Fiction Coach's Notes:
[1] David Gray.
[2] With Tequila tease.
Karina Rykman and her edgy power trio started the day of music on the Peach Stage. Hailing from New York City, her band included Adam November (Guitar/Looper/Effects) and Chris Corsico (Drums). They played exploratory tunes rooted in indie pop and psychedelic rock and certainly delighted the crowds. Rykman had a magnetic stage presence that reverberates throughout the crowd, as well as no shortage of rock star moves.
Andy Frasco and the UN graduated this year from the Mushroom Stage to the Peach Stage and certainly didn't take this jump lightly. It's quite possible that every musician at the festival sat in with this very talented squad, including members of Dogs in a Pile, Karina Rykman, Mihali Savoulidis, and Mike Dillon. The set included a little bit of everything. Frasco did his usual crowd surfing, and made it to the lawn, with perhaps the best jam-rock improvisational crowd-surfing music we've ever heard. Guitarist Shawn Eckels was feeling Led Zeppelin, and the set wove in and out of Zeppelin songs. Bassist Floyd Kellogg constantly wandered around the stage and managed to play bass around Rykman and Dog's Sam Lucid. Frasco even shed a tear during a song he dedicated to his mom who is currently suffering from Leukemia. The fans in attendance certainly left this set with a full soul and heart.
Vermont-based Mike Gordon, also known as the bassist for Phish, brought his stacked squad of musicians to the Peach Stage. Their sound really started to gel during this performance, particularly in comparison to Northlands. That was their second show together ever with the current lineup of guitarist Scott Murawski, drummer John Morgan Kimock, percussionist Craig Myers, and newcomer plus keyboardist Rachel Eckroth, who filled in for Robert Walters while he is on tour with Roger Waters. The set ended on a raging note when Mike went for the win with a cover of Phish's "Carini." His signature bouncing and rock star moves were in full effect, along with Murawski's on-point guitar skills.
Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade stormed the Peach Stage next. Their current lineup included Les Claypool (bass), Sean Lennon (guitar), Harry Waters (keys), Paulo Baldi (drums), and Mike Dillon (percussion). One notable setlist absence was a saxophonist and original band member, Skerik. An edgy, bass-heavy jam session ensued, complete with Claypool's quips.
My Morning Jacket closed out the day for our coverage on the Peach Stage. Their current light rig is nothing short of amazing, complete with a disco ball as the centerpiece. This genre-defying indie rock band consisted of guitarist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, keyboardist Bo Koster, and multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel. During the set, James grabbed an acoustic guitar, and the band covered "The Ballad of John and Yoko" by the Beatles in a nod to Sean Lennon, who is the son of Beatles guitarist John Lennon. This was the first time the band has covered this particular Beatles tune but has covered others in the past. Overall, the set was very high-energy and loaded with tasty solos.
For more coverage from Peach Festival 2023, hop on over to our reviews from June 29andJune 30. Also, check out more photos from Day Three!
As the sun sets on the remaining dates in the Twiddle ledger, the band continues to put on inspiring shows, starting with the first night of the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, CT on July 21, 2023. This cozy, lush environment fostered the perfect place for the quintet to perform their magic. Both Mihali and Friends and Kung Fu opened, giving a definite festival vibe. Guests were plenty and covers ran deep.
The show was part of a two-night run at the Levitt Pavilion. On this night, the band partnered with the White Light Foundation to donate $1 from every ticket sold to Friends of the Levitt Pavilion. The Levitt Pavilion produces what is now one of the longest-running free outdoor festivals in the nation and remains one of the few independent venues. Adding a social cause to support this truly stunning venue, which sits on the water in the center of Westport, was a nice touch.
The festivities began with Mihali and Friends, which features a rotating lineup of outstanding musicians along with Twiddle guitarist Mihali Savoulidis. Today's crew started with keyboardist Scott Hannay, drummer Adrian Tramontano, saxophonist Michael Oehmen, trumpeter Michael Bafundo, as well as a guitarist and bassist. The horns added a jazzy touch to this afternoon set. The septet covered "41" by the Dave Matthews Band.
Kung Fu followed and continued the jazzy vibes into the later afternoon. This well-known Constitution State quintet featured guitarist Tim Palmeri, bassist Chris DeAngelis, keyboardist Beau Sasser, drummer Adrian Tramontano, and saxophonist Robert Somerville. They unfurled copious exploratory jams that were a mix of jazz, blues, and psychedelic rock with dance-friendly undertones.
As the sun began to fall into the horizon, Twiddle took the stage and delivered a high-energy first set that ended with a beautiful sunset. Keyboardist Ryan Dempsey started the set with a huge smile on his face. Setlist staples "Jamflowman" > "Frankenfoote" created the stand-out jam for this set, as Mihali melted many faces with his guitar licks.
The guests started flowing in set two. Horn specialists Oehmen and Bafundo as well as Kung Fu's Somerville and Sasser joined the party for a lively cover of Rick James' "Mary Jane." This jam went long and segued into "Mildew Man." Chris DeAngelis of Kung Fu stepped in during funk favorite "Brown Chicken Brown Cow." He and bassist Zdenek Gubb had an intense bass exchange and solo, much to the crowd's delight.
Palmeri traded guitar chords with Mihali during the set-closing "Milk." This was by far the jam of the night, as both talented guitarists played off of each other. The band stepped off stage and returned to an energized crowd who clearly wanted more. The band obliged with a fast-paced cover of Los Lobos' "La Bamba."
Twiddle always seems to put on a raging show that fills the soul, and is full of the best people one can possibly meet at a live music event. They are back in action at the Catskill Chill, which runs August 10-13. Hop on over to their tour page for more details.
Set 1: The Caterpillar, Honeyburste, Subconscious Prelude, Grandpa Fox, Jamflowman -> Frankenfoote Set 2: Orlando’s Polluted Beauty, Mary Jane12 -> Mildew Man, White Light -> Classical Gas -> Brown Chicken Brown Cow3, Milk4 Encore: La Bamba5 Notes:
1. Rick James
2. With Beau Sasser (keys) and Robert Somerville (sax) of Kung Fu; with Michael Oehmen (sax) and Michael Bafundo (trumpet)
3. With Chris DeAngelis (bass) of Kung Fu
4. With Tim Palmieri (guitar) of Kung Fu/Lotus
5. Los Lobos
One of the greatest venues in Manhattan is the seasonal Pier 17 Rooftop. Located on the water in the Financial District, this venue boasts stunning views of Midtown behind the stage. Seeing one of your favorite bands there is truly special, and that was certainly the case for New York City's own Joe Russo's Almost Dead. This all-star quintet and Grateful Dead cover band delivered two incredible sets before Mother Nature intervened.
The show began with partly cloudy skies and 90-degree temperatures, as the venue was shaded by the buildings in the Financial District. The band walked out onto the stage, and drummer Joe Russo thanked the crowd, as well as reminded everyone to keep drinking water. The show started with an energized "Playing in the Band," that got the crowd dancing early. The improvisation rolled on with "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo," followed by "The Music Never Stopped."
Guitarist Tom Hamilton contributed soulful vocals to fiery "Bertha," as well as some tasty guitar licks. Bob Dylan's "Tell Me Momma" proceeded. The set ended on a high note with "Scarlet Begonias" > "Touch of Grey." Clouds were blissfully transitioning through the sky as the sun set behind the skyscrapers. Unbeknownst to the fans, the weather was beginning to go south.
Set two brought more surprises as well as deep jams, starting with Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle." Guitarist Scott Metzger sang this classic blues funk tune. The melodic "Here Comes Sunshine" was up next, and clocked in at sixteen minutes. The psychedelic jam raced into a monster "Throwing Stones," which also went along with a nineteen-minute jam. Bassist Dave Dreiwitz held down the bass thumping for this face-melting sequence, along with Russo's on-point drumming.
A mellow "Wharf Rat" followed, and provided a much-needed chill moment. The jam built as the band slowly moved into a raging "Truckin'." The song turned into a singalong for the crowd, as they enjoyed this rendition. A layered jam ensued during "St. Stephen," as Hamilton unleashed his fury on the electric guitar.
JRAD then surprised the crowd with Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1 - 4)," last played on December 3, 2022, in Chicago, Il. They tapped friend and frequent collaborator Stuart Bogie to play the saxophone. The song began as the skies darkened, and Bogie appeared as almost a silhouette off to the side. He added a distinctively jazzy element to this classic rock tune.
The skies continued to darken as the band rolled into "Not Fade Away." Part of the way through the tune, the music stopped, and the venue instructed all persons to exit immediately. The weather had hit a breaking point, and everyone had to go. "Weirdest end to a show of all time," as summed up appropriately by Russo. However, no one left without their collective memories of this beautiful performance on top of the Pier 17 Rooftop. On the way out, we were told the encore was supposed to be "Rosalie."
Joe Russo's Almost Dead is back in action tonight at the sold-out Newport Folk Festival, and tomorrow in Hampton, NH. Hop on over to their tour page for more dates in your neck of the woods.
Set One: Playing in the Band, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, The Music Never Stopped, Bertha, Tell Me Momma, Scarlet Begonias > Touch of Grey Set Two: Hard to Handle, Here Comes Sunshine > Throwing Stones, Wharf Rat, Truckin', St. Stephen, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1 - 4), Not Fade Away
Jam rock titans Phish took New York City's Madison Square Garden by storm last Friday, July 28, 2023, for the first of seven performances at the famed arena. They always channel their collective creativity at what is known as the "World's Greatest Arena," and this run, which notably had no name or theme, was no exception. Both sets included stand-out jams, as the band showed up firing on all cylinders.
This run is reminiscent of the thirteen-night stand the band did in 2017, titled the Baker's Dozen. During that two-week period, Phish was the only act who played at the Garden. The shows were themed by donut flavors that were announced the morning prior to each show. Fans were given the day's themed donut, from the unnecessarily delicious Federal Donuts in Philadelphia, Pa, upon entry to the venue. After Parties were a plenty, creating a definitive festival-like environment, which is perhaps even more elevated for this run. Bands like Dopapod, Solar Circuit, Microcave, and Space Bacon had huge late-night sets during the first weekend. However, this run included no tasty donut or an early morning hint as to what fans might be in store for at the show that evening.
The show began with a short but sweet "Evening Song", a newer albeit once-a-year tune that was last performed on July 22, 2022, at Bethel Woods. The band dove into a twenty-minute "Wave of Hope" next, and really soared early with this pandemic-era song. This version included tasty peaks, as well as notable contributions from keyboardist Page McConnell. The band continued the improvisation into Talking Head's "Cities." This version clocked in close to fifteen minutes, which is considerably longer than their typical first set "Cities." The lyrics were changed to "find the best city to live in" and "I found myself a city to live in," by Upper West Side resident and guitarist Trey Anastasio.
The "Old Home Place" followed, last played on July 19, 2022, at the Mann Center for the Arts. The crowd was floating in the blimp a lot as Phish played an uptempo "Free." Bassist Mike Gordon had a ripping solo during this rendition. The contemplative "Brian and Robert" melded into the set next, and gave fans a chance to catch their collective breath. The jams rolled on with "Stash." The set ended with an affirmative bang on their upbeat take of the classic blues tune, "My Soul."
The band returned in lockstep with each other and yielded what can only be described as a face-melting set. Big Boat's "More" began the festivities, and quickly gave way to an exploratory "Ruby Waves." McConnell contributed more tasty synth during the stellar segue into "Plasma." The energy and jamming continued during "Simple," which featured vibrant guitar build-ups by Anastasio.
"Mountains in the Mist" was up next, and provided a much-needed breather for the fans and band after the intensity of the set thus far. The set closed out on a dark note as Phish veered into "Evil Phish" territory with a fiery "Split Open and Melt." Drummer Jon Fishman leads the charge for this unquestionable jam of the night. Lighting Director Chris Kuroda leveraged deep red spinning lights that added depth to this memorable instance. The band returned to dispatch an electrifying encore with Led Zeppelin's "Good Time Bad Times."
Phish is back at Madison Square Garden on August 1st, 2023. Tickets are sold out but can be procured on the face value ticketing platform, Cash or Trade. Hop on over to Phish's tour page for more details about the remaining summer dates, as well as their recently announced fall tour.
Set One: Evening Song, A Wave of Hope, Cities, Old Home Place, Free, Brian and Robert, Stash, My Soul Set Two: More, Ruby Waves > Plasma, Simple, Mountains in the Mist, Split Open and Melt Encore: Good Times, Bad Times
Six nights of live performances certainly take a toll. However, there was no sign of breaking on the sixth of seven performances by Phish at Madison Square Garden on August 4, 2023. The jam rock squad from Vermont certainly brought the sweltering summer heat inside the Garden in the form of face-melting jams, rarely played originals, and tasty covers.
The show began on a racing note with the prog rock inspired "Buried Alive." The funk started early as the band quickly moved into the dance-inducing "Moma Dance." Bassist Mike Gordon dug into this tune with his signature bass thumps, while keyboardist Page McConnell held things down on the synth. The crowd was feeling the love early, and sending this right back to the band.
Guitarist Trey Anastasio put on a succinct clinic during Round Room's "46 Days," complete with rock star moves. The crowd once again responded part of the way through with spontaneous collective cheers as Anastasio hovered on a single note. The music flowed masterfully into a new tune written by Gordon, "Back in the Bubble." The radio friendly "Bouncing Around the Room" brought a few minutes of mellow albeit bouncy bliss. The energy surged once again during "Birds of a Feather."
The crowd joined the band for a full-on singalong during the classic 1.0 tune, "Halley's Comet." Anastasio cleverly changed the lyrics to the "central part of New York City," which happens to be where Madison Square Garden is located. Another stellar transition ensued into the melodic "Roggae," giving the fans a much-needed chill moment. This included a playful "We're off to see the Wizard" tease by Anastasio. The set ended with an affirmative bang during the uplifting "Antelope," as Drummer Jon Fishman delivered dashing beats while the crowd shifted into the high gear of their collective souls.
After a short break, the quartet returned for round two, which started with the vintage jam vehicle, "Mike's Song." This twenty-three-minute heater included notable space funk care of McConnell, as well as the coveted "Second Jam" that rarely graces set lists in the 3.0 and 4.0 eras. A smooth transition followed into a raging "Sand." This was short-lived, as the band seamlessly flowed into the Talking Heads' "Crosseyed and Painless." Fishman continued to push the envelope on the drum kit. This truly divine sequence ended on a more contemplative note with the heart-felt "A Life Beyond the Dream," from Anastasio's 2019 project, Ghosts of the Forest.
Fans were next treated to the first "Lizards" since Alpine Valley on August 12, 2022. This Gamehendge tune was music to the fans' ears, as they bopped around The Garden with delight. McConnell elevated the tune further with jazzy piano vibes. The band doubled down on songs less played, and ended the set with The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." This beloved tune from the original Fab Four was last played at Deer Creek on June 5, 2022, and has only been played a mere eight times since 2010.
Phish returned to boisterous applause and obliged the crowd with a two-part encore. This started with "Weekapaug Groove," which effectively completed a very non-traditional "Mike's Groove." Typically, "Mike's Song" and "Weekapaug Groove" are separated by a song or two, versus an entire set this evening. Gordon's signature bass line helped everyone share in the groove. The band was clearly not quite finished, as they effortlessly segued into "Fluffhead," which only enraptured the fans even more. This show was very special from beginning to end, and I considered myself incredibly fortunate to have been there to photograph and document while representing Gratefulweb.com.
Set One: Buried Alive, The Moma Dance, 46 Days > Back in the Bubble1, Bouncing Around the Room, Birds of a Feather, Halley’s Comet2 -> Roggae3, Run Like an Antelope Set Two: Mike’s Song > Sand -> Crosseyed and Painless45 > A Life Beyond The Dream, The Lizards, While My Guitar Gently Weeps6 Encore: Weekapaug Groove > Fluffhead Notes:
1. First time played
2. Lyrics changed to “central part of New York City.”
3. Trey teased We're Off to See the Wizard in Roggae
4. Trey teased Nellie Kane in Crosseyed
5. Talking Heads
6. The Beatles
When Phish decided to play seven contiguous shows at Madison Square Garden, they ignited a firestorm of bands playing pre-shows and after-parties during the run, which created a festival-like environment. This included the palindrome-loving jam rock quartet Dopapod, This adept group of Berklee School of Music Alums knows how to put on a raging after-party and did just that at Sony Hall in New York, NY on July 29, 2023. Their set was stacked with originals as well as plenty of perfectly placed segues and covers.
Sony Hall provided a close late night spot for this certified heater, as it was a mere 12 blocks from Madison Square Garden. The venue was packed, and also included many fans who did not attend the Phish concert. Dopapod's line up contained guitarist Rob Compa, bassist Chuck Jones, keyboardist Eli Winderman, and drummer Neal "Fro" Evans.
New tune "Pavlov's Sirens" kicked off the set. The band dug into deep jams early with a face-melting "Trickery" > "Turnin' Knobs," which clocked in over twenty-seven minutes.
The band showed their might with what was arguably the jam sequence of the night: "Freight Train" > "Present Ghosts" > "Bubblehouse" > "Dracula's Monk" > "Onionhead" > "Fannie" > "Dazed and Confused." Radar's "Freight Train" ignited the band, which seamlessly transitioned into "Presents Ghosts," from Never Odd Or Even. Dopapod gave a nod to the NYC-based jazz and jam rock trio, Medeski Martin and Wood, with a high-flying version of perhaps their best-known song, "Bubblehouse." The band was on a roll, and flowed into "Fannie," before coming up for air after "Dazed and Confused," by Jake Holmes. Most are more familiar with Led Zeppelin's version of the classic rock tune.
Another Radar tune hopped into the set with "We are not alone." Evans showed his incredible skills during a well-placed drum solo. This Boston, Mass-based squad head straight into "Weird Charlie," from Redivider. If you haven't noticed, the band's name and all of their album titles are palindromes, which is a "word, phrase or sequence that reads the same forwards and backwards."
The show continued with newer tune "End it on the Yea," which was played for the third time ever. The set ended on a high note as the band dove into "Nuggy Jawson" and then finished "Onionhead." Dopapod returned for one final tune: "Wizzy."
Dopapod is in their prime right now, and absolutely slaying shows from beginning to end. We highly recommend any and all jam rock fans to check out this incredibly talented foursome. They are up next at Secret Dreams Music and Arts Festival in Thornville, Ohio at the legendary Legend Valley. Hop on over to their tour page for more shows in your region.
Set: Pavlov's Sirens, Trickery > Turnin' Knobs, Freight Train > Present Ghosts > Bubblehouse1 > Dracula's Monk > Onionhead > Fannie > Dazed and Confused2, We Are Not Alone > Drums > Weird Charlie, End it on the Yeah, Nuggy Jawson > "Onionhead" outro Encore: Wizzy Notes:
1. Medeski, Martin and Wood
2. Jake Holmes
San Francisco, CA's ALO returned to New York City for the first time in three years, per guitarist Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, and entertained multiple sit-ins at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY. The special guests included bassist Reed Mathis, guitarist Daniel Donato and the opening band, the Honey Island Swamp Band.
The music began with the high-energy Honey Island Swamp Band. Lebowitz sat in towards the end of their set during "Sugar, Sugar."
ALO took the stage full of smiles and surprises. The band's lineup included Lebowitz, bassist Steve Adams, drummer Ezra Lipp and keyboardist Zach Gill. They delivered two tasty covers, starting with Level 42's "Something About You." The entire floor was consumed by a dance party during this fun tune.
Bassist Reed Mathis, from Tea Leaf Green, and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, dropped in for "How Is This All Ending." He was in town to play with Billy and the Kids at Pier 17. The quintessential "Plastic Bubble," from Roses and Clovers, magically led into Simple Mind's "Don't You (Forget About Me)," which was the other cover in the long set.
The set ended, and band returned with more musicians. First, Daniel Donato stepped on stage, notably with the house guitar, and elevated the funky dance party during "Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down." He is part of the band Trouble No More, as well as his own project, Cosmic Country, and was also in town to play with Billy and the Kids. He stayed on stage and was joined by all members of the Honey Island Swamp Band, for "Why Can't We Be Friends" by War. The light Thursday crowd dispersed into the night with all smiles, especially those heading to Billy and the Kids.
ALO is up next at the Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, MD on October 1, 2023. Hop on over to their tour schedule for more West Coast dates.
Set: Speed of Dreams, Hot Damn, Happy Birthday to You, Blew Out the Walls, Rare Air, Something About You (Level 42), Cowboys and Chorus Girls, Sparrow, How Is This All Ending+, Plastic Bubble, Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds), Room for Bloomin’ Encore.: Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down#, Why Can’t We Be Friends (War)#% Notes:
+ With Reed Mathis
# With Daniel Donato
% With Honey Island Swamp Band
Fifty years is a long time to participate in anything. So long, in fact, that gold is the appropriate anniversary gift. The multi-cultural, mixed genre Shakti brought their Fiftieth Anniversary Tour to the famed Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on August 19, 2023. The band's unique mix of blues with North and South Indian rhythmic and melodic perspectives captivated the crowd and exemplified how exceptionally gifted these musicians are. Legendary jazz guitarist John Scofield handled opening duties.
Shakti's current lineup included guitarist John McLaughlin, tabla player Zakir Hussain, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, ghatam player Selvaganesh Vinayakram, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan. They formed fifty years ago with a core of McLaughlin and Hussain and originally included L Shankar on the violin. In fact, McLaughlin left his famous project, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, to work with Hussain. In addition to mixing Eastern and Western approaches, Shakti also merged Hindustani (Northern) and Carnatic (Southern) music traditions. They have released four albums to date, including the 2023 release This Moment.
Jazz guitarist John Scofield kicked off this special evening with a forty-five-minute solo set featuring tunes from Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Bob Dylan. Scofield was very candid and engaged with the crowd. He shared that he saw John McLaughlin at the Capitol Theatre forty years ago, and that is what inspired him to be the skilled musician he became.
After a quick break, Shakti emerged from the green room and seated themselves on a single platform in the middle of the stage. The set began with a golden gift of "5 in the Morning, 6 in the Afternoon," followed by "Anna," in which Hussain shared some heartfelt words. New tunes "Giriraj Sudha" and "Shrini's Dream" from This Moment followed.
Mahadevan joined the party during "Sakhi." Their classic tune, "Lotus Feet," from the 1976 release Shakti, showed an exceptionally talented band at their best. "Bending the Rules" completed the This Moment hat trick. The show ended on a very high note with "Finding the Way" and "La Danse du Bonheur."
Shakti is back in action again tomorrow in Cary, NC at Koka Booth Ampitheatre. Hop on over to their tour page for more dates before this iconic multi-cultural tour ends.
Set: 5 in the Morning, 6 in the Afternoon, Anna, Giriraj Sudha, Shrini's Dream, Sakhi, Kiki, Ma No pa, Lotus Feet, Bending the Rules, Finding the Way, La Danse du Bonheur
In just under a year the musical juggernaut Neighbor has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable live acts on the jam scene today. The brain child of vocalist and keyboardist Richard James (Pink Talking Fish) and guitarist Lyle Brewer (formerly of Ryan Montbleau Band), Neighbor combines ambitious composition, soulful balladry and a fearless approach to their lengthy improvisations. Rounded out by bassist Dan Kelly (The New Motif) and Dean Johnston (Club D’elf) the band has honed their craft at their Tuesday night residency at Thunder Road in Boston. The venue is the home for their loyal fan base of “Neighbors” who on any given night could be witness to 5 new original songs, a 50 minute jam, guest bagpipers, songs written for audience members, a full original rock opera or a Christmas themed Halloween show. There’s no surprise that the word continues to spread about this exciting group of musicians. Come down and see what’s good in the neighborhood.
The Boston, Mass based quartet Neighbor will return to New York City on September 8, 2023 for their penultimate summer tour performance at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. This jam friendly band who connects exploratory composition and soulful balladry was all about festivals during the summer of 2023. They had huge performances at several major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Northlands, Electric Forest, and the Great South Bay Music Festival. They also joined bluegrass specialists Greensky Bluegrass for their annual festival Camp Greensky, as well as a one off performance at the impressive and not to be missed Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Neighbor will close out the summer with a performance at the Brooklyn Bowl, supported by improvisational prog rock specialists Baked Shrimp, as well as an appearance at the All In Music and Arts Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow this link for more details, and catch them while you still can!
The Boston, Mass-based jam rock quartet Neighbor killed the festival circuit this summer and was due for a two-set heater as their summer tour waned. As a result, a raging inferno of covers, new tunes, and old classics unfurled at the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY on September 8, 2023. Baked Shrimp, the prog rock trio from Long Island, NY, provided their support.
The high-octane power trio Baked Shrimp opened the evening with a set of their tunes and covers. The current lineup included Jared Cowen (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Reill (Bass/Vocals), and Jager Soss (Drums/Vocals). This vibrant group put on a great show, and we highly recommend checking them out.
Neighbor took the stage for the first of two sets. The first set delivered a brand new tune, "Rosalia." It also included a rarely played Eric Clapton cover, "Let It Rain." This band really owned this classic cover and should play it more often. Guitarist Lyle Brewer was at his finest, along with spot-on vocals by keyboardist Richard James. Check out the video that the band released of this stellar cover.
The second second found more deep jams and a darker side of Neighbor that isn't seen on the festival circuit. A tasty jam sandwich kicked things off with "Trippin' in a Van" > "Point of No Return" > "Trippin' in a Van." Bassist Dan Kelly and drummer Dean Johnston played off of each other well during this energetic set filled with psychedelic rock.
At one point, the band had those who were attending their first Neighbor show walk to the back for a New Neighbor Parade. A path was cleared, and this group paraded to the front of the house, as those on the side gave high fives.
The band dished out a pair of memorable encores, care of the Beatles, starting with "Polythene Pam," and transitioning into "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window." Overall, this show was truly a treat for those in attendance. Neighbor needs to play more two set shows, and they will accomplish this on their fall tour.
They are back in action on October 5th at The Visualite in Charlotte, NC. Hop on over to their tour page for more details about their fall tour.
Set 1: Welcome[1] > He’s Not Me, Lonely Rider, Rosalia[1], Let it Rain[2], Thunder Island > High Five Gauntlet > Silver II, The Longest Day Set 2: Trippin' in a Van > Point of No Return > Trippin' in a Van, Move Along Little Jimmy, Under the Moon, Cucamonga Carl, One For The Hoop Encore: Polythene Pam[3] > She Came In Through The Bathroom Window[3] Notes:
[1] Debut
[2] Eric Clapton
[3] The Beatles
Goose returned to Boston, Mass. for the fifth time in their career and took flight in the form of two jam heavy sets at the Leader Bank Pavilion on September 14, 2023. This show was the second date on their fall tour, and the band certainly didn't sound like that had just emerged from a break. The improvisation switch was flipped into high gear early during this show, which included a collaborative cover with Producer and DJ LP Giobbi.
Located on the gorgeous South Boston waterfront, near the Seaport, the venue holds five thousand fans and does not have a bad seat in the house. Most seats are covered under the tensile structure that forms a canopy over the stage. The breeze from the Atlantic Ocean kept the temperatures relatively cool for this early fall show.
The show began around 7:30 pm, and kicked off with a pair of shorter tunes to get the crowd ready for what was to come, starting with "Doctor Darkness," along with "California Magic." There's nothing wrong with a little California magic in New England. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda showed his rock star capabilities in "Lead the Way," and included dual guitar action by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach. This mood continued into "Lead Up."
The funk jam commenced when the band dove into "Earthling or Alien?" This twenty-three-minute, steamy version included Anspach on the clav and was led by bassist Trevor Weekz. Lighting Director Andrew Goedde and his team illuminated the bottom of the tensile structure with blissfully moving shapes and rays of light. The slow and steady funk jam made its way into a reflective moment before Mitarotonda's face melting guitar licks elevated the quintet into a high-energy ending. The first set closed out with another extended song, Vasudo's "Empress of Organos," as the crowd clapped and sang this vibrant tune in unison.
Set two resumed the absolute heater in progress, starting with a brand new cover, "All I Need (Goose Reimagined)" by LP Giobbi, which appears on her 2023 release Light Places. Both LP Giobbi and Goose recently collaborated by remixing each other's songs. This version of "All I Need" is not the same song as the Goose original, "All I Need." The result was a melodic dance-rock classic that did not disappoint. The live rendition was enhanced by Anspach's piano work and drummer Ben Atkind's fast-paced beats.
The band played a few notes of "Thatch," before Mitarotonda decided the intro wasn't zippy enough. The band took a step back and then dove into the second twenty-minute jam of the night with the psychedelic blues rock-fueled tune. The crowd was amped from the first note. This transformed into a slightly slower funk jam, and the improvisation went in a more mellow direction before transitioning back into high-octane, psychedelic rock to end the song.
"Everything Must Go" brought a racing sixteen-minute jam that manifested tasty interplay between Mitarotonda and Anspach. The peaks were high, and this jam rolled into a raging tension and release to conclude this tune. "Feel it Now," Anspach's dance hall-inspired tune that debuted at the Capitol Theater in March 2023, followed. The soft rock meets trance feel was enhanced by the percussive efforts of Jeff Arevalo on the congas.
"Dripfield" from their 2022 release of the same name, closed out this second set, with a deep and rich exploratory jam that saw all five band members in lockstep. The band stepped off stage and returned to very loud applause. Anspach thanked the crowd and noted that the band had developed a deep appreciation for their fans during the recent break from touring.
Goose then gifted one last tune to their fans in the form of a "Hot Tea" party, ironically taking place near the location where the Revolutionary War's Boston Tea Party occurred. Anspach layered in tasty notes from the synth as this delightful evening came to a close.
The Connecticut-based band is back in action on Wednesday, September 20 at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tickets are sold out, and can be procured on the fan ticket trading site, cashortrade.org. Hop on over to Goose's tour page for more dates on their fall tour.
Set One: Doctor Darkness, California Magic, Lead the Way, Lead Up, Earthling or Alien?, Empress of Organos Set Two: All I Need (Goose Reimagined)1, Thatch, Everything Must Go, Feel It Now, Dripfield Encore: Hot Tea Notes: 1. LP Giobbi
Goose returned to Detroit, MI for the first time in five years, and treated the Motor City to a honk-filled throwdown at the Masonic Temple on September 16, 2023. The two-set show included fun covers and plenty of tasty originals. Masonic Temple provided a stunning backdrop for this rising jam quintet.
The Detroit Masonic Temple was completed in 1926 and is the largest of all the Masonic Temples. The building incorporated the artistic conceptions of the sculptor, Corrado Parducci, in the building lobby, who in turn drew elements from the interior of a castle he visited in Palermo, Sicily. The complex includes eight lodge rooms, two ballrooms, three theaters, a shrine room, a chapel, and sixteen bowling lanes. Who knew we could have wasted time vying for a perfect three-hundred bowling score prior to the show?
The Connecticut-based bird bank kicked off this iconic show with banter and laughs before launching into "Turbulence & The Night Rays," the Vasudo original that has been gaining steam in their repertoire. The slower, melodic "Whales" followed, and quickly built up into a short but sweet heater, led by guitarist Rick Mitarotonda.
The band wasted no time, and delivered the fall's first "Wysteria Lane." This twenty-four-minute, old-school original started out with a fiery rock and blues jam. The music went deep, as did the synth, and care of multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach. The stellar keyboard sequence smoothly ushered the band into the first cover of the night, "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant. Drummer Ben Atkind maintained a steady cadence as Mitarotonda unfurled mind-melting tension and release.
The newer tune "Red Bird" ended this high-energy set with a seventeen-minute jam that cleansed everyone's souls. Anspach playfully announced they would return for another set of music, and that percussionist Jeff Arevalo was already celebrating.
The band delivered more than they promised by opening the second set with a high-flying "Yeti." Both Anspach and Mitarotonda contributed on guitar during this Great Blue tune. A quartet of tunes from their 2022 release Dripfield was up next, starting with a mellow "Borne." A skilled transition followed into "Hungersite," which got dark and turned into a wild funk jam, with notable stylings by bassist Trevor Weekz.
Anspach fired up the familiar riff on the keys for the Clash's "Rock the Casbah," and the band jumped into this beloved tune. Arevalo supplied his singing skills, as the crowd loved this well-known classic rock song. "726" brought a much-needed chill moment, and included a nice solo by Weekz. Once again, this softer tune heated up vibrantly and ended the song with what can only be described as raging synergy.
"Arrow," the final Dripfield tune and the end of the second set, did not disappoint. This reliable jam vehicle clocked in at twenty-eight minutes and included plenty of face-melting funk. We highly recommend a re-listen or perhaps a first-timer for this well-developed version. The band quickly stepped off the stage and returned for one more tune: "Silver Rising."
This band is on a mission to bring musical bliss to our lives and succeeded quite well in Detriot. They are up next in Missoula, MT at the Kettlehouse Amphiteatre. Hop on over to their tour page for more dates near your location
Set One: Turbulence & The Night Rays, The Whales, Wysteria Lane > Electric Avenue1, Red Bird Set Two: Yeti, Borne > Hungersite, Rock the Casbah2, 726, Arrow Encore: Silver Rising Notes:
1. Eddy Grant
2. The Clash
The self-described indie jam rock quintet Goose took their show to the Golden State for an incredible, almost week-long run. Stops included Oakland, Los Angeles, Dana Point, and of course, Santa Barbara on September 29, 2023, at the Santa Barbara Bowl. This show was nothing short of inspiring, as the band and crowd were both collectively feeling the California magic.
The Santa Barbara Bowl is perhaps one of the California music scene's best-kept secrets. It holds about 5000 people, and is described as a "mini Red Rocks on the beach." Views of the Pacific Ocean can be seen on the side of the venue. The hills and trees form the natural sides of the amphitheater. There is a very steep walk to enter the venue, but they do provide a trolley for those who are unable to handle the grade. There is also an elevator for those who can not climb the stairs to enter, along with an incredibly attentive staff who go the extra mile.
The band walked on stage to an almost full bowl of mostly West Coast fans, and dropped into a fifteen-minute, funk-fueled "Earthing or Alien?" The jam went deep early, as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda ascended into face-melting during the first song. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach layered in the dance party synth as this first tune went into a groove-driven simmer, before transitioning into a high-energy ending that almost felt like the end of the set. This was merely the first song.
The newer tune "Mr. Action" was up next, and built up into a raging jam that segued into an eighteen-minute "Time to Flee." A melodic heat-up ensued, as drummer Ben Atkind and percussionist Jeff Arevalo maintained an impeccable cadence during this prog rock-inspired tune that included a "Honey Bee" tease.
The inspiring Bruce Hornsby tune, "The Way It Is," proceeded, last played on July 6, 2023, in Thompson Point, Maine. Anspach shined on the keys, as the quintet dove into an explosive blues rock layered jam. The euphonious "Seekers on the Ridge Part I" > "Seekers on the Ridge Part II" was up next, and was nothing short of beautiful, along with a perfect compliment to the organic environment. The set closed with a funkified "So Ready," lead by bassist Trevor Weekz along with Anspach on the clav. Mitarotonda brought the song home, coupled with some well-placed percussion.
Set two began with a relatively new cover that was played for the third time ever, "The Killing Moon" by Echo & The Bunnymen. The song felt like it was written for Goose, albeit succinctly. A twenty-two-minute blues rock-driven "Arrow," from Dripfield, proceeded, complete with a tasty jam that had all the feels. "SOS," also known as "Same Old Schenanigans" hopped into the set list next. This was once again led by the bass thumping of Weekz, aka Trevorbass (which is a play on Lance Bass, from the 90's band N'Sync).
As this epic set waned, the band dropped a sixteen-minute "Everything Must Go." This song started slow and built into an absolute raging inferno, which ended the set on a very high note. Goose stepped off the stage and returned for one final "Hot Tea" party in this stunning outdoor venue.
Goose is on fire right now, and has a few dates left on their fall tour, before heading to Europe for what is sure to be a legendary run. Hop on over to their tour page for more details.
Set 1: Earthling or Alien?, Mr. Action > Time to Flee[1], The Way It Is[2], Seekers On The Ridge Pt. 1 > Seekers On The Ridge Pt. 2, So Ready Set 2: The Killing Moon[3] > Arrow[4], Same Old Shenanigans, Everything Must Go Encore: Hot Tea Coach's Notes:
[1] With Honeybee teases.
[2] Bruce Hornsby.
[3] Echo & The Bunnymen.
[4] Unfinished.
A West Coast run for any band would not be complete without a stop in Sin City, and that is precisely what the self-described indie jam rock artist Goose did on October 1, 2023 at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas. This band grew too quickly to play the famed Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY, making this venue special for the Northeastern fans in attendance. Venue owner and jam rock enthusiast Peter Shapiro was on hand for the exciting occasion. The band did not disappoint, with fast-paced jams and a brand-spanking new cover.
The show started on a vibrant note with "Lead Up," which set the tone for the sixteen-minute "Drive" that followed. Bassist Trevor Weekz emerged early as the driver of this jam, no pun intended, which started with a lot of intensity. This gave way to a more mellow segue into "Dr. Darkness."
Goose debuted a brand new cover from the The Band named "The Shape I'm In." This classic tune was sung by percussionist Jeff Arevalo. The song brought a smile to the collective fan's faces, especially during the nice, bluesy jam that ensued, spearheaded by guitarist Rick Mitarotonda.
The band took a right turn into funk with "Rockdale," as multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach layered in the clav during this Vasudo tune. "Lead the Way" proceeded, once again with Weekz as the stand out during the slow simmer jam that boiled into a roaring rage. The set ended on an incredibly funky note with the rarely played "Jeff Engborg," an instrumental tune named after a talented musician and good friend of the band.
After a short break, the band emerged for set two, though took a moment to acknowledge why the quintet was wearing pink. The band is currently running a fundraiser in support of breast cancer research, with 100% of the profits donated. Head on over to this link to grab one of these shirts while they are still available.
Set two kicked off with a twenty-two-minute "Elizabeth" that continued the funky theme from set one. Anspach had a stellar solo, along with more mellow bass jams care of Weekz. The song heated up at the end, as Weekz brought this raging tune home.
The melodic "Indian River" proceeded in a minor key, with another jam that started out slow, and eventually morphed into face-melting as the song transitioned into the high energy "Into the Myst." Mitarotonda was on another planet during this jam. There were chill moments, however, once again led by Weekz. This show certainly felt like a showcase of his talent, and we'd certainly like to see more of that going forward. "Myst" ended on an absolutely rowdy note as Mitarotonda brought the song home.
The cadence picked up considerably during what can only be described as a fast-paced "All I Need." This was the first up-tempo "All I Need" since December 18, 2022, and we can only hope that they opt for this delightful version more often. Drummer Ben Atkind's racing beat contributed to this memorable version. The set ended in a blaze with heavy hitter "Madhuvan." Mitarotonda was in his sweet spot as this dynamite set came to a close.
The band returned for an encore, and treated the fans to Elvis Presley's "Trouble," last played on November 21, 2021.
Goose has a couple of dates left on their fall tour, before heading to Europe for what is sure to be a memorable. Hop on over to their tour page for more details.
Set 1: Lead Up, Drive > Dr. Darkness, The Shape I'm In[1], Rockdale, Lead the Way, Jeff Engborg Set 2: Elizabeth, Indian River[2] -> Into The Myst, All I Need[3], Madhuvan Encore: Trouble[4] Coach's Notes:
[1] The Band. FTP.
[2] Minor-key version.
[3] With Magic School Bus theme tease from Peter.
[4] Elvis Presley.
Scott Tournet is best known as the frontman for Elektric Voodoo, a founding member of Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Blues & Lasers, and a producer. On September 9, 2023, he brought his solo act to The Bitter End in New York City, also known as the oldest rock club in the Big Apple, giving his fans an intimate setting for his work. This short but sweet set was full of tasty blues and alternative rock.
Scott was joined by keyboardist Bronson Hoover, drummer Ricky Wise, and bassist Rob Holtause. This quartet unfurled their minimalist approach with plenty of deep-rooted jams that played out very simplistically. His bandmates were quite emotive and clearly enjoyed this collaboration in the Empire State.
This tour may be over, but there is plenty more music from this talented squad. Head on over to Scott's tour pagefor more details on upcoming shows.
Hulaween, the Halloween-themed festival put on by Jam rockers The String Cheese Incident, is closely approaching. This spooky event takes place from October 26 - 29, 2023 at the Spirit of Suwanee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. The lineup is pretty incredible this year, providing a well-balanced mix of jam rock, EDM, and funk, along with a side of hip hop. Viewing the schedule can be a bit daunting with so many great options at almost every time slot. Have no fear, as Grateful Web is here to provide insight into who to check out, from headliners to emerging artists.
Before discussing the bands on the lineup each day, let's take a moment to review the stage set-up. The festival has five stages with bands playing concurrently. The largest stage is The Meadow, which is a permanent structure in a large grassy meadow that hosts headliners and is conveniently located near the Canna VIP Lounge. The Hallows is adjacent to The Meadow, albeit slightly smaller, and will also boast headliners. The Amphitheater is nestled in the woods around the corner from The Meadow and The Hallows. The Spirit Lake and Campground Stages are much smaller and located within the camping areas.
Day One at any festival typically contains a lighter schedule. While the Meadow Stage is not in action on this night, the ledger is jam-packed with exciting artists. EDM headliners begin with Canadian producer and DJ Blond:ish, who brings her smooth house beats to the Amphitheater Stage. Producer and DJ John Summit follows on the Amphitheater Stage, with his high-octane beats and vibrant light show.
Jam rock headliners include the Kyle Hollingsworth Band on the Hallow Stage, which is a rock, funk, and jazz side project from String Cheese Incident keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth. Joe Russo's Almost Dead, the ascending creative interpreters of the Grateful Dead, have two huge sets this evening after The Kyle Hollingsworth Band.
Our emerging artist recommendations initiate with The Kitchen Dwellers, the psychedelic bluegrass quartet from Bozeman, MT. This band has been on the rise as of late and is the perfect choice for a late-night show at Spirit Lake. Get there early, as the stage is small and will fill up quickly on this first night. The Jauntee, a Boston, Mass-based jam rock and funk squad has a well-placed, late evening set on the Campground Stage. Finally, female producer and DJ Austeria will light up the Spirit Lake Stage in the early afternoon with her blend of industrial dubstep.
Despite the outstanding lineup on Day One, Day Two certainly emerges as a full-on buffet of musical delights. Future funk producer Yung Bae will illuminate the Amphitheater Stage in the later evening. Channel Tres, an American rapper, singer, and record producer from Compton, California, will close out the Amphitheater Stage with plenty of dance-friendly house beats and is not to be missed.
The jam rock headliners are quite strong on this day, starting with two sets by the festival hosts, The String Cheese Incident, on the Meadow Stage. Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio will follow with his horn-fueled side project, The Trey Anastasio Band. Finally, the self-described indie jam rock outfit that has been turning heads, Goose, will close out Day Two on the Amphitheater Stage. They certainly lit up the late night at the Peach Festival this year, and we fully expect a raging performance from this Connecticut quintet.
The emerging artists on Day Two are no slouch. We are particularly stoked to see Bad Snacks, an electronic/experimental hip-hop producer & artist who makes her own beats and sometimes enhances her songs by playing a synthesized violin. Her set starts at 4:15 p.m. on the Amphitheater Stage. The hip hop meets rock duo Stick & Ditty, hailing from Tampa, FL, who play everything from classic rock to country, with rap layered in, will be on the Camping Stage later in the evening. Chachuba will close out the Camping Stage with plenty of electro-trance fusion, coupled with urban and industrial beats.
Lespecial, a New York-based progtonic power trio, will be on hand for the late late night duties on this sure-to-be rager of a night. They draw from influences like Primus to create a heavy future groove. Their set lasts from 2:30-4:00 a.m. at Spirit Lake. Who needs sleep when music this good is still kicking at 4:00 a.m.?
The stacked lineup continues into Day Three, where famed electro-soul producer Pretty Lights will make his only festival appearance on the East Coast in five years. This is not the first time that Derek Smith has graced the Hulaween late night, as he was almost rained out in 2015. This already-certified face-melting set will take place at the Meadow Stage starting at midnight. The lone headlining rapper Smino will dish out electro-hip hop coupled with R&B at the Hallows Stage prior to Pretty Lights.
The jam rock headliners begin with Electric Kif on the Hallows Stage at 2:00 p.m., who transform jazz, rock, and electro-pop into a mind-melting experience. The Jennifer Hartswick Band follows on the Meadows Stage. Hartswick is better known as a trumpeter and soulful singer for the Trey Anastasio Band. Three sets of the String Cheese Incident, proceed, along with their guest-heavy set of covers that coincides with the costume theme for this unearthly Halloween party.
Incidentally, this year's costume theme is Full Moon Family Reunion. According to the Hulaween website:
Explore the universe as an interstellar wanderer embarking on a journey of self-discovery and magic. Dress as your zodiac sign, a tarot character, or stand upon the moon with aliens. Embrace werewolves, witches, or goblins, and channel your inner beast or protector. Unlock the mysteries of your destiny at the intersection of the past, present, and future!
Just prior to Pretty Lights, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will take flight on the Spirit Lake Stage. This Baltimore, MD-based jam and funk quartet are no strangers to high-energy late-night performances. We are surprised to see them on the smaller Stage, but they will be a dynamite funk-driven force nonetheless.
Day Three's emerging artists are rooted in funk and start with Cadillac Jones on the Campground Stage, who deliver smooth and yummy neo-funk. The funky vibes continue on Spirit Lake Stage with Empire Strike Brass, a ten-piece funk squad with a well-developed horn section from Asheville, NC. As the day rolls on, Yam Yam brings the late-night funky feels from the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. They had a killer set at the Peach Festival, and we expect to see more of that on the Campground Stage at Hulaween. Finally, Melt, the indie-soul quintet from New York City, will close out the Campground Stage.
As the festival wanes on Day Four, the music will still bring the heat, starting with the bluegrass meets gypsy jazz and folk punk ensemble, The Jon Stickley Trio, on the Meadows Stage. The indie roots band Dispatch follows on the Hallows Stage. The festivities wind down early this night, as both String Cheese Incident and Pretty Lights have evening sets, with the latter ending at 8 pm.
Day Four's emerging artists start with QRTR, the Philadelphia, PA-based producer whose beats are an infusion of cinematic synth progressions and club-focused rhythms. Her set kicks off at 3 p.m. on the Amphitheater Stage. Sneezy, the funk and R&B squad from Chicago, IL, will keep the party going on Campground Stage at 7:45 p.m.
Jennifer Hartswick joins the Nth Power for the Jenth Power on the Spirit Lake Stage immediately following Sneezy. The Nth Power is a multi-genre playing, soul-preaching, funk machine led by rock star drummer Nikki Glaspie. Nikki and Jennifer have collaborated numerous times this year and we fully expect big things from these two musical powerhouses.
Eddie Roberts and the Lucky Strokes will close out this glorious festival, and usher the fans into reentry with a healthy dose of jazzy funk and R&B. Their set starts at 10:00 pm on the Campground Stage.
There is nothing like the magic of the Capitol Theatre to bring out the best in anything related to the Grateful Dead. This was certainly the case for drummerBill Kreutzmann with Billy & the Kids on October 20, 2023, which was night one of his two-night “Daze of the Dead, Part 1: Trick" stand. The Kids included numerous jam rock veterans like guitarist Tom Hamilton (JRAD, Ghost Light), keyboardist Aron Magner (Disco Biscuits, Spaga), bassist Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey), guitarist Brad Barr (The Slip, Barr Brothers), and drummer Andrew Barr (The Slip, Barr Brothers). The show included a special set break dedication to Capitol Theatre head usher Brian Lynch, who celebrated 1000 shows working at the famed venue.
The first set kicked off with The Who's "The Kids Are Alright," and the Kids were indeed quite alright playing with the legendary Billy K on this beautiful evening. An electrifying "St. Stephen" followed, which descended into a mellow, bluesy jam before amping up at end. A drum-fueled, fourteen-minute "Eyes of the World" followed, with vocals by Hamilton. Magner layered in the keys perfectly. The driving drumbeats lead this upbeat, smiley tune back into "Eyes of the World," as the crowd collectively feeling alright.
The melodic Bob Dylan cover "She Belongs to Me," proceeded, and gave the band a breather after the prior intensity. The classic bluesy rock tune "Beat It on Down the Line," by Jesse Fuller, brought life back into the Cap. Another Dead staple, "Mama Tried," by Merle Haggard continued this heat, as the crowd was dancing up a storm, Hamilton started to kick into face-melting mode.
Another iconic Dead tune, "Jack Straw" proceeded, though started out at a slower cadence. Magner's solo kicked the song into high gear and really elevated the music as this group started to gel. The set was not quite over, as the penultimate "Row Jimmy" turned into a gigantic sing-along for the crowd. The intensity fired up once more for this stacked first set with the first time played "Let's Spend the Night Together" by the Rolling Stones.
The band took a short break, and as they stepped away, the staff of the Cap brought out balloons that spelled 1000. Images of usher Brian Lynch were projected on the wall. After a few minutes, owner Peter Shapiro appeared on stage with Lynch and another Cap staff member carrying a cake. He proceeded to announce that this was the 1000th show for the head usher who has been at the venue since reopening in 2012. He then brought Billy K out on stage, and presented a special trophy to him, acknowledging that he created many of the beats that we know and love today. This was truly a special moment for the Cap, fans, and of course, Billy K and his band. Huge props to Shapiro for representing the fans with perfection.
The music began again with a tasty drum solo, the care of Billy K and Andrew Barr. This transitioned into a spirited "Scarlet Begonias," with Hamilton handling the vocals for this beloved Grateful Dead tune. The jam developed some legs before mellowing out, and slowly meandering into "Friend of the Devil." The sing-a-long rolled on with "Ramble on Rose."
Another first time played tune, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan, jumped into the set. Mathis contributed vocals, along with stellar bass during the bluesy jam that followed. The percussion was particularly well played. The set closed out with a psychedelic "Fire on the Mountain."
This band was not done quite yet, and returned to the stage with the crowd yelling for more. They obliged with Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally," another first-time played cover. The show wrapped up with the reflective "Ripple."
Billy K and his talented band Billy and the Kids are back in action on October 31, 2023, at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA. Tickets are sold out but can be procured via Cash or Trade. Hop on over to his page for more details.
Set One: The Kids Are Alright1, St. Stephen1, Eyes of the World, She Belongs to Me1, Beat It on Down the Line, Mama Tried, Jack Straw, Row Jimmy1, Let's Spend the Night Together1 Set Two: Drums > Scarlet Begonias, Friend of the Devil, Ramble On Rose, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall1, Fire on the Mountain Encore: Lay Down Sally1, Ripple Notes: 1 - First time played by this group
The hauntingly fun festival Hulaween kicked off its tenth rendition at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. This year's lineup was perhaps the yet, with a wide mix of jam rock, EDM, funk, and hip hop. The String Cheese Incident has been putting on Hulaween for many years, even before this current magical stint in Florida, and this year was the best yet. Day One contained a slightly lighter lineup, with no bands on the largest stage, The Meadows. Fun was certainly had by all with heavy hitters like Joe Russo's Almost Dead and Altin Gun.
The crowd was certainly lighter on this day, which made for easy movement and discovery at this vast venue. People were certainly enjoying the space.
The music began on the Hallows Stage with Tand and The Kyle Hollingsworth Band. Both had afternoon sets that got people moving and grooving. The Turkish psychedelic rock band Altin Gun performed just as the sun began to set. This band had a lot of fun putting out jam rock and funk for those who made it to the festival on Thursday.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead followed with two huge sets of Grateful Dead and classic rock covers. They played crowd favorites like "Fire on the Mountain" and "Franklin's Tower," as well as Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up in Blue." Their first set ended with a monster "Throwing Stones" that had the entire crowd singing "Ashes ashes all fall down" with vigor.
On Spirit Lake, the bluegrass outfit from Montana more commonly known as the Kitchen Dwellers put on a stellar late-night performance at this brilliantly illuminated work of art, nestled in the park's swamp. The Virginia-based Kendall Street Company held down the nearby Campground Stage.
All said and done, Day One was a lot of fun, and certainly an indicator of the excitement that was yet to come. Stay tuned to Grateful Web for more coverage from Hulaween 2023.
The spooky vibes returned for Day Two at Hulaween in the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park on Friday, October 27, 2023. This day's headliners included three forces to be reckoned with in the jam rock world: The Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, and of course, our Hulaween hosts, TheString Cheese Incident. The latter two collaborated for a surprise opening during the String Cheese Incident's second set.
Roosevelt Collier and his band, the Roosevelt Collier Band, took the early afternoon slot on the Meadow Stage with almost unobstructed sunlight. They responded with a fun set of bluesy rock along with well-placed slide guitar care of Collier. This band certainly had a lot of fun on stage despite the heat.
The California-based producer Bad Snacks delivered chill downtempo beats on the Amphitheater Stage. She also layered in live violin for a delightful afternoon set under the canopy of trees.
As the afternoon rolled on, String Cheese Incident began their first of two sets. They dropped a monster "Search" > "Can't Stop Now" during set one, which got the crowd moving. Roosevelt Collier sat in on the slide guitar for a raging "Hot Lanta" > "Outside Inside."
String Cheese returned for set two, and decided to bring four-fifths of Goose with them. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach, drummer Ben Atkind, and Percussionist Jeff Arevalo marched out on stage, and the collective group launched into "Animal" by Goose. Multi-instrumentalist Michael Kang sang part of the lyrics, along with Mitarotonda. Plenty of face-melting was ensured during this jam. Goose stayed on stage for one more tune, the quintessential "Texas" by SCI. This time, Mitarotonda sang part of the lyrics, along with guitarist Billy Nershi. This was undoubtedly a heart-warming set opening for anyone in the crowd who is a fan of both bands.
The remainder of String Cheese's set was no slouch, as they channeled the EDM vibes in a dark "Valley of the Jig." A high-energy "It Is What It Is" flowed nicely into a dance inducing "Rosie" to close out this exciting set.
Trey Anastasio, the guitarist for Phish, brought his horn fueled band, The Trey Anastasio Band, to the Meadow stage next. This jam rock patriarch delivered a high energy set that brought many smiles to those in the crowd. Highlights from this set included "Set Your Soul Free," "Ghost," "Everything's Right", and "First Tube."
Goose followed this exciting performance on the Hallows Stage with more raging music, starting with "Hungersite" > "Cantaloupe Island." The latter is a cover by Herbie Hancock, last played on April 19, 2023 in Bozeman, Montana. This bird band then finished "Animal" from their sit in with String Cheese Incident. "Creatures" > "Same Old Shenanigans" was perhaps the highlight of their set, as Mitarotonda took the crowd into the stratosphere.
The set continued to bring heat with another cover, "Fish in the Sea" by Fat Freddy's Drop, followed by "Pancakes." The raging bluesy jam rock "Thatch" proceeded, and included teases from String Cheese Incident's "Texas." The set ended on a high note with "Arcadia."
The heavy future groove trio Lespecial ended this fiery night of music at Spirit Lake, which end well into the early morning hours.
Check out more photos from Day Two at Hulaween. Also, view our prior coverage of Day One.
Day Three at Hulaween ushered forward with an exciting Halloween costume theme, as well as a full moon on October 28, 2023. This night proved to be a perfect night, at least as far as the weather was concerned, to do nothing other than howl at the moon. And that is exactly what concertgoers did on this vibrant evening. The theme was, of course, Full Moon. The String Cheese Incident showed up in Werewolf costumes, along with their Vampire horn section, and put on an exciting three-set show to highlight this packed day of festivities at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl.
Producer Marvel Years got the music rolling on the Amphitheater Stage in the early afternoon. His urban beats married nicely with the live electric guitar that he layered in.
The Jennifer Hartswick Band began the day on the Meadows Stage, along with a few notable friends, Natalie "Chainsaw" Cressman (trombone/vocals) and Dezron Douglas (bass). Cressman wore her chainsaw earrings, as Hartswick pointed out. This quintet played jazzy tunes despite a very intense daytime sun, and had a large crowd assembled in the shade by the three-dimensional Hulaween letters.
Augusta, Ga's Funk You put on a highly entertaining set of funk coupled with horns and stellar vocals on the Hallows Stage.
String Cheese Incident's first set on this day was in broad day light on the Meadow Stage. Highlights included the perennial "Black Clouds," as well as a racing "Best Feeling" > "Birdland" by the Weather Report.
The second set for the Colorado based String Cheese Incident put on their jam rock pants, and delivered tasty tunes like "Can't Wait Another Day" and "Just One Story." The bluegrass inspired "Restless Wind" lead into a more darker set ending with "Sirens" > "Hi Ho No Show."
As SCI prepared for their Halloween costume set, Manic Focus brought a full live band to the Hallows Stage, and was certainly a surprise heavyweight in this vast field of talented musicians. This producer remixed everything from Phish to Rage Against the Machine. If there is any band that we'd like to catch live in a non-festival setting, it would be Manic Focus.
String Cheese Incident returned with a number of musicians, all dressed in costume and ready to collectively howl at the moon. As we previously mentioned, this sextet marched out dressed like werewolves. Singers Rhonda Thomas and Cleveland P. Jones joined in this werewolf theme. They also brought a vampire themed horn section consisting of Hartswick, Cressman and an unknown saxophonist.
This set was certainly one for the ages, and began with the appropriate "Werewolves of Hula," by Warren Zevon. Thomas really shined in "Spanish Moon" > "Revival," as well as "Family Affair" by Mary J Blige. Percussionist Jason Hann took his turn at vocals during "Moondance" by Van Morrison. The giant balls were unleashed during "Levitating" by Dua Lipa, which lead into "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake, along with fireworks lighting up the park.
Smino followed up this incredible performance with some dazzles of his own on the Hallows Stage. This talented hip hop artist from St. Louis, Mo certainly brought the heat.
Finally, Pretty Lights, the EDM producer from Colorado brought his skilled cohorts for a high energy, DJ driven set that contained all the visuals feels, from projections to lasers. They unleashed classics like "I Know the Truth," and remixed old favorites like Eric Clapton's "After Midnight." A few new tunes were sprinkled in as well. This set was pure fire, and we can't wait for his next tour.
Day Four of Hulaween, recorded in history as occurring on Sunday, October 29, 2023, came way too quickly. Everyone had figured out where everything was, and life was rolling in this gathering with upwards of 25k people. The Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park had impeccable weather on this closing day which included an afternoon set from TheString Cheese Incident and a twilight set from Pretty Lights.
String Cheese had an all day time set that was certainly memorable. Guitarist Jon Stickley and violinist Lindsay Pruit joined the band for a trio of songs, starting with the Peter Rowan classic, "Midnight Moonlight." "Minor Swing" and "I Know You Rider" followed with these talented individuals.
An upbeat "Black and White" along with "Manga" preceded setlist rarity, "Cottonmouth." The newer tune "One More Time" hopped into the set before a raging "Bumpin' Reel." The mood got dark during "Shantytown." A heart felt "Joyful Sound" transitioned into an evil drum and bass jam in "Rumble." The set ended with "Colorado Bluebird Sky," as the sun set. The band returned for one last tune: "Beautiful." They took a bow after ending their set for six killer sets and an incredibly run festival.
Pretty Lights returned for a final set, and delivered a number of fan favorites including "Rainbows and Waterfalls," along with "Hot Like Sauce." Product Michal Menert was seen giving the thumbs up during the former. This quintet also slipped in an excellent "Time" by Pink Floyd, as the fun was most certainly waning. The set closed with a wild "Shakedown Street" by the Grateful Dead.
The rising and perhaps unstoppable indie jam rock artist Goose delivered a pair of incredible shows for their tenth annual Goosemas run at the famed Hampton Coliseum, aka the Mothership, in Hampton, Va. The festivities began on December 8, 2023, as the band descended into planets of fire and mirrors. This included pyrotechnics, mirrors, an elevated lighting experience, and plenty of well-placed, first-time-played covers. The space theme was a departure from the Christmas-themed gathering in the past and gave a clear message that Goosemas will grow to be a lot more than just a holiday-themed December show.
Goosemas took place at Hampton Coliseum, which has hosted a number of well-accomplished musicians in the past, along with presenting a stellar twenty-one shows by the Grateful Dead. Musicians such as Elvis Presley, Madonna, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin have also graced this legendary building.
The festivities began with a short "Space" themed movie that premiered prior to the event, establishing the concept behind the shows. A narration was also played at the beginning of each set to indicate where the fans, aka travelers, were at that moment.
Prior to the first set, the crowd was teeming with individuals dressed as Santa and in space suits. The stage was full of mirrors and reflective scenery. The energy was popping as the narration played and the crowd learned they were traveling to a mirrored planet. The band emerged from the fog in custom space suits to play the appropriate "Earthling or Alien?" A funky jam proceeded care of bassist Trevor Weekz, who eventually directed the band into "All I Need." This version started out slow and kicked up the tempo after the first chorus. Fast "All I Need" was what the fans needed on this unknown mirrored planet.
The mirrors began to flow into the music as the band continued the funky tones by playing "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake. This twenty-three-minute jam was Fuego, and worth a second listen as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda guides the travelers with his face-melting jams. A twenty-one-minute "Tumble" followed, along with a similar cadence to "All I Need," where the song started mellow and switched to regular speed in the composed section.
The set was not quite over just yet, as the band ended the set on an inspired note with the first time played "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson. The band's work on the mirrored planet was complete, and a break was needed.
The Connecticut-based quintet returned as a narration described the next destination: a planet of fire. There was no shortage of pyrotechnics during this set, which appropriately began with Jimi Hendrix's "Fire." Did we mention this was yet another first-time played song? Plumes of fire shot up behind the band during the chorus of this famous tune.
"Creatures," the jam of the night, followed and took the fans on a dark journey through this fiery planet. Drummer Ben Atkind and percussionist Jeff Arevalo drove the dark beats as lighting director Andrew Goedde and his team brilliantly illuminated the ceiling. This transitioned into (dawn), from the Schenangan's Nite Club release.
The fire burned brightly once again as the band moved into the edgy Kings of Leon's "Sex On Fire." A bouncy "Butter Rum" proceeded. The funk returned during an unfinished, seventeen minute "Arrow," that saw plenty of moves by keyboardist Peter Anspach on the clav. This segued into a flaming hot "Burning Down the House" by the Talking Heads, and was last played on May 20, 2017. To say that the fans were treated to a special show was truly an understatement.
The band walked off stage, and returned for an encore that kept the fire burning brightly. This began with an elevated "So Ready" that transitioned into it's sister tune "Slow Ready" during the jam. These tunes are the same song played in two different ways, which meant a tasty treat for the long time fans. The band didn't stop there, and ended this absolute heater with nothing other than a flaming "Hot Tea."
To say that our heart was full after this show is an understatement. Please stay tuned for more coverage of Goosemas 10.
Set 1: Earthling or Alien?, All I Need[1], Mirrors[2], Tumble[3], Man in the Mirror[4] Set 2: Fire[5], Creatures > (dawn), Sex On Fire[6], Butter Rum, Arrow[7] > Burning Down the House[8] Encore: So Ready > Slow Ready[9] > Hot Tea Notes:
[1] Began as slow, melodic version and switched to “fast” version after the first chorus.
[2] Justin Timberlake. FTP.
[3] Vibey Tumble. Played with regular Tumble composed section and jam.
[4] Michael Jackson. FTP.
[5] Jimi Hendrix. FTP.
[6] Kings of Leon. FTP.
[7] Unfinished.
[8] Talking Heads.
[9] Jam only.
Goose returned for another night of thematic covers during their tenth annual Goosemas event on December 9, 2023, at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va. The prior night's show set the bar high, but the band was ready to double down and deliver an epic show. Tonight's space journey took the fans to a bubble planet named Puffaria, followed by a jungle planet named Vivadora in the second set. This also included a very special sit-in by musician Bruce Hornsby. There is no doubt that this quintet brought some serious "A Game" for night two.
The show started very similarly to the prior night, with an elaborate stage set up that hinted at the set's planet destination. The stage was full of large bubbles that foreshadowed the circular-themed songs yet to come. A narration played as the band approached the stage, describing Puffaria. They began the set with the disk-shaped "Pancakes," and moved into the cylindrical, reggae-inspired "Doobie Song."
The covers flowed early this evening, starting with the contemporary "Circles" by Post Malone. The eighties classic "99 Red Ballons" by Nena proceeded vibrantly, and ushered the music back into "Pancakes." Bassist Trevor Weekz elevated this sequence. The covers were just getting started, as "Big Blue," by Vampire Weekend, was up next. An evil, dark jam emerged, and shuttled the music into a raging, eighteen-minute "Dripfield." This high-energy sequence was easily a candidate for jam of the night, as lighting director Andrew Goedde and his team put on a magical display of purple hues with their lighting rigs, while drummer Ben Atkind unfurled a racing beat. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda kicked off the "Animal" tease to complete the circle, pun intended.
The first set waned while Goose flew into "Red Bird." As this song began to transition, bubbles appeared to be moving from behind the stage into the crowd. Before anyone noticed, the band was singing "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," by John Kellette, which happens to be the theme song for the Manchester United Football Club. It's unknown if the band picked up this catchy kid's tune during their recent European tour, but it was a jolly good way to leave Puffaria and end the set.
After a short break, the Connecticut-based quintet returned to send the fans to a neon jungle on the planet Vivadora for the final step of this Goosemas adventure. The first tune was the classic rock juggernaut "Jungle" by the Electric Light Orchestra. A wild transition ensued that was reminiscent of "Thatch," and transported the fans squarely into "Animal."
A short, at least by recent standards, but sweet "Echo of a Rose" followed, in this jungle room. A fiery transition brought the music into "Run Through the Jungle" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The swampy disco jam that proceeded ran through the jungle and back into "Echo of a Rose," closing out this high-energy sequence.
The band was next joined by singer and pianist Bruce Hornsby for a soul-warming version of Hornsby's "The Way It Is." Hornsby is a Virginia native and played one hundred shows with the Grateful Dead. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach had a huge smile on his face as he watched this legend in action.
As if this was not enough, the band went full speed into "The Empress of Organos." This shorter version ended with some well-placed gong by percussionist Jeff Arevalo to commence "Jungle Boogie" by Kool and the Gang, before hopping onto the guitar. Anspach went into full-on funk mode with the clav and keyboard as they jettisoned back into "Empress." Arevalo was once again playing guitar at the end of this uplifting tune, which was a treat for the fans.
The set ended with the audience on their feet and wanting more. The band returned for one final tune, the quintessential "Arcadia." This version included a fun "Jungle Boogie" tease care of Anspach. It also included an ending full of confetti, to celebrate leaving Vivadora and the return to planet Earth. We certainly wish we were back on one of these planets, but are also very grateful that Goose took us along for the ride.
Set 1: Pancakes -> Doobie Song, Circles[1], 99 Red Balloons[2] > Pancakes, Big Blue[3] > Dripfield[4], Red Bird -> I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles[5] Set 2: Jungle[6] -> Animal, Echo of a Rose[7] -> Run Through The Jungle[8] -> Echo of a Rose, The Way It Is[9], The Empress Of Organos, Jungle Boogie[10] -> The Empress Of Organos[11] Encore: Arcadia[12] Coach's Notes:
[1] Post Malone. FTP.
[2] Nena. FTP.
[3] Vampire Weekend. FTP.
[4] Unfinished. With Animal tease from Rick.
[5] John Kellette. FTP.
[6] ELO. FTP.
[7] Fast version.
[8] Creedence Clearwater Revival. FTP.
[9] Bruce Hornsby. With Bruce Hornsby on keys and vocals.
[10] Kool & The Gang. FTP. With Jeff on guitar and Animal teases from Peter.
[11] With Jeff on guitar.
[12] With Jungle Boogie tease from Peter.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong returned to the Brooklyn Bowl Philadephia, PA with the flock on December 15, 2023. This bird band quartet played a pair of heaters in 2022 at this unique venue and raised the stakes. They delivered a raging night of funk-fueled originals, including a special collaboration with the Philadelphia-based soul and funk ensemble, Nik Greeley and the Operators. Both Nik Greeley and the Operators and DJ Brownie, aka Marc Brownstein, provided support.
The evening began with an opening set of house music care of Marc Brownstein, who is the bassist for the Disco Biscuits. His set included "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and "Ready or Not" by the Fugees.
Shortly afterward, frontman Nik Greeley and his band, the Operators, took the stage and launched the room into a dancing frenzy. Greeley has an incredible stage presence and voice. The Operators are a collective of musicians from Philadephia and includes a stellar horn section. Greenley belted out a soulful "Voodoo Chile" by Jimi Hendrix during this rocking set. The Operators ended their time on a high note with an electrified "Frankenstein" by the Edgar Winters Group.
DJ Brownie returned for another short, but sweet set of jungle beats. This round included "Kiss" by Prince and "Groove is the Heart" by Deee-Lite.
The moment fans were waiting for finally arrived, as Pigeons Playing Ping Pong emerged from the green room. The room was packed with excited fans, and that only intensified as they played "Sail On." "Melting Lights," from the 2014 release Psychology, followed and flowed into "Offshoot" from 2017's Pizazz. The newer tune "Bloodshot Rose" hopped into the set list next.
The band slipped a tasty cover mashup into the set with "Big in the Changes," featuring Biggie Smalls, Tupac, and Linkin Park. This segued masterfully into the funkified "Calm Before the Storm," which was first played in 2022. The jam sandwich ended with a high-energy "Moonwalk."
The set was not over quite yet. "Fortress" emerged as the penultimate first-set tune. As the song wrapped, Jason Mara (saxophone), Matt Salazar (trumpet) and Lom Lom Lom (trombone) from Nik Greeley and the Operators joined the band on stage for a horn-driven "F.U." The band then ended the set for a much-needed break.
Pigeons returned for another round, and kicked off the festivities with another Psychology tune, "Live Life." "Bad For You" proceeded, with Pizazz's "Ocean Flows" engulfing the souls of the fans, and they danced their hearts out.
"Su Casa," from the recent 2022 release Perspectives, transitioned nicely into the holiday-themed "Peanuts Theme Song," which included a mash-up from the popular children's movie, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The band landed squarely back in "Su Casa" to close out this timely sequence.
The band welcomed a larger subset of Nik Greeley and the Operators for the next tune, "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool and the Gang. This included Nik Greeley on vocals, Snacktime on horns/vocals, and the Operators horn section. This classic cover was elevated to perfection as the horns filled out the sound with vigor.
As the set waned, the band showed no signs of slowing down, moving into "Miyagi." The set closed on a high note with "Burning Up My Time" > "Water." The band stepped off stage, and returned to wild applause by the crowd. They played one final funky tune, "Skipjack," before sending fans off into the night with huge grins.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is up next at the House of Blues in Boston, Mass on December 30, 2023, for a sure-to-be epic pair of shows to end the year. Tickets are available for both Dec 30 and Dec 31. Fly on over to their tour page for more details about their winter tour.
Set One: Sail On, Melting Lights > Offshoot, Bloodshot Rose, Big In the Changes > Calm Before the Storm > Moonwalk, Fortress, F.U.1 Set Two: Live Life, Bad For You, Ocean Flows, Su Casa,> Peanuts Theme Song > Su Casa, Hollywood Swinging2, Miyagi, Burning Up My Time > Water Encore: Skipjack Notes:
1. w/ Jason Mara on saxophone, Matt Salazar on trumpet, & Lom Lom Lom on trombone (Nik Greely & the Operators)
2. w/ Snacktime on horns and vocals, Nik Greeley on vocals and The Operators horns
Things are coming up greasy for the Brooklyn-based future jam quartet Space Bacon, as they are primed to bring their jams to Hill Country BBQ on December 29, 2023, in New York, NY for A Phish After Party. This late-night rager is not to be missed. Additionally, they also recently announced a partnership with the music streaming online service, Nugs.net.
Drawing from an array of inspirations, including jam music, electronic production, film scores, and a bit of metal, the band seeks to challenge conventions and pave the way in the modern era of improvisational music. They also intend to keep the party rolling late into the night with a woven composition of house, funk, trip-hop, metal, and more tasty jams throughout the show.
The venue is a mere seven to eight short city blocks from Madison Square Garden. This translates to a very quick and easy walk, especially for those who are visiting from out of town. Head on over to this link for tickets, and grab them while they are still available.
If you are Nugs.net subscriber, head on over to this link and check out Space Bacon's catalog in advance of this exciting show.
December is for holidays, and this year was no exception. The rising jam rock band Dogs In A Pile put on an outstanding, sold-out show at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on December 16, 2023, that included a visit by Mr. Grinch, as well as some stellar covers. This performance was part of a two-night stand at the legendary Jersey Shore venue in honor of the December holidays. Percussionist Adrian Tramontano (Twiddle) sat in for the second set.
A short but sweet "Westward," sung by guitarist Brian Murray, along with "Apeman," by the Kinks, kicked off the festivities. An eighteen-minute "Craig and Pat" followed with the first face-melting, blues rock jam sequence of the night. Drummer Joe Babick maintained a tasty up-tempo cadence throughout, while bassist Sam Lucid had a nice breakdown in the belly of the jam. This launched into more funk before a mellowed transition into "Appleseed." This tune was elevated by the synth, care of keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan, and ended with a ferocious jam by guitarist Jimmy Law.
A jazzy "Samba for Sam" was up next. The twelve-minute jam was kicked into high gear by a fiery blues rock jam via Murray and Law. The cadence veered in many directions quite seamlessly, which showed Babick's talent on the kit. This led to a newer tune "Lattice." The guitars heated up once again, and launched into a raging funk jam that transitioned back into "Samba for Sam." That segue is one hundred percent worth a second listen. The jam that followed was inspired by a little bit of everything, from southern rock to jazz to prog rock. Kaplan layered in a bubbly keyboard sequence that alternated with minor chords, which created great juxtaposition.
The reggae-influenced "Fenway," from their 2023 release Bloom, was up next. A melodic jam ensued, and heated up to another Bloom tune, "Bent Strange." Law contributed vocals to this high-energy tune that ended this fuego set with vigor. The band stepped offstage for a much-needed break.
Dogs in a Pile returned to the stage with their friend, percussionist Adrian Tramontano from Twiddle. He joined them for the duration of the second set and helped boost their sound. The band wasted no time, and dug into a seventeen-minute jam with "Charlie." The music saw several peaks as the sextet pushed on, as Babick maintained a fast-paced tempo while his band mates layered on top. Tramontano was on point with percussion and showed why he is very sought after following the break up of Twiddle. A euphonious segue proceeded into the first song from their release Not Your Average Beagle, "Bubble." Kaplan delighted once again with a deliciously synthy jam. These Berkeley School of Music alums drove the jam rock train home, as the crowd danced with huge grins.
Brand new song, "Old Folks Boogie," made its debut at the Stone Pony next. "Spun" accompanied, and turned into a disco dance party during the jam, which eventually landed in a Latin-inspired flow. Versatility is this band's middle name in terms of musical genres. Babick and Tramontano got their chance to shine during "Drums." The rest of the band joined the fun for "Space."
Another new tune, "Thomas Duncan Part 3," jumped into the set list next. The beat was a bit slower which provided a much-needed chill moment. Upon the conclusion, Murray announced that it was time to get real, and brought their local preacher Sandy Mack on stage to play harmonica on "Shakedown Street" by the Grateful Dead. The music was instantly engulfed with psychedelic rock, along with harmonica. The crowd was loving the timely nod to the beloved, legendary band that started the jam band genre.
As the music wound down, a bright green figure with a red shirt appeared out of nowhere. It was none other than Mr. Grinch. He hopped on stage and started causing trouble as the band played "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." He stole Tramontano's cymbal and held it up in the air like a wrestler holding a championship belt. The music was nothing short of jazzy, once again displaying the adeptness of this band. The set ended with the catchy "Let U Go." On a side note, this was one of our favorite Dogs' originals.
The band stepped off the stage and quickly returned, as they were not done just yet. They thanked those who helped put these shows on and began to set up for the next tune. This Asbury Park, NJ-based squad honored their Garden State roots by playing "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, who also played on this same stage many years ago. The band then switched their configuration, with Murray and Lucid swapping places. Lucid picked up the microphone and belted out an impressive "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)," by the NJ-based Four Seasons. He changed the lyrics to "twenty-three" instead of "sixty-three." The crowd was on cloud nine during this first time played cover. The band ended this raucous encore with the soulful "Say Something."
Dogs in a Pile is back in action next week at Sony Hall on December 28, 2023, for a Phish After Party. They are also ringing in the new year at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, NY on December 30-31. Tickets are still available for December 30 at this link. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in 2024.
Set One: Westward, Apeman1, Craig and Pat > Appleseed, Samba for Sam > Lattice > Samba for Sam, Fenway, Bent Strange Set Two: Charlie > Bubble, Old Folks Boogie2, Spun > Drums > Space, Thomas Duncan Part 3, Shakedown Street34, You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch56, Let U Go Encore: Born to Run7, December, 1963(Oh What a Night)28, Say Something Notes:
1. Kinks
2. First Time Played
3. Grateful Dead
4. With Sandy Mack
5. Thurl Ravenscroft
6. With Mr. Grinch
7. Bruce Springsteen
8. The Four Seasons
Phish returned to the iconic Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York, NY on December 28, 2023, for their eightieth show at the famed arena. They also commenced their annual four-night New Year's run for a sold-out crowd of donut-clad individuals. Like a fine wine, this band only gets better with age, and the proof is in the pudding: a first night full of old favorites and a four-song encore.
Phish has consistently done one thing as a band since they have been together, besides playing great music, and that is never doing what the fans expect them to do. Typically, the first night of a four-night run, for any band, is the night everyone establishes their footing. It's usually the least eventful night of the four. This was certainly not the case for Phish, as they steamrolled through 1.0 tunes. Perhaps the age-old adage should be changed to "Never miss the first night of a four-night run."
This brilliant night of music began with one of the few relatively newer tunes, "No Men in No Man's Land," from Big Boat, which was fortified in funk. Guitarist Trey Anastasio was all grins, as the on-point tension and release were unleashed early in the night. The band also teased "San-Ho-Zay" during this song. "Halley's Comet" followed, along with a delightful crowd singalong. Keyboardist Page McConnell unfurled dark notes, as this jam went for a succinct, long pass, and was easily a catch. This foursome from Vermont was in lockstep from this moment onward.
"Sample in a Jar," proceeded with a short but sweet version. An energized "Runaway Jim" had the crowd dancing like no one was watching. This song debuted almost thirty-four years ago and is still fresh after all of these years. Again, McConnell contributed beautiful and melodic notes during the blues rock jam that followed.
Several quick tunes were up next, starting with A Live One's "Bouncing Around the Room." The fast-paced "Axilla (Part II)" with its tasty guitar riffs hopped into the set list next. Drummer Jon Fishman showed his incredible versatility throughout this tune, as the ending slowed considerably while the jam morphed into a psychedelic-inspired moment. Bassist Mike Gordon belted out a vibrant "Funky Bitch," by Son Seals, to cap off this trifecta.
McConnell tickled the ivories as the band sunk into "Bathtub Gin." This tune debuted in 1989 and certainly has stood the test of time. This seventeen-minute banger only gained steam as the jam evolved and started to touch type two territory, but quickly launched back into "Bathtub Gin." The set ended on a high note with "Ghost." Gordon quoted "No Man in No Man's Land," bringing this set full circle. The music veered back in the same direction as "Runaway Jim's" jam, with a layered quality that sent everyone into set break with a smile. These last two songs are worth an absolute re-listen.
Phish emerged from the set break revitalized, and they began a non-stop second set with a newer tune "The Howling," from Sci-Fi Solder. The crowd enjoyed the back-and-forth with the band, further elevating the mood. Little did they know that this squad was about to unearth a twenty-three-minute "A Wave of Hope." Perhaps it was McConnell on the piano, Fishman's steady, but pronounced cadence, Anastasio's fiery guitar licks, or Gordon's dynamic bass that glued all of this together. Regardless, the band served up what proved to be the jam of the night during this tune.
A stellar segue brought the music to "Rift," from the 1996 release of the same name. The fast-paced tune was reminiscent of the 90's and had fans singing along with joy. A start-stop transition was executed with perfection, and led to none other than "Mike's Song." They typically save face-melting tunes like this one for dates later in the run. A solid jam followed, and allowed the music to flow into another old-school favorite, "Simple." The crowd erupted when the band sang "We've got skyscrapers, cause we've got a band," as many folks in the crowd reside within the skyscraper-filled NYC Metro Area. The jam once again developed legs and jettisoned into another Big Boat song, "Blaze On," which ended this flaming hot set.
The music was not quite done yet, and the crowd was clearly ready for anything. They stepped back on stage after a quick encore break and played the contemplative "mercy" for only the second time ever. "The Squirming Coil" proceeded, which also debuted in 1990. This euphonious tune felt like the end of the show, but alas it was not. As the song wound down, Gorden's signature bass thumps made an appearance while gradually increasing the cadence, and the band moved into "Weekapaug Groove." At this point, many were expecting the show to end, and "Mike's Groove" to be completed a later date. This was not the case, as Phish went full throttle into this funky gem. Fishman was notably on point with percussion.
Once again, the fans were heading for the exits, thinking the music was done for the night. The band took a right turn at 33rd Street, and landed squarely in the high-energy "Say It to Me, Santos." This ended the four-song encore and first night of music with an absolute bang.
Phish is back for two more nights at Madison Square Garden to close out 2023. Tickets are sold out but can be procured via cashortrade.org. Hop on over to Phish's tour schedule for more details about future dates.
Set One: No Men In No Man's Land, Halley's Comet, Sample in a Jar, Runaway Jim, Bouncing Around the Room, Axilla (Part II) > Funky Bitch, Bathtub Gin > Ghost Set Two: The Howling > A Wave of Hope -> Rift > Mike's Song > Simple > Blaze On Encore: mercy, The Squirming Coil, Weekapaug Groove > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Trey teased San-Ho Zay in No Men In No Men's Land. Mike quoted No Men In No Men's Land during Ghost. Mike's Song contained sound effects used earlier in the show during The Howling.
Space Bacon, the late-night jamtronica specialists hailing from Brooklyn, NY, brought plenty of greasy jams to Hill Country Live on December 29, 2023. This was part of the Phish After Show series, and certainly an easy location to get to from Madison Square Garden. The band consisted of guitarist Fred Rylands, drummer Sam Crespo, keyboardist Chris Gironda, and bassist Kevin Legall.
Fans slowly streamed in after midnight, ready for more music after the Phish show. The set began around 1:00 am with an ambient intro that meandered into "Cloud Coast." The entire tune felt like a spirited chess match of dark and light between the synth and guitar.
Two-thirds of the way through, the song descended into a melodic, spacey grove that morphed into a frosty "Ice Planet." The disco dance party was in full effect as Crespo delivered beats like a freight train during this heater. A few minutes into this eighteen-minute groove, the band moved into a feel-good, trance-inspired section, led by Gironda. Intense guitar build-ups followed before the band went into astronaut mode, and achieved lift-off into outer space.
The high-energy jam reached a peak as the band cleverly transitioned into "Jupiter." The face-melting rolled on with this sixteen-minute monster that ended on a ferocious tension and release jam.
The jam vehicle that is "Bumpadump" followed for a mind-melting, prog rock-inspired, twenty-eight minutes. This morphed into a hip-hop dance party, as the crowd loved the beats. Rylands blasted off into the stratosphere with tasty guitar peaks while Legall thumped on the bass. The band came back together to end the tune properly.
"I Ran" was up next, and had the crowd running, definitely not walking, through space. Gironda cleverly layered in the keys, as the band was firing on all cylinders for this raucous tune. An intense build-up, that is incidentally worth a re-listen, proceeded as the band transitioned into the feel-good "Triangulation." Crespo showed his incredible versatility and strength on the drums. The song found its way into a trance-fueled, upbeat ambient jam that perfectly segued into the evil "Snake Charmer." This dark, heavy metal-inspired tune closed out Space Bacon's flaming hot set.
The quartet returned for an encore and delivered a raging "Flamethrower" to send fans off into the night.
Space Bacon is back frying up more greasy late-night goodness on January 27, 2024, in Dover, VT for Snow Bacon. Tickets are available at this link. Hop on over to their tour page for more winter dates.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead returned to the famed Capitol Theatre on January 12, 2024, for another legendary run of their own, and their twenty-sixth show at the Port Chester, NY-based venue. Their clever interpretations of the Grateful Dead and other bands get better and better over time, and this show was no exception.
The band entered the stage and ascended into a vibrant "Tangled Up in Blue" by Bob Dylan, sung with ferociousness by guitarist Tom Hamilton. Keyboardist Marco Benevento was on fire early in this jam. Drummer Joe Russo maintained a steady cadence as the band flowed into "Cumberland Blues." About seven minutes into this fourteen-minute tune, the tension and release came to a raging peak, much to the delight of the crowd. This meandered into a slower section, which only heated up care of Hamilton's guitar work.
A deliciously funky transition flowed into "Passenger" by Phil Lesh and Peter Monk. This blues rock tune was played for the second time ever by JRAD, and certainly deserves more play time. A very melodic intro ensued as the band began playing a jazzy "New Speedway Boogie," by the Grateful Dead. The cadence gradually ramped up, as did the psychedelic rock, during this seventeen-minute classic.
A bluesy segue launched the band into a monster "Estimated Prophet," led by guitarist Scott Metzger. He sang this traditional tune written by Bob Weir and John Perry Barlow. Faces were illuminated with smiles as the band dug into the layers of psychedelic rock, including many tasty peaks. This eventually made its way into a spacey subsection, that proved to be a clever shift into "Loose Lucy." Bassist Dave Dreiwitz elevated the funk during this set-ending tune.
The band returned for round two, starting with "Uncle John's Band." The tune began with a simmer and reached a rolling boil when Russo began singing those familiar lyrics. The jam included more spirited back and forth between Hamilton and Metzger that is worth a re-listen for sure, and eventually landed squarely in "Saint of Circumstance." Metzger lent his talented vocals once again before the music descended into a racing jam that did not let up for the rest of the song.
The crowd erupted when the band segued into "Help on the Way," and a short "Slipknot!" quickly followed. The blues rock jam bus drove straight into a bonus "White Room" tease. The music returned to "Slipknot!" before jettisoning into "Nearly Lost You" by the Screaming Trees, which was a first-time played tune by JRAD.
Another well-executed transition followed with beats sprinting like a freight train via Russo. "Big River" was up next, which displayed more of Benevento's skills on the keys. The song reached an upbeat climax before a spacey segue downshifted into "Bird Song." This provided a much-needed chill moment, as the band did not stop for a breath during the second set. JRAD made their final transition of the set into "Shattered" by the Rolling Stones. This first time played tune was sung by Dreiwitz and ended the set in high gear.
The band returned for an encore, and played the heartfelt "Ripple," which ended another incredible show.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead is back on February 8, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. Tickets are sold out, and can be procured via cashortrade.org. Hop on over to their tour page for information on other dates.
Set One: Tangled Up in Blue > Cumberland Blues > Passenger, New Speedway Boogie > Estimated Prophet > Loose Lucy Set Two: Uncle John's Band > Saint of Circumstance > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Nearly Lost You1 > Big River > Bird Song > Shattered1 Encore: Ripple Notes: 1. First Time Played
The Denver, Co-based trio SunSquabi brought a high-energy set of jamtronica originals to Brooklyn Made in Brooklyn, NY last Friday, January 19, 2024. This intimate venue in the bustling Bushwick neighborhood was packed despite multiple inches of snow that fell across the region earlier in the day. Producer and instrumentalist Parkbreezy provided support.
Parkbreezy, aka Parker Williams, kicked off the music with an hour-long set of electronic dance music, which included house and hip-hop. Also based in Denver, Co, he mixed in songs like "A Horse With No Name" by America. He was joined by rapper Alex Unger for a tune.
After a quick break and gear changeover, Sunsquabi emerged for an epic throwdown. Their current lineup included Kevin Donohue (guitar/keys), Josh Fairman (bass/synth), and drummer Scotty Zwang. The music kicked off with the dubstep-inspired "Panther," which had synth cleverly layered with the guitar and bass. "Just a Little" shifted gears slightly into funk, with plenty of interplay between light and dark, as the dance party heated up. Newer tune "Grind" followed.
The feel-good tune "Cinnamon" was up next, where Fairman had no shortage of tasty bass lines. "Pangolin" experimented with a high concentration of synth and keys, and the outcome was plenty of dance moves by the fans. "Sticky" began with a more mellow intro, though this quickly heated up into a funk-fueled exercise amongst the trio. Zwang showed his versatility in this tune.
The band was in lockstep for "Deluxe," a stellar, high-energy jamtronica original that launched many folks to the moon. Donohue's tension and release on the guitar were on point as this song came to a close. "Tequilla" brought a darker funk feel, which carried over into "SteamCat," from their 2022 release, Arise. A euphonious "Hard Pass" proceeded, which began with a slower tempo, providing a much-needed chill moment.
Another Arise tune, "Scorpion," emerged as the penultimate tune for the set. The synth and bass married perfectly with the drums, as fans cheered during the song valleys. "Hornet" completed the Arise trifecta, and ended the show on a high note. The band left the stage, and returned for a final face-melting tune, "Hustlin'."
Sunsquabi is back in action on January 26th in Madison, WI at the Majestic Theater. Tickets are available at this link. They are just getting ramped up on their winter tour. Hop on over to their tour page for more dates.
Setlist: Panther, Just a Little, Grind1, Cinnamon, Pangolin, Sticky, Deluxe, Tequilla, SteamCat, Hard Pass1, Scorpion, Hornet Encore: Hustlin' Notes: 1 - new song
Galactic returned to the iconic Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, January 27, 2024, for the second night of a two-night winter stand that packed quite the punch. This New Orleans, La-based septet sold out the jam band-loving venue, and brought the French Quarter with them, along with plenty of funk and jazz. Neo-soul guitarist and singer Kendra Morris provided support with her band this evening.
The line up for Galactic started with Ben Ellman (saxophone, harmonica), Robert Mercurio (bass), Stanton Moore (drums, percussion), Jeffrey Raines (guitar), Richard Vogal (keyboards), and Eric Gordon (trumpet). Singer Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph was on hand to deliver her powerful vocals.
Brooklyn's own Kendra Morris kicked off the music on this frosty winter evening. She was backed by a guitarist, bassist, and drummer who were all locked in for the entire set. Her moody mix of neo-soul resonated with the packed crowd. Her soft but powerful voice pulled together the melodic blues rock from her talented band. We hope to catch this group again.
The room was packed, and the crowd was fired up after Kendra Morris left the stage. The anticipation built as the band walked down the stairs and onto the stage for what proved to be a raging set of funk and jazz. Jelly commanded the room, with her powerful pipes and wine glass. It felt like the crowd was going to lift through the roof during the funk-fueled Galactic original "Higher and Higher," from Into the Deep.
Towards the end of the set, the band delivered a spot-on cover of "Walking on the Moon" by the Police. Jelly once again for the win with the soulful vocals. The rest of the band showed their truly adeptness with this rock and roll cover.
At the end of the set, the band left the stage, and venue owner Peter Shapiro grabbed the microphone. He shared with the crowd that the Brooklyn Bowl was envisioned and built for Galactic many years ago with a huge smile on his face. He proceeded to hug all members of the band as they entered the stage for the encore.
Galactic brought some seriously high-energy funk and jazz to the Brooklyn Bowl, and are not to be missed in this endless conquest for face-melting music. They are back in action on February 3rd for a hometown show at the legendary Tipitina's in New Orleans, LA. Tickets are available via this link. Please hop on over to their tourpage for more dates.
Orebolo, the three-piece acoustic side project containing members from Goose, kicked off a three-night run at the storied Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY last Thursday, February 8th. This trio has come a long way since their debut at the Fred Festival as the AGOOSEtic trio, and continues to serve up stripped-down Goose songs as well as other favorites in a mellow environment. This three-night run marked the only dates for Goose or Orebolo during the winter, besides the appearance at Dead Ahead, making this run special for the fans who could attend.
The evening began with a seated crowd, a line of candles on the ground, and classy lights that formed a semi-circle on the stage. "Lead the Way" kicked off the festivities with a bubbly tune to get the juices flowing. Guitarist Peter Anspach was all smiles while he sang the next tune, "Elizabeth." Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda layered in his incredible guitar skills during this tune, developing highs and lows in the stripped-down melody.
A sweet version of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" was next. The crowd was invigorated with this first-time played tune. Goose favorite "Turbulence & The Night Rays" followed with an elegantly stacked melody that really hit home. Newer Goose tune "Not Alone" followed.
A pair of first-time played tunes was up next, starting with "No California" by Illsey Juber, the British American singer and songwriter from California. Upon the conclusion of the song, Anspach gave a shout out to Cotter Ellis, who is the newly anointed drummer for Goose. He waved to the crowd from the Presidential Boxes with a huge grin as the crowd engaged in a welcoming "Gooooose" chant. "Spain" from the renowned jazz musician Chick Corea completed the pair. This song included notable snapping from bassist Jeff Arevalo.
Orebolo original "Dim Lights" proceeded what can only be described as an inspired "So Ready." This song never fails to get the crowd going, and tonight was no exception despite the acoustic setting. The high energy composed section exploded as the crowd joined in with clapping. Both guitarists displayed their skills and ended the first of six sets on a very high note.
Goose original "Turned Clouds" kicked off the second set. Jam vehicle "Arrow" followed, and did not disappoint. Arevalo used the bow on his stand up bass, which was a nice contrast to the guitars. The unfinished tune segued into "Where Is My Wild Rose" by folk singer and songwriter Chris Thompson.
An upbeat "Hot Tea" came with a jam that went in many directions. "Mad World" by Tears for Fears brought cheers from the crowd and a more chill jam. The band performed the first of many Grateful Dead covers next, starting with "New Speedway Boogie." The Grateful Dead played in this building many times, as well as numerous side projects. Mitarotonda's vocals were on point, as they were the entire show.
The show saw a return to the Goose catalog with the euphonic "A Western Sun." The heavy hitter "Arcadia" closed out this set with vigor. The trio returned to encore with newer Goose tune "Arise."
Stay tuned for more coverage of Orebolo's three night stand at the Capitol Theatre. Also, visit their tour pageoften,as they generally release a few dates at a time. Their current schedule includes the Levitate and Solshine festivals.
Set One: Lead the Way, Elizabeth, Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright[1], Turbulence & The Night Rays, Not Alone[2], No California[3], Spain[4], Dim Lights, So Ready Set Two: Turned Clouds, Arrow[5] > Where Is My Wild Rose[6], Hot Tea, Mad World[7], New Speedway Boogie[8], A Western Sun, Arcadia Encore: Arise Coach's Notes:
[1] Bob Dylan. FTP.
[2] FTP as Orebolo.
[3] Ilsey Juber. FTP.
[4] Chick Corea. FTP as Orebolo.
[5] Unfinished.
[6] Chris Thompson. FTP.
[7] Tears For Fears.
[8] Grateful Dead.
Orebolo returned to the Capitol Theatre on February 9, 2024, and continued the second of a three-night run with deconstructed Goose tunes. Smiles and joyful reunions were frequently seen amongst the fans in attendance, as many saw out-of-town friends for the first time since Goosemas in December. The two sets included copious first-time played covers, as well as two tunes that were regularly played by the Grateful Dead inside the Port Chester, NY-based venue that is firmly rooted in the Grateful Dead's history.
The set began with guitarist Peter Anspach taking a photo of the excited crowd. "Mr. Action," a song about the integral Goose crew member known as Coach, was the first tune played this evening. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda had a nice jam early on, along with tasty chords from Anspach, which showed the trio arrived ready to play ball. "Jack-A-Roe," a traditional instrumental played frequently by the Grateful Dead followed. This instantly awoke even the most casual fan and brought many happy faces.
Goose original "Dr. Darkness" was up next. This first-time-played tune by Orebolo was the perfect lead-in for "Flodown." The crowd started to erupt as Mitarotonda and Anspach built up the bluegrass inspired melody. Hearing the extra-musical texture of this tune was truly a treat. Multiple rounds of clapping occurred as this song evolved for nine minutes.
"Hang Me, Oh Hang Me" by American folk singer Dave Van Ronk brought the energy back down for a few moments. This quickly changed as they descended into "Creatures." This song is normally very high energy, though today's version was considerably more mellow. The juxtaposition was nice, as it highlighted details within this jam vehicle. Bassist Jeff Arevalo added some nice notes in the space around the guitars.
"Don't Be Cruel" aka the obligatory Elvis cover per Mitarotonda, was up next. His vocals really shined in this tune from the 1950's. Orebolo then delved into "Louise" by Bonnie Raitt, which was proceeded by "It Burns Within." The set ended with an acoustic dance party vibe driven by a twelve-minute "Animal." It was phenomenal.
The trio returned with a "Hungersite" that instantly transformed all faces into smiles. The crowd sing a long-continued into "Red Bird," with Anspach thanking everyone at the conclusion for their vocal contributions. Arevalo had several transformative moments using the bow.
"Seekers on the Ridge Part I" is perhaps even more beautiful as an acoustic song than full band. Mitarotonda and Anspach masterfully played this with a simplistic fullness that can only be achieved in an unplugged environment. Arevalo added an ominous tone with the bow at times, which provided perfect contrast for the guitars. "Seekers on the Ridge Part II" ended this delightful song duet.
The tempo increased considerably for a fast version of "Echo of a Rose." This song has been known to bring the heat electrified and did not disappoint. "Love More" by Singer Songwriter Sharon Van Etten brought another first-time played tune. This precluded yet another crowd sign along with the Grateful Dead's "Tennessee Jed."
Orebolo always plays sets that hit home in a relaxed environment. "This Old Sea" played into this vibe. The set ended with none other than "Empress of Organos." This culminated with synchronized joyous clapping and an energetic sing-along by the fans. What a day to be living indeed.
The band returned for one final tune, "Silver Rising." The energy was through the roof despite this being an acoustic show. They harmonized as well they played to close out this special performance.
Head on over to Orebolo's tour page for more details about future dates.
Check out more photos from the show. Also, don't miss our review and photos from Orebolo at the Capitol Theatre on Feb 8, 2024.
Set 1: Mr. Action, Jack-A-Roe[1], Dr. Darkness[2], Flodown, Hang Me, Oh Hang Me[3], Creatures[4], Don't Be Cruel[5], Louise[6], It Burns Within, Animal Set 2: Hungersite, Red Bird, Seekers On The Ridge Part I > Seekers On The Ridge Part II, Echo of a Rose[7], Love More[8], Tennessee Jed[9], This Old Sea, The Empress Of Organos Encore: Silver Rising Coach's Notes:
[1] Traditional.
[2] FTP as Orebolo.
[3] Dave Van Ronk.
[4] Unfinished.
[5] Elvis Presley. FTP as Orebolo.
[6] Bonnie Raitt.
[7] Fast version.
[8] Sharon Van Etten. FTP.
[9] Grateful Dead.
Orebolo closed their three-night stand at the Capitol Theatre on February 10, 2024, with another inspired acoustic performance. Those in attendance were fortunate to hear four first-time played tunes, along with more stellar Grateful Dead covers. This band continued to impress in a stripped-down environment, as they emerged as a formidable trio on the jam scene.
The evening began with guitarist Peter Anspach thanking the crowd for attending the run. The traditional tune "Liza Jane" began the music. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda contributed his always-resonant vocals to this first-time-played song. Both Anspach and Mitarotonda brought their A-game early, as they harmonized their guitars together for this intricate tune.
Anspach's tune "The Whales" followed, with a galvanized jam that had fans yelling for more. Bassist Jeff Arevalo joined the party in the intro for "Atlas Dogs," as he provided dark notes that eventually wound around the guitar melody. This second first time played the song of the night seamlessly transitioned from electric to acoustic. We can only hope that Orebolo will add "Atlas Dogs" to their repertoire.
The crowd decided to get in on the action during "California Magic," and joined the vocals early for this fun tune. Anspach thanked the crowd for their collective contribution upon conclusion of the song, and called out how great the crowdss have been. Don't you know that's it's all just california magic?
The energy mellowed slightly as they moved into a slower version of jam vehicle, "All I Need." This tune has been played fast, slow, and every tempo in between as an electrified tune by Goose. This well-placed, relaxed acoustic version provided a much-needed energetic break. The slow-going vibe came to an end as Mitarotonda dove into a "Secret Agent Man" tease, which kicked up the intensity as the song ended.
"Moonrise," from the 2022 Goose release Dripfield, was up next. Despite being released as a full electric song, this tune has been played live more as an acoustic tune. The trio harmonized exceptionally well. Father John Misty's "I'm Writing a Novel" proceeded. Arevalo brought stand-out bass picking that complimented the guitars perfectly.
Tom Wait's "Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis" was the penultimate tune in this outstanding set, and played for only the third time ever. The trio ended the set with jam monster, "Rockdale." Fans in the crowd had been screaming for this tune throughout the duration of the run, and this nine-minute version did not disappoint. The jam went into a mellow valley before ratcheting up. The crowd joined in vocals as the song came to a vibrant conclusion.
The band returned for set two, and picked up right where they left off with a twelve-minute "Thatch." Both Mitarotonda and Anspach showed their guitar chops, as Arevalo tied the guitars together with his bass thumps. "True Love Waits" by Radiohead was up next, and represented the third first-time played tune of the night. Mitarotonda thanked the crowd for their vocal assistance upon the conclusion of this tune.
Folk singer songwriter Dick Burnett's "Man of Constant Sorrow" marked the last first time played tune of the night. This traditional tune brought that bluegrass vibe, much to the delight of the crowd. Arevalo filled the space with precision. "Lead Up" by Goose was up next, and included fiery vocals from Mitarotonda.
The trio makes no efforts to hide their love for Elvis Presley, as they played "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame" next. This was followed by a euphonious "Everything Must Go." Arevalo heightened this tune by using the bow to add ominous tones.
A nine-minute acoustic "Dripfield" followed, much to the delight of the crowd. This tune renders well both with and without electrification. Arevalo was instrumental in creating the darker feel that accompanies this song when electrified. Mitarotonda's guitar work was flawless. The crowd contributed a round of synchronized clapping as the jam wound down.
Anspach took a few moments to share how grateful the band was to be playing this evening. The trio then unleashed another nod to the Grateful Dead by playing "Ship of Fools." The crowd erupted upon conclusion with enthusiastic applause. The set ended on an incredibly high note with a fourteen-minute "Madhuvan." This well-known, face-melting tune brought huge smiles to faces in the crowd as the band artfully built up this tune.
The band stepped off stage and returned for an encore. Anspach once againacknowledged the crowd's singing and the fact that they can't often hear it when playing as Goose. He also expressed his positive outlook for the future Goose calendar. The band then played one final tune, "US Blues", which also served as the final expression of gratitude for the Grateful Dead. This song certainly feels like it was made for this band, and the audience echoed that sentiment.
This special three-night run ended with an unquestionable bang. It's reminder to all fans regarding how talented these musicians are. They don't play in this format very often, and it's certainly not to be missed. Head on over to their tour page and add their future dates to your summer calendar.
Check out more photos from this show. Also, view our photos (Feb 8 and Feb 9) and reviews (Feb 8 and Feb 9) from prior nights in the run.
Set 1: Liza Jane[1], The Whales, Atlas Dogs[2] > California Magic, All I Need[3], Moonrise, I'm Writing A Novel[4], Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis[5], Rockdale
Set 2: Thatch, True Love Waits[6], Man of Constant Sorrow[7], Lead Up, (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame[8], Everything Must Go, Dripfield, Ship Of Fools[9], Madhuvan
Encore: U.S. Blues[9]
Coach's Notes:
[1] Traditional. FTP as Orebolo.
[2] FTP as Orebolo.
[3] Slow, melodic version. With Secret Agent Man tease.
[4] Father John Misty.
[5] Tom Waits.
[6] Radiohead. FTP.
[7] Dick Burnett. FTP.
[8] Elvis Presley.
[9] Grateful Dead.
The Los Angeles, CA-based quartet Circles Around The Sun delivered a high-energy performance of original tunes rooted in jazz-funk, soul, and fusion at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York, NY on Saturday, March 2, 2024. So good, in fact, that the venue owner got on stage to rally for a second encore. Mikaela Davis and Southern Star were on hand to provide support.
Circles Around The Sun originally formed to create music for the Grateful Dead's final tour, Fare Thee Well. The project was so well received, that the band began releasing original music and has soldiered on despite losing founding guitarist Neal Casal. The large crowd at the Brooklyn Bowl was certainly a testament to this band's recent achievements. The current lineup included guitarist Shannon Lee, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Dan Horne, and drummer Mark Levy.
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The music began with Harpist Mikaela Davis and Southern Star. Her band comprised drummer Alex Cote, guitarist Cian McCarthy, bassist Shane McCarthy, and steel guitarist Kurt Johnson. They presented a melodic mix of '60s pop-soaked melodies, psychedelia, and driving folk rock with the harp cleverly woven throughout. Their set incorporated a stellar version of "The Wheel" by the Grateful Dead.
The show continued as Circles Around The Sun took the stage, and kicked off their set with blues rock and pop-infused "Away Team," from their recent 2023 Language. The disco-inspired "Money's No Option," from their self-titled 2020 album Circles Around The Sun, followed. MacDougall emanated tasty synth layers into this dance-friendly tune.
The melodic "Third Sunrise Over Gliese 667," another recent release from Language, sounded reminiscent of Pink Floyd at times. The dance beats were back in full swing during "Landline Memories." The energy mellowed for a much needed chill moment during "Immovable Object." This proved short lived as Lee was quickly raging on guitar. The synth and guitar came back together nicely at the end of this seventeen-minute tune.
Two more tunes from Circles Around The Sun were up next, starting with "Detriot Dos." Levy showed his skills on the kit during this drum heavy tune that eventually descended into "Space." "Babyman" brought the crowd back into funky, dancing beats.
David decided to join the party, and played harp on the three remaining tunes of the set, starting with "After Sunrise." She recently collaborated with the band for their Language release. "Gloaming Way" brought a vibrant combination of blues guitar with the softer harp. The set ended on a particularly funky note with "Language."
The band stepped off stage, and returned for what appeared to be their final tune, "One For Chuck." Club owner Peter Shapiro quickly hopped on stage and rallied for another tune. The band obliged, much to the delight of the crowd, and ended this fun show well past the midnight hour.
Circles Around The Sun are back in action tonight in Portland, ME at the Portland House of Music and Events. Tickets are available via this link. Hop on over to their tour page for more tour dates.
Set: Intro/Tuning, Away Team, Money's No Option, Third Sunrise Over Gliese 667, Landline Memories, Immovable Object, Detroit Dos -> Space, Babyman, After Sunrise1, Gloaming Way1, Language1 Encore: One For Chuck Notes: 1 - with Mikaela Davis on harp/vocals
Thievery Corporation, the eclectic, downtempo, genre-defying conglomerate of musicians, producers, and vocalists based in Washington D.C., returned to New York, NY for a vibrant performance at Terminal 5 on March 9, 2024. They were supported by the Big Apple-based City of the Sun.
Smooth beats woven with passionate vocals and melodic world music is what Thievery Corporation does best, and has been doing for almost thirty years. Producers Rob Garza and Eric Hilton began this project in 1995, and the band is still going strong in 2024. Hilton rarely tours these days, but Garza was on hand to lead the troops. The band consisted of drummer Jeffery James Franca, bassist Dan Africano, guitar/sitar Rob Myers, and percussionist/vocalist Frank Orrall. Singer Laura Vall, rappers Mr. Lif and Racquel Jones, and reggae artist Puma provided stellar vocals. Combining music and vocals formed an electrifying tapestry of inspiring global dance music.
The evening began with a high-energy set from City of the Sun, a band heavily influenced by post-rock, gypsy jazz, flamenco, and indie rock. Their members comprised guitarist John Pita, guitarist Avi Snow, and percussionist Zach Para. This band delivered jam-friendly instrumental sounds that complimented Thievery Corporation quite well. Pita displayed his face-melting guitar skills while engaging with the crowd multiple times during their set.
The crowd was warmed up and ready, and finally, Thievery Corporation emerged from the green room. This was not without a few minutes of instrumentals sans the musicians, which only fired up the crowd even more. The first two songs showcased the instrumental powerhouse of this band: "A Warning Dub" and "Facing East." Myers was grinning early as he unleashed the sweet sounds of the sitar during "Facing East."
Vall provided vocals for perhaps the most quintessential Thievery song, "Lebanese Blonde." This track was from their 2000 release The Mirror Conspiracy. Jones hopped into the mix next to provide vocals for the reggae meets hip hop-fueled banger, "Originality," from Versions. The reggae vibes continued as Puma rotated into the fun with "Amerimacka."
Rapper Mr. Lif was up next, and provided vocals for "Culture of Fear," from Thievery's 2011 release of the same name. The percussive heavy, instrumental "Illumination" followed, and gave drummer Franca and percussionist Orrall a moment to shine. Jones was back for the next tune, "Letter to the Editor," and proceeded by "Encounter in Bahia" featuring Mr. Lif.
Puma was back on the stage with "Vampires" from the 2008 release Radio Retaliation. Orrall took on singing duties for the next tune, "Heart is a Lonely Hunter," standing in for David Byrne, who originally recorded this track with Thievery for the 2005 release Cosmic Game. Orrall lit up the stage with an illuminated poy that he whipped around in circles above his head to close out this fun tune.
"Air Batucada", another delicious, old-school, chill, instrumental tune from the Mirror Conspiracy, reminded the fans this band owns the downtempo space. This was accompanied by the "Sleeper Car Intro," a tune from their breakthrough first album, Sounds from the Theivery Hi-Fi. Three songs were mashed up next, starting with "Meu Nego" featuring vocals from Vall. This led into "Roadblock" with Jones and "Richest Man" with Puma. The mashup was book-ended with Vall, as she contributed to "Para Sempre."
The newer, dubstep-inspired "San San Rock" featured a charged Jones. This leads into the melodic "Satyam Shivam" with Vall. A fired-up Mr. Lif kicked the venue into high gear with the emotional "Fight to Survive" from the 2017 album, Temple of I & I. The crowd was energized and in lockstep, as his powerful voice melded with the high-octane hip-hop sounds.
The set ended on a very fiery note as Puma and Jones joined the charged Mr. Lif for "Warning Shots." The band stepped off stage, and quickly returned to a loud applause. They encored with "Sweet Tides," as Vall emanated her sweet vocals for the last time.
Thievery Corporation put on an incredible show that inspired plenty of dancing. They are currently on tour, and up next at the iconic Toad's Place in New Haven, CT on March 13, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to their tour page for more dates.
Setlist: A Warning Dub, Facing East, Lebanese Blonde, Originality, Amerimacka, Culture of Fear, Illumination, Letter to the Editor, Encounter in Bahia, Vampires, Heart is a Hunter, Air Batucada, Sleeper Car Intro > Meu Nego > Roadblock > Richest Man > Para Sempre, San San Rock, Satyam Shivam, Fight to Survive, Warning Shots Encore: Sweet Tides
Funk legend and Meters' bassist George Porter Jr. returned to the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, March 16, 202, along with his band Runnin' Pardners to celebrate the life of drummer Russell Batiste. He also brought many accomplished friends including drummer Adam Deitch, keyboardist John Papa Gros, and guitarist Cris Jacobs. Together, this group delivered a deliciously funky set of tunes from an array of bands that Batiste was in, most notably including The Meters and The Funky Meters.
Batiste was a child musical prodigy who grew up in New Orleans, LA and played in the Batiste family band at the age of 6. Upon reaching high school, he became an incredible drummer for the St. Augustine Marching 100 High School Band. After that, he met George Porter Jr, who tapped him to be the drummer for the legendary jazz-funk artist, The Meters. He eventually served as the drummer for the later rendition, The Funky Meters. He was the go-to funk drummer in the town that pioneered funk and was also in bands such as Vida Blue, Papa Gros Funk, Runnin' Pardners, Dumpstaphunk, Bonerama, the Wild Magnolias, and the Joe Krown Trio, as well as his own Orkestra from da Hood and Russell Batiste & Friends. He was also a band leader who produced and wrote music.
Sadly, Batiste passed away last year from a heart attack. George decided to organize a tribute tour to honor the musical legacy of this talented drummer. This tribute featured a set from the Runnin' Parders current lineup, followed by a supergroup set.
The show began with Runnin' Pardners current lineup, which comprised guitarist Chris Adkins, keyboardist Michael Lemmler, and George on bass. Deitch sat in for Batiste on drums and certainly had big shoes to fill. The set was funky from beginning to end, and included the classic "Cissy Got the Blues" > "Just Kissed My Baby."
After a short break, the supergroup tribute assembled on stage. This included George, Deitch, Gros, and Jacobs, along with a horns section consisting of Mark Mullins and Tracy Griffen. Mullins was Batiste's bandmate in Bonerama. An instrumental tune kicked off the music before George launched into a raging "Fire on the Bayou," which also ignited a crowd singalong.
Gros took a few moments to tell stories about Batiste, before this fiery ensemble dove into more funky classics like "Fire In The Garage" and "Motha Funk Y'all." Gros once again took the mic to tell stories, such as the instance where Batiste convinced Gros to play "Ain't No Use" at a wedding against his better judgment. The crowd loved the tune, and Batiste said "I told ya so" after they finished playing. Adam's father, Bobby Deitch, joined the squad on the kit for this tune. It was certainly a family affair.
Batiste loved audience participation. To honor this, the band played his song, "Ridin' Through The Mountains," originally written for Papa Gros Funk. Before this, Gros taught the crowd to say "Oh yea!" when he said "What!" Gros proceeded through several practice rounds to get the crowd ready for the task. The crowd got into it, as did Deitch, with another mind-melting drum solo.
The evening came to a triumphant close with funk classics "Soul Island" > "Hey Pocky A-Way" > "Africa." It felt like the Brooklyn Bowl had transformed into the French Quarter during these well known tunes.
Porter certainly had a special connection to Batiste, and the audience got the opportunity to feel the love. Batiste was incredibly accomplished, and there will no doubt be more tributes for this legendary funk drummer.
Set One: Instrumental, All We Want To Do, Hand Clapping Song, Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, I Get High, Out In The Country, Pungee, Cissy Got the Blues > Just Kissed My Baby Set Two: Jam > Fire On The Bayou, Thinking, Fire In The Garage, Motha Funk Y’all, Soul Second Line, It Ain’t No Use, Ridin’ Through The Mountains, Soul Island > Hey Pocky A-Way > Africa
Eggy, the jam rock quartet from Connecticut, crushed two sets at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA on Friday, March 22, 2024. They warmed up by recording an episode of The Drop, which is a live podcast with Osiris' RJ Bee. Disco Biscuit bassist Marc Brownstein sat in for a tune as well.
The evening began at the storied Ardmore Music Hall, located in the Philadelphia metro area, where Eggy sat down with Bee for a candid chat about their recent success as musicians, pre-show routines, creative merchandise drops, and most importantly, the covers draft. Bee handed the band a list of bands they had recently covered in the spirit of the concurrently happening NCAA Tournament. Each person chose three bands via snake draft, and the audience voted on the band member with the best list. The full interview is available via this link.
The foursome returned to the stage for the first of two electrifying sets, and kicked off the music with newer tune "Atomic Age." This flowed nicely into the blues-rock "Northern Lights," and ended squarely in "Way Of The Stone." The band harmonized well during the last tune, and guitarist Jake Brownstein unearthed some magic on his guitar.
"Gretchen" was up next. The edgier tune felt reminiscent of Umphrey's McGee and included funky nuggets from keyboardist Dani Battat on the clav. The band then presented the first cover of the night, "Skin It Back" by Little Feat. Drummer Alex Bailey contributed his vocals to this tune. The jam evolved into a layered blues funk tapestry that resonated well with the crowd.
"Evergreen" followed, and the set closed out with a raging "12 Pounds of Pain." This included stellar bass work by bassist Michael Goodman as well as "Skin It Back" teases.
After a short break, the band returned, and delivered what can only be described as an exploratory jam during a twenty-three-minute "Finding and Losing." This unfinished tune segued masterfully into another tune that went deep, "Backyard Bear." One man's trash is a tasty treasure, indeed. This twenty-four-minute jam saw Brownstein and Battat in lockstep once again, before a flaming hot transition back into "Finding and Losing," which ended this fiery sequence.
Another musically talented Brownstein joined the band on stage for the next tune. Marc Brownstein, also known as the Disco Biscuit's bass player, ushered the heat during the classic Chuck Berry cover "Let It Rock." Brownstein brought the spirit of the Biscuits with him, as they proceeded to tease "Home Again" and "Portal To An Empty Head" by the Disco Biscuits, as well as "The Windup" by Keith Jarrett. Afterward, Marc Brownstein took the opportunity to promote an upcoming, albeit unannounced, side project gig for The Brownstein Family Band with Jake Brownstein and Battat at Ardmore Hall on June 27th.
This stellar set closed out with the prog rock-fueled "Ricky Gervais." Battat dialed up the funk before Brownstein brought the jam home. The band returned to encore with "Burritos El Chavo 2," which included a face-melting jam to send the fans off with.
This band is certainly firing on all cylinders right now, as evidenced by their outstanding musicianship, adventurous jams, and exciting set lists. They are up next on April 5th at the Crawfish For A Cause Presents Mental Awakening Festival in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are available via this link. A number of dates remain on their spring tour. Head on over to their tour page for more details, and don't snooze past this rising band.
Set 1: Atomic Age-> Northern Lights > Way Of The Stone, Gretchen > Skin It Back1, Evergreen > 12 Pounds of Pain2 Set 2: Finding and Losing3 > Backyard Bear > Finding and Losing, Let It Rock4, Ricky Gervais Encore: Burritos El Chavo 2 Notes:
[1] Little Feat
[2] With Skin It Back (Little Feat) teases
[3] Unfinished
[4] Chuck Berry cover, with Marc Brownstein on bass, with Portal To An Empty Head and Home Again (Disco Biscuits) and The Windup (Keith Jarrett) teases
Eggy made their seventh appearance at the Brooklyn Bowl, on March 23, 2024, quite memorable with a set of covers and guests in honor of the Jewish holiday Purim. Fans were encouraged to dress in costume, and the band dressed in decade-wear. They also sold out the New York, NY venue well before the date of the show. Uncle Jesse provided support with pre-show dance music.
This was certainly a special show from beginning to end. Fans arrived early, and in costume, to celebrate Purim, which is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation by the Achaemenid Empire. It is often celebrated through days of feasting and gladness and encourages sharing with those less fortunate.
The evening began with Uncle Jesse, who re-mixed dance tunes as the fans waited for Eggy. The band slowly emerged, and kicked off their first set with the blues rock original, "Shadow." "Apology" followed, and the band showed their skills vocal harmonization skills. Guitarist Jake Brownstein went deep early during this nine-minute tune, and the fans' fists were pumping. Keyboardist Dani Battat eased the transition into "Zugzwang." Bassist Michael Goodman melded the jam into a funky simmer with his bass thumping.
New tune "Atomic Age" followed, and saw more delicious back and forth between Brownstein and Goodman. Face melting ensued as the jam began to shift back into the "Atomic Age" chorus. Drummer Alex Bailey showed his incredible skills on the kit during "Rosetta Stone." The jam produced some fine tension and release, as the crowd was yelling for more. Another new song, the mellow "What I Know," as well as "You," ended this uplifted set.
The band returned to the stage, and began the second set with what might be titled "Turn Back Time Intro." Each band member appeared on stage dressed from a different decade prior to 2000. Goodman wore the 50's leather jacket, Battat rocked the 70's button up, Brownstein had the 80's vest, and Bailey donned an unforgettable 90's pattern.
The quartet dove into "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones, with Goodman on vocals. The succinct guitar work was on point. A twelve-minute "Tomorrow Never Knows" by the Beatles proceeded. This jam is perhaps the best of the night, and worth a second listen, as Battat's trance undertones combined well with the outstanding blues-rock jam. Bailey sang the next upbeat tune "Mr. Blue Sky," from the Electric Light Orchestra.
Eggy brought some talented friends on stage next, which included a Funky Dawgz Horn section subset, including Tommy Weeks (tenor sax), Chris Chhoeun (trumpet), and Colin Waters (alto sax). They joined for the first of three originals in the set, "Sweaters for Strawmen." The horns upraised this tune, as Battat layered in the keys. The Funky Dawgz remained on stage, and singer Sammi Garrett joined the party to sing the lively "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross. The music came together swimmingly during this well-known tune.
The Funky Dawgz remained on stage for the next Eggy original, "Laurel." The horns had a nice breakdown in the middle of this tune. The energy in the room was electrifying at this point. The septet moved onto Radiohead's "Subterranean Homesick Alien," with an almost twelve-minute, fiery jam. The Funky Dawgz seriously elevated the last tune of this special set, "Golden Gate Dancer," and also completed the Eggy original trifecta.
The band began to return to the stage for an encore, but not before venue owner Peter Shapiro grabbed the mic to rally the crowd and band for more music. He emphasized "We all will remember this show for a long time," as the crowd cheered in agreement. The jam music scene is very fortunate that he is such a supportive fan.
Without further ado, Eggy summoned Sammi Garrett once again, before descending into "Reeling In The Years" by Steely Dan. The Brooklyn Bowl launched into the stratosphere during this song. It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the band or the fans. Brownstein nailed the familiar riff, as Battat crushed the vocals. This was one of those magical concert moments that everyone there will remember for years to come.
The band brought the Funky Dawgz out for one final tune, "Smile." All everyone was doing was smiling as this show came to a high-spirited close.
Eggy is back in action on April 5th at the Crawfish For A Cause Presents Mental Awakening Festival in Atlanta, GA. Tickets are available via this link. Visit Eggy'stour page for more dates on their spring tour, and catch them as they rise.
Check out more photos from the show. Also, view our review and photos from Eggy at Ardmore Music Hall on March 22, 2024!
Set 1: Shadow, Apology > Zugzwang, Atomic Age, Rosetta Stone, What I Know, You Set 2: Jumpin’ Jack Flash[1], Tomorrow Never Knows[2] > Mr. Blue Sky[3], Sweaters for Strawmen[4], I’m Coming Out[5], Laurel[4], Subterranean Homesick Alien[6], Golden Gate Dancer[4] Encore: Reelin’ In The Years[7], Smile[4] Footnotes:
[1] FTP, The Rolling Stones
[2] FTP, The Beatles
[3] FTP, Electric Light Orchestra
[4] With The Funky Dawgz Horns
[5] FTP, Diana Ross, with Sammi Garrett on vocals and The Funky Dawgz Horns
[6] FTP, Radiohead, with The Funky Dawgz Horns
[7] FTP, Steely Dan, with Sammi Garrett on vocals Show Notes: The band came out for the second set dressed in decade-wear: Mike (50s), Alex (90s), Jake (80s) and Dani (70s).
The Disco Biscuits released their much anticipated ninth album Revolution in Motion to a sold out crowd at New York City's Webster Hall on March 29, 2024. This was not just any album, but rather a techno "Space Opera," where the Disco Biscuit band members are a subset of the characters. Musicians Erin Boyd, Matteo Scammell, and Cloudchord all contributed to this multi-dimensional and well orchestrated performance.
The visuals were quite stunning, and the product of live animations by Blunt Action and Todd Kushnir. The lazer fueled light show was designed by lighting wizard Alex "Herm" Schneider. The visuals in the venue were equally stellar. Fans walked into life-size alien cutouts from the album’s animated film as well as 3D outer-space visuals on the venue’s video wall.
The show began with a twenty five minute "Shocked!," the first track from the new album. Drummer Allen Aucoin delivered steady beats during this fiery first tune. A perfect transition ensued to "The Wormhole." Vocalist Erin Boyd joined the band as The Queen for an energetic "Twisted in the Road." The crowd was loving this dance friendly collaboration, along with well placed tension and release by guitarist Jon Gutwillig.
Keyboardist Aron Magner elevated the jam by a function of synth during "Another Plan of Attack." Bassist Marc Brownstein glued everything together, as the band descended into another deep house jam that quickly evolved into "Times Square." The music certainly felt like a space ship at this point. The set ended on a high note with "Freeze."
The second set picked up where the first set left off: waste deep in a mind melting techno space opera. Matteo Scammell contributed vocals during this raging tune as The Scientist. This feel good dance tune segued into "Spaga's Last Stand," which featured producer Cloudchord on guitar, who also helped produce Revolution in Motion. This built into a trance driven climax, as Magner donned a large keytar while he and Cloudchord played back to back.
Another non-stop series began, starting with "Who's In Charge?" and the interstellar beats from Aucoin. An interstellar transition into an eighteen minute "The Deal" followed. The high energy, layered music was driven by Gutwilig's galactically charged guitar, and did not stop, like a "Space Train," which also happened to be the next tune. Another raging transition led into the ominous "One Change to Save the World." "Why We Dance" ended this non-stop sequence, and saw Boyd return to the stage on vocals at the Queen.
The show ended close to 1am with the last track of the new album, "To Be Continued." This included another appearance by Scammell as the Scientist.
The Disco Biscuits have been crushing shows with new songs and a revitalized energy. They are up next at the House of Blues in New Orleans, LA on April 4th. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Set 1: Shocked! > The Wormhole > Twisted in the Road1 > Another Plan of Attack > Times Square > Freeze Set 2: Tourists (Rocket Ship)2 > Spaga's Last Stand3, Who's In Charge? > The Deal > Space Train > One Chance to Save the World > Why We Dance1, To Be Continued2 Notes:
1. with Erin Boyd on vocals (playing The Queen)
2. with Matteo Scammell on vocals (playing The Scientist)
3. with Cloudchord on guitar and Magner on keytar
Melvin Seals brought his talented band to the iconic Capitol Theatre on April 5, 2024 for two fiery sets of classic Jerry Garcia Band covers, and more. They were joined by saxophonist Ron Holloway. Psychedelic rockers One Eyed Jack provided their support.
The evening began with solid set by the New Jersey based One Eyed Jack. The current lineup consists of guitarist Gary Gallagher, bassist Adam Riley, vocalist/lyricist Rosie Lazroe, drummer Vincent Smith, guitarist/vocalist Pete Tonti, and keyboardist/vocalist Joe Biglin. They played a set full of tasty blues rock jams with stellar vocals, which is often a sore point for jam bands. The crowd was ready for Melvin and his merry band after this fun set.
Shortly after One Eyed Jack's set ended, the curtains slowly opened as Melvin and JGB kicked off a high energy, bluesy, jazz inspired jam leading into "Memphis Soul Stew Jam," by King Curtis. The mellow, Sam Cooke cover "Wonderful World" followed. Holloway was front and center from this the very start, elevating the music by a factor of saxophone. Seals was on point on the organ during this jam as well. Bassist John Paul McLean was crushing the bass during "Ain't No Bread in the Breadbox," by Norton Buffalo. The crowd was on their feet and dancing as this song wound down.
"Like a Road Leading Home" followed, and brought a much needed slow ballad vibe. Guitarist John Kadlecik elegantly sang this beautiful song. "Tore Up Over You"," by Hank Ballard was up next, and brought a nice, feel good vibe. The well known Jerry Garcia Band tune "Cats Under the Stars" brought a lot of excitement from the crowd. This flowed perfectly into "The Wheel." Another stellar transition into "Drums" ensued, and highlighted drummer Jeremy Hoenig's focused drumming. The set ended on a high note with the Grateful Dead's "Corrina."
The band took a short break, and heated the Cap up again with Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally." Kadlecik and Holloway together brought a lot of life into this classic rock tune. The crowd was beyond excited as the band played the slow intro for "Sugaree." Holloway was once again the stand out during this almost twelve minute tune. Hoenig was once again lighting up the drum kit during "Tangled Up in Blue" by Bob Dylan. The music slowed down once again for the euphonious ballad, 'That Lucky Old Sun" by Frankie Laine.
The mood escalated as the band began to play "US Blues" by the Grateful Dead, and the crowd erupted. The penultimate tune "My Sisters and My Brothers" kept the crowd moving. The show ended an absolutely raging note during the Jerry Garcia Band tune "Deal."
Melvin Seals and JGB put on two great sets of blues and jazz jam rock. They are up next at Thunderbird Music Hall in Pittsburg, PA on April 9, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. Hop on over to their tour page for more details about the rest of their spring tour.
Set One: Memphis Soul Stew Jam, Wonderful World, Ain't No Bread in the Breadbox, Like a Road Leading Home, Tore Up Over You, Cats Under the Stars > The Wheel > Drums > Corrina Set Two: Lay Down Sally, Sugaree, Tangled Up in Blue, That Lucky Old Sun, U.S. Blues, My Sisters and Brothers, Deal
They met at NYU as students with one common goal: to make every gig feel like a party and to keep everyone dancing. Several years and many rooftop gigs later, Stolen Gin lived up to this mantra at their biggest show yet last Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the legendary Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY. Fans raged into the night as this quintet delivered a strong funk-pop vibe coupled with well-placed jazz and rock improvisation. Indie rockerDeadbeat Girl provided their support.
The evening began with Deadbeat Girl, aka Val Olson, who is an indie and alternative singer-songwriter originally from South Florida who now resides in NYC. The words were filled with emotional vulnerability, and the melodies with soft acoustics, deep synth, and robust bass. Despite a short career thus far for this young artist, Olson has inspired many with a commitment to honest and poetic lyrics. Their performance included a lot of commentary, as they connected to the fans quite well, both while playing and in between songs.
After Deadbeat Girl's set ended, the venue was packed as the co-ed crowd eagerly awaited Stolen Gin. The band stepped on stage to boisterous applause. Tonight's lineup included vocalist and guitarist Jackson Lardner, saxophonist Evan Jacobson, guitarist Will Adler, drummer Josh Farrell, and bassist Sawyer Adler. The festivities began with the bubbly "Drunk Ambition," which included smooth vocals from Lardner. The pop-funk feels heated up with "Bowery," an original tune reminiscent of Michael Jackson from their 2022 release Tonic. The bumping bass line, care of Sawyer Adler, had the crowd moving with delight.
Jacobson shined during "Take Your Problems to the Disco," another Tonic gem, as the saxophone melded with the vocals in a sophisticated way. This upbeat, dance-friendly tune could bring a smile to most faces and is understandably a staple in their catalog. "Second Sun" followed, from the 2019 album Something Sweet, and Will Adler contributed some tasty blues rock guitar. Farrell showed his talent as he maintained a steady and pronounced beat.
"Jack Herer" proceeded another Something Sweet song, and was just as smooth as the famous cannabis strain the song is named for. "Gold" included a stellar funk guitar element woven into this high-energy tune. This was one of our favorite moments from the set. Lardner was on point with vocals and rhythm guitar.
New tune "Underwater" was up next. The recently released music was inspired by the tropics, particularly the jazzy saxophone. Farrell also crushed the transitions within the tune. The crowd pondered the possibility of life underwater as they grooved to this vibrant tune. "If We Go Down," another recently released single continued the melodic funk theme.
The first cover of the night, "Gypsy Woman" by Crystal Waters, emerged. The delicious saxophone mixed with electro-pop funk felt like a signature original. The crowd was locked into the groove, as smiles decorated the Bowery neighborhood venue. More Tonic goodness followed with "House in Maine," which heated the tempo back up. "Tension Release" included a layered tapestry anchored with an ear-pleasing bass line by Sawyer Adler.
As the set waned, the band dropped into an elevated "Red." Will Adler contributed a short but nonetheless face-melting jam on guitar. The penultimate tune of the set, "London After Dark," brought intense drumming by Farrell with more upbeat major chords and an indie influence. The set ended on a high note with "Analie," which is yet another treasure from Something Sweet.
The band returned for an encore, and started with more succulence from Something Sweet in the form of the ballad "Road to Reason." Lardner showed his incredible vocal versatility in this mellow and intricate tune. The beats soared once again during "Fast Cars and Movie Stars." The band ended the show with an energizing and crowd-ifying cover of "Santeria" by Sublime. Most attendees sang their hearts out, even though many had not been born when Sublime broke up in 1996. They could not have chosen a better song to end a night of high-spirited dancing.
Stolen Gin successfully achieved lift-off at the Bowery Ballroom. These talented NYU grads are well on their way to more success and are back in action on April 26, 2024, at The Lounge @ World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to their tour page for more dates, including a West Coast run later this year, and catch this stand-out, emerging artist as they rise.
Setlist: Drunk Ambition, Bowery, Take Your Problems to the Disco, Second Sun, Jack Herer, Gold, Underwater, If We Go Down, Gypsy Woman1, House in Maine, Tension Release, Red, London After Dark, Analie Encore: Road to Reason, Fast Cars and Movie Stars, Santeria2 Notes: 1 - Crystal Waters, 2 - Sublime
Future jam quartet Space Bacon returned to Brooklyn Made on Saturday, April 20, 2024, for their first-ever 420 show in Brooklyn, NY. This fun event was also the first celebration of legal cannabis in Brooklyn, as this night marked the first time on April 20 occurred when cannabis could be legally purchased in the Big Apple. This show also occurred just over one year after guitarist Freddy Rylands joined the band, and what an exciting year it has been. Shred funk specialists One Time Weekend and the synth-driven electronica band Teddy Midnight provided support for this hometown throwdown in one of the coolest NYC neighborhoods: Bushwick.
Just over one year ago, Space Bacon played their final show with guitarist Jack Williard at Brooklyn Made on March 18, 2023. They have soldiered on with Rylands, which included significantly more touring and soundboard live releases on nugs.net. They've written new tunes, and continue to dish out ragers like "Snow Bacon V" on January 27, 2024, including vocalists. We highly recommend adding this show to your current playlist.
The festivities began with Teddy Midnight, who took the stage as a guitar and drum duo. The dance-friendly loops, beats, and synth were perfect to set the high-energy mood. This included disco beats and well-blended samples. This band is no stranger to playing late-night after parties, much to the delight of the Space Bacon fans.
Shortly after the Teddy Midnight set ended, the Hartford, CT-based One Time Weekend was up next. The band's lineup consisted of Adam Eytan (Guitar/Vocals), Ian D’Arcangelo (Lead Vocals/Bass), (Guitar/Keyboards), and Ben Sullivan (Drums/Percussions). The band successfully blended heavier, minor chord, progressive rock with lighter jam rock riffs. D'Arcangelo was a beast on vocals and added thumping bass lines that were inspired by bands like Primus and Lespecial. The dueling guitarists were a nice touch on top of their incredible rhythm section composed of merely Sullivan, who crushed double duties on the drums and percussion. This band recently stepped up at the Peach Music Fest 2023 to the mid-tier Mushroom Stage, and is certainly worth the price of admission.
After two great sets, it was finally time for Space Bacon to unleash their greasy jams. The band consisted of guitarist Rylands, drummer Sam Crespo, keyboardist Chris Gironda, and bassist Kevin Legall. Their set began with none other than "Bring Home the Bacon." This meta song brought high-energy guitar solos early, along with plenty of fist-pumping. They skillfully moved into the fast-paced dance disco tune, "Ecumenopolis", which then landed squarely in the electro trance-fueled "Computervision." Gironda's synth took this tune to the next level.
The band took the crowd back to the 90s with a spot-on cover of "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit. The fans loved this cover and turned this into a giant singalong. The sonic reverberations then blasted the music back into "Bring Home the Bacon," which bookended the set. The closing version included a "Blue Sky" tease, in honor of the recent passing of the Allman Brothers Band's Dickey Betts.
"Sunset Cove" was the song chosen to start the second set, and get the energy rolling after set break. Crespo displayed a stellar cadence on the drums during this tune and throughout the show. The band wasted no time and dropped into "Storm Eagle," which is the Mega Man X video game theme song. Fists were once again pumping during this well-known tune. The squad brought the music full circle with an intense transition back into "Sunset Cove."
New tune "Get In The Whip" debuted next. The edgy "Flamethrower" followed, and included more metal-inspired dance music. Ryland's guitar work was on point as he navigated this layered tune. The music made its way like a freight train into the spacey "Stare Into The Sun," before a turn for the frosty in "Ice Planet." This face-melting sequence ended where it started, back in "Flamethrower,' which also ended this epic set.
The band returned for a final tune, "Snake Charmer," which ended the show on a very high note. They also included a nice parting gift that consisted of an "Aces High" tease (Iron Maiden).
We seriously can't wait for the next throwdown that this band fries up. They have a number of festivals on the docket for 2024 including CaveJam 2024, Biscoland 2024, and Secret Dreams. Head on over to their tour page for more upcoming dates.
Set One: Bring Home The Bacon >< Ecumenopolis > Computervision, My Own Worst Enemy^ > Bring Home The Bacon$ Set Two: Sunset Cove > Storm Eagle+ > Sunset Cove, Get In The Whip*, Flamethrower > Stare Into The Sun > Ice Planet > Flamethrower Encore: Snake Charmer# Notes:
^ Lit cover
$ w/ Blue Sky (Allman Brothers, Dickie Betts solo) teases
+ Mega Man X cover
# w/ Aces High (Iron Maiden) teases
* new song first time played
The legendary Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY hosted two very different, but incredibly talented jam bands on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The Motet, a six-piece funk band from Denver, CO, was in the headliner time slot, with Lespecial, the prog rock power trio from Southern Connecticut as the opener. Both bands brought a lot of fun, jam-rock energy, albeit from very different musical perspectives.
Lespecial began the music this evening with plenty of raw and primal power. The current lineup included bassist Luke Bemand, drummer Rory Dolan, and guitarist Jonathan Grusauskas, who have all been playing together since high school. Plenty of their signature heavy future groove was served up, starting with "Snells Fleet." A melodically electronic "Repeater" followed, and transitioned into a depth of sound and textures in "Machine Elf." Dolan's animated drumming was exciting to watch.
The next sequence was nothing short of an intense, metal-themed jam, starting with "Chromakey Dreamcoat" by Boards of Canada. This slid into "The Vessel" and landed squarely in a brand new, unnamed song. Bemand titled the song "So Tired" after they finished. "Lungs of the Planet" was up next. The band decided to toss sandwiches into the crowd prior to diving into their Metallica-inspired "Enter Sandstorm," which was released on EP the day prior.
The band honored the Grateful Dead in the next tune, "Tonberry," with a well-placed "Shakedown Street" tease. The last tune brought another jam-heavy hitter on stage as drummer Dave Watts from The Motet joined Dolan on the kit for "Jackwise." Watt's mellow demeanor was a perfect compliment to Dolan's fiery presence, as he was often seen pointing at Dolan with a smile. The fans certainly got a nice treat with this closing tune, including another "Shakedown Street" tease.
After a quick break, The Motet took the stage with a lighter take on jam rock. They kicked off their set with an upbeat, 70's funk-reminiscent tune titled "Damn!" from their 2016 release Totem. Vocalist Sarah Clarke lit up the room with her vibrant energy and stellar vocals. Keyboardist Joey Porter added a tasty synth to "Danger," another Totem tune. Porter continued to rage on the keys during "Love Time." "Thinking" followed and kept the funk flowing strong.
"Sunshine," from the 2023 release All Day, was up next and featured euphonious synth from saxophonist Drew Sayers. Rory Dolan from Lespecial also sat in for more dual drumming delights. As mentioned before, he is an absolute animal on the kit, and worth checking out. He and Watts played well off each other, as this was perhaps the set's highlight.
Another newer tune, the R&B-inspired tune "Natural Light", followed this spectacle. Drew Sayers elevated the next tune, "Keep On" by a function of the saxophone, along with Ryan Jalbert's upbeat guitar work. "We Got U" proceeded, and was dripping in funk. Bassist Garrett Sayers decorated this tune with a thumping bass, as Porter took the synth to the next level.
"Get It Right," another tune that felt straight out of the 70's, from their 2019 release Death or Devotion followed. Watt's technical skills shone brightly during this tune. The rest of the band was firing on all cylinders. The instrumental tune "False Prophets" followed, along with "Highly Compatible," another smooth funk song from Death or Devotion. The band completed the Death or Devotion trifecta with "Whacha Gonna Bring." The set ended with the feel-good tune, "Fool No More."
The band returned for an encore and played "What a Fool Believes" by Kenny Loggins. Clarke was on top of her game as she sang this well-known song with vigor. The rest of the band complimented each other perfectly. The crowd was absolutely enveloped in delicious funk and loved every second.
Both bands are on tour this summer, crushing their shows, and are not to be missed. The Motet are up next at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, AK on May 8th. Head on over to their tour page for details on more shows. Also, check out Lespecial's current tour ledger.
Lespecial Set: Snells Fleet, Repeater > Machine Elf, Chromakey Dreamcoat1 > The Vessel > Unknown2, Lungs of the Planet, Enter Sandstorm3, Tonberry4, Jackwise5
Notes:
1. Boards of Canada cover
2. New Song titled "So Tired" by Luke
3. Sandwiches were thrown to the crowd to celebrate lespecial's new LP
4. "Shakedown Street" tease, bluegrass outro
5. With Dave Watts on drums, "Shakedown Street" and "John the Fisherman" teases
The Motet Set: Damn!, Danger, Love Time, Thinking, Sunshine1, Natural Light, Keep On, We Got U, Get It Right, Funky Weekend2, False Prophets, Highly Compatible, Whacha Gonna Bring, Fool No More Encore: What a Fool Believes3 Notes:
1. with Rory Dolan
2. Mint Condition cover
3. Kenny Loggins cover
Eggy, the jam rock quartet from Connecticut, returned to The Warehouse at FTC in Fairfield, CT, on May 4, 2024, for their seventh performance at this gem of a venue in the Constitution State. They sold out the show, as they have been doing quite frequently in the Northeast this year. They also crushed this special two-set show on their home turf and brought the lucky fans in attendance along for the ride.
The music kicked off with "Backyard Bear," which fittingly debuted at the smaller StageOneFTC venue next door in 2019. Drummer Alex Bailey flexed his vocals while guitarist Jake Brownstein led the nice jam buildup that followed. The song moved into the melodic "Nearly Always Late," sung by keyboardist Dani Battat, who also added a vibrant touch on the synth.
"A Moment's Notice" cleverly followed. Bailey kept the song going on the drums as the rest of the band hopped into "Time Loves a Hero" by Little Feat. This is one of Eggy's best covers and a treat for those in the audience this evening. It was last played on December 5, 2023, at the Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, FL. A slow funk jam ensued, led by Battat, which had the fans smiling, before landing squarely back in "Time Loves a Hero."
The jam flowed nicely into the old school original, "Fragments," which included a sparkly jam of its own. A twenty-four-minute "Northern Lights" was up next and did not disappoint. Bassist Michael Goodman was all smiles as he laid down a thumping bass line that tied this high-energy tune together, while Bailey was on the kit at a racing speed. Brownstein's guitar licks at the end sealed the deal on this face-melting song and ended this heater set.
The band returned after a quick break and was firing on all cylinders for the newer tune "You." Battat delivered his notable synth game to this twenty-two-minute song that was considerably darker and more ominous than the overall bubbly first set. The jam ventured in several directions as Bailey showed his strength on the drums. The band pulled together perfectly during a well-orchestrated section of tension and release that brought this raging song home.
A well-orchestrated segue into "Atomic Age" followed, with more tasty teases from "You." Brownstein was steadfast in a dark, ethereal jam. The band skillfully shifted into the slow funk burn of "All Wheels Turnin'." Battat once again stood out and stood up with more sensational synth jamming, followed by well-placed organ accompaniment. When Battat stands up, the fans know to get down. The darker side of Eggy resurfaced as the band dug into the belly of "All Wheels Turnin'." This melodically transformed into Emily King's "Remind Me." Bailey lent his stellar vocals to the cover, which brought delight to the crowd.
Upon conclusion of "Remind Me," the band finally came up for air, as they had not stopped playing since set two began. They shifted into the newer ballad "What I Know," sung by the vocally gifted Bailey, giving everyone a much-needed chill moment. The set ended with the upbeat tune "Smile." The funky layers gelled as Brownstein and Battat were locked in with one another. "All we gotta do is smile," indeed.
The band returned for one final tune but not without thanking the audience first. They launched into a special rendition of "Sister Golden Hair" by America, dedicated to their friend Joe Mango, who sang this song with the band in 2019 before sadly passing away. This included the lyrics "in a world full of lemons, be a mango." This bust-out cover hadn't been played in 177 shows and was last performed at the Levitt Pavilion on July 30, 2022.
Eggy delivered a flaming hot show for their hometown fans, and continues to create unique and original music night after night. We long for more shows where they play two sets. They are reaching new heights with festivals and venues, such as being on the lineup for Bonnaroo and Electric Forest this year. They are up next at The Dominion Energy River Rock Festival in Richmond, VA, on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Head on over to their tour page and catch this red-hot quartet in your neck of the woods.
Set One: Backyard Bear > Nearly Always Late > A Moments Notice, Time Loves A Hero[1] > Fragments, Northern Lights Set Two: You-> Atomic Age[2] > All Wheels Turnin'-> Remind Me[3], What I Know, Smile Encore: Sister Golden Hair[4] Footnotes:
[1] Little Feat cover
[2] With “You” teases and quotes
[3] Emily King cover
[4] Dedicated to Joe Mango
On May 13, 2024, many musical greats gathered at the iconic Carnegie Hall for a special tribute to Crosby, Stills & Nash. This event, presented by Michael Dorf Presents, honored their influence on popular music and raised money to support music education for underserved youth. Graham Nash was in attendance and performed during two songs. He was joined by a slew of talented musicians, including Todd Rundgren, Grace Potter, Taylor Meier of Caamp, Yola, Iron & Wine, Rickie Lee Jones, Real Estate, Aoife O’Donovan, and Neal Francis
Early in the show, a group of children from the area took the stage and sang the classic "Teach Your Children." The kids enjoyed the performance very much. As they walked off, one child said, "The hard part is over," which brought brighter smiles across the crowd.
Singer-songwriter Steve Earle played "4 + 20," originally by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young from their Déjà Vu release. This was followed by bluesy vocalist Leslie Mendelson, along with the vibrant house band, who sang "Long Time Gone." A.C. Newman did the honors with "I Used to Be a King," which was another tune that was released with Young.
Real Estate explored the beautiful complexities of "Dark Star," while Neal Francis performed "Chicago" by Graham Nash. Mendelson joined Francis for this rendition. Sammy Rae shared a nice memory of David Crosby, as she had studio space next to him in the past. One day, while listening to her music, he told her to "quit her day job." She and her band dove into "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes."
Members of Guster collaborated with other musicians for the Graham Nash classic "Military Madness." Grace Potter belted out "Helplessly Hoping" alone on the stage before asking Leslie Mendelson, Neal Francis, and Sammy Rae to sing "Woodstock" with her. The latter was a collaboration between Crosby, Stills & Nash and Joni Mitchell. Potter commented that the inside of Carnegie Hall looked like a birthday cake from the stage.
As the night began to wrap up, Graham Nash appeared on stage. He sang a beautiful rendition of "Our House," before inviting all the performing musicians on stage for a group sing-along with "Love the One You're With." This ended the evening on a warm note.
This exciting evening ended on a very successful note as Michael Dorf Presents raised over $2 million for music education.
The Stone Pony Summer Stage is back for the 2024 season and hosted Joe Russo's Almost Dead for a raging two-set heater on May 17, 2024, that featured a full set with friend and frequent collaborator, multi-instrumentalist Stuart Bogie. The band honored their Garden State roots, as eighty percent of the quintet are originally from New Jersey, with two tasty tunes by Bruce Springsteen along with their slate of Grateful Dead covers. The unpredictable May weather cooperated and meshed well with the ocean air, giving the fans a great outdoor show before Memorial Day weekend.
The music began with a blues-filled "Good Morning, School Girl" by Sonny Boy Williamson, sung by guitarist Scott Metzger. The jam went deep early as the band stepped on stage ready to rock. The Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey" was up next. Guitarist Tom Hamilton experienced PA issues singing this song in the beginning, but the music went on unhinged. A stellar transition ensued into "Silvio" by Bob Dylan, and the energy continued to build as Hamilton elevated the jam. Incidentally, this was the first time "Silvio" was played in 2024.
The vibe mellowed before an incredibly smooth transition into "Fire on the Mountain." Marco Benevento uplifted the tune on the piano, and the band came together during the refrain. The band stopped for a moment to catch some air and dove back into another beautiful tune, "Eyes of the World," by the Grateful Dead. During the intro, a saxophone magically, albeit very quietly, jumped into the mix, operated by none other than Bogie. The interplay between the guitars and saxophone elevated the tune exquisitely.
A jazzy transition ushered the musicians into a bumping "Dancing in the Street" by William Stevenson, Marvin Gaye, and Ivy Joe Hunter. This reminded the crowd that "all you need is music, sweet music." Bassist Dave Dreiwitz pulled the band together with a thumping bass line. A deconstructed jam followed, which slowly built into a face-melting sequence and ended the set with a bang.
After a quick break, the now-sextet returned by singing the chorus for "Dancing in the Street" before launching into a quick reprise. This flowed into "The Music Never Stopped" by the Grateful Dead. Bogie layered in the saxophone as Metzger rocked the lyrics. The band teased "St. Stephen" in the middle of the jam and skillfully returned to "The Music Never Stopped." This included multiple, complex tempo changes, all courtesy of Sir Joe Russo.
"Help on the Way" by the Grateful Dead was up next, which gave way to a guitar-wailing "Slipknot!" The band did not come up for air and launched directly into a monster "St. Stephen." The jam took a decisively jazzy turn, flowing into a slower section before ramping up with vigor.
The melodic "Althea" proceeded and was played for only the second time in 2024. Benevento continued to dazzle on the keys, while Bogie added pizzazz on saxophone. The music rolled into "The Wheel." Thankfully, there was no inclement weather on this late spring evening. The jam morphed into a heated tension and release sequence, much to the delight of the crowd.
Another well-executed transition followed into "He's Gone," and there was "nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile." The euphonious jam migrated into an electric "Uncle John's Band" by the Grateful Dead. The crowd got in on the action and turned this into a joyful sing-along, ending set two on a bright note.
The band returned for an encore, with Russo taking a few moments to honor his New Jersey roots and poke a little fun at Hamilton, who is from Philadelphia, PA. They showed their Jersey pride with "Rosalita" by Bruce Springsteen, who got his start many years ago at the Stone Pony. The sweet jam that followed would impress the Boss himself. JRAD was not quite done yet and quickly leapt into "Born to Run," another staple by Springsteen. Hamilton certainly impressed the Jersey crowd on vocals for these classics.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead consistently brings the heat in the form of wildly inventive Grateful Dead covers, and the Stone Pony show was no exception. They are one of the hottest acts in the jam scene and truly enjoy playing together as much as the crowd enjoys the music. They are back in action on May 31, 2024, in Vail, CO, at the Gerald R. Ford Music Center and June 1, 2024, at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Set One: Good Morning, School Girl, Touch of Grey > Silvio > Fire on the Mountain, Eyes of the World1 > Fire on the Mountain > Dancing in the Street1 Set Two: Dancing in the Street Reprise1 > The Music Never Stopped1, Help on the Way1 > Slipknot!1 > St. Stephen1 > Althea1 > The Wheel1, He's Gone1, Uncle John's Band1 Encore: Rosalita1 (Come Out Tonight), Born to Run1 Notes:
1. with Stuart Bogie
The Northlands Music and Arts Festival kicked off the third rendition of this incredibly fun and chill festival dedicated to the jam-rock scene on June 13, 2024. The event is held at the Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey, NH, located in southern New Hampshire near the Vermont border.
The first night only utilized the Switchback Camp Stage but delivered just as much heat with the Brass Queens and Annie in the Water during the daylight hours. Jamtronica specialists Space Bacon threw down a greasy set of techno-inspired tunes during the first part of the silent disco. Doey Joey continued the silent disco with some tasty remixes and sent the fans off into the night with a huge smile. He also passed out pizza to those who were lucky enough to grab a slice.
Today's lineup is nothing less than stacked, at least for jam band fans, including the Magic Beans, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Big Something, Spafford, Sierra Hull, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and two sets of Goose. Three stages are in play today. New York City's Escaper will close out tonight with their take on a silent disco.
Saturday's lineup includes heavy hitters Greensky Bluegrass, Eric Krasno & Friends, Andy Frasco & the UN, and more. Multi-day and single-day tickets are still available via this link.
The third rendition of the Future City Lounge landed at the perfect venue, the edm friendly Brooklyn Made in Brooklyn, NY on June 1, 2024. The line up included Baba G (Disco Biscuits) with Ben Atkind (ElefantProof), Cloudchord with Rory O'Connor (Tycho), BkellZ w Rob Madore (px3), and the Future City Resident, Horizon Wireless.
BkellZ kicked off the up tempo festivities with Rob Madore, and brought some serious heat. Bkellz used a laptop combined with guitar layered on top of Madore's fast paced drums.
Cloudchord, the psychedelic chill hop specialist, followed with an inspired set along with Rory O'Connor. This was billed as a special House set, and included the Grateful Dead's "Shakedown Street". Cloudcord also utilized looping to achieve his house beats, and played tasty guitar coupled with O'Connor's almost machine like drumming.
Baba G, aka Jon Gutwillig, took the beats in a different direction with drummer Ben Atkind. He layered guitar with various instrumentation, both live and premixed. This also included at least one Disco Biscuit track, or at least it felt that way. Atkind was the perfect engine for this high energy throw down.
Horizon Wireless, the last performer of the evening, ended this fun night of DJ duos with a set of their psychedelic break beat music. The line up for this NYC based twosome included Harrison Waxenberg (DJ/Producer) and Daniel Scott Lyons (drums).
The third annual Northlands Music and Arts Festival rolled into Day Two on June 14, 2024, with what can only be described as a stacked, jam-band-friendly lineup. This event took place at the Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey, NH, and went on without any rain during the live music. The performers included Goose, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Spafford, Big Something, Sierra Hull, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Magic Beans, and The Psycodelics.
The festival took place in the foothills of southwestern New Hampshire, with a gorgeous mountain backdrop behind dual main stages, along with a smaller camping stage. Numerous artists painted live canvases during the festival, and there was plenty of festival fare, such as shirts, pins, dream catchers, and more. The clean, crisp air was a pleasant added bonus.
Charleston, SC-based funk band The Psycodelics kicked off the music on the Echo Stage. They blended blues, jazz, and disco with fresh funk rock.
The funky, almost jamtronica-inspired Magic Beans from Colorado followed on the Mountain Stage. Their squad included guitarist Scott Hachey, keyboardist Casey Russell, bassist Chris Duffy, and drummer Cody Wales. Their set was a lot of fun, despite the early time. They enjoyed their very danceable performance, which only made the show better.
The Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad had the honors next on the Echo Stage. This psychedelic roots reggae quintet from Rochester, NY, brought an authentic sound and a lot of energy. It was exciting to finally catch them live.
Big Something brought their Southern alt-rock flair to the Mountain Stage. The members included drummer Ben Vinograd, multi-instrumentalist Casey Cranford, bassist Matt Laird, lead guitarist Jesse Hensley, multi-instrumentalist Josh Kagel, and guitarist Nick MacDaniels. Their sound included anything from funk to reggae to heavy metal, and everything in between.
The Echo Stage was back in action with Sierra Hull, a bluegrass singer-songwriter, mandolinist, and guitarist. The Tennessee-based artist brought plenty of Southern charm along with her impressive guitar picking for this set.
The music returned to the Mountain Stage with Spafford, an improvisational jam rock quartet originally from Arizona, who are no strangers to extended jams. The lineup for the set included Jordan Fairless (bass/vocals), Nick Tkachyk (drums/percussion/vocals), and Cory Schechtman (keys/sax). Guitarist Mike Gantzer filled in for Brian Moss on guitar. They busted out two delicious pre-2000 covers, starting with Filter's "Take a Picture." They ended the set with Tears For Fears' "Mad World."
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong took flight next on the Echo Stage and were accompanied by plenty of their showmanship and some special guests. The Baltimore, MD, quartet featured guitarist Greg Ormont, bassist Ben Carrey, guitarist Jeremy Schon, and drummer Alex Petropulos.
This very funky, albeit particularly foul, jam band delivered a number of older tunes coupled with newer songs. "Beneath the Surface," from their 2024 release Day In Time, saw Ormont take flight as he jumped from Petropulos' drum platform. The classic "Henrietta" followed, along with a blazing segue into "Underworld." The band then shifted gears into "Something For Ya." The music began to flow into The Beatles' "Come Together" as the band welcomed guitarist Rob Compa and singer Kanika Moore on stage for an amped-up version of this definitive tune. The set ended with several vintage tunes, including "Horizon" > "The Liquid" and "Avalanche."
The performances concluded on the main stages with the indie jam quintet from Connecticut, Goose. The crowd amassed in front of the Mountain Stage for two more sets of aviary jam bliss. Goose's current lineup included guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, bassist Trevor Weekz, drummer Cotter Ellis, percussionist Jeff Arevalo, and multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach.
Set one began with a tune from Goose's predecessor, Vasudo, "Turbulence & the Night Rays." They dished out some serious funk for the remainder of this set, starting with "Earthling or Alien?" This flowed nicely into the old school tune "Turned Clouds," which incidentally occurred as the partly cloudy summer sky heated up for a raging sunset. The band continued with tunes from their early catalog, including the unnecessarily funky "Jive I" > "Jive Lee," which closed out the set with a bang. A little bit goes a long way, indeed.
Set two picked up with a fifteen-minute "Same Old Shenanigans" from the 2021 release Shenanigans Nite Club. New drummer Ellis showed his talented chops during this face-melting rendition. A masterful segue ensued into the blues rock-fueled "Thatch," which lasted eighteen minutes. Mitarotonda crushed the solos as lighting director Andrew Goedde illuminated the stage.
Another old tune, "Wysteria Lane," penned by Weekz, ushered in more heat to this flaming hot set. The jam took a right turn directly into The Who's "Eminence Front." This cover feels like a song written specifically for this band and certainly had the fans excited. The newer tune "Feel It Now" occupied the penultimate spot. This incredible two-set festival performance ended on a high note with the lively original, "Animal."
Spafford Set List Set: Jam, Can't Find My Vape, Leave the Light on, Diesel Driver > Take a Picture1 > Giants in the Light, Mad World2 Notes: 1. Filter, 2. Tears for Fears
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Set List Set: Porcupine, Beneath the Surface, Henrietta > Underworld, Somethin For Ya > Come Together12, Horizon > The Liquid, Avalanche Notes: 1. Beatles, 2. With Kanika Moore and Rob Compa
Goose Set List Set One: Turbulence & The Night Rays, Earthling or Alien? > Turned Clouds, Jive I > Jive Lee Set Two: Same Old Shenanigans > Thatch, Wysteria Lane > Eminence Front1, Feel It Now, Animal Soundcheck: All Blues, Hot Love & The Lazy Poet Coach's Notes: 1. The Who
Goose was back on the road for their summer tour and unleashed plenty of raging jams on the first night of their three-night stand at the iconic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, on June 20, 2024. They undoubtedly brought their A-game for their first appearance at this truly stunning venue. The show included several lesser-played covers, including a monster "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo" by the Grateful Dead that will certainly stand up for itself over time.
The ornate Fox Theatre was named one of the top twenty "Best Big Rooms in America" by Rolling Stone Magazine because of its picturesque Egyptian decor and mosque-style structure that was originally built for the Shriners in 1928. The building was almost bulldozed in the 1970s. However, a group of dedicated fans' coordinated efforts stopped the impending destruction and helped transform the icon into the premier event space that it is today. The 4,665-capacity venue is also considerably smaller than other venues on this tour.
Set one kicked off with the Great Blue tune "Butterflies," sung by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach. The smooth blues guitar jam got the crowd's juices flowing early. A short but sweet "California Magic" followed, featuring a few moments of shredding by guitarist Rick Mitarotonda.
A slow and melodic "All I Need" brought twenty minutes of ambient bliss that really exemplified bassist Trevor Weekz as he pulled the other instruments together. The tempo increased gradually as the quintet worked through this deep jam. A skilled segue sailed the band into Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright," last played on June 30, 2023, in Garrettsville, Ohio. Goose continued to channel Kenny Loggins and played their way into "Make the Move." They changed the lyrics from "Should we make the move" to "Marta, make the move" in honor of their longtime production manager Marta Goedde's birthday.
The deliciously funky "Jive I," from their 2016 release Moon Cabin, was up next. Percussionist Jeff Arevalo was all over the gong during this dance-inducing tune, while Weekz delivered those tasty bass bombs. The slower, euphonious cousin, "Jive II," also from Moon Cabin, followed "Jive I" for only the third time in the Goose show catalog. Anspach dove into the keys during the jam, which gave way to some tasty tension and release via Mitarotonda. "It's that simple love that follows us to our graves."
However, the band was not done quite yet and dove headfirst into the clav-driven "Jive Lee." Weekz wowed the crowd with a stellar bass solo early on in this fast-paced instrumental tune that one can't help dancing to. All five members brought the face-melting tune together and ended the set with vigor. Incidentally, this was only the second time ever that all three "Jive" tunes were played in ascending order. The last time this occurred was on November 13, 2021, in Dallas, Texas.
The band returned for round two and began the set with "The Labyrinth." Played for only the ninth time ever, this tune was last seen at the Capitol Theatre on April 9, 2024. This intricate song saw a nice build-up and felt like the perfect song to play at the medieval-themed venue. The music became trance-inspired as the Connecticut-based quintet switched into "So Ready," from their 2021 release, Shenanigans Nite Club. New drummer Cotter Ellis shined as he drove this racing sequence.
The crowd may or may not have been ready for the twenty-six-minute "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo" by the Grateful Dead that was up next. This is another rare cover that shows up about once a tour, and the Peach State crowd were the lucky recipients. This song was also not your father's "Mississippi Half-Step," as the high-energy version contained a premiere jam with some type two moments that will hold up over time. Did we mention "Mississippi Half-Step" went unfinished?
The euphonious "The Old Man's Boat" brought the emotions down for a much-needed break, as Mitarotonda's stellar vocals took over. The set ended on a vibrant note with the bubbly "Empress of Organos." We've got the love and rhythm, indeed. This eighteen-minute tune included a stunning light display coupled with well-placed smoke falling from the lighting rig, all courtesy of lighting director Andrew Goedde and his team at Goedde Sound and Light.
The band returned for one final tune, the reggae-themed "Doobie Song," which sent the fans home happy.
Goose is on tour and taking the jam music scene by storm. They are up next on Tuesday, June 25 at Thomson's Point in Maine. Hop on over to this link for tickets and the rest of their sure-to-be legendary 2024 summer tour.
Set One: Butterflies, California Magic, All I Need[1] > I'm Alright[2] > Make The Move[3], Jive I, Jive II > Jive Lee Set Two: The Labyrinth > So Ready, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo[4], The Old Man's Boat[5], The Empress Of Organos Encore: Doobie Song Coach's Notes:
[1] Slow, melodic version. Unfinished.
[2] Kenny Loggins.
[3] Kenny Loggins. Lyrics changed to “Marta, make the move.”
[4] Grateful Dead. Unfinished.
[5] Unfinished.
Goose returned to the ornate Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, for round two of their first multi-night stand on June 21, 2024, and delivered a musical one-two punch for the fans. The band and the fans had the luxury of staying in the same bed as the prior night, which is always a bit easier. Their two sets were excellent from top to bottom, as this Connecticut-based quintet settled into this stellar three-night run.
The band walked on stage with huge grins and thanked the audience before picking up their instruments. The music began with a cover from the 80s by Echo & The Bunnymen titled "The Killing Moon," which depicts the struggle between life and death. The music took a distinctly indie direction before launching into a blazing hot, thirteen-minute "Elizabeth." This version had some legs as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda unfurled some nice tension and release early in the show.
"Dr. Darkness" opened with a full of curiosities on the synth courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach. The band then dropped their second cover of the night, "Rock the Casbah" by The Clash. The cover was quite fitting given the mosque-like architecture of the venue. Percussionist Jeff Arevalo contributed his vocals for this fun tune.
A raging, twenty-two-minute "Drive" followed, complete with a quick smoke drop from the light rig. The lights were no less a part of this song, or the show for that matter, as Andrew Goedde and his team continued to elevate the visual experience with lights that were cleverly synchronized with the improvisation. "Drive" made way into a melodic "Bob Don" that saw a few profound jams at the end. "Everything Must Go" followed suit with another slow build and finished the set with a flying jam, along with beats from drummer Cotter Ellis.
Set two opened with a twenty-three-minute "Hungersite" from their 2022 release Dripfield. This jam grew legs, and they started dancing as Mitarotonda ripped on the guitar. The music landed squarely in the new tune "Give It Time." The blues-rock-driven "Thatch" continued with copious deep jams, along with multiple notable teases: "Arcadia" by Anspach and "Use Me" by bassist Trevor Weekz. Both were on fire during this tasty rendition.
"Feel It Now" took the music in a trance-inspired, disco direction with some nice percussion by Arevalo. The tempo went down a few notches with "726," another Dripfield tune. This casually drifted into the jam vehicle "Dripfield," which completed the Dripfield hat trick at this fiery show. The green, blue, and purple lights drenched the castle-like interior of the impressive Fox Theatre as the fans danced with joy to this final tune of the second set.
The band returned to play the Vasudo tune "Turbulence & The Night Rays" for the encore, sending fans home happy for the night.
Goose slayed night two in Atlanta, and is out on tour. They are up next at the Mann Center for the Arts in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, June 28, 2024. Tickets are available at this link. Head on their tour page for details on the rest of the summer tour, as well as the recently announced fall tour.
Set 1: The Killing Moon1, Elizabeth, Dr. Darkness > Rock The Casbah2, Drive > Bob Don, Everything Must Go Set 2: Hungersite > Give It Time, Thatch3, Feel It Now, 726 > Dripfield Encore: Turbulence & The Night Rays Coach's Notes:
[1] Echo & The Bunnymen.
[2] The Clash.
[3] With Arcadia tease from Peter and Use Me teases from Trevor.
For the third and final night, Goose provided two sets that proved to be an all-out raging inferno at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, on June 22, 2024. They were grinning from ear to ear the entire show while enamoring the fans with mind-numbing jams. Hotlanta might be known for hot temperatures in the summer, but the weather wasn't the only thing raising the thermostat that night. Goose solidified themselves in The Fox's history, which includes legendary performances by The Grateful Dead and Phish.
Set one began with a new, old tune, and this is not an oxymoron. "Hot Love & The Lazy Poet" debuted with Vasudo, a band that predated Goose, in 2012. However, this tune entered the Goose catalog in 2024 and thus is new. Some of Goose's best songs are collaborations between guitarist Rick Mitarotonda and multi-instrumentalist Matt Campbell. This song is no exception and even included a short drum solo by new drummer Cotter Ellis. We can only hope to attend the show where a twenty-minute jam comes along for the ride.
"Atlas," the funky, blues rock cover by The Wood Brothers, followed. This song was played for the first time since March 30, 2023, at the Ryman Auditorium. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach elevated this tune on the keys, while bassist Trevor Weekz was out in front on bass. As the thirteen-minute song wrapped up, Mitarotonda raged on the guitar. The crowd delivered a very audible "Goooooose" chant at the end of the song, to which Mitarotonda seemed to reply, "muchos gracias."
"Mr. Action" was up next, and percussionist Jeff Arevalo delivered well-placed percussion during this tune, especially at the climax. This was a perfect warm-up for the heat that came next, a twenty-seven-minute "Arrow" from their 2022 release Dripfield. This jam went in many directions and debatably had type two moments. It was Goose at their finest from beginning to end.
A well-placed "Silver Rising" continued to energize the crowd. An inspired Mitarotonda ripped some tasty tension and release on the electric guitar. The music ended with a vibrant "Same Old Shenanigans." This first set truly felt like a raging second set.
Goose emerged for set two and continued to deliver the heat, starting with a twenty-eight-minute "Tumble." A disco dance party ensued, driven by Weekz as this sizzling groove built. Mitarotonda layered in face-melting jams while Anspach contributed a "Welcome to the Delta" tease. The lights were just as much a part of the show, moving with and reinforcing the music. The energy mellowed and then ratcheted up for the conclusion.
"A Western Sun" followed, proving to be the penultimate song of this blazing set. This version included a jam featuring niceties on the piano courtesy of Anspach.
Anspach grabbed the mic to sing "Red Bird," which transformed into a twenty-five-minute, red-drenched heater. Ellis and Arevalo were a driving force in this stacked jam. Mitarotonda unfurled his magic on guitar as the song took flight, much to the delight of the fans. He also slipped in a delicious "Secret Agent Man" tease.
Before the band stepped off stage, they thanked the crowd for this special run. They also mentioned a special announcement coming on Monday, alluding to the remaining fall tour dates, giving the fans plenty of time to plan.
The Constitution State quintet returned to play "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band, last played at Garcia's (at the Capitol Theatre) on June 17, 2016, with a whopping five hundred and sixteen-show gap. The fans got some exciting new stats this night.
The band was not quite done, and full of smiles, they played the elusive "Factory Fiction." This epic song, written by Mitarotonda and Campbell, is often chased by fans because the band plays it very selectively. This fifteen-minute version brought a lot of joy to those in the room and closed out this electric, three-night run properly. The band took a bow before departing the stage.
Goose crushed their three-night run in Atlanta, GA, and are ready to close out their summer tour with vigor. They play tonight at the Mann Center for the Arts in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, June 28, 2024. Tickets are available at this link. As we always say, never miss a Goose Philly Show. Head on over to their tour page for details about the remaining summer tour, as well as the recently announced fall tour.
Set 1: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Atlas1, Mr. Action, Arrow, Silver Rising, Same Old Shenanigans Set 2: Tumble2, A Western Sun, Red Bird3 Encore: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down4, Factory Fiction Coach's Notes:
[1] The Wood Brothers.
[2] With Welcome to Delta tease from Peter.
[3] With Secret Agent Man tease from Rick.
[4] The Band.
We've said it many times: never miss a Goose Philly show. For some reason, they morph into superhuman musicians whenever they play in Philadelphia, PA. Their performance at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts last Friday, June 28, 2024, followed suit. The show included a pair of guest sit-ins and was Goose's biggest headlining show to date.
The set began with a spacey intro that built into 'The Whales,' which swam into a spirited 'Silver Rising.' Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda was on fire early and crushed the raging build-up at the end. This set the tone for the show, as he clearly stepped on stage ready to rock. A succinct 'Atlas Dogs' followed, taking a right turn straight into the dance-inducing 'Flodown.'
The band welcomed guitarist Rogers Stevens from Blind Melon on stage, and he joined them on electric guitar for 'No Rain.' The jam that followed included dueling guitars that wove around each other as the music moved back into 'No Rain.' This song was last played in Glasgow, UK, on November 15, 2023
Stevens was not the only guest on this special evening. As he exited the stage, Matt Quinn from the indie rock band Mt. Joy appeared and contributed vocals to 'California Magic.' 'A Western Sun' was up next, and this jam drove straight into a relentless, twenty-six-minute 'Tumble.' The resultant jam had multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach on guitar and featured a few tasty moments of bassist Trevor Weekz soloing. The quintet came together to end the song and set on a high note.
The band returned for round two and began the music with the catchy 'Hungersite' from Dripfield. This version leaped into a twenty-one-minute jam, as drummer Cotter Ellis maintained an incredible speed. Mitarotonda was on fire with tension and release, but towards the end, the music took a distinctively darker direction.
The evil vibes disappeared as the band began playing 'In Your Eyes' by Peter Gabriel. This song had not been played in fifty-three shows, last performed on September 22, 2023, in Bonner, MT. The jam began tenaciously upbeat and mellowed into a funky simmer. Anspach had notable moments on the synth. Mitarotonda was in full-on face-melting mode before this twenty-five-minute beast of a jam mellowed into 'Red Bird,' ending this three-song second set.
The band took the stage for one final tune and played the jam vehicle known as 'Arcadia.' A layered jam ensued that included plenty of funk and blues rock, reaching an elevated conclusion that sent the fans home happy. Never miss a Goose Philly show, folks.
Goose will be back on tour starting in September at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 1st. Tickets are available via this link. Hop on over to their tour page for more details on their stacked fall tour.
Set One: The Whales > Silver Rising, Atlas Dogs > Flodown, No Rain1, California Magic2, A Western Sun > Tumble Set Two: Hungersite, In Your Eyes3 > Red Bird Encore: Arcadia Coach's Notes:
[1] Blind Melon. With Rogers Stevens on guitar.
[2] With Matt Quinn on vocals.
[3] Peter Gabriel.
The old saying "records are made to be broken" fortifies the notion that any achievement, no matter how great, can be exceeded. That is exactly what Goose did in terms of ticket sales at Forest Hills Stadium in Forest Hills, NY, on June 29, 2024, their relative home turf. The charming former tennis stadium, nestled deep within Queens, created the perfect environment to showcase their emerging genre of indie groove jam rock on an outdoor NYC stage and featured a pair of rarely played originals.
Forest Hills Stadium was the perfect next stop for this Connecticut quintet, as the stadium has been around for one hundred years and was designed to optimize both acoustics and views. Originally built for tennis tournaments, the stadium began welcoming musical guests in the 1960s. It was recently renovated, and as of the 2024 season, it is operating climate neutral.
Fresh off their scorching hot performance in Philadelphia, PA, the band expeditiously dove into a nineteen-minute "Hot Tea" opener for only the seventh time in their history. The fans knew they were in for a treat when this closer song kicked off the night. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach was feeling it early with a bubbly synth jam. After returning to the song, the band forged into a stacked funk groove, led by bassist Trevor Weekz.
The newer tune "Lead Up" brought a slightly mellow vibe to the former US Open tennis stadium. The partly cloudy sky that was slowly turning overcast induced "Turned Clouds" from their first release, Moon Cabin. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda nailed the blues rock jam during this fun tune before diving into the high-energy Great Blue song "Yeti." Anspach was back on the guitar for this version and displayed a few rock star moves of his own as he ran around the stage with a huge smile. Drummer Cotter Ellis and percussionist Jeff Arevalo were a rhythmic force during the resultant jam that grew into a tasty, futuristic vibe.
Our favorite Goose original that debuted this year, "Hot Love & The Lazy Poet," was volleyed next. This succinct version included a spirited drum solo by Ellis. We look forward to watching this song grow into a formidable jam vehicle.
A big serve followed with "I Would Die 4 U" by Prince, the lone cover of the night. Played for only the fourth time ever, Mitarotonda went into face-melting mode during this high-flying jam. The band kept the energy high and dropped their final ace of the set with "So Ready."
The band returned for set two, or perhaps game two in tennis terms, and played their 2023 release Autumn Crossing in its entirety. The LP contains two songs that were played together for only the third time in Goose's career. Beginning with "Travelers," the band took the fans on a melodic ride, which included more synth texture coupled with racing guitar. This included a strong cross-court shot into "Elmeg the Wise," yet another bucket-list tune. This raucous, twenty-minute version delivered plenty of prog rock build-ups and intricate guitar work. We highly recommend a re-listen.
The blues rock-fueled "Thatch" attempted to pick up the pieces after "Elmeg." The band came together on this song and utilized dueling guitars. The first Dripfield tune of the night, "726," was double backhanded to the crowd, who enjoyed a few moments of less intensity. This raging set came to a close with a dark and colorful "Dripfield," also from Dripfield. Lighting director Andrew Goedde and his team seamlessly adjusted their lighting game to match the venue size, which was most evident during this vibrant tune.
The band stepped back on stage for the encore and played "Give It Time." And with that, it was game, set, match.
Goose will be back in action at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 1st. Tickets are available via this link. Visit their tour page for more details on the upcoming fall tour.
Set One: Hot Tea, Lead Up, Turned Clouds, Yeti, Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, I Would Die 4 U1, So Ready Set Two: Travelers > Elmeg The Wise, Thatch, 726 > Dripfield Encore: Give It Time Coach's Notes:
[1] Prince.
Goose closed out another exhilarating summer tour last Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT. This was their fifth performance, and perhaps their best, at one of the finest places in the Northeast to see live music outdoors. The band was reeling from a raging show in front of their largest crowd to date the prior night in Forest Hills, and this only synergized with the hometown venue excitement. The evening included a pair of covers that had not seen air time in almost two years and started ninety minutes late because of a rain delay.
Set one took the fans on a journey early with a four-song set, which is more often seen in set two. This began with an eighteen-minute 'Butter Rum' that saw very developed jamming early. Drummer Cotter Ellis was firing on all cylinders as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda unfurled his fury on the guitar as though this was deep in set two. The mellower 'Mr. Action' followed and included a nice jam on the piano by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach, while percussionist Jeff Arevalo crushed on the gong. The Constitution State quintet came together, and their jam intensity soared through the roof once again.
A sixteen-minute 'Elizabeth' proceeded, with Anspach on vocals and guitar. Bassist Trevor Weekz pulled both guitars together nicely as this jam simmered into a raging inferno. This reached a tasty peak courtesy of Rick 'Machine Gun' Mitarotonda and descended into the clav-fueled intro for 'Rockdale.' As the band moved away from the composed section, Weekz took the helm for a moment for a thumping sequence that included Arevalo and Ellis. The rest joined in and built on top of this funky, blues rock jam that veered in a few directions before landing back in 'Rockdale' to end the set.
Set two began after a short set break, as the band made haste with their extended 11 pm curfew. The intro for 'Pancakes' had a bit of a darker vibe, and this built into a face-melting prog rock progression, which was par for the course during this epic show. The band quickly returned to that dark, ethereal, synth-y vibe from the intro and started playing 'Milestone 2 (Skux Life)' by Moniker. This song was released on the 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' original motion picture soundtrack and was last played at Red Rocks on August 22, 2022. The jam felt quite evil and sinister as Goose skillfully rolled back into 'Pancakes.' Weekz really owned this melancholic series and wove skillfully with Mitarotonda as he clawed back towards the 'Pancakes' melody.
'Everything Must Go' came after the mind-numbing 'Pancakes' and continued on an odyssey of its own. It's hard to say if it was the end of the tour or the fact that the sky could burst at any time, but the band was very much on another planet during this roaring set. That cooled off for a hot minute during 'This Old Sea,' before ratcheting right back up during 'Empress of Organos.' It certainly looked like rain during the show, but the band single-handedly held off the impending precipitation as they rip-roared into an exciting conclusion to this special set, much to the delight of the crowd.
The band stepped off stage and quickly returned, armed with a list of personnel to thank for making this incredible tour happen. As a gift to all of these folks, the band played the very rare cover of 'Praise You' by Fatboy Slim. This tune was last played in Pittsburgh, PA, on February 12, 2022, at the end of the 2022 winter tour, and capped off a lights-out performance by Goose in their home state.
Summer tour has ended, but Goose will return very soon at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 1st. Tickets are available via this link. Visit their tour page for more details on the upcoming fall tour.
Set One: Butter Rum, Mr. Action, Elizabeth, Rockdale Set Two: Pancakes > Milestone 2 (Skux Life)1 -> Pancakes, Everything Must Go, This Old Sea > The Empress Of Organos
Encore: Praise You2
Coach's Notes:
[1] Moniker.
[2] Fatboy Slim.
Show Notes: Milestone 2 (Skux Life) was played for the first time since August 18, 2022 (146 shows). Praise You was played for the first time since February 12, 2022 (184 shows).
Jam rock titan Phish kicked off a mighty three-night run at the legendary field of dreams, the Ruoff Music Center (formerly known as Deer Creek Music Center), on August 2, 2024. This storied amphitheatre, surrounded by cornfields, has hosted notable performances by Phish and others, including the memorable July 11, 2000, show where the band flowed in and out of Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick." This show was no exception, as the band delivered a "Down with Disease" fest along with a number of rarities.
The evening began with a fiery "Punch You in the Eye" opener, setting the tone for the night as the Vermont quartet showed they were ready to play ball. Guitarist Trey Anastasio and bassist Mike Gordon were all smiles during their early ceremonial dance. "Kill Devil Falls," from their 2009 release Joy, followed, and the band dropped into their sweet spot, delivering an early, deep jam.
A quick pair of tunes followed, starting with "Halfway to the Moon," sung by keyboardist Page McConnell. This was the first appearance of the Fuego tune on the Summer 2024 tour. A short but sweet "Heavy Things" ensued.
The new song "Life Saving Gun" was up next, and the band hit another home run with a thirteen-minute jam that featured plenty of percussive flair. They started to play "Shade" but quickly aborted, leading to some hilarious stage banter where Anastasio introduced drummer Jon Fishman as "percussion rinse." The band then returned to their original plan and played a melodic "Shade."
The songs kept flowing in the first set, with the rare "Scent of a Mule" up next. This bluegrass-inspired Phish original had not been played in seventy-four shows and was last performed at Dick's on September 1, 2023. The new tune "Pillow Jets" descended into a tasty, dark jam before transitioning into "Runaway Jim."
The set closed out with an electrifying rendition of "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles. This tune was last performed on December 3, 2019, at The Met in Philadelphia, PA, and had not been played in one hundred sixty-one shows. That's quite the bust-out in our books, ending the first set with vigor.
The rarities continued into the second set, as the band dropped the first "The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony" since July 30, 2022, at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The energy exploded once again as they skillfully transitioned into a raging "Axilla (Part II)." This evolved into a full-on "Down With Disease," teeming with tension and release. Anastasio unfurled a dark vibe on guitar as the jam moved through the depths, eventually returning squarely to "Down with Disease."
The jam vehicle of the evening appeared next in the form of a twenty-three-minute "Scents and Subtle Sounds," as the rain began to fall on the crowd. This did not stop the band from delivering a raucous, blues-rock jam that transported the fans to their happy places. As the song wound down, Anastasio seamlessly transitioned back into the outro of "Down with Disease," with the rest of the band following.
The mood became increasingly dark and melodic as the band segued into "What's the Use?" They then quickly shifted gears, rolling into the sunny and vibrant "Golden Age." The band paused briefly before diving back in with the disco-funk tune "I Always Wanted It This Way." This was the first time this Big Boat track was played in 2024, driven by McConnell on the synth. The band ended the set on a high note with another excursion into "Down With Disease."
The show wasn't over just yet, as the band returned for an encore with what might be the quintessential Phish song: "You Enjoy Myself." This seventeen-minute version was no slouch. During the vocal jam, Anastasio started singing the guitar chords for "Down with Disease," before picking up his guitar and leading the band into a third rendition of the "Down With Disease" outro.
Phish crushed night one at Ruoff Music Center and will be back in action tonight at the Noblesville, Indiana venue. As they say, never miss a Sunday show. Don't say we didn't warn you. Tickets are available for tonight's show via this link. Head over to Phish's tour page for more details about the rest of their smoking hot summer tour.
Check out more photos from the show! Also, view our prior coverage of the Phish Summer 2024 at Mansfield, Ma.
Set One: Punch You in the Eye, Kill Devil Falls, Halfway to the Moon, Heavy Things, Life Saving Gun, Shade > Scent of a Mule, Pillow Jets > Runaway Jim, A Day in the Life Set Two: The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Axilla (Part II) > Down with Disease, Scents and Subtle Sounds -> Down with Disease[1] > What's the Use? > Golden Age, I Always Wanted It This Way -> Down with Disease[1] Encore: You Enjoy Myself -> Down with Disease[1] Notes: [1] Ending only.
As the Phish summer tour rolls on, the jams continue to heat up. Their first night at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on August 9, 2024, was no exception, as the band honored the legendary venue adjacent to the grounds of the original Woodstock Festival with a raging show. The venue was quite soggy for most of the performance, as the remnants of a former hurricane had passed through Bethel, NY, earlier in the afternoon. Despite some drizzle during the show, the weather mostly cooperated, and those on the lawn danced in the mud.
The evening kicked off with a red-hot 'First Tube,' setting the energy sky-high early in the show. Guitarist Trey Anastasio was all smiles during this version as the lights reflected off the water on the stage. He hoisted his custom Languedoc guitar in the air, producing those unique feedback noises, and the crowd was in full-on dance mode.
The band moved on to 'No Men In No Man's Land' next, taking this Big Boat tune on a fourteen-minute voyage. Keyboardist Page McConnell elevated the song on the piano, while Anastasio drove the jam home. This stellar version is worth a re-listen. Anastasio started laughing as the band transitioned into 'Cavern.' This Picture of Nectar tune generally appears at the end of the set, often in the second set. Tonight, the band wildly broke tradition.
The next tune, 'My Friend, My Friend,' brought darker vibes early on before giving way to a vibrant blues-rock jam, with bassist Mike Gordon leading the charge on this absolute eighteen-minute heater. Incidentally, this was the longest version of 'My Friend, My Friend' to date. Upon its conclusion, Anastasio uttered, 'What the hell was that? I gotta regroup after that one. Hi, everybody! That was weird. I know we’re gonna be here for three days... why not?'
The remainder of this raging set didn't quite reach the jamming depths of the first half, but it still crushed. 'Bug' was up next, followed by a crispy 'Julius.' An electrifying 'Also Sprach Zarathustra,' with lighting director Chris Kuroda making great use of the textured ceiling, found its way into 'Taste.' The set ended on a high note with the fist-pumping original, 'Character Zero.'
The band returned for round two and delivered 'The Wedge,' which was played for only the second time in 2024. Jam vehicle 'Tweezer' followed, taking the music into the freezer for twenty-four minutes of jam-rock heat. Gordon established his presence early, creating a deep groove that fostered further exploration by Anastasio and McConnell.
The new tune 'Pillow Jets' brought more of Phish's darker vibes, which morphed into a funky ending. This launched the quartet into a tasty, non-stop sequence that returned to 'Tweezer.' This short, funky segment was the perfect launching pad for 'Piper' and eventually 'Tweezer' again, before landing squarely in the feel-good tune 'Shine a Light.' The set closed out on a high note with 'Chalkdust Torture.'
The band returned for an encore trio that began with 'Big Black Furry Creature from Mars.' This eventually settled into a groove-laden 'Gotta Jibboo' and veered into 'More' before ending the night.
Phish is back in action later this week at their first festival in six years, Mondegreen, located in Dover, DE on August 15-19, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to their tour page for more details about the remaining dates on their 2024 summer tour.
Soundcheck: My Soul, Dinner and a Movie, Waves, Tequila x2, Jam Set One: First Tube, No Men In No Man's Land, Cavern, My Friend, My Friend, Bug, Julius, Also Sprach Zarathustra > Taste, Character Zero Set Two: The Wedge, Tweezer, Pillow Jets -> Tweezer -> Piper -> Tweezer > Shine a Light, Chalk Dust Torture Encore: Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Gotta Jibboo > More
Phish opened Mondegreen, their first festival in nine years, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. The event took place at The Woodlands, a well-known festival venue in Dover, Delaware, adjacent to Dover Motor Speedway. The band delivered two sets of blissful joy in this lush, green setting, much to the delight of fans.
The sprawling festival grounds encompassed several miles and accommodated at least 40,000 fans. The grounds included a City Hall structure made of cardboard and a Bizarre Bazaar that featured products from well-known Phish collaborators, such as artist Jim Pollock and photographer Rene Huemer. The Heliograph, a centralized, multi-level structure near the stage, provided fans with a bird's-eye view of the grounds. DJs performed from the Heliograph at night.
The music began with a mondegreen, which is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a word that gives it new meaning, in the Phish original 'The Moma Dance.' The lyrics contain the phrase 'the moment ends,' rather than the title. 'Back on the Train' followed, along with a deliciously funky, nineteen-minute 'Wolfman's Brother.' Bassist Mike Gordon drove the jam during this early heater.
'Funky Bitch' and 'Roggae' followed, with short but sweet versions. Phish dropped their second mondegreen of the night with 'NICU,' which contains the phrase 'and I see you.' This song included a boisterous organ solo by multi-instrumentalist Page McConnell. The band closed the set with two fifteen-minute jams, starting with the newer tune 'A Wave of Hope' and finishing with the heavy hitter 'Sand.'
The band returned for round two with the new Trey Anastasio Band tune 'What's Going Through Your Mind.' This song was debuted the week prior in Grand Rapids, MI, with the assistance of special guest Billy Strings. The band melted some faces with a twenty-five-minute mondegreen special that ventured into type two territory, clocking in as the longest jam of the evening.
The music flowed into the quintessential Phish original 'Chalkdust Torture,' followed by 'Light.' A fifteen-minute 'Prince Caspian' concluded this non-stop sequence with another vibrant, extended jam. Drummer Jon Fishman was locked into the groove. He also sang the refrain for 'Crosseyed and Painless' by the Talking Heads, a fan-favorite cover that did not disappoint, even though it only extended slightly past the nine-minute mark.
'Lonely Trip' provided a much-needed chill moment before the set ended with some tasty peaks courtesy of guitarist Trey Anastasio during 'Everything's Right.' The band returned for an encore with an electrifying 'I Saw It Again.' Anastasio added extra lyrics referencing 'a Phish festival from this point of view,' 'two moons,' and 'a gorilla in a Fishman dress.' He was referring to the gorilla in front of the Dover Motor Speedway that had been adorned with Fishman donuts prior to the start of the festival. The show ended on a high note with 'Slave to the Traffic Light.'
Phish is up next for their annual run at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, Co, starting August 29, 2024. Tickets are available for night one via this link. They have also announced another Mexican beach getaway at the Riviera Maya in 2025. Head on over to this link for more details.
Date: August 15, 2024 Venue: The Woodlands Set One: The Moma Dance, Back on the Train, Wolfman's Brother, Funky Bitch, Roggae, NICU, A Wave of Hope, Sand Set Two: What's Going Through Your Mind -> Chalk Dust Torture -> Light > Prince Caspian, Crosseyed and Painless, Lonely Trip, Everything's Right Encore: Saw It Again > Possum, Slave to the Traffic Light Notes:
1. This was the first show of the Mondegreen festival.
2. Fish teased Heavy Things in Wolfman's Brother.
3. Mike teased Sneakin' Sally during Caspian.
4. Trey teased Crosseyed during Everything's Right.
5. Saw It Again contained additional lyrics from Trey referencing "a Phish festival from this point of view," "two moons," and "a gorilla in a Fishman dress."
Phish festivals are known for a few key details: remote locations, stunning art displays, and the signature Ferris wheel. They almost always play an unannounced set during the festival, and Mondegreen was no exception. Day two at this Dover, DE-based encampment featured not two but three sets of jams. The third set was an extended, free-flowing jam with no songs or structure. Some of the best things in life are unplanned, and this secret set was no exception.
The music began with perhaps the most well-known Phish tune, 'Bouncing Around the Room.' A ten-minute 'Kill Devil Falls' followed, with drummer Jon Fishman settling into the pocket early in the evening. Next up was Frank Zappa's 'Peaches en Regalia,' a rarity in the Phish 3.0 era, which had ironically been played the week prior in Grand Rapids, MI. Nonetheless, fans were still thrilled to take in this well-known instrumental.
Bassist Mike Gordon elevated the song 'Free' with his signature bass thumps, which helped create a groove oozing with funk. The beloved original 'Divided Sky' followed in the fifth spot, offering plenty of joyous peaks. The crowd was particularly excited on this night and erupted during the signature pause that the band takes about two-thirds of the way through.
'Tube' followed the 'Divided Sky' bliss, briefly going deep before giving way to the melodic 'Mountains in the Mist,' which provided a much-needed chill moment in the heart of the first set. This transition was well-placed as the band headed straight into 'Reba.' Guitarist Trey Anastasio nailed the iconic guitar riffs, though this version notably did not include the usual whistling at the end. The music continued as the foursome dove into 'Twist' before closing the set with a raging 'Character Zero.'
The band returned after a very short break to crush the darker tune 'My Friend, My Friend.' After the monster version delivered in Bethel, NY the week prior, this eleven-minute heater was unexpected. This band has been consistently defying expectations for over forty years, so why stop now? Multi-instrumentalist Page McConnell came in strong on the piano. Anastasio and Fishman delighted the crowd with a 'Moby Dick' tease near the end of the track, just before the segue into 'No Men In No Man's Land,' which brought another outstanding jam into the mix.
A radiant jam into 'Ruby Waves' continued this non-stop sequence, which eventually gave way to 'Pillow Jets.' The band has been excited about this new tune, and on this occasion, they evolved the jam into a disco-funk groove. The funk then rolled into 'Your Pet Cat,' last played at Madison Square Garden on December 29, 2022. We love the juxtaposition between the music and the cat sounds in this playful song. This evening's version was fast-paced and fit seamlessly with the rest of this mashed-up set.
The band returned for a quick jaunt back into 'Ruby Waves' before diving into 'Ghost.' The jam eventually circled back into 'No Men In No Man's Land' before landing squarely in an eighteen-minute, face-melting 'Fluffhead.' This is why we traveled so far to see this band.
Before the encore, Anastasio took the mic and addressed 'that one guy over there in the white shirt,' saying, 'We always do a secret set at these festivals. Don’t go back to the campground after the encore.' After this announcement, a wave of excitement filled the air, almost tangible. However, there was still the encore to come, and the band did what they do best: they dropped into a mighty 'Harry Hood.' This raced into 'First Tube,' where Anastasio ceremonially hoisted his custom Languedoc guitar into the air.
The band stepped off stage, and magically, the stage was suddenly adorned with tinsel that covered the entire structure like a tablecloth. Phish began this ambient set with Anastasio on acoustic guitar. Projectors fired up from the soundboard, casting nature images that reflected off the tinsel. The visuals were courtesy of Moment Factory, who had collaborated with the band on their run at The Sphere in April 2022. This gave those who couldn't afford to attend a taste of what Phish at The Sphere felt like. Anastasio switched back to electric guitar before eventually finishing out this memorable set on acoustic.
Phish is gearing up for what is sure to be a legendary run at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, CO, beginning August 29, 2024. Tickets for night one are available via this link. Additionally, another Mexican beach getaway at the Riviera Maya is on the calendar for 2025. Click this link for more details.
Date: August 16, 2024 Venue: The Woodlands Set One: Bouncing Around the Room, Kill Devil Falls2 > Peaches en Regalia, Free, Divided Sky, Tube, Mountains in the Mist, Reba3, Twist > Character Zero Set Two: My Friend, My Friend4 > No Men In No Man's Land > Ruby Waves > Pillow Jets -> Your Pet Cat -> Ruby Waves > Ghost -> No Men In No Man's Land > Fluffhead Encore: Harry Hood5 > First Tube Set Three: Jam6 Notes:
1. This was the second show of the Mondegreen festival.
2. Kill Devil Falls was unfinished.
3. Reba did not contain the whistling ending.
4. Trey and Mike teased Moby Dick at the end of MFMF, and it did not contain the "Myfe" ending.
5. Before Hood, Trey told "that one guy over there in the white shirt" that they always do a secret set at these festivals and not to go back to the campground after the encore.
6. For the "secret" third set, the stage was draped with a ribboned screen on which abstract images, trees, flowers and animals were projected, with the band playing behind. As the jam ended, the date and the words "PLAY" and "REC" appeared onscreen to give the appearance of looking through a camcorder's viewfinder. After the band left the stage, the images flickered and ended, and the status changed to "STOP."
The third night of a four-day festival is always the sweetest. Everyone has learned the ropes, such as where the dope burrito vendor is hawking sustenance and when the nearest porta-potties are being cleaned. Night three at Mondegreen brought a very large Saturday night crowd, along with a level of comfort in these new surroundings. This comfort extended all the way to Phish themselves, who delivered two sets of profound jams to 40,000+ fans.
The band decided to come out swinging, starting the first set with the heavy hitter "Mike's Song." The foursome from Vermont has been enjoying opening sets with this song recently, having played it eighteen times between 2022 and 2024, with half of those performances as set openers. The crowd unleashed numerous beach balls that bounced around the proverbial room. Guitarist Trey Anastasio crushed this early jam before the music transitioned into the melodic "Hydrogen." The band completed the "Mike's Groove" trifecta with perhaps the most famous mondegreen from their catalog, "Weekapaug Groove." Ironically, the lyrics were synthesized from mishearing Frankie Valli's "Oh What a Night" many years ago after playing a gig in Weekapaug, RI.
The weather showed signs that rain might be near as the band started to play "Theme From the Bottom." The crowd was well aware and prepared, but thankfully, these clouds had no moisture to disperse. A smooth segue followed into "Blaze On" before unfurling an almost thirteen-minute "Gotta Jibboo." This feel-good summer tune morphed into evil Phish territory, featuring some yummy bass thumps courtesy of bassist Mike Gordon, along with those late '90s era loops from Anastasio.
"46 Days" followed, bringing another short heater to this raging set. The newer tune "Evolve" had a beautiful, mellow vibe, especially with Page McConnell on the piano. This led into a crowd favorite, "The Meatstick," which included the famous dance performed by the band on stage during the Japanese translated lyrics. In fact, Phish has tried to break the world record for the number of people performing The Meatstick as a group dance in the past, but that is a story for another day. "David Bowie" ended the set on a high note, with drummer Jon Fishman leading the closing jam with his racing beats.
The band returned for round two with a deep funk "Also Sprach Zarathustra." A well-placed segue into "Oblivion" started this set off on the right foot. The band floated into more evil Phish territory, much to the delight of fans. A face-melting "Down with Disease" followed, which included "La Grange" and "Eleanor Rigby" teases by Anastasio.
Fishman was on point this evening as he drove the train into another jam vehicle, "Tweezer." Gordon and McConnell played nicely off each other during this nineteen-minute sequence, which had a distinctive blues rock vibe. This eloquent series rolled into "Scents and Subtle Sounds," while maintaining a cohesive jam, as they had done throughout the entire set. The non-stop music ended with a playful "Boogie On Reggae Woman."
The set wasn't quite finished, as the band closed with fiery power chords during "Carini." After stepping off stage for a moment, they returned for a triple encore, starting with "Backwards Down the Number Line." An almost twenty-minute "You Enjoy Myself" followed. The show concluded with the energetic burst of "Tweezer Reprise."
Mondegreen might be over, but Phish is gearing up for their annual run at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, CO, beginning August 29, 2024. Tickets for night one are available via this link. Also, they will be back for four nights at the Riviera Maya in January 2025. Click this link for more details.
Date: August 17, 2024 Venue: The Woodlands Set One: Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Theme From the Bottom > Blaze On, Gotta Jibboo, 46 Days, Evolve, Meatstick > David Bowie2 Set Two: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Oblivion, Down with Disease34 > Tweezer5 > Scents and Subtle Sounds > Boogie On Reggae Woman, Carini Encore: Backwards Down the Number Line, You Enjoy Myself, Tweezer Reprise Notes:
1. This was the third show of the Mondegreen festival.
2. Mike teased Passing Through in David Bowie.
3. DWD was unfinished.
4. Trey teased La Grange and Eleanor Rigby in DWD
5. Trey teased Eleanor Rigby in Tweezer.
On Saturday evening, it was announced that Phish's performance the following day had been moved to 1:00 PM in an attempt to avoid potentially dangerous weather. Fans deconstructed the cardboard City Hall structure, while others began breaking down their campsites. Although this wasn't an ideal scenario for the final day of Mondegreen, everyone on hand made the best of the scorching heat during the Sunday fun day set
The rescheduling continued as the late-night DJ set by Roots drummer Questlove was moved to 11 AM, coinciding with the venue's opening. Despite the threat of ominous weather, the skies remained blue, and the sun scorched the earth for most of the afternoon, including during this fun set. From his post at the top of the Heliograph, Questlove mixed in everything from Daft Punk to Michael Jackson. This bumping DJ set was the perfect warm-up for Phish's afternoon performance and solidified a very dark tan for this reviewer, who otherwise tried to avoid the sun.
Phish began their set full of smiles, with the sun still shining. They did their best despite the less-than-ideal conditions. The music kicked off with the playful and infrequently played 'Party Time.' The energy ramped up considerably for 'Axilla,' which featured the 'Axilla Part II' ending. A seamless transition into 'Maze' followed, as the band clearly aimed to deliver cohesive jams, despite the possibility that the set could end at any moment due to inclement weather.
The slow-building, funky groove of 'Steam' followed, serving as a bit of a metaphor for the humid weather conditions. Next up was 'Martian Monster,' followed by an 'AC/DC Bag' that grew into a jam with legs. Guitarist Trey Anastasio and multi-instrumentalist Page McConnell teased 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.' Another smooth sequence followed with 'Sigma Oasis' > 'Rift.'
The heavy-hitter 'Stash' brought a subtle yet profound jam, with bassist Mike Gordon teasing 'Express Yourself.' Fans began to realize this was turning into one long set as the sky slowly shifted from blue to gray. 'Ya Mar' and 'Timber (Jerry the Mule)' followed next, both songs firmly rooted in Phish 1.0 history and only played once or twice a year in the current rotation.
Phish wisely saved 'Bathtub Gin' for the impending shower that, incidentally, never arrived during the show. There's nothing better than yelling, 'We love to take a bath!' while taking a bath—though thankfully, this lyric was sung without any falling moisture. The twelve-minute jam then took a right turn into Jimi Hendrix's 'Izabella,' which has been re-integrated into the mix in recent years.
The music didn’t stop as drummer Jon Fishman drove the band full speed into 'Simple.' Anastasio was still feeling 'Izabella' and dropped a tease into this classic Phish original. By this point, the sky was completely overcast and dark, but Phish soldiered on to end the set with the longest jam of the evening in 'Golden Age.'
The band returned for the encore, with Anastasio commenting that he wasn’t sure where the storm was. Fans were relieved to hear at least one final tune, 'Fuego,' and without experiencing bad weather. Although this wasn’t the desired ending for anyone, many quickly departed the festival and headed home instead of enjoying the last night with old and new friends. The weather held out that evening and never quite reached the intensity promoters had feared. However, this was pure luck, as areas slightly north and west experienced torrential downpours and flooding, which easily could have impacted Mondegreen.
After bringing the heat in The First State, Phish is well-oiled for their annual run at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, CO, beginning on August 29, 2024. Night one tickets are available via this link. Additionally, they will host four nights at the Riviera Maya in January 2025. Click this link for more details.
Date: August 18, 2024 Venue: The Woodlands Set: Party Time, Axilla2 -> Maze, Steam, Martian Monster, AC/DC Bag3, Sigma Oasis -> Rift, Stash4, Ya Mar, Timber (Jerry the Mule), Bathtub Gin > Izabella > Simple5 > Golden Age Encore: Fuego Notes:
1. This show was part of the Mondegreen Festival and was originally planned as two evening sets. The start time of the show was moved to 1:00 PM EDT due to possible inclement weather.
2. Axilla had the Part II ending.
3. Trey and Page teased Mercy, Mercy, Mercy in AC/DC Bag.
4. Mike teased Express Yourself in Stash.
5. Trey teased Izabella in Simple.
Editor's Note: We interviewed Greg Ormont following Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's recent show at Pier 17, only to discover that our recording had failed due to technical difficulties. Despite our efforts to recover parts of the audio, we were unsuccessful, which was particularly disappointing as Ormont’s insights were incredibly honest and powerful. As a result, we incorporated our recollections of his words into this review of the show. He’s an incredible individual, and we hope you enjoy this mashup.
The Rooftop at Pier 17 hosted not one but three rising jam bands, creating a festival-like atmosphere on Saturday, August 31st, 2024. It’s hard to imagine a better way to spend the dog days of summer than sipping a fancy cocktail while watching the vibrancy of Manhattan unfold around the venue, with bands like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & the U.N., and Dogs in a Pile diving into their flavorful jams. Many attended the show for one particular band but left as fans of all three. Though the weather initially looked ominous, it never resulted in rain, which only heightened the joy of this special three-set event.
The youthful Dogs in a Pile kicked off the festivities. Originally from Asbury Park, NJ, this band blends elements of blues rock, funk, and jazz to create their unique sound. Drummer Joey Babick is barely of legal drinking age, but that didn’t stop him from leading the charge behind the kit. With views of the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop, the band launched into their original tunes. Notably, they played a righteous cover of "Dancing in the Streets," which seamlessly morphed into "Go Set."
Their set wound down with a high-energy sequence, beginning with guitarist Jimmy Law singing the funky original "Bubble." The music flowed into "EDM Song," which featured some raging synth courtesy of keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan. The band brought it all home by returning to "Bubble," ending their set on a high note.
We asked guitarist Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong what it was like to play with a young band like Dogs in a Pile. He spoke very positively, mentioning how great they were to tour with. He also highlighted their high level of skill and how much growth they’ve experienced at such a young age.
Andy Frasco & the U.N. took the stage by storm as guitarist Shawn Eckels held his guitar overhead and ripped into "Birthday Song" by Spookie Daly Pride. Dogs in a Pile quickly returned to the stage, joining in for Frasco’s original, the psychedelic-meets-alt-rock track "Talk About It." Frasco and his band treated the crowd to some instrument swapping, with drummer Andee Avilla giving his seat to Babick, Eckels passing his guitar to Avilla, and both Frasco and Kaplan sharing the piano, among other notable exchanges. Frasco then took a moment to introduce everyone, humorously referring to Law as his son, "Jimmy Frasco."
Frasco and his band played a banging version of "Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots next, followed by "Waiting Game" from their 2019 album Change of Pace. Frasco delighted fans with his signature crowd surfing and Jameson drinking during the song. The band continued with more '90s nostalgia, playing the final verse of "Killing in the Name." They ended the set on a positive note with their catchy original tune, "Dancing in Our Graves."
We asked Ormont what it was like touring with Andy Frasco and the U.N., and he had nothing but great things to say, particularly noting how industrious Frasco and his band are. He mentioned that Frasco is always engaged and is one of the hardest-working individuals in the industry. Ormont also had the opportunity to join Frasco on his podcast.
We also discussed what it was like playing on the Rooftop at Pier 17 for the first time and if there was anything he wished he had more time to explore. He unequivocally expressed how incredible the venue was to perform at, a sentiment he shared multiple times on stage. He mentioned not having much time to properly explore the area and described the backstage as a "maze." Ormont also expressed a genuine interest in visiting the ESPN studio located in the South Street Seaport district, where Pier 17 resides. Perhaps an ESPN team member-fan out there can help make this a reality.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong emerged for their set as day turned into night. The Empire State Building and other surrounding buildings were illuminated behind the band as they played. Ormont expressed their excitement on stage before kicking off the set with the blues rock-inspired "Porcupine." Guitarist Jeremy Schon brought his A-game as they navigated this feel-good opener. Ormont then sang the newer tune "Right Track," with drummer Alex Petropulos firing on all cylinders.
The disco-funk track "Avalanche" followed, with bassist Ben Carry elevating the tune through his funky bass thumping. The Baltimore, MD-based quartet delivered intense tension and release as the jam progressed. The melodic "My Own Way" featured some impressive guitar interplay between Schon and Ormont.
"Poseidon" came next in the set, with an intro reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, quickly giving way to the beloved, bubbly funk tune. A fiery jam ensued, skillfully transitioning into Daft Punk's "One More Time." Played for the eleventh time in their career, this rendition felt like the song was made for the band to cover. Petropulos and Carry were unwavering as their rhythmic foundation allowed the tune to take flight. The epic jam eventually landed squarely back in "Poseidon."
For the next tune, Ormont called for "AC from Tauk" to join the stage as a guest, but he apparently got lost in the maze behind the stage. Ormont also mentioned their recent release, Day in Time, which features the next song, "Beneath the Surface." The heavy-hitting "Horizon" followed, clocking in as the longest jam of their set at thirteen minutes. This Psychology tune had all the funky feels, transforming from a simple melody into a blazing inferno before settling into a highly danceable groove. Schon crushed the guitar as they leaned into a slightly darker, psychedelic vibe. "Celebrate who you love," indeed.
Kaplan from Dogs joined the band for "Show Me," adding a nice touch on the synth. The set closed with the upbeat "Dawn a New Day." The band left the stage but returned with both Dogs in a Pile and Andy Frasco & the U.N. for one final song. Ormont announced, "the rumors are true. This place rules." They all collaborated on the classic Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With." Both Ormont and Avilla delivered great vocals, while saxophonist Ernie Chang from Andy Frasco & the U.N. tied everything together during this uplifting encore.
We mentioned to Ormont that we’ve encountered his lovely parents at shows over the years and asked if their relatives are able to attend shows and how special it is when they do. He wholeheartedly agreed that their presence is always special, especially since most of them can’t make it to many shows. He also added that his parents like to use the tour schedule as a base itinerary for their travels, which he thought was pretty cool.
Speaking of their tour schedule, Ormont discussed a number of exciting future dates, beginning with their Halloween show in Indianapolis, ID at the Vogue Theater on October 31, 2024. This band adores blending other bands like no other, such as their 2022 performance as the Who Fighters in New Haven, CT. He mentioned multiple three-night stands coming up, such as their December 5-7 stint at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, CT. They will end 2024 with a two-night run in Pittsburgh, PA to ring in the new year. The band will take to the sea in February 2025 when they set sail on Jam Cruise 21.
We certainly enjoyed the show and speaking with Ormont. In addition to the dates discussed, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are up next in Naperville, IL at Howlin' at the Moon on October 25th. Dogs in a Pile are headlining a two-night stand at the legendary Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, PA on October 25-26th. Andy Frasco & the UN are going full throttle into fall with their next date on October 3rd at Miramar Theater in Milwaukee, WI.
Dogs in a Pile Set: You Didn't Hear It From Me, My Disguise, Go Set, Dancing in the Street1 > Go Set, Men of Steel, Spun, Bubble > EDM Song > Bubble Notes: 1. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Andy Frasco & the UN Set: Birthday Song1, Talk About It2, Vasoline3, Waiting Game, Killing in the Name4, Dancing in Our Graves (set list incomplete) Notes:
1. Spookie Daly Pride
2. with Dogs in a Pile
3. Stone Temple Pilots
4. Rage Against the Machine, final verse only
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Set: Porcupine, Right Track, Avalanche, Poseidon > My Own Way, One More Time1 > Poseidon, Beneath the Surface, Horizon, Show Me2, Dawn a New Day Encore: Love the One You're With34 Notes:
1. Daft Punk
2. with Jeremy Kaplan
3. Stephen Stills
4. With Dogs in a Pile and Andy Frasco & the UN
The days are getting shorter, and the weather is cooling down. This can mean only one thing: both football season and fall tour are about to begin. Goose, the indie-groove jam rock band from Connecticut that has solidified itself as a heavy hitter in the music industry, kicked off its Fall Tour at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, on September 1st, 2024. This Labor Day show had all the feels, including two new song debuts and a rare three-song second set. The band brought their A-game to this iconic fifty-six-year-old venue in the Garden State, despite not having performed since June 30th.
The band began the evening with the bubbly 'Flodown,' more commonly known in the community as a 'Flopener.' This high-energy tune was the perfect choice after returning from a two-month touring break. The mood mellowed momentarily during 'Mr. Action,' before ratcheting up again with 'Draconian Meter Maid.' Drummer Cotter Ellis sang and wrote this brand-new, first-time-played tune, that originally debuted with one of his previous bands, Swimmer. Percussionist Jeff Arevalo contributed guitar during this seventeen-minute heater.
Another raging guitar tune followed with 'Drive,' as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda showed no signs of rust after the break. This quickly gave way to the melodic 'Seekers on the Ridge Part I' > 'Seekers on the Ridge Part II.' This beautiful pair was short but always sweet to hear. They ended with 'SOS,' from their album Shenanigan's Nite Club, featuring a nice build-up on the keys by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach. Bassist Trevor Weekz drove this face-melting jam, including a funky breakdown of his own before Mitarotonda brought the music home. This sixteen-minute tune is definitely worth a relisten
Goose returned for set two and ventured into another new tune, 'Big Modern!,' sung by Rick Mitarotonda. A melodic opening gave way to a darker segment that flowed nicely into the chorus and eventually into a thirty-eight-minute jam. The band certainly showed up ready to play, as Lighting Director Andrew Goedde enhanced the experience with a masterful lighting display. The jam veered into ambient territory before firing up again near the end of this new jam vehicle.
'Feel It Now' was up next and included more ambient synth courtesy of Anspach. The show ended with a raging 'Madhuvan' that developed into an incredible work of art, incorporating the ambient elements that had been a part of the second set. This twenty-seven-minute jam ended the show with vigor. The band returned for an encore and played The Band's 'Don't Do It.'
Goose is back on tour and crushing deep jams. Catch them next at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY on September 6 - 7. Tickets are available for the first night via this link. Please hop over to Goose's tour page for more details on the rest of their stacked fall tour.
Set One: Flodown1, Mr. Action, Draconian Meter Maid2, Drive > Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II, Same Old Shenanigans Set Two: Big Modern!2, Feel it Now, Madhuvan Set Three: Don't Do It3 Coach's Notes:
[1] Flopener.
[2] FTP.
[3] The Band.
Goose descended on Saratoga Springs, NY, for a two-night stand at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which is surrounded by lush greenery and a sprawling state park that includes hot springs. The band was sufficiently warmed up after playing in Holmdel, NJ, and Boston, MA, earlier in the week. The Connecticut-based indie groove quintet certainly crushed night one with several rarely played covers and an original, all within their home stomping grounds.
Show number six hundred sixty-four began much like many Goose shows do, with a smiling Peter Anspach welcoming the crowd. The bubbly 'Elizabeth,' sung by multi-instrumentalist Anspach, kicked off the evening's festivities. This first tune clocked in at around twelve minutes and hit a few peaks as the jam wound down. 'Atlas,' a cover by The Wood Brothers, followed and morphed into a slow-burning, jazzy funk jam. Anspach's work on the organ meshed nicely with standout percussion from Jeff Arevalo.
Setlist staple 'Turned Clouds' elevated the funk vibes considerably. Drummer Cotter Ellis was on point as he drove the jam. The melodic 'Bourne' followed, marking the first time the tune was played during the Fall Tour. A seventeen-minute jam ensued, with Mitarotonda unfurling tension and release on the guitar. The band eventually moved into an ambient groove together, layering more subtle jamming on top. Bassist Trevor Weekz glued the synth and guitar together while dropping a few bass bombs of his own. A skilled transition flowed into a bluegrass-inspired 'Rosa Lee McFall' by the Monroe Brothers. Played for only the third time ever, the tune was last heard on June 27, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio.
The darker 'Bob Don' was up next and served as the perfect springboard into 'Pancakes.' The band descended into another blissful jam, reminiscent of 'Bourne.' Mitarotonda took the helm to end the set with a face-melting jam that brought smiles to many faces. As the band left the stage, a fan remarked that there 'were no bathroom break songs in that set.' She couldn't have been more accurate in her description.
After a very short break, the band returned with more heat in the form of a twenty-five-minute 'Arrow.' The funk gave way to a darker, synth-heavy jam dominated by both Ellis and Arevalo. Lighting Director Andrew Goedde and his team colored the iconic ceiling with lighting that enhanced the sequence. This was one of the best jams we've heard so far this tour. Mitarotonda brought the music back into 'Arrow' for a raging conclusion.
'Everything Must Go' proceeded into another twenty-minute jam that featured more cleverly placed synth dancing around the electric guitar. Weekz once again elevated the jam with his bass playing. The deliciously funky tune 'Jeff Engborg' followed, having last been played at the Brooklyn Bowl Vegas on October 1, 2023. This instrumental song is incidentally named after an incredibly talented musician from Connecticut who has been friends with the band for years. Anspach layered in the clavinet, while Ellis nailed the intricate drum beats. Mitarotonda added his Midas touch to end this ripping tune that we wish they'd play more often. Anspach gave his friend a shout-out at the conclusion.
The band dove into the archives and played 'Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis' for the first time since October 3, 2020, in Swanzey, NH. For context, this was a drive-in show during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's crazy to think how much has changed for the band since that time. Goose masterfully switched gears into the heavy hitter 'Arcadia' and ended the set with a vibrant jam.
The show wasn't quite over yet, as Goose returned to play 'Hot Love & The Lazy Poet.' This is easily our favorite new debut of 2024, and we can only hope the band continues to give this stellar tune more setlist love.
Goose is delivering fall tour fire, and the good news is they've just gotten started. Up next are shows in Charlottesville, NC, on September 9th and Chicago, IL, on September 11-13. The first night of the Chicago run isn't sold out yet, and tickets are available here. The other aforementioned shows are sold out. Head over to the band's tour page for more dates in your region.
Check out more photos from the show! Also view our prior coverage of Goose Fall tour in Holmdel, NJ.
Set One: Elizabeth, Atlas1, Turned Clouds, Borne -> Rosa Lee McFall2, Bob Don, Pancakes Set Two: Arrow, Everything Must Go, Jeff Engborg, Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis3 > Arcadia
Encore: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet
Coach's Notes:
[1] The Wood Brothers.
[2] Monroe Brothers.
[3] Tom Waits.
The organic jamtronica meets EDM quintet Sound Tribe Sector Nine will return to New York City for the first time in two years this weekend, September 13-14, 2024. The shows will take place at the industrial Brooklyn Steel, located in the heart of the Williamsburg neighborhood within Brooklyn, NY. This 1800 capacity venue will offer a more intimate experience for local fans with the band than in years past. This is also the perfect venue to feel the heat that STS9 brings indoors, both from the floor and the balcony.
New York City looks forward to hearing more of their melodically danceable new album, Chromalight, in a live setting for the first time. The album was recorded live, and features fourteen songs that debuted at Red Rocks last year. From the band, "On July 21 & 22, 2023, STS9 revealed 'Chromalight' at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. The multi-sensory production set out to explore the connection between sound and light, the colors we associate with musical notes and scales, and how we can tap into the power of the harmony between them to create an intentional and immersive live spectacle. This is the complete audio recording of the first-ever live performance of STS9's 'Chromalight.'"
After this weekend, they are headed to Big Indian, NY for a three night celebration of STS9 within a festival titled Camp Elsewhere at the Full Moon Resort. They also have a pretty stacked fall tour planned, with number of dates across the country. Head on over to their tour page for more details
Jamtronica specialists Sound Tribe Sector 9 recently treated the Northeast to an inspiring mini-run that included dates in Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The band had not visited the Big Apple since headlining Brooklyn Comes Alive in 2022, so fans were excited for a two-night run at the edgy, industrial Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY. The run kicked off on Friday, September 13, 2024, two days after the annual Tribute in Light that takes place each year on September 11 in New York City.
The Santa Cruz, California-based quintet began the show with the high-energy 'Fires,' fresh off their new release Chromalight. 'Frequency 2 & 3' followed, with keyboardist David Phipps elevating the tune delightfully. The music then evolved into a house jam that brought guitarist Hunter Brown to the forefront of the mix.
'New Dawn, New Day' was up next and did not disappoint. This tune, from The Universe Inside, samples the powerful 'Feeling Good' by musician and activist Nina Simone. Bassist Alana Rocklin and drummer Zach Velmer were in lockstep during the high-speed, dance-friendly progression.
Percussionist Jeffree Lerner added nice touches during 'F Word,' along with more beautiful notes from Phipps on the keyboards. The jam eventually morphed into a slow-burn funk that elicited plenty of fist-pumping from the crowd. It then transitioned into the old-school tune 'Muir Soul,' which had not been played in almost twenty years and was thankfully brought back into circulation last year. Velmer showcased his incredible talent on the kit throughout this sequence, especially as the band segued into 'Modular.'
Perhaps the highlight of the first set was the raging 'Wiki Chikana' that followed. This classic STS9 original, released on their breakout album Interplanetary Escape Vehicle in 1999, continues to melt faces twenty-five years later. The deep house jam clocked in at over eleven minutes, with Rocklin unfurling the bass that drove the tune. Brown's guitar licks during the tension and release stitched this musical story together.
The slow funk of 'Enceladus' followed and transitioned into the mind-melting 'Out of the World,' another tune from The Universe Inside. The music then slid into 'Modular,' which ended the set on a high note.
The band returned for round two, which began with 'Instantly,' and the fans were quickly back to moving and grooving with elation. An ambient middle section came ripping back with more percussive goodness, courtesy of Velmer and Lerner. Another Chromalight tune followed with 'Light Reveals,' which flowed into a vibrant 'Walk to the Light.' Rocklin led the charge as the music built up to a funky peak.
A euphonious 'Move My Peeps' followed and led into a hip hop-inspired breakdown. The band responded with another older tune, 'Blu Mood,' which brought more trance funk. The bass and drums melded together for a satisfying rhythmic layer, as Phipps elevated the mood on the keys.
A fiery 'Vapors' followed, beginning with a more toned-down synth that gradually fired up throughout this sixteen-minute heater. The band was firing on all cylinders by this point and segued back into 'Modular' for the third time, completing the 'Modular' trifecta. 'GLASS z-13' jumped into the mix and transitioned into the dark 'When the Dust Settles,' ending the set with vigor.
The band returned for an encore, but before doing so, Velmer addressed the fans from atop his large amp to express the band's sincere gratitude. The show ended with another vintage STS9 tune, 'Circus.'
STS9 is on tour, and bringing the heat. Catch them next on their relative home turf at the iconic Red Rocks Ampitheater on September 29, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. They are also headlining Jam Cruise in 2025, which is very exciting. Please hop on over to their tour page for more details on the rest of their fall tour.
Band: Sound Tribe Sector 9 Date: September 13, 2024 Venue: Brooklyn Steel Set One: Fires > Frequencies Peace 2 > Frequencies Peace 3, New Dawn New Day, F. Word > Muir Soul > Modular, Wika Chikana, Enceladus > Out of This World > Modular Set Two: Instantly, Light Reveals > Walk to the Light, Move My Peeps, Blu Mood, Vapors > Modular, GLASS z-13 > When the Dust Settles Encore: Circus
Two back to back shows are better than one, especially when the band is Sound Tribe Sector 9. The jamtronica quintet returned to Brooklyn Steel on September 14, 2024 for another round of their signature blend of EDM, rock, jazz and hip hop. They served up plenty of tasty older songs as well as newer tunes for an all out throw down, Big Apple style.
The show began with "This, Us," which contained a jazzy, hip hop vibe that started the show off perfectly. Incidentally, this song had not been played since December 30, 2023. Keyboardist David Phipp's ambient playing enveloped and brought all of the samples together.
The synth driven jam started to veer towards Nintendo like sounds, before bassist Alana Rocklin morphed into the bass line for the quintessential "Moon Socket." For a moment, it sounded like the band was diving into "Arigato," however Rocklin's thumping spurred the rest of the band to send the crowd on a funky journey to the moon. Drummer Zach Velmer crushed the drums during this very intricate and high speed song. Guitarist Hunter Brown sewed the song together with his guitar melodies.
New tune "Human Dream" followed that intense opening sequence, as percussionist Jeffree Lerner had nice touches. The song warmed up as the band played, and the bass became considerably more edgy. This lead into dance tune "World Go Round," from the Universe Inside, and consequentially, Rocklin shifted to a much funkier bass line. The epic jam that resulted coupled blues rock and trance.
The music took a turn back into hip hop and Artifact territory as the band slid into "Native End," which showcased Velmer's skills on the drums. Both Brown and Velmer alluded to the next song by dropping into the "Reemergence" guitar and drums for a short moment. They joined their band mates to finish out "Native End," before a proper ascent into "Reemergence." Brown really nailed the musical chorus, along with Phipps, which only elevated the complex percussive force.
The disco dance party kicked in with "Get Loud," another Universe Inside track. The set ended with a "Get Loud" that went in many directions. The bouncy beginning gave way to a funk fueled, synth explosion. This shifted into mind melting tension and release, and segued into a "Modular" jam to end this incredible set.
The band returned for set two, and began the festivities with more hip hop goodness via "Sky High," a cover by Goodie Mob. This flowed into the melodic, r&b song "Balancing Featuring Armanni Reign." "It's Alright" increased the intensity and sent the music back into a high energy dance space. This newer, synth friendly tune from 2023 is certainly a song with plenty of jam potential.
Another raging vintage tune made an appearance, and clocked in as the longest song in the second set at fourteen minutes and sixteen seconds. The honors go to none other than "Breathe In." Velmer had extra vigor in his arms as he ripped through this fancy tune. Phipp's keyboard playing was almost transcendent. This song can't help but put a smile on one's face.
The tone quickly went dark with the up tempo "Shock Doctrine" from Peaceblaster. Rocklin was front and center, and showed once again that she is a force to be reckoned with on the bass. A face melting transition ensued into another old school favorite, "Ramone and Emiglio." This launched into face melting tension and release, plus a vibrant build up courtesy of Velmer.
Phipps' elegant piano playing emerged once again during "Falling (Dnb mix)." This continued into "Click Lang Echo," and ended the set with a bang, albeit not without a quick segue into "Modular."
The band returned for an encore, starting with "Haze." This quickly migrated into "Peoples," which brought one final high intensity jam to send the Empire State fans home happy.
STS9 unfurled some serious heat in New York City. They are back in action this weekend at Red Rocks Ampitheater on September 29, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. Additionally, they will set sail on Jam Cruise in 2025 as one of the headliners, which is very enticing. Visit their tour page for more details on the rest of their fall tour.
Band: Sound Tribe Sector Nine Date: September 14, 2024 Venue: Brooklyn Steel Set One: This, Us > Moon Socket, Human Dream > World Go Round, Native End > ReEmergence, Get Loud > Seed > Modular Set Two: Sky High > Balancing Ft. Armanni Reign > It's Alright > Breathe In, Shock Doctrine > Ramone & Emiglio, Falling (Dnb mix), Click Lang Echo > Modular Encore: Haze > Peoples
The last time Lettuce played at the original Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY, they performed a vibrant New Year's celebration to cap off a three-night stand on December 31, 2017. The Boston, MA-based sextet is no stranger to the jam band-friendly venue, as they were tapped for a two-night stand as part of the venue's fifteenth-anniversary celebration. We were fortunate to attend the second night on September 29, 2024. Keyboardist Nigel Hall handled the pre-show duties with an upbeat DJ set. Alecia Chakour sat in with the band periodically throughout the night, providing her blissful vocals on top of the jazz, rock, and R&B blend served up by Lettuce.
Before diving into the review, let's take a moment to celebrate fifteen legendary years of incredible music at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl. This LEED-certified venue is the vision of Peter Shapiro and has launched the careers of many musicians. Perhaps most notably, the first show by Joe Russo's Almost Dead took place at the storied Williamsburg venue. They host bands of all genres, albeit with a delightful affinity for jamming. From heavy hitters like Trey Anastasio and Galactic to emerging artists like Escaper and Big Shrimp, this venue can be counted on for epic performances along with a well-trained and empathetic staff. Did we mention the tasty food with vegan and allergy-friendly options? This venue is the real deal, and we highly recommend a visit to the Big Apple location as well as the spin-offs in Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Nashville. On a side note, this exciting celebration will continue with select shows throughout the rest of 2024.
The evening began with Hall alone on the stage, where he served up a righteous DJ set as the fans slowly streamed into the venue. Members of Lettuce hung out behind stage grooving to Hall's fun mix.
The band slowly emerged onstage and kicked off Set One with "Get Greasy" from their album Crush. This jazz-funk original was just what the doctor ordered on a humid September evening. Eric "Benny" Bloom elevated this tune on trumpet. Nigel Hall added a nice synth feel. The funk rolled on into "Yakatori," which included saxophone courtesy of Ryan Zoidis. Drummer Adam Deitch was all over the dynamically changing beats. "Tryllis" followed, and the band started to gel for the evening as Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff crushed the guitar. Deitch continued to impress as the music delved into acid jazz territory. At the conclusion, the band gave a shout-out to Bobby and Denise Deitch.
Vocalist Alecia Chakour joined the party for the next tune, the R&B-inspired "The Love You Left Behind" from Mt. Crushmore. Incidentally, Chakour provided vocals for the album version back in 2016. A thick groove emerged as Smirnoff sewed together the vibrant vocals and horns. Two yummy James Brown covers followed, starting with "Do Your Thing." Her sultry voice combined perfectly with the slow-burn song tempo. The band decided to dial the beat back up for "What Do I Have to Do," much to the delight of the crowd, and ended the set on a decisively funky note.
"Reunion" from Outta Here began the second set with vigor. Hall's synth was the glue during this slow funk-jazz tune. The band wasted no time during their last tune as a sextet for the night, "Lettsanity" from their 2012 release Fly. They did not let this time go to waste, as they developed another robust yet danceable jazz groove. Bloom once again delivered a raging solo that cemented this clever musical moment.
Chakour returned to the stage for "From My Friend," where she sang a duet with Hall. The tempo slowed once again for this blues-inspired tune. As the show progressed, it was hard to hold back the band, who had met at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
"Don't Be Afraid to Try" followed, featuring Chakour, much to the crowd's delight. This was another tune that Chakour originally recorded with Lettuce back in 2014, and the collective group certainly flexed their musical muscles in this layered, funky R&B tune. The music carried into "He Made a Woman Out of Me," written by Fred Burch and Don Hill. The band masterfully transitioned into "Family Affair" by Sly & the Family Stone, with Hall once again taking lead on vocals. Chakour contributed to this memorable version.
Lettuce delved into Earth, Wind & Fire territory with "Makin' My Way Back Home," but not before another shout-out to the band's mom and dad, Bobby and Denise Deitch. The band also made a bold statement that the world would be a better place if everyone listened to Earth, Wind & Fire once a day. We couldn't agree more, honestly. The band slayed this well-known tune as they ended the set.
The band returned energized for the encore. Hall discussed love songs that they played for Valentine's Day in years past and announced that they were resurrecting "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. This included another duet between Chakour and Hall, and we can only hope the band keeps playing this vintage R&B tune. They were not done quite yet and had one face-melting mash-up to deliver: "Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield. Chakour and Hall detoured into a mellower, emotional vocal performance of "Be a Lion." The band returned to "Move On Up," which sent the fans home with a huge smile. While exiting the stage, they offered a very important piece of advice: "Please try to at least be nice to yourself."
Lettuce is back in action with jamtronica titans Sound Tribe Sector 9 at the Radius in Chicago, IL on October 18-19. Tickets are available via this link. They are also on the lineup for Jam Cruise in Feb 2025, along with STS9. Hop on over to their tour page for details about the rest of their schedule.
Date: September 29, 2024 Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Location: Brooklyn, NY Set One: Get Greasy, Yakatori, Tryllis, The Love You Left Behind1, Do Your Thing12, What Do I Have to Do12 Set Two: Reunion, Lettsanity, From My Friend1, Don't Be Afraid to Try1, He Made a Woman Out of Me13, Makin' My Way Back Home1 > Family Affair14 > He Made a Woman Out of Me13, Gratitude156 Encore: You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'17, Move On Up18 > Be A Lion1 > Move On Up18 Notes:
1. with Alecia Chakour
2. James Brown
3. Fred Burch
4. Sly & the Family Stone
5. Earth, Wind & Fire
6. Dedicted to Bobby and Denise Deitch
7. Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
8. Curtis Mayfield
Honoring Dawg music, along with David Grisman and Jerry Garcia's legacy, is at the heart of the Sam Grisman Project. The group was founded by Grisman's incredibly gifted son, Sam, who is a chip off the old block with seamless transitions between electric and upright bass. It helped that he was in the room when some of these timeless compositions were penned, but Sam put in the time to hone his craft. His band performed at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY, on October 13, 2024. Their show included a mix of Dawg, Dead, originals, and other vibrant covers spread out between two acoustic and two electric sets.
The show began with a burst of electric tunes, with Sam on electric bass. Drummer Chris English was behind the drum kit, while guitarist Max Flanders played electric guitar and banjoist Victor Furtado played banjo. "Waiting for a Miracle," which gained popularity through the Jerry Garcia Band, opened the show. The music quickly flowed into "Dawg," followed by "Jackaroo" from Shady Grove. Next came "Dawg Funk," an acoustic song that was electrified and a real treat. "St. Annie Marie," written by Flanders, accompanied the set. This quartet demonstrated their ability to electrify the performance when they transitioned into "The Harder They Come" by Jimmy Cliff, another Jerry Garcia Band favorite. The mini set ended with another original, "We Share As One," written by English.
The band swapped out their instruments for a mini acoustic set. Sam switched to the upright bass, with Flanders on acoustic guitar and English on percussion. Furtado continued on banjo. The band members gathered closely together next to a wooden microphone and played in a very traditional bluegrass style. They dove headfirst into "Grateful Dawg," which led into a pair of Grateful Dead covers, starting with the layered "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo." Flanders delighted the audience with his guitar during the inspired "So Many Roads" that followed.
The music rolled on during a very mild early October evening. Animals were a big theme in the set, though only canines had been the focus thus far. The band added avians to the animal list with "Bird Song." The classic "Say Old Man" hopped into the set next. This extended double set ended on a high note with Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds," sung by the impressive English. Overall, the band skillfully electrified bluegrass songs and played rock and reggae songs acoustically masterfully. There was still another set to go.
After a much-needed break, the band reassembled on stage by the wooden microphone for another acoustic set. Garcia's "Rubin and Cherise" had the opening honors, which was cool to hear acoustically. Two classic bluegrass tunes followed: "Hy Patillion" and "Streamline Cannonball." John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" kept the songs fresh. The band dove into two Grisman folk tunes with "Opus 38," which eloquently segued into the quintessential "Shady Grove." Furtado crushed these tunes with a smile on his face. The recognizable "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" brought some Bob Dylan into the mix. The set ended with a heartfelt "Steam Powered Aeroplane" by John Hartford. Check out an audience-recorded version of this rare tune.
The band was not done just yet and pulled the cord to switch back into their electrified personas. English moved back to the kit, while the other three regained space on the stage. As they had done all evening, they began with a traditional bluegrass song, "Red Rocking Chair," in an electrified format. A well-executed transition led into Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." This tune was sung by English, who demonstrated incredible vocal range and skill. The very upbeat "EMD" ended this sequence.
English's second tune of the evening, "Right to Know," flowed next and exemplified his skills as a songwriter. "Sisters and Brothers" slid into the set following that. Afterwards, Sam recognized that they had been giving a lot of attention to dogs and felt the need to show some love for cats. As a result, a memorable version of the lovable "Cats Down Under the Stars" was performed. The set ended with an affirmative bang as English belted out "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" by the Beatles. The band returned for a final tune, "Walkin' Down the Line" by Bob Dylan.
The Sam Grisman Project not only showcased the talents of all four band members but also presented a stellar show that playfully honored Grisman and Garcia's legacy. This band kept the music fresh and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the process. They are up next on October 25 in Bristol, VA, at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Tickets are available here. Afterwards, they take their act to Live Oak, Florida, to play at the ghost-and-goblin-filled festival, Hulaween. Head over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Band: Sam Grisman Project Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Location: Brooklyn, NY Date: October 13, 2024 Set One (electric): Waiting for a Miracle, Jackaroo, Dawg Funk, St. Annie Marie1, The Harder They Come, We Share As One2 Set One (acoustic): Grateful Dawg, Mississippi Half Step Uptown Todeloo, So Many Roads, Birdses > Birdsong, Say Old Man, Three Little Birds2 SetTwo (acoustic): Rubin and Cherise, Hy Patillion, Streamline Cannonball, Jealous Guy, Opus 38 > Shady Grove, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Steam Powered Aeroplane Set Two (electric): Red Rocking Chair > Superstition > EMD, Right to Know2, Sisters and Brothers, Cats Down Under the Stars, Why Don't We Do It In the Road Encore: Walkin' Down the Line Notes: 1. Max Flansburg, 2. Chris J English
Last Friday, October 25, 2024, was a difficult day for Grateful Dead fans, as jam rock bassist and patriarch Phil Lesh peacefully left this earth. The news began circulating around 5 p.m. EST, giving many bands, including Dogs in a Pile, enough time to prepare a tribute. The band was gearing up for a two-night run at the ever-welcoming Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, and seized the opportunity to honor Lesh's legacy. They also delivered a raucous show, supported by openers Reality Check Experiment.
The first set began with a bubbly 'Westward' and quickly transitioned into 'Nicolette.' The song started out smooth and mellow but soon transformed into a disco-funk dance party. Keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan was on fire as the groove built beneath him.
The band launched into a non-stop jam sequence that began with Billy Preston's 'Will It Go Round in Circles?' Guitarist Brian Murray led an epic blues-rock jam as the band transitioned into a fifteen-minute 'Blues for Brian.' This song opened with a melodic jam that intensified as it progressed, driven by drummer Joey Babick. A powerful segue followed into the high-energy '4th of July.' This momentum carried into the jazzy rock tune 'Snow Day,' which featured more fiery solos from guitarist Jimmy Law.
The chill 'Happy Song' followed, marking only the third time it had been played by Dogs in a Pile. This transitioned seamlessly into a twelve-minute 'Thomas Duncan, Pt 2,' packed with synth and percussion effects. All five members joined forces for another stellar funk jam, with bassist Sam Lucid dropping those tasty bass bombs. The funk theme continued into 'Trunk Rum,' this time at a slow-burn tempo. The band wasn't finished yet and unleashed a face-melting cover of Jimi Hendrix's 'Fire.' Murray nailed the vocals while he and Law took turns showcasing the classic rock melody. And with that, set one came to an end.
The band returned for round two and kicked off the festivities with a breezy 'You Didn't Hear It From Me.' This led into the jazzy, prog-rock-inspired tune 'Samba for Sam,' where Babbick dominated on the drums during the heated jam. The band skillfully segued into the guitar-fueled 'Por Que Pedro.' This edgy, almost hard-rock tune flowed into one of Dogs' best original pieces, 'Let U Go.' The quintet impressively wove in and out of genres with remarkable adeptness, a trend that continued throughout the night.
The non-stop music continued with 'EDM Song,' which once again ventured into a different genre: blues-rock and EDM-inspired. Kaplan lit up the keys during 'Spun,' accompanied by more tasty guitar chords. The melody transitioned into the uptempo 'Shenanigans,' which concluded this ripping sequence. Dogs wrapped up this fiery second set with 'Bent Strange.'
The band returned for an encore that proved to be a memorable tribute to Lesh. Fans anticipated a Dead tune, but no one expected 'Brokedown Palace.' This song was played by Dogs for only the second time ever. The heartfelt opening was sung by Law, as the band followed with this special rendition. They then took a turn down funky lane and launched into a delightful 'Dancing in the Street,' a song frequently covered by the Grateful Dead. The quintet, originally from Asbury Park, NJ, wrapped up the music with a quick segue into their original, 'Go Set.'
The tribute to Mr. Lesh was not yet complete, as Law stepped up to the mic to remind the audience about the importance of organ donation. Lesh often did this at shows following his liver transplant in the late '90s, and it was noted in the setlist as the 'Donor Rap.' This brief speech by Law brought many of us back to countless memorable Phil Lesh and Friends shows from the past.
Dogs in a Pile crushed their first night in Philadelphia, and delivered a touching tribute to Phil Lesh. They are taking the jam scene by storm, and heading to a venue near you. They are up next in Buena Vista, CO on November 6, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to their tour page for more details on shows near you.
Dogs in a Pile Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Philly Date: October 25, 2024 Location: Philadelphia, PA Set One: Westward, Nicolette, Will It Go 'Round In Circles?1 > Blues for Brian-> 4th of July > Snow Day, Happy Song > Thomas Duncan, Pt. 2-> Trunk Rum, Fire2 Set Two: You Didn’t Hear It From Me, Samba for Sam > Por Que Pedro > Let U Go > EDM Song > Spun-> Gumball > Shenanigans, Bent Strange Encore: Brokedown Palace3, Dancing in the Street4-> Go Set56 Footnotes:
[1] Billy Preston
[2] The Jimi Hendrix Experience
[3] Grateful Dead
[4] Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
[5] Ending only
[6] Donor Rap by Jimmy Law
Goose celebrated their first Halloween in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 31, 2024, with a crowd of around five thousand fans and a chilling Stranger Things theme. This all took place adjacent to the St. Pete Pier, nestled within Tampa Bay. The band was as thrilled to be in Florida as the fans were to see them on their home turf. They unveiled a number of new, first-time-played tunes intermixed with their signature indie groove originals.
The band based their theme on the soundtrack of the Netflix original series Stranger Things, which combines elements of horror, drama, science fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age genres. This popular show blends investigative drama with supernatural elements, portrayed through horror and childlike sensibilities, while offering nostalgic throwbacks to 1980s pop culture. The soundtrack includes many pop and rock tunes from that era.
Fans in the Sunshine State were out in full force on this warm Wednesday evening, dressed as everything from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to a "slave to the traffic light." The band quietly emerged on stage, each dressed as a character from Stranger Things to perform selections from the soundtrack: multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach as Dustin Henderson, guitarist Rick Mitarotonda as Steve Harrington, bassist Trevor Weekz as Billy Hargrove, percussionist Jeff Arevalo as Sheriff Jim Hopper, and drummer Cotter Ellis as Eleven.
The music kicked off with the downright creepy Stranger Things theme song, which transitioned into the melodically dark "Dr. Darkness," warding off any further trickery. Anspach then grabbed his guitar for an amped-up "Yeti," as the crowd reveled in his stage presence. By now, the sun had set, and a gorgeous blue hour backdrop enveloped the sky behind the stage and venue. Both Mitarotonda and Anspach came together on guitar, while the rhythmic force of Ellis and Arevalo drove the tempo for the longest jam of the first set.
The band followed up with "Silver Rising," another original featuring eerie lyrics like "feel the rush, taste the blood." Mitarotonda went into machine-gun mode before the song mellowed out. At its conclusion, Anspach took a few moments to thank the crowd and admire the many awesome costumes.
Another darker original, "Wysteria Lane," hopped into the set list next. The trance-inspired jam that followed roared back into the Stranger Things theme song, with Weekz layering in an ominous bass line as lighting director Andrew Goedde released a stage smoke drop. The music then moved into the famously chilling Talking Heads tune, "Psycho Killer." Ellis contributed his vocals to this well-known cover, which Goose last played on November 23, 2016. This was one of many notable jam sandwiches on this spooky night.
The tempo increased as the quintet dropped into the 80s hit "Maniac" by Michael Sembello. Mitarotonda sang this tune, which led into a textured jam that returned to the Stranger Things theme, evolving into more satisfying tension and release.
Without stopping, the band took a left turn into the jam vehicle "Madhuvan," with everyone firing on all cylinders. Before entering the heart of the jam, the band shifted into another ominous, trance-inspired sequence, which served as a transition into the popular 60s instrumental "Wipeout" by Bob Berryhill. This tune resonated well with Florida’s surf culture, despite the lack of substantial waves in the Gulf of Mexico surrounding St. Pete. Mitarotonda took fans into the stratosphere as he ripped through the familiar chords.
The first set wasn’t quite done yet, as the band put on a clinic during their return to "Madhuvan." Weekz's bass thumps led this tight groove back into the great beyond, as Anspach began playing "You May Be Right" on the keys, with Mitarotonda joining in briefly. They also slipped in a "Pure Imagination" tease before roaring back into "Madhuvan" and ending the set with an emphatic, albeit spine-chilling, bang. Goose instructed the fans to "stay strange out there" as they took a short break.
The band returned with more thrilling surprises, including the debut of "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive. The dirt field magically transformed into a disco dance party as fans embraced the vibe. Mitarotonda sang the song as if it were written for him, leaving us hopeful that they’ll play it more often. Anspach dominated the synth, while Weekz kept the funky bass elevated during the resulting jam, which morphed into a sixteen-minute "Arrow."
The Connecticut-based band flowed into a tight groove, with Weekz front and center. These are the juicy moments that fans return for time and again. A burst of energy gave way to another hair-raising transition into "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. The band then dove back into a darker jam, reminiscent of "Arrow," building on it as the tempo continued to rise. This was yet another jam absolutely worth a listen as they artfully transitioned back into "Arrow."
An emotional "Creatures" was up next. The band was in the zone, and the fans were loving the spooky take on their originals. "Oh, this moment is the only thing you'll know." The band descended into a thick, funk-laden jam as both Arevalo and Ellis nailed the percussion and drums throughout the transitions. The music slowed as the song wound down, only to launch into "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, which ended the second set. By this point, Goose was playing out of their minds, and the crowd loved every second.
The band walked off stage briefly and returned with more of the sinister Stranger Things theme. They then transitioned into the light and bubbly "Empress of Organos," perhaps indicating they were leaving the hostile alternate dimension known as the "Upside Down," featured in the series. This transition included more delicious bass delights courtesy of Mr. Weekz. The tune ended on a very upbeat and powerful note.
Goose delivered another epic Halloween performance with fresh covers and inspired musicianship at the St. Pete Pier. They are currently wrapping up a three night stand at the Andrew J. O'Brady Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tickets for Sunday, November 10th are available via this link. They are headlining a two night stand in Charleston, SC on December 13-14th for their annual Goosemas celebration at the North Charleston Coliseum that we can't wait to attend. Tickets are available here. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Band: Goose Date: October 31, 2024 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Venue: St. Pete Pier Set 1: Stranger Things[1] > Dr. Darkness, Yeti, Silver Rising, Wysteria Lane[2] -> Psycho Killer[3], Maniac[4] > Madhuvan > Wipeout[5] > Madhuvan[6] Set 2: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)[7] > Arrow > Running Up That Hill[8] -> Arrow, Creatures, Everybody Wants To Rule The World[9] Encore: Stranger Things[10], The Empress Of Organos Coach's Notes:
[1] S U R V I V E. FTP.
[2] With Stranger Things Theme teases.
[3] Talking Heads.
[4] Michael Sembello. FTP. With Stranger Things Theme teases.
[5] Bob Berryhill. FTP.
[6] With You May Be Right and Pure Imagination teases.
[7] Dead or Alive. FTP.
[8] Kate Bush. FTP.
[9] Tears For Fears. FTP.
[10] S U R V I V E.
As their Florida run continued, Goose headed to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, ranked the second-best amphitheater in the USA by Pollstar Magazine in 2019. This 5,000-capacity venue boasted impeccable sound and not a single bad seat in the house. The band, still on fire from the previous night, delighted the crowd with several notable covers.
Located on Anastasia Island, adjacent to St. Augustine, this venue was certainly something special. Its proximity to the beach created a fantastic experience for both the band and fans, with plenty of beachfront hotels nearby. Built on an old coquina quarry, the venue featured a covering reminiscent of the old roof at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Both of these aspects contributed to the impressive sound quality from any vantage point within the venue.
The Constitution State quintet kicked off the show with 'Hot Love & The Lazy Poet,' a new track debuted in April 2024 that has since solidified its place in their lineup. This version featured a drum solo courtesy of drummer Cotter Ellis. The band then pivoted into the blues-rock-heavy 'Butterflies,' with multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach contributing vocals and guitar. Both he and guitarist Rick Mitarotonda wove their parts together nicely during this short but sweet jam. A breezy 'California Magic' followed.
Father John Misty’s 'I’m Writing a Novel' followed, leading into a tasty blues-rock jam that fired up the crowd. The new tune 'One In, One Out' came next, bringing a ten-minute ambient jam with considerable guitar peaks as the song wound down. A well-executed segue then transitioned into Devo's 'Whip It,' last played in San Francisco on April 27, 2023. Percussionist Jeff Arevalo and drummer Cotter Ellis were on fire during this popular '80s tune.
The music took a more serious tone as the band flowed into 'Seekers on the Ridge Pt 1.' This melodic, layered tune, which debuted in 2020, transitioned into its usual companion, 'Seekers on the Ridge Pt 2.' Mitarotonda unleashed more face-melting guitar work during this piece. The final song of the set, 'Tumble,' brought a raucous, twenty-two-minute jam, with bassist Trevor Weekz taking flight during this slap-happy rager. Arevalo and Ellis were on point as the jam shifted directions multiple times, including a notable trance-inspired section that morphed into a fiery prog-rock ending. This was Goose at their finest, and there was still another set left.
The band returned for set two and picked up where they left off with a twenty-three-minute 'Big Modern!' This tune took a dark direction before settling into a bass-heavy rock jam. Weekz continued to dominate as Mitarotonda unleashed on the guitar, eventually returning to the melody to close the song. Lighting Director Andrew Goedde decorated the stage with multiple smoke drops during this heater.
The jam vehicle 'Red Bird' soared into the set next, bringing a layered tapestry that had everyone dancing. Goedde bathed the stage in red and cast dancing red flashes on the rooftop structure, adding to the overhead aesthetics. The tune mellowed out, and the band leapt into another powerhouse, 'Echo of a Rose.' This succinct version did not disappoint, steering toward the Grateful Dead’s 'Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.' The band couldn’t resist diving into this well-loved song that they tend to crush—and crush it they did.
The final song of the set was the quintessential 'Arcadia.' A funk jam emerged with intensity as the band fired on all cylinders. The fans responded with an overwhelmingly loud reaction, reminiscent of set endings at Goosemas, catching many by surprise. This energy carried into the encore, 'Slow Ready.' As the band transitioned from the slower section into a disco dance party, the crowd grew more and more excited. It felt like everyone had their arms in the air as the song wound down.
Goose destroyed night one at the incredible St. Augustine Amphitheater, and made a lot of new fans in the Sunshine State. We can only hope they head back to this absolute gem of a venue very soon. They are back in action on Tuesday, November 12th at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. Tickets are available via this link. They are also hosting their annual two night December event Goosemas at the North Charleston Coliseum on December 13-14, as well as playing a two night stand in Austin, TX for New Years. Head on over to their tour page for more dates near your location.
Band: Goose Date: November 1, 2024 Location: St. Augustine, FL Venue: St. Augustine Amphitheater Set One: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Butterflies, California Magic, I'm Writing A Novel[1], One In, One Out -> Whip It[2], Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II, Tumble Set 2: Big Modern!, Red Bird, Echo of a Rose[3] > Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo[4], Arcadia Encore: Slow Ready Coach's Notes:
[1] Father John Misty.
[2] Devo.
[3] Fast version.
[4] Grateful Dead.
Night two in St. Augustine with Goose felt like a dream, as the band continued to play out of their minds in a mild tropical paradise. Most folks spent their day on the beach, by the pool, or enjoying the incredibly fresh seafood before lazily making the mile-or-two migration to the venue, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. This setlist was a mix of new and old originals, along with several elevated covers, putting a bow on this epic Florida run.
The band emerged from backstage, thanked the crowd for their attendance, and promptly dropped into 'Turbulence & The Night Rays.' This Vasudo original was the perfect opener. Guitarist Rick Mitarotonda was on point with vocals and guitar, even unleashing a few smiles. The crowd was ready to party and went wild during the brief moments between 'Turbulence' and 'Draconian Meter Maid.' Drummer Cotter Ellis took on vocals for his tune, 'Draconian Meter Maid.' Played for only the sixth time ever, this song features multiple tempo changes and some serious jam potential. This version did not disappoint, showcasing a powerful percussive force throughout.
The music slowly mellowed before taking a left turn into 'Turned Clouds' from Goose's 2016 release, Moon Cabin. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach and bassist Trevor Weekz settled into funk mode while Mitarotonda drove the train home. The upbeat blues-rock original 'Drive' was up next, soaring into a euphonious jam. The band developed a very tight groove that had many fans dancing with huge grins, fully enjoying this high-energy first set, especially the tight 'Drive.'
Without stopping, the band shifted gears into 'Wild Night' by Van Morrison. Ironically, this tune was last played at a beachside venue in Asbury Park, NJ, on July 3, 2023, at The Stone Pony Summer Stage. Mitarotonda sang his heart out on this version, and the fans erupted at its conclusion. The new song 'Feel It Now' followed, bringing a trance-inspired jam. A layered effort continued to develop, showcasing bright moments for percussionist Jeff Arevalo.
The easygoing 'A Western Sun' came next, giving Anspach a moment to shine on the piano. This smooth tune slowly transitioned into 'Rockdale,' dialing the funk back up. The band truly came together during the jam, with Mitarotonda delivering electrified tension and release to close the set.
The band returned from set break and began set two with a seventeen-minute 'Hungersite.' This raging jam found its way into the rarely played cover, Jim James's 'State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.).' Lighting Director Andrew Goedde projected a myriad of colors onto the venue's ceiling, adding another sensory element to the music.
The blues-rock-charged 'Thatch' was up next and did not disappoint. Weekz provided a tasty bass line that the rest of the band tethered to, including Anspach on clav and synth. Ellis and Arevalo had shining moments as the music transitioned, while Mitarotonda went into machine-gun mode to bring this tune home.
The set wasn’t over quite yet, as the band delved into a twenty-two-minute 'Dripfield' from their 2022 release of the same name. A stacked jam ensued, with more pronounced percussion and bass as Weekz continued his thumping dominance. Mitarotonda utilized textured guitar effects before returning to face-melting mode. This gave way to another ambient section, with the piece stretching to nearly twenty-three minutes of delight.
The band landed squarely back in 'Dripfield,' with prog rock-inspired peaks and valleys and the crowd on their feet. They skillfully transitioned into an up-tempo 'Shama Lama Ding Dong' by Otis Day & The Knights, ending the set on a high note. The band then returned for an encore with 'Give It Time.'
Goose continued to shine and unfurl memorable performances as they ended their incredible run in Florida. They are hosting their annual two night Goosemas event at the North Charleston Coliseum on December 13-14, and are playing a two night stint in Austin, TX for New Years. If that isn't enough to satisfy your avian craving, they are throwing a three day festival in Cabo, Mexico on May 8-10, 2025, titled Viva El Gonzo. Tickets and more information are available here. Head on over to their tour page for more dates near your location.
Band: Goose Date: November 2, 2024 Venue: St. Augustine Amphitheater Location: St. Augustine, FL Set One: Turbulence & The Night Rays, Draconian Meter Maid > Turned Clouds, Drive -> Wild Night[1], Feel it Now, A Western Sun > Rockdale Set Two: Hungersite > State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)[2], Thatch, Dripfield[3] -> Shama Lama Ding Dong[4] Encore: Give it Time Coach's Notes:
[1] Van Morrison.
[2] Jim James.
[3] Unfinished.
[4] Otis Day & The Knights.
Show Notes: Wild Night was played for the first time since July 3, 2023 (98 shows).
Rising star Daniel Donato brought his band, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, to the Brooklyn Bowl for a three-night stand in late October, and they did not disappoint. Their clever mix of country, bluegrass, rock, and funk was a hit with the crowd, as the quartet continued to gain traction at the iconic Williamsburg venue. The setlist featured a mix of originals alongside notable covers, some of which the audience may not have expected to hear in a bluegrass setting.
The music kicked off with an electrified rendition of Mickey Newbury's "Why You Been Gone So Long." The band paid homage to funk-jam contemporaries The New Mastersounds by performing the instrumental "Cigar Time." Donato’s guitar skills shone brightly on this jazzy tune, while keyboardist Nathan Aronowitz elevated the track substantially, seamlessly transforming into a funk maestro. This jam was incredible and showcased the exceptional talent of the entire squad.
The first original of the evening, "Passing Storm," came next. Donato delivered this country tune, which evolved into an almost twenty-minute exploration of blues and prog rock. Often hailed as a virtuoso, Donato provided clear evidence of his mastery. Drummer Noah Miller navigated every beat change with precision, showcasing the wide range of music he is capable of playing. The tension and release at the song's conclusion were perfectly executed, making this performance one we highly recommend revisiting.
The music shifted back to a bluegrass feel with Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down." Toward the end of the song, audience members began passing large sunglasses to the band, who put them on to the crowd's delight. Donato donned the glasses and shared a playful moment with Aronowitz, jokingly saying he was "glad you shaved your mustache." He then proposed an amusing lyric change for the next song, "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms," swapping "arms" for "legs" in honor of the sunglasses. Donato declared the change respectful to tradition, prompting laughter from the crowd. The band followed suit, performing "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Legs." Bassist Will McGee delivered a stellar bass solo toward the end of the song.
"Blame the Train" followed, quickly succeeded by another instrumental original, "Cosmic Country Gardens." McGee switched to the upright bass, adding a rich and flavorful aesthetic to the performance. The upbeat, bubbly tune resonated with the crowd. The set concluded on a high note with an eighteen-minute rendition of "Translation," featuring a bluegrass-infused heater and Donato delivering a face-melting guitar solo.
After a short break, the band returned with more originals, including "See Through." Donato's voice, reminiscent of Bob Dylan, added a unique touch to this bright, bluegrass-inspired tune, which eventually morphed into a deep psychedelic jam. This was an absolutely fiery moment and well worth revisiting this twenty-minute gem.
The music shifted gears into the euphonious, vocally driven "Down by the Riverside." Aronowitz joined Donato on vocals and contributed dynamic keyboard work to this well-known traditional tune. The band then transitioned into another country song, "Down Bedford," which once again launched into a funk-meets-psychedelia groove while still retaining its country roots. This performance encapsulates the essence of Cosmic Country and explains why fans are lining up to see this Nashville native and his talented squad.
"Justice" brought more country vibes and showcased Miller's skill in adding texture and seamlessly changing beats. This led into the Allman Brothers' classic "Jessica," where Aronowitz dazzled with an electrifying keyboard solo. Donato unleashed his fury, drawing on his experience playing with the Allman Brothers cover band Trouble No More. Before the song concluded, the band teased the next tune, "Boogie Man." This explosive dive into deep cosmic funk was enthusiastically received and perfectly in line with the night's energy. By this point, all four band members were firing on all cylinders. Our only wish was that this delicious jam had lasted even longer.
The band welcomed bassist Kevin Scott to the stage for the next tune, Bob Dylan's "Down Along the Cove." Donato employed a slide guitar effect for this dynamic double-bass performance. A thrilling bass face-off ensued between Scott and McGee, taking over the tune for an especially enjoyable moment. Scott remained on stage for the following song, "Freedom Jazz Dance." The band flawlessly executed this jazz standard, once again showcasing their remarkable versatility. The performance then morphed into something akin to a hoe-down infused with jazz, unquestionably making it the jam of the night.
"Always Been a Lover" brought even more high energy to the North Brooklyn venue. Following that, "Luck of the Draw" delivered a melodic chorus that ventured into mysterious psychedelic territory. Aronowitz and McGee continued to elevate the performance, driving the funk to new heights. This led into "Sugar Leg Rag," the sole track from their recent release, Reflector. This peppy, fast-paced song was the perfect conclusion to a remarkable set.
The band stepped off the stage briefly, allowing club owner Peter Shapiro to take the mic and address the crowd. He spoke about how fortunate everyone was to witness such a special show. On a side note, we as a community are incredibly fortunate to have Shapiro's passionate support for musicians like Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country.
The foursome returned to the stage and performed an acoustic rendition of "I've Been Working on the Railroad," evoking childhood nostalgia for many in the audience. The tune seamlessly transitioned into Warren Zevon's "Nighttime in the Switching Yard." This funk-fueled number perfectly matched the crowd's mood, as they were eager to keep dancing. Donato solidified his rock star status with a wailing finish to the song. The band wasn’t quite done yet, launching into an up-tempo version of "Respect," sung by Aronowitz. They closed the night with an exhilarating jam that left the crowd electrified.
Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country is a force to be reckoned with. They deliver a unique mashup of country, bluegrass, funk, psychedelic, prog, and blues rock, all infused with a fun, engaging attitude. We can’t wait to see Daniel Donato and his band again soon. Their next performance is at The Mexico Incident, supporting The String Cheese Incident from December 7-11, 2024. Tickets are available here. Catch them at in their hometown of Nashville, TN at the Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on December 13-14. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your neck of the woods.
Date: October 26, 2024 Band: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Location: Brooklyn, NY Set One: Why You Been Gone So Long1, Cigar Time2, Passing Storm, East Bound and Down3, Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms4, Blame the Train, Cosmic Country Gardens, Translation Set Two: See Through, Down by the Riverside4, Down Bedford, Justice, Jessica5, Boogie Man, Down Along the Cove67, Freedom Jazz Dance78, Always Been a Lover, Luck of the Draw, Sugar Leg Rag Encore: I've Been Working on the Railroad4, Nighttime in the Switching Yard9, Respect10 Notes:
1. Mickey Newbury
2. The New Mastersounds
3. Jerry Reed
4. Traditional
5. The Allman Brothers Band
6. Bob Dylan
7. With Bassist Kevin Scott
8. Eddie Harris
9. Warren Zevon
10. Otis Redding
The Met Philadelphia has stood for over one hundred years, serving a variety of purposes—from a church to hosting Bob Dylan. This ornate, history-rich venue welcomed Joe Russo's Almost Dead for the fifth time on Friday, November 15, 2024. The sold-out show was no slouch, as the band delved into a pair of rare covers alongside a hearty selection of Grateful Dead bliss.
The festivities began with a jazzy intro that gradually built into "Scarlet Begonias." Keyboardist Marco Benevento was in top form, making his presence felt early on. Guitarist Tom Hamilton matched the energy, unleashing his fury during this Grateful Dead classic. A psychedelic sequence followed, seamlessly transitioning the band into Paul Davis' "Six Days on the Road," last performed in Manteo, NC, on August 10, 2023. An upbeat jam then flowed smoothly into Bob Weir's "Greatest Story Ever Told," sung by guitarist Scott Metzger. Drummer Joe Russo was a dynamic force, driving the tune with his powerful rhythms.
A soft and melodic sequence unfolded, eventually building into an explosive rendition of "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo." Hamilton delivered powerful vocals on this vibrant Grateful Dead classic, with the band returning to a gentler tone before concluding the song.
This skillfully led into a brief "Scarlet Begonias" reprise before transitioning into a fiery "Fire on the Mountain." Bassist Dave Dreiwitz laid down a funk-driven groove during this well-known tune, while Benevento continued to dazzle on the piano. Hamilton elevated the intensity with stellar blues-rock guitar work. Keeping with their herbage theme, the band closed out the delightful set with "Sugar Magnolia.
After a short break, the band returned, kicking off the second set much like the first—with a jam that built into "Here Comes Sunshine." An adorable dog made a surprise appearance on stage during the intro. Russo's incredible percussive skills shone brightly throughout the tune. A galvanized "Here Comes Sunshine" followed, with Metzger and Hamilton intertwining their guitar lines during an expansive fifteen-minute jam, while Dreiwitz anchored the music seamlessly on bass. The band teased "China Cat Sunflower" during this heater before returning to "Here Comes Sunshine" and launching into another bluesy direction.
The music transitioned seamlessly into "Easy Wind," which featured another richly layered dual-guitar jam. By this point, the band was firing on all cylinders. A smooth segue into "Help on the Way" followed, with Russo delivering well-placed and inspired beats, particularly during the transitions. Dreiwitz laid down tasty bass thumps, while Hamilton experimented with intriguing guitar effects.
A well-executed transition carried the band into a short but sweet "Slipknot!" The crowd savored every second of this non-stop jam sandwich, which shifted into a mellow, bluesy groove. Dreiwitz took center stage for a bass solo, seamlessly leading the band into "Cumberland Blues." The jam continued to build, with Hamilton slipping in a playful "Jessica" tease. The crowd joined the fun with a round of clapping as Benevento elevated the energy with his dazzling piano work.
The band pivoted into an electrifying "I Need a Miracle," which flowed seamlessly into John Lennon's "Instant Karma!" This marked only the second time Joe Russo's Almost Dead had played the song, the first being on February 8, 2024, in Charlotte, NC. Hamilton took on vocal duties, and the band delivered a powerful rendition, closing the set with energy and vigor.
The quintet returned for a brisk "Big Railroad Blues" encore, bringing their fifth show at the iconic Met Philadelphia to a close.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead is on tour and will be back in action on December 5, 2024, at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, WI. Tickets are available via this link. They have a number of dates around the country announced into 2025. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Date: November, 15, 2024 Band: Joe Russo's Almost Dead Venue: The Met Philly Location: Philadelphia, PA Set One: Jam > Scarlet Begonias1 > Six Days on the Road2, Greatest Story Ever Told3, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo1 > Scarlet Begonias1 > Fire on the Mountain1, Sugar Magnolia1 Set Two: Jam > Here Comes Sunshine1, Easy Wind1 > Help on the Way1 > Slipknot!1 > Cumberland Blues1 > I Need a Miracle1 > Instant Karma!4 Encore: Big Railroad Blues5 Notes:
1. Grateful Dead
2. Paul Davis cover
3. Bob Weir Cover
4. John Lennon cover
5. Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover
Rising jam band artists Eggy and Dogs in a Pile co-headlined a post Turkey Day two night stand at the Capitol Theater. This was the first time that either band headlined this legendary 1800 person capacity venue, which has previously hosted both Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan. Both bands brought some serious A game on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Eggy's set included a special sit in with members of Melt. Both bands joined forces for a vibrant encore that was also a nod to the band who started it all, the Grateful Dead.
Eggy began the festivities for the evening with "Shadow," followed by the uptempo "High Noon." Guitarist Jake Brownstein was firing on all cylinders early this evening. New, darker tune "Shallow Rivers" proceeded, and included a fifteen minute exploratory jam early in the set.
Set list staple "All Wheels Turnin'" hopped into the mix, and brought an edgy, slow burning funk. All four band members were in lock step by this point, weaving through tension and release, much to the delight of the crowd.
Members of the NYC based band Melt, guitarist Marlo Shank and vocalist Veronica Stewart-Frommer, joined Eggy on stage for their tune "Plant The Garden." This was the first time that Eggy performed this song, and it was natural fit as Brownstein and Shank jammed with one another on stage.
Stewart-Frommer and Shank remained on stage, and joined Eggy for their first performance of "So Long." The tune is part of their recent album release, Waiting Game. Bailey and Stewart-Frommer sang this as a duet from the front of the stage. Drummer Joey Babbick of Dogs in a Pile quietly took Bailey's place on drums. This heartfelt tune was well received by the fans, and both bands certainly enjoyed playing together.
The band followed up with another new tune "Woah There," which was elevated by keyboardist Dani Battat. This skillfully segued into fan favorite, "Smile." Dancing Luchadores appeared on stage during the jam, and rocked out next to Goodman and Brownstein. This jam culminated with a face melting twelve minute heater, and ended Eggy's set on a very high note.
After a short break, the Garden State's Dogs in a Pile appeared on the stage and began their set with "Little Things." Guitarist Jimmy Law was on point early, as this quickly lead into a refreshing blues rock jam. "You Didn't Hear It From Me," originally penned by Tom Marshall and Anthony Krizan, accompanied. Babbick slayed these dynamic beats, which formed the backbone for the band to cohesively gel.
Essential jam monster "Bent Strange" brought a mix of dark and light for a fifteen minute rager. Keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan decorated this song on the synth. This included a jazzy sequence reminiscent of Herbie Hancock. The groove eventually took off during a delicious psychedelic jam.
Before diving into another song, guitarist Bryan Murray took a few moments to recognize the first time both bands played at the Cap occured together a couple years prior. Both bands have certainly come a long way since. Murray went on to sing a song that he recently wrote, "Burning Daylight." The bubbly jam made way for more psychedelic goodness, before heading into the upbeat "Chop Shop." The crowd was loving the high flying groove that this tune morphed into.
Without warning, the band dropped another fifteen minute blazer during "Thomas Duncan Pt. 3." This song contained elements of composed and free form music that were well executed, and continues to be one of their best new tunes. Upon conclusion of the song, Kaplan took on bass duties, while bassist Sam Lucid picked up a microphone. The band took a quick, edgy detour from psychedelic jams into "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine. Lucid nailed the lyrics, while the band crushed the well known tune.
"Rinky Dink Rag" was up next, and had elements of an old timey tune woven into the jam bliss. Kaplan unfurled on the piano during this jam, that eventually led into "Say Something." This mellow blues rock tune picked up speed, and ended the set on a euphonic note.
The band stepped off stage, and venue owner Peter Shapiro appeared on stage to express his excitement for both bands. They are certainly the future of the jam scene, as Shapiro pointed out.
Both bands returned for a super jam encore, Grateful Dead style. This started with "One More Saturday Night." During the middle of the song, all band members, except Bailey and Babbick, sat on the ground while the drummers took over for a few minutes. The heat continued into "The Music Never Stopped," and ended the show with a nice dose of jam band euphoria.
This two night run was very special for both bands, and they certainly played their hearts out. Eggy is back in action on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek, CO. Tickets are available here. Dogs in a Pile have back to back shows at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA on December 13-14. Visit this link for more details.
Venue: The Capitol Theatre Location: Port Chester, NY Date: November 30, 2024 Eggy Set: Shadow, High Noon, Shallow Rivers, All Wheel’s Turnin’, Plant The Garden [1]-> So Long [2], Whoa There-> Smile [3] Dogs in a Pile Set: Little Things, You Didn’t Hear It From Me, Bent Strange, Burning Daylight > Chop Shop, Thomas Duncan, Pt. 3, Bulls on Parade[4], Rinky Dink Rag > Say Something Encore: One More Saturday Night [5][7], The Music Never Stopped [6][7] Footnotes:
[1] Melt, FTP, with Veronica and Marlo (Melt)
[2] Debut, with Veronica and Marlo (Melt) and Joey (Dogs in a Pile)
[3] with dancing Luchadores
[4] Rage Against the Machine
[5] Grateful Dead, FTP for Eggy
[6] Grateful Dead
[7] Super Jam with Eggy and Dogs
The end of the year, along with Goosemas, is upon us once again. It’s hard to believe how fast 2024 flew—and flew it did. Goose delivered the first night of the bingo-themed Goosemas XI without a hitch at the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday, December 13th, much to the delight of the fans. The show included the mystery of the bingo balls, which featured a couple of first-time-played covers.
Every Goosemas event has been structured slightly differently, which only elevates the fan experience. This year, the band handed out pre-filled bingo cards to those who requested them and selected balls inscribed with songs by the band’s staff. In contrast to the 2022 show in Broomfield, CO—where the audience wrote their requests on the balls and the band then selected them—these are the only Goosemas shows where songs were chosen at random. The 2023 show in Hampton, VA, featured a theme that introduced numerous new covers, and the 2022 Mohegan show (rescheduled from 2021 because of COVID) brought out several new tunes that have since become today’s heavy hitters.
The show began with the stage illuminated by a larger-than-life bingo backdrop. An MC named Lucky Lou, sporting an Elvis-inspired outfit, walked on stage to start the event. The band emerged dressed like musicians from the ’70s, including bassist Trevor Weekz as Rick James, complete with a permed hairstyle. They opened with “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Project while the MC selected the first ball. This first-time-played song took some folks back to the ’90s, until a ball displayed “Yeti” on the large LED screen next to the stage. The band went deep early with a twelve-minute jam.
“Butter Rum” was the next ball selected by Lucky Lou, who did a lap around the stage holding it up for everyone to see before tossing it into the crowd. This bubbly island tune morphed into a disco-funk jam, complete with multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach on the clav, before returning to “Butter Rum.” After it concluded, Anspach took a moment to thank the crowd for making the trip to Charleston.
Lucky Lou selected the next ball: “Arcadia.” This well-known Moon Cabin jam vehicle evolved into a tasty back-and-forth between Anspach and guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, before Mitarotonda went into full beast mode. Drummer Cotter Ellis and percussionist Jeff Arevalo held down the beats as the jam continued to unfold. Once the song ended, the balls were held as The King—played by Goose Merchandise Manager Naveed Quarterman—arrived at the side of the stage and assumed his position in the dunk tank. After several attempts, and perhaps a bit of manual coaxing, The King was finally submerged. Rumor had it he would reappear next at the merch table.
“Turbulence & The Night Rays” was plucked from the bingo machine by Lucky Lou. Weekz’s bass line wove together the raging jam that followed. “Silver Rising” emerged as the last bingo ball for the set, and the band fired on all cylinders as they brought the music home, ending this exciting first set of Goosemas.
The band returned for round two, and “Hot Love & the Lazy Poet” bubbled up in the bingo machine. We were excited to see this 2024 debut, as we’ve mentioned how much we love this tune. Ellis and Arevalo treated the audience to a nice drum solo during the jam. “Give It Time” popped up next—another 2024 debut, written by the tandem of Mitarotonda and Matt Cambell. The song began mellow and then shifted into a faster pace, driven by stellar drums and percussion..
“Mr. Action” was chosen next, followed by “Hungersite,” a tune that debuted at Goosemas IX at Mohegan Sun in 2022. A lengthy jam ensued, with Weekz continuing to crush on bass. Mitarotonda built a raging guitar jam that brought smiles to many faces. This led to more excellence on bass and keys as the train continued to build speed into “Flodown,” which was selected during the jam
Lucky Lou picked “726,” which gave the crowd a much-needed chill moment. This was followed by the selection of “Bonus Ball 6,” prompting singer Nicole D’Elisa to join the band on stage for their first rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” This emerging artist delivered fiery vocals that contributed to a memorable version of the electrified ’70s classic. As this special cover wrapped, the dunk tank was unleashed once again. This time, social media celebrity and El Goose Facebook group admin Bruce Robinson took a turn in the tank on the side stage. After a few tries, he met the same fate as The King in the first set.
“Into the Myst” followed, turning into an eighteen-minute exploration that ventured in many directions. The new tune “Big Modern!” also took fans on a prolonged journey, though at a much more up-tempo pace. The band returned for an encore that went long, starting with “SOS” (aka “Same Old Shenanigans”). Weekz continued to dominate during this Shenanigan’s Nite Club tune.
“Seekers” was selected as the last ball of the evening from the large bingo machine behind the stage. This led into “Seekers on the Ridge Pt. 1” and then “Seekers on the Ridge Pt. 2,” a beautiful tandem that featured sweet guitar work by Mitarotonda, sending the fans home reeling.
Goose is back in action on December 30-31 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Tickets are available at this link. They are also heading down to Mexico for Viva El Gonzoin May 2025. Head on over to their tour page for details about all of their upcoming events.
Band: Goose Location: North Charleston, SC Venue: North Charleston Coliseum Date: December 13, 2024 Set One: Sirius[1], Yeti, Butter Rum, Arcadia, Turbulence & The Night Rays, Silver Rising Set Two: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet, Give it Time, Mr. Action, Hungersite -> Flodown, 726, Kashmir.[2], Into the Myst[3] > Big Modern! Encore: Same Old Shenanigans, Seekers on the Ridge pt I > Seekers on the Ridge pt II > (dawn) Coach's Notes:
[1] The Alan Parsons Project. FTP.
[2] Led Zeppelin. FTP. Bonus Ball #6. With Nicole D’Elisa on vocals.
[3] Unfinished.
Goose returned for the second night of Goosemas XI at the North Charleston Coliseum and delivered even more twists and turns. They kept fans on their toes with an unpredictable set, despite revisiting a theme they had executed multiple times before. The night featured numerous first-time-played covers, as well as a bingo ball marked "D+B+Flamingos." DJ Marb Menthols made an appearance, and the evening concluded perfectly with a Grateful Dead encore.
Prior to the Goosemas event, Goose randomly generated 12,000 bingo cards that corresponded to balls in the giant bingo machine behind them on stage. Fans signed up to receive a card, which was scored in real-time by the band's software. One of our friends had "D+B+Flamingos" on their card, so we had an inkling that flamingos might make an appearance. Our card had "Chakras," which was never selected, leaving us curious about what that might have entailed.
The second night began much like the first, with the band walking on stage to "Sirius," also known as the Chicago Bulls' entry music, by the Alan Parsons Project. All five band members wore the same costumes as the night before: guitarist Rick Mitarotonda as Bob Seger, multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach as George Harrison, percussionist Jeff Arevalo as Dickey Betts, bassist Trevor Weekz as Rick James, and drummer Cotter Ellis as Elton John. They were joined by MC Lucky Lou, who selected the bingo balls while hamming it up on stage in a Southern drawl and an Elvis-inspired jumpsuit.
Lucky Lou selected "Madhuvan" as the first ball, sparking a sixteen-minute jam that explored many directions early on. The band certainly came out swinging. "Borne" followed, with Lucky Lou quietly selecting "Bonus Ball 5" during the tune. They then transitioned into "Slip Slidin' Away" by Paul Simon, the first of many first-time-played tunes of the evening.
The newer tune "One In, One Out" was plucked from the bingo machine, launching the band into a mellow jam that soon gained momentum. Lucky Lou selected "D+B+Flamingos," and within seconds, two massive inflatable flamingo floatation devices appeared near the photo pit. The crowd seized the moment, passing one flamingo back before it was recalled. Both Mitarotonda and Anspach hopped onto the giant pink flamingos and crowd-surfed Andy Frasco-style into the audience. They made it about halfway back before turning around, with Anspach falling off at one point. Both musicians were all smiles, as were the fans, who savored every moment. Oh, and did we mention that Weekz, Ellis, and Arevolo kept playing a killer surf-inspired groove throughout this wild adventure?
The band soldiered on as Mitarotonda and Anspach returned and received the "14 Minute Jam" bingo ball. Without stopping, they ventured into type-two territory with an epic jam that absolutely deserves a re-listen. The juicy funk jam transitioned impressively into "Rockdale," with Anspach shining on the clav. This slow-burn funk groove quickly morphed into a powerful closing jam, with Mitarotonda in full face-melting mode..
Goose returned for round two, joined by Lucky Lou, who pulled "All I Need" from the bingo machine. The band began with the slow, melodic version, but it was short-lived as another bingo ball directed the music into "Creatures." An up-tempo, dark jam followed, venturing into the EDM space.
This eventually transitioned into a shorter "Empress of Organos." Bonus Ball #5 was chosen during the jam, leading to Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "Don't Leave Me This Way." This first-time-played tune ignited a disco inferno, enhanced by an epic light show courtesy of Lighting Director Andrew Goedde. The band significantly elevated their lighting game for Goosemas, featuring a massive light cube suspended above the crowd.
The disco dance party wasn't quite over as Bonus Ball #3 was selected, leading to "Get Down Tonight" by KC and the Sunshine Band. Lucky Lou lent a hand with percussion during this '70s classic, while Anspach added layers of clavinet to the raucous jam that followed. At one point, the band teased "That's The Way (I Like It)" before launching into soaring jam-rock peaks to conclude this first-time-played cover.
"Atlas Dogs" came next, gaining momentum before quickly segueing into "Echo of a Rose." This version was shorter than a typical "Echo," but it packed no less of a punch. During this jam, the "$ Ready" ball was selected, leading to the first verse and chorus of "Slow Ready" before transitioning back into "So Ready." The jam ultimately returned to "Slow Ready" territory, closing out this incredible set.
The band returned for an encore, delivering what could be considered a third set. "Dripfield" was the last ball drawn from the oversized bingo machine, and this fast version made the selection even sweeter. The music ventured into a darker jam, accompanied by staff shooting shirts from cannons into the crowd. DJ Marb Menthols, aka Weekz, also made an appearance, complete with turntables. He unleashed jungle beats, temporarily transforming the room into an EDM throwdown. This jam is one we highly recommend revisiting. DJ Marb Menthols will also be playing a set at Viva El Gonzo in May 2025.
The music was not over as Goose delved into "Help on the Way" by the Grateful Dead. The loud reaction from the crowd indicated their joy at this first-time-played selection. The psychedelic music flowed seamlessly into its companion piece, "Slipknot!," before transitioning masterfully into "Franklin's Tower." Goose truly made these songs their own, bringing smiles to many faces. The band then directed the jam back into "Empress," ending this powerful encore on a high note.
Goose will be back in action on December 30th-31st in Austin, TX, for their year-end festivities. Tickets for the first night are available via this link. They will also be in San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, from May 8th to 10th for Vivo El Gonzo. Visit this link for more details. Check out their tour page for information on events in your region.
Check out more photos from the show! Also, view our coverage from Night One at Goosemas XI.
Date: December 14, 2024 Event:: Goosemas XI Venue:: North Charleston Coliseum Location:: North Charleston, SC Set One: Sirius[1] > Madhuvan, Borne > Slip Slidin’ Away[2], One In, One Out -> Jam[3] -> Jam[4] -> Rockdale Set Two: All I Need[5] -> Creatures > The Empress Of Organos > Don’t Leave Me This Way[6], Get Down Tonight[7], Atlas Dogs[8] -> Echo of a Rose[9] > Slow Ready[10] > So Ready[10] -> Slow Ready[10] Encore: Dripfield[8] > Jam[11], Help on the Way[12] -> Slipknot![12] > Franklin's Tower[13] -> The Empress Of Organos Coach's Notes:
[1] The Alan Parsons Project.
[2] Paul Simon. FTP. Bonus Ball #5.
[3] D&B&Flamingos bingo ball. Rick and Peter crowd surfed on inflatable flamingos while the rest of the band played.
[4] +14 Minute Jam bingo ball.
[5] Slow, melodic version. Unfinished.
[6] Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. FTP. Bonus Ball #2.
[7] KC and the Sunshine Band. FTP. Bonus Ball #3. With Lucky Lou on percussion and That's The Way (I Like It) tease.
[8] Unfinished.
[9] Fast version. Unfinished.
[10] $ready bingo ball.
[11] M@rball and Cannons bingo balls. With DJ Marb Menthols on turntables.
[12] Grateful Dead. FTP. Bonus Ball #1.
[13] Grateful Dead. FTP. Unfinished. Bonus Ball #1.
We recently sat down with guitarist Jeremy Hilliard and keyboardist Johnny Young from the emerging jam rock band PEAK. This indie psychedelic jam quartet is based in Brooklyn, NY, and gig around the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Their sound is described as mix of poetic, melodic songwriting coupled with moody electro-funk, riffed-out blues-rock, and exploratory yet danceable improvisations. Their other members include drummer Kito Bovenschulte (Particle) and bassist Josh T. Carter (Hayley Jane and The Primates).
Hilliard's history includes being part of the jam rock band Turbine. He used to tour nationally with them, as they were notably on festival bills for Bonnaroo and Gathering of the Vibes. Young is a well known musician from the New York City scene, and is highly regarded as a soloist, singer, songwriter, producer, and composer. We are fortunate that these two hard working NYC artists took a few moments to chat with us about their music, recent studio album release, jam rock tendencies, struggles in life, and more. PEAK is one of those under the radar bands that will impress any jam rock fan, and will certainly provide a great night of improvisationally liberating music. We are stoked to bring their story to you.
GratefulWeb: Our readers would like to know a little bit about the band and how the group formed.
Jeremy: I'll take that one. I started the band about seven years ago or so. I was in a band called Turbine for many years, and that ended. I started this from scratch, and made an album in 2017 called Electric Bouquet, which was produced by Dave Brandweis from Turkuaz. There were some other musicians on it.
Afterwards, when I started touring more heavily, I reached out to my friend Kito, who is a drummer. He was in both Ficus and Particle. I knew Johnny, we were already friends. The three of us looked for a bass player, and we found Josh.
We found the right group of people. And I will say this is the longest that I've been involved with the same group of musicians. In my previous band as well as other creative ventures, people come and go. It's been the four of us for six years, which is incredible.
GratefulWeb: It must be nice to get on a roll and develop a level of familiarity and comfort that facilitates creative exploration.
Johnny: Absolutely. Our jams are really good because we've been together for a while, and we've learned how to listen.
Jeremy: It's like a family or any kind of long-term relationship, there's ups and downs. Sometimes we break through a new barrier, and it's amazing. We also get stuck in a rut as a group, but every time we break through, it’s rewarding.
So when the four of us got together, we made the record Choppy Water, which is the second PEAK album. And the first album that was truly the four of us was released in 2020. During the pandemic, we had a lot of time. We were able to safely get together that whole year, work on the band, and make a record, which really coalesced the line up.
GratefulWeb: Oh, that's awesome. Must have been nice to have people you could hang out with during COVID and build your art.
Johnny: We weren't all hanging out in the same place. They were all coming over to Michelle and my studio. We had a place to just do our thing, and really make it happen.
GratefulWeb: That's very special, especially during that time. What are both of your influences?
Johnny:Where would we start there? Everything. Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, blues and jazz. All that.
Jeremy: I was thinking about this today, Jamie. He's saying everything and I agree with him. It's a weird thing because I feel like at a certain point it becomes everything, It's everything. We love everything. That's good. Musicians come to appreciate everything if they're open minded.
My influences started with the Beatles and Chuck Berry, when I was really young. In high school, that expanded to jazz, and then eventually the Grateful Dead, Phish and the Allman Brothers. Blues was really big, and I expanded out from there. In the nineties, Phish was in their prime. I saw them at Hampton Coliseum in 95.
Johnny can speak for himself, though he really loved Yes.
GratefulWeb: That's very cool. Even as a fan, tastes grow as you evolve. Very interesting to hear what caught your ear and how that evolved to shape your musical tastes for sure.
Jeremy: It's an active thing. Every day I’m catching up on stuff that I missed and seeking out new bands. There are some artists that I came to late. Many loved Led Zeppelin in high school and I missed that. I didn’t get into Bob Dylan until my twenties. Johnny taught me about Yes. I'm still hearing some Yes albums for the first time. There’s always more out there.
GratefulWeb: There’s always more. That’s the exciting part.
This is a jam band publication. I've got five rapid fire jam band related questions that I'd like to ask both of individually that pertain to a specific jam band. They are one word answer questions, where the first question determines the next four.
Jeremy: Let's do it.
GratefulWeb: All right. So, who wants to go first?
Jeremy: Okay, I'm getting into the line of fire. Okay,
GratefulWeb: First Question – The Grateful Dead or Phish?
Jeremy: I have to pick one?
GratefulWeb: Yes. This will determine your path.
Jeremy: The Grateful Dead invented this style of music. I love Phish, don't get me wrong, but if I must pick one, it’s gotta be the OG.
GratefulWeb: Never a bad pick not a bad pick. So the next question is “Shakedown Street” or “St. Stephen?”
Jeremy: That's not fair. Can't make me pick between songs.
Johnny: She's intellectually manipulating you.
Jeremy: That's really not fair because I love both. I can't choose. Do I have to?
(smiles and laughs)
I'll I'm going to pick “Shakedown Street” because it's unique in the catalog. There's nothing else quite like it. They managed to pull off a genuine disco funk. “St. Stephen” is great too.
GratefulWeb: You can't go wrong. This is why I picked these songs. The next question is, favorite band member?
Jeremy: Didn't know these were hard line questions, Jamie.
GratefulWeb: This was supposed to be easy.
Jeremy: This is the hardest thing I've had to do all day now. (laughs)
I go with Jerry.
GratefulWeb: He's the guy that started it all, hard to not pick him.
So what was your first show with The Grateful Dead or a side project of The Grateful Dead?
Jeremy: The first show that I attended?
GratefulWeb: Yes. Honestly, I threw the side project thing in there because I personally never saw the Grateful Dead.
Jeremy: I saw them in June of 95 for two nights at RFK. That was it. I only saw that weekend. The second night was my favorite of the two. “Brokedown Palace” was the encore. I think Jerry passed away about six weeks later. It was at the end, but still a great concert.
It remains one of my favorites, and maybe my favorite concert. He was on death's door, but it was still incredible. They opened with “Shakedown Street”, by the way.
GratefulWeb: Oh, wow, that’s what’s up. Ok, last question is what is your favorite Grateful Dead album?
Jeremy: I have to go with Europe 72 because that was when I really started to get that this is a whole other door to another universe kind of thing.
Johnny: For me, that’s definitely Blues for Allah.
GratefulWeb: It's your turn now, Johnny. What’s your choice: Phish or the Grateful Dead?
Johnny: Dead.
GratefulWeb: Okay. So, it's going to be the same thing. “Shakedown Street” or “St. Stephen”?
Johnny: “Shakedown Street”
GratefulWeb: Favorite band member?
Johnny: The Bass Player.
GratefulWeb: Phil Lesh. May that legend RIP. Good choice.
First show with the band or a side project?
Johnny: So, we played a concert with Phil’s son.
Jeremy: He's played with Graham, but I don't think he's ever actually seen any of those guys live. I don't think.
GratefulWeb: That's sweet to have had the opportunity to play with Graham.
Johnny: He sat in with us. Yeah,
GratefulWeb: Oh, wow. That's a big nod to you folks.
Johnny: He's a great guy.
GratefulWeb: So I believe you already gave us your favorite album, which I believe you said was Blues for Allah.
Johnny: Yes. Very cool.
GratefulWeb: Johnny, I think our readers would love to know a little bit more about you and some of the challenges you face that many of us don't have. It’s impressive that you can perform at such a high level.
Johnny: Thanks.
GratefulWeb: We were just wondering if you can tell us a little bit more about your story and how you're able to be so successful?
Johnny: I think once you get used to being blind, you don't think about it anymore. I do need help from somebody to help me get up on stage. Once I’m in front of the keys, the rest is auditory. Auditory. I couldn't do it without Michelle.
GratefulWeb: How what how did you get into being a musician? What got you into it?
Johnny: My parents brought home a giant piano that my sister supposedly was going to learn to play, which she never did. And I went over there and just started rocking. I would imitate songs that my older brothers were already playing in bands. Playing dances and stuff. I learned strictly by ear.
GratefulWeb: Wow. So, you come from a very musically inclined family.
Johnny: Yeah.
GratefulWeb: That is so dope. Do you have a family band?
Johnny: On Friday nights or whenever the holidays come around, that's when we would jam as a family, and it just seemed natural. So to be in a jam band now is a very natural thing.
Jeremy: I don't know if it's clear from this Interview, but Johnny was not that familiar with the Grateful Dead. It's been fun to expose him and he's hearing things. We took him to his first Phish show at Atlantic City two years ago. He’s got a great musical brain, so to expose him to this stuff is a lot of fun.
Johnny: We've been doing this sort of jamming that Phish and Grateful Dead are doing from the get-go when we were teenagers in our family jams. Jamming is so natural, just that style of music where you would just make stuff up for an hour. “Oh, let's jam on these two chords. All right, great.”
Jeremy: Yeah, it's not that he's never jammed before, but it's been cool seeing him get to know the scene.
Johnny: It's nice. Yeah
GratefulWeb: it's a rich scene. So many layers to peel back.
You guys have released some albums, and mentioned your 2020 release, Choppy Water and Electric Bouquet. I’ve listened to both and they're so great. I know you guys have an album on the way.
Jeremy: We have two studio albums and our third one's coming out January 31st. It's finished and the first single comes out in a few weeks. That's called “Vanishing Skies.” (Editor's note: "Run Me Down" was also released between the interview and publishing). We've been working on this for a couple of years, and it's finally coming out.
We also have a series of live albums called Hot Clips. We have Hot Clips 1, Hot Clips 2, and Hot Clips 3. Hot Clips 3 debuted in January 2024, and we're proud of it.
GratefulWeb: That's amazing. Many bands that play for bigger crowds have no albums. Where can people find your music?
Jeremy: Absolutely. Our music is on Spotify. Search for “peaktheband,” to find the studio stuff and the official Hot Clips releases. We also have full live sets and single songs on our YouTube channel. We released one today.
Jam-rock heavyweight Phish kicked off its beloved New Year’s run at Madison Square Garden on December 28, 2024. The band showed little sign of rust, despite not having played since the October 2024 benefit run in Albany, NY. The setlist included not one, but five rarities, along with a robust helping of tasty jams.
The show began on a soggy and humid evening in Midtown Manhattan at the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” The temperature hovered around forty-seven degrees—much more pleasant than the typical below-freezing weather this time of year. Shortly after 8:15 p.m., the band took the stage, all smiles. They wasted no time, diving into a bright, twelve-minute “Simple.” This blues-rock jam had real teeth and was especially satisfying as a first-set opener. A ten-minute “Free” followed, with bassist Mike Gordon morphing into beast mode as he unleashed the funk early on. Starting a four-night run with two jams lasting over ten minutes each is never a bad sign.
“Farmhouse,” from Phish’s 2000 release of the same name, followed and brought a chill vibe. This did not last long, as the Vermont quartet dialed up the tempo substantially for the bluegrass-inspired “Poor Heart.” Multi-instrumentalist Page McConnell utilized his baby grand piano to elevate this short but sweet jam. “Poor Heart” was last played on July 18, 2023, in Wilmington, NC, and served as the evening’s first bust-out.
The band returned to its funky inclinations during “Tube.” McConnell switched to the clav as drummer Jon Fishman slayed the dynamic beats in this dance-inducing tune. A vibrant “Kill Devil Falls” flowed into the set next. Guitarist Trey Anastasio was on point as he led a prog-rock-inspired jam with his signature tone. “Driver,” a relative setlist rarity, popped up next. It was played for the third time in 2024, after having been out of rotation since 2021.
The band reached for the heavy-hitter “Reba” next, much to the fans’ delight. They nailed the composed section and settled into a delicious pocket of improvisation. Skipping the traditional whistling, they moved on to “Oblivion,” followed by a well-executed segue into “Antelope.” Anastasio delivered some face-melting tension and release during this classic tune, ending the first set on a high note.
The band returned for round two and hopped into “Get Back on the Train.” A breezy jam accompanied this Farmhouse tune. “Axilla (Part II)” elevated the energy considerably with its high-energy power chords. A ten-minute “Wave of Hope” brought another deep jam into the second set. Fishman drove the music forward with laser-focused percussion, showcasing plenty of ride-cymbal work.
Without stopping, the foursome moved into “Round Room,” which was last played on June 22, 2016, in St. Paul, MN. This bubbly tune was performed for only the seventh time in Phish’s history. There was no extended jam, but many fans appreciated simply hearing this setlist rarity.
The throwbacks continued with “I Always Wanted It This Way,” written and sung by McConnell. He created some stellar effects on the Moog synth before moving to the Wurlitzer—and then played both concurrently. It was certainly a delicious ten-minute, deep-set jam.
Another seamless transition floated the music into “Twist.” A delightful groove formed, eventually finding its way into “The Mango Song.” This show was teeming with sparsely played tunes, and this one was perhaps the sweetest. It was last played in Mexico on February 21, 2024; however, it was only the seventh time performed since 2020. Lady Luck certainly smiled on those in attendance.
The band put on their nice shades for “Blaze On,” as Fishman crushed this tune. McConnell returned to the baby grand for what felt like the set closer. However, as we’ve learned over the past forty years, they rarely do what we expect. In this case, the music continued into an upbeat “Cavern.” Once again, fans thought the set was ending, given the band’s tendency to close with this number. Instead, the music led into a clean “David Bowie,” which ended the set.
Phish returned to the stage for an encore and began with the mellow “Mountains in the Mist.” Seasoned fans confidently knew the show would not end on such a delicate note. Everyone was in for a huge treat when the band launched into “Fuck Your Face,” last played in Huntsville, AL, on July 11, 2023. Anastasio delivered face-melting guitar on this odd-time-signature tune, originally written by Gordon. The energy continued into “46 Days,” capping off what can only be described as a very solid YEMSG opener.
The band is back in action for round three tonight. A few tickets are available here. They will wrap up this joyous run and 2024 on December 31st. We can't wait to see what's in store for the New Year's gag. Tickets are sold out, but can be procured on the after-market ticket trading platform, Cash or Trade. For those who can't be in NYC, both shows will be streamed live. Visit this link for more details about the stream.
Band: Phish Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024 Location: Madison Square Garden Set One: Simple, Free, Farmhouse, Poor Heart, Tube, Kill Devil Falls, Driver, Reba[1], Oblivion > Run Like an Antelope Set Two: Back on the Train, Axilla (Part II) > A Wave of Hope > Round Room, I Always Wanted It This Way > Twist > The Mango Song > Blaze On > Cavern > David Bowie Encore: Mountains in the Mist, Fuck Your Face > 46 Days Notes: [1] No whistling.
After taking a year off from performing on New Year’s, Goose returned to Austin, Texas, for the third time in their career and for their sixth New Year’s run, which included a performance on December 31. They chose the 15,000-seat Moody Center ATX—located in the heart of the University of Texas and home to the Texas Longhorns basketball teams—to host the event. The band slam-dunked night one with a stellar mix of originals, as well as a pair of exciting covers.
The first set began with a twenty-minute “Big Modern” that featured a well-developed jam right out of the gate. Bassist Trevor Weekz was especially prominent, laying the groundwork for guitarist Rick Mitarotonda to soar early on. The jam briefly ventured into type-two territory before taking a sudden turn into “Animal.” Drummer Cotter Ellis and percussionist Jeff Arevalo slammed the beats during this energetic tune, and the band threw in the elephant sample at the end of the song for a fun twist.
The music mellowly swerved into “Dr. Darkness,” providing a much-needed break. The band then shifted gears into “Draconian Meter Maid,” a new tune written by Goose’s recently added drummer, Ellis. The music flowed into a euphonious, texture-driven jam before building back into a funk-fueled heater that led into “Silver Rising.”
The slow-burning funk returned during the first OG tune of the set, “Jive II.” It’s hard to go wrong with this staple. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach decorated the sound with the clav while Arevalo nailed the gong. As fans danced with glee during this ten-minute, penultimate sequence, the band smoothly moved into a dark “Arrow.” Mitarotonda brought the set home with a prog-rock-inspired jam that ended the performance perfectly.
The band returned after a quick break and opened the set with “Hot Love & The Lazy Poet.” This feel-good new tune is not only one of their best but also one of their most-played songs in 2024. We’d love to see them extend the drum solo, but we’re thrilled they have adopted this as a staple.
The Constitution State quintet gracefully slid into the jam vehicle “Arcadia.” The jam began slowly, then ascended to new heights with layered funk that paved the way for a raging guitar solo, sending fans into the stratosphere. Weekz continued his dominance on bass throughout.
"Red Bird" followed, as lighting director Andrew Goedde drenched the crowd in red lights. This eighteen-minute version reached heights similar to "Arcadia," with plenty of notable percussive moments. Mitarotonda slayed the guitar while Anspach stacked the keys. A melodic transition emerged that led the band into War’s "Low Rider." Weekz crushed the bass line, and fans were enamored with this well-known tune.
A developed, fast-paced jam engulfed the Moody Center, taking on an EDM-inspired theme with Anspach on synth. This momentum continued into Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman,” unquestionably the jam of the night. The band was firing on all cylinders during this cover and ended the set with a bang.
Goose returned for the encore and played the encouraging “Give It Time,” sending fans home with a huge smile in anticipation of the New Year’s festivities to come. Stay tuned to gratefulweb.com for coverage of Goose NYE.
The band raised the roof at the Moody Center on the first night of their New Year’s run and continues to win over new fans with their outstanding original songs and jams. Their next performance is a three-night stand in Milwaukee, WI, on February 6–8. Tickets for night one are available via this link. They are gearing up for a three-day festival, Viva El Gonzo, featuring The War on Drugs, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Eggy, and more, in San José del Cabo, Mexico, on May 8–10. Travel packages, tickets, and additional details can be found here. Head over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Date: December 30, 2024 Venue: Moody Center ATX Location: Austin, TX Set One: Big Modern![1] -> Animal, Dr. Darkness, Draconian Meter Maid > Silver Rising, Jive II, Arrow Set Two: Hot Love & The Lazy Poet > Arcadia, Red Bird > Low Rider[2] -> Sinnerman[3] Encore: Give it Time Coach's Notes:
[1] Unfinished.
[2] War. FTP.
[3] Nina Simone.
Goose returned to the Moody Center on December 31, 2024, to close out the year with a bang at a show billed as a formal event. The band donned button-up shirts, ties, slacks, capes, and masquerade masks reminiscent of The Phantom of the Opera. These masks, along with roses, were handed out to the crowd as they entered the venue. The festivities included a balloon drop, confetti, a poster designed by Jim Pollock, and a Texas-sized show that will be etched in fans’ memories for years to come.
The evening began with an elevated “Pancakes” that quickly soared into a developed jam. The percussive moves of Jeff Arevalo, as well as drummer Cotter Ellis, were delightfully pronounced. The music mellowed out during “Everything Must Go,” though things slowly heated up again as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda hit several peaks.
The uptempo “Drive” followed, igniting the crowd as Mitarotonda went into beast mode. The band shifted gears before ending the song, with bassist Trevor Weekz emerging as the glue during an ominous jam that led into “The Labyrinth.” This intricate tune was last played on June 20, 2024, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. The band delivered a powerful performance of this heavily composed, prog-rock-inspired song, which undoubtedly required a refresher prior to playing.
As fans collected themselves from the excitement of “The Labyrinth,” Goose delved into the R&B/soul classic “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos. Originally released in 1959, this stunning debut performance melted a few hearts. The set wasn’t quite finished yet, as the band pivoted once again into “Slow Ready.”
This slow-burning tune began as the gentle companion to “So Ready” before erupting into a disco dance party, led by multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach on synth. The band was firing on all cylinders as they dove into the upbeat melody, complete with a smoke drop from lighting director Andrew Goedde.
The band wasted no time—and no opportunity to inspire—as they launched into a 17-minute “Tumble.” The lyrics of this song have uplifted many fans, and tonight’s performance was perfectly placed to usher in an uncertain New Year. This jam was a prime example of why fans follow Goose around the country. Anspach switched to electric guitar while Weekz flexed serious muscle on bass. Goedde seemed to be on another planet with the lights, and Mitarotonda unleashed his fury on lead guitar as the band wrapped a bow on this incredible set.
The quintet returned shortly before midnight to ring in the New Year, kicking off with a mind-melting 24-minute rendition of “I2I” by Tevin Campbell from the 1995 cartoon movie A Goofy Movie, last played on June 15, 2019. This tune seamlessly picked up where “Tumble” left off, cruising into a Type II jam for the ages. The rows of lights behind the stage, along with chandeliers, were perfectly coordinated with the lighting rig, elevating the visual experience to another level. At some point, Anspach switched to the clav, further solidifying the deliciously funky vibes.
A perfectly placed “Hungersite” followed, galvanizing the crowd with anticipation. Ushering in a message of peace for the New Year, it was another ideal tune for the evening. Arevalo and Ellis nailed the percussive transitions, while Anspach added rich texture on the keyboard. Mitarotonda delivered a guitar clinic, as Goedde illuminated the faces in the lights behind the stage. This seamlessly transitioned into a descent into the edgy minor chords of “Big Modern,” completing the tune from the prior night.
Longtime fans quickly recognized the bubbly ramp-up that precedes “Flodown.” After a couple of minutes, Anspach began playing “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes on the keys—a song that had debuted just over two weeks earlier at Goosemas on December 14, 2024. This springboarded the band into the '70s soul classic, with Mitarotonda showcasing his impeccable vocals. Anspach took the honors with the countdown into 2025, as fans danced on their feet. Mitarotonda resumed singing, “Only your good loving could set me free,” just as gold, black, and white balloons were released from the ceiling. Confetti burst from the upper levels of the arena, filling the air with immense joy.
As soon as the New Year’s sequence ended, the familiar riff for “Hot Tea” filled the air. This nearly 20-minute version featured deep bass jams from Weekz, complemented by Anspach on the clav. The sublime lights danced around the band as Mitarotonda elevated the music with his face-melting tension and release. This was undoubtedly Goose at their finest—no gag or special tune needed.
The blues-rock-inspired original “Thatch” ended this fuego set with a cohesive, ambient jam that became increasingly mellow as the tune progressed. The lights dimmed, and the band left the stage while the music continued. The fans screamed and clapped, ultimately drawing the band back for an encore. Few were prepared for the heat that followed as Mitarotonda began strumming the familiar chords of the elusive “Factory Fiction.” The rest of the band joined in, confirming the treat we were all about to receive—“May the night-time be your home,” indeed. This 16-minute version crushed, with Weekz ripping on bass. The band was out of their minds and collectively brought the music—and the fans—home, ending this epic show on a blissful note. We highly suggest that all readers give the entire performance a listen.
Goose rang in the New Year with spectacular passion and, most importantly, plenty of inspiration. Their run might be over, but they will be back in action very soon. Their current winter tour includes three nights in Milwaukee, WI, on February 6–8, two nights in Toronto on February 10–11, and three nights in Grand Rapids, MI, on February 13–15. Click each hyperlinked city for more information about tickets.
They are also gearing up for Viva El Gonzo, their first-ever international festival in San José del Cabo, Mexico, from May 8–10. Head here for details about tickets and travel packages before they sell out. As always, visit their tour page to stay in the know about upcoming 2025 tour announcements.
Check out more photos from the show! Also, view our photos and coverage of Goose's performance on December 30th at the Moody Center.
Date: December 31, 2024 Location: Austin, Texas Venue: The Moody Center ATX Set One: Pancakes, Everything Must Go, Drive[1] -> The Labyrinth, I Only Have Eyes For You[2], Slow Ready, Tumble Set Two: I2I[3], Hungersite -> Big Modern![4] > Flodown[5] -> Don’t Leave Me This Way[6], Hot Tea, Thatch[1] Encore: Factory Fiction Coach's Notes:
[1] Unfinished.
[2] The Flamingos. FTP.
[3] Tevin Campbell.
[4] Partial completion of version from 12/30/24.
[5] Intro jam only.
[6] Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. Partial version.
The emerging electro-funk quartet Dizgo packed Dharma Bums in New Hope, PA, on Friday, January 24, 2025, and truly rocked out. The rustic venue—tucked in the attic of a local restaurant—had very little data service but provided a great platform for this Bloomington, IN-based band to bring the heat, and bring the heat they did. Their two-hour set included a pair of debuts, as well as several familiar covers. Kevin Rovner Band provided support.
Dizgo consists of guitarist Andrew Pickel, bassist Kevin Hinnefeld, keyboardist Jake Evatt, and drummer Justin Clark.
The set began with “Run,” from their 2021 release The Quarantine Compilation, which quickly transformed into an electronic odyssey. The funk was dialed up considerably during “Curio.” New tune “Undertow” debuted afterward.
The disco dance party rolled on with “Outer Space,” as the lights transported the crowd into the stratosphere. “Paragon,” another new song, followed this heater.
The room reached a boiling point as the band dove into “The Moma Dance” by Phish. This stellar version segued nicely into the upbeat original tune “Melt,” from their 2024 album of the same name.
Dizgo then delved into the Disco Biscuits’ territory by covering their tune “Shocked!” The band was firing on all cylinders at this point. They continued with a deep house journey during “Whiteout,” ending the set with vigor.
Dizgo remained on stage, as there was no easy access to the backstage area without moving through the crowd. They encored with the late ’90s Eurodance cover “Sandstorm” by Darude, crushing the performance from beginning to end.
They doubled down on a snazzy light rig and delivered a tasty, high-energy blend of jamtronica and blues-rock. Dizgo is quickly gaining momentum and should be on everyone’s short list of bands to catch this winter. They’re up next at Richmond Music Hall on January 26, 2025. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to their tour page for more dates in your region.
Galactic returned to the jam-friendly Brooklyn Bowl on January 31, 2025, for round three of their four-night stand at the Brooklyn, NY, venue. The band was in the middle of a Northeast run that included dates in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. They were certainly in the groove this night and brought a high-energy set of funk-jazz originals and covers. The emerging Brooklyn, NY-based artist Honey Marmalade provided their support.
The evening began with Honey Marmalade, who dispensed a fresh take on blues, rock, indie, and soul. Singer Olivia Klein supplied emotionally charged Janis Joplin-like vocals and commanded an incredible stage presence. Her band was no slouch, delivering intricate jams decorated with saxophone and keys. They even covered Janis Joplin's "Half Moon" like a boss. Galactic singer Jelly Joseph gave them a nice shout-out during their set.
The New Orleans, LA, septet Galactic spread the stage for their high-energy set. The funk began with "Clap Your Hands," as Joseph got the crowd going with her inspired vocals. New tune "Lady Liberty" followed. Another New Orleans-influenced song, "Hey Na Na," brought more back and forth with the audience.
Jelly took a break, and the band leaned into some tasty funk during "Cineramascope," from their album Ya-Kay-May. Another new tune "People" hopped into the funk mix, along with Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home." Vintage instrumental tune "Go Go," from their 1996 release Coolin' Off, brought a vibrant bass line that crushed.
Professor Longhair's "Go to the Mardi Gras" preceded a guest sit-in by saxophonist Lucas Ellman, who joined the party for Roberta Flack's "Compared to What." This addition elevated the horn section, along with band members Ben Ellman on saxophone and Eric Gordon on trumpet. The funk went deep during Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String," before flowing into "How Many More Times" by Led Zeppelin. Drummer Stanton Moore had a nice solo near the end of this classic '70s tune.
The music went instrumental for a few tunes, namely "Bakers Dozen" and the quintessential "Crazyhorse Mongoose." Jelly returned to close out the set with "Where I Belong," "Dollie Diva," and "FYA." The band was firing on all cylinders, did not step off stage for an encore, and instead rolled into "Yes We Can Can" by Lee Dorsey to end this incredibly fun night of music.
Galactic is up next on Jam Cruise, and then at their venue, Tipitina's, on Feb 22, 2025. Head over to this link for details, and their tour page for dates in your region. The Brooklyn Bowl features the funk and alt-pop Ripe next Thursday, February 13, 2025. Visit this link for information, as well as this link for the current schedule at the Williamsburg venue.
Date: January 31, 2025 Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Location: Brooklyn, NY Set-List: Clap Your Hands, Lady Liberty, Hey Na Na, Cineramascope, People, Bring It On Home1, Go Go, Go to the Mardi Gras2, Compared to What34, Puppet on Your String5, How Many More Times6, Bakers Dozen, Crazyhorse Mongoose, Where I Belong, Dollie Diva, FYA, Yes We Can Can7
Notes:
1. Sam Cooke
2. Professor Longhair
3. Lucas Ellman sat in on saxophone
4. Roberta Flack
5. Sandie Shaw
6. Led Zeppelin
7. Lee Dorsey
Fans were treated to a notable musical combination on Friday, February 7, 2025, between the genre-blurring funk band from Boston, Mass., Lettuce, and rapper GZA (aka The Genius), who is a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan. This all took place at Brooklyn Steel, located in Brooklyn, NY. Lettuce is known for fusing hip-hop, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, jam, go-go, and the avant-garde, making this a perfect pairing. GZA performed a set along with his band, the Phunky Nomads, followed by a set of Lettuce covers and originals. Both sets included surprise guest sit-ins.
The evening began with the Phunky Nomads, who delivered a fresh hip-hop sound. The group included drummer Ramsey Jones, keyboardist Entrfied McCloud, bassist Djibril Toure, and violinist PhearNone. Jones, who is the older brother of former Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard, introduced the band before they launched into a thumping instrumental to get the crowd hyped. Eventually, GZA joined the party with a certain ’90s rapper swagger. The Brooklyn native looked thrilled to be on his home turf and was positively engaged with the crowd.
GZA performed his legendary Liquid Swords album in its entirety, originally released on November 7, 1995. He also covered “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard, as well as a pair of Wu-Tang Clan staples: “Reunited” and “Triumph.” He often flashed smiles to the fans, along with a bit of traditional call and response.
Guitarist Adam Smirnoff sat in for one tune, as did drummer Adam Deitch. Both are members of Lettuce. The Phunky Nomads also had a few moments to perform a medley of their own tunes without GZA.
Overall, GZA’s performance was truly special and a throwback to a different decade of hip-hop.
Lettuce never fails to impress or pack the house, and this set was no exception. The Grammy-nominated band consisted of Adam Deitch (drums, percussion), Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (guitar), Erick “Jesus” Coomes (bass), Ryan Zoidis (alto, baritone, tenor sax, Korg X-911), Eric “Benny” Bloom (trumpet, horns), and Nigel Hall (vocals, Hammond B-3, Rhodes, clavinet, keyboards).
They began with a funk-laden instrumental before GZA sat in once again for three songs, including “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing ta F Wit,” both off Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)—the Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album. The fans were loving this synergistic collaboration, but perhaps not as much as Lettuce was. Multiple band members flashed the Wu-Tang Clan hand sign.
Lettuce then settled back into their tasty funk-meets-hip-hop, R&B, and blues-rock repertoire. This included an inspired cover of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears, executed in an alternative R&B fashion. Hall really shined during this tune, both on vocals and keys.
During Lettuce’s set, GZA decided to roam into the crowd briefly and was spotted taking selfies with a person in a wheelchair in the ADA section, which brought a lot of joy to that individual and his entourage.
As the show went on, Lettuce played a number of jams that included inspired solos from each band member, and they never disappoint live. Brooklyn Steel was the perfect venue to host this stellar show and launch the final joint effort into the stratosphere.
The one-two punch of jam-friendly Lettuce combined with old-school hip-hop artist GZA was truly an exceptional collaboration. Unfortunately, the Brooklyn show was the last date for this pairing. However, Lettuce is up next on Jam Cruise, followed by a performance on March 2 at the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO. Tickets are available via this link. Head over to their tour page for more dates. GZA doesn't appear to have any dates at the moment, but he updates fans on performances here.
Marco Benevento ended a short but sweet four-night tour in the Northeast on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. The Berklee alum has a great solo catalog that is ripe with audience participation. This time, it was just him and a baby grand, and he did not disappoint. His performance also included plenty of fun banter, along with noteworthy sit-ins by local musicians and a frequent cohort.
The show began as Marco emerged from the basement green room and addressed the crowd while walking to the stage. His first tune was an original instrumental that found its way into “The Real Morning Party” from his 2008 release Invisible Baby. This song was well known among the crowd, as many participated in what became the first sing-along of the evening.
Afterwards, Marco told a story about a recent interaction he had with “Weird Al” Yankovic, whom he worked with on a video project. At one point, he mentioned noticing a Bluetooth connection labeled “Alfred,” and eventually realized it belonged to the famous musician. He then played “Terrapin” by Clairo, which was the tune he collaborated on with Weird Al. As the song wound down, a young patron found his way onto the stage. Marco engaged with this child in a very adorable way for a few moments before locating the parents.
He continued playing songs from his catalog, including “Let It Slide.” At one point, he mentioned taking requests from the audience. While he played “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck based on a request, he quickly pivoted on this strategy after realizing the complexities. “Send It On a Rocket” and “Record Book,” also from Invisible Baby, followed.
Marco then deemed it was time for guests and brought his talented wife, Katie, on stage to sing “Dirty Gin.” She really crushed the vocals. Afterwards, he told a story about how he lives in the area and, during a previous performance at Levon Helm Studios, accidentally shared his address. Needless to say, three cars of fans showed up at his residence. His wife was unaware of this development, as she was not at that show, but she quickly stepped in to entertain the unexpected guests
Local guitarist Richard Swift joined Marco for a Tom Petty cover next. This was followed by guitarist Chris Max sitting in for a tune.
Marco continued to swap guests in and out for the rest of the set. His JRAD bandmate Dave Dreiwitz emerged and played upright bass for the easy-listening hit “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts. Katie Benevento returned, along with Richard Swift, for an upbeat cover of Father John Misty’s well-known indie tune, “I’m Writing a Novel.”
Dreiwitz came back to the stage to join in on “Queen Bitch” by David Bowie. He remained to close out the show with the quintessential Marco tune, “At the Show.”
Marco Benevento’s solo performance was highly engaging and very entertaining. It was a treat to experience his music in such an intimate and iconic setting as the Levon Helm Studios. We can’t wait for our next musical journey with this very skilled musician and performer. Most notably, he is putting on the Follow the Arrow festival on June 28, 2025, in Palenville, NY. Check out the link for more details.
Fresh off their recent album release, Circle of Giants, moe. returned to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ, on February 27, 2025. Prior to this show, they wrapped up a two-week West Coast and Colorado run on their appropriately titled Circle of Giants Tour. The show included a pair of rarely played tunes, a fun cover on this Thursday night gem, and a tasty “Rebubula” sandwich in set two.
Many have heard of the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY; however, the Wellmont Theater has not quite seen the same notoriety in the jam-rock scene. The Wellmont is strikingly similar to the famous Westchester venue in terms of interior and size, largely because both were theaters in the early twentieth century. The Wellmont has seen a recent revival, as the area around it was transformed from a road into a pedestrian space.
The music began with a recording of “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3, better known as the theme song for the television series The Sopranos. Parts of the North Jersey–based show were filmed in Montclair and neighboring Bloomfield. Most notably, the last scene of the series was filmed at Holsten’s in Bloomfield. During the song, the band members emerged one by one as their names were announced in a sporting-event style.
The This Is Not, We Are tune “Crushing” began the show. A well-executed blues-rock transition ensued into “Bullet.” Percussionist Vinnie Amico decorated this buildup with xylophone as the band moved through a psychedelic sequence that continued during the “Bullet” jam. Keyboardist Nate Wilson dialed the jam up by a factor of the synth.
The first Circle of Giants song of the evening, “Don’tcha Know,” followed. Bassist Rob Derhak wrote and sang this short tune, which ended on a delectable guitar solo. The first bust-out of the night was “Little Miss Cup” by guitarist Al Schnier, last played on March 4, 2020, in San Luis Obispo, CA. A face-melting, guitar-driven push flowed into “Giants.” This jazzy, blues-rock tune was written by Wilson and recorded by moe. on Circle of Giants. The song had a darker, psychedelic feeling toward its end.
The feel-good tune “Skitchin’ Buffalo” followed, featuring plenty of raging guitar courtesy of Schnier and Chuck Garvey. “Silver Sun” ended the first set with a 16-minute exploratory jam that touched on many genres. moe. achieved beast mode in the first set and was due for a break.
The band returned with a vintage “Rebubula,” from their 1996 album, Loaf, much to the delight of the fans. Derhak was on point as drummer Jim Loughlin showed his technical strength. A mesmerizing transition was led by Amico on xylophone, before the band masterfully shifted gears into another old-school tune, “Big World,” from Tin Cans & Car Tires.
Another pivot found the band in “Ricky Marten,” before eventually landing in “Brittle End.” This tune was last played on March 1, 2020, in Crystal Bay, NV, and marked the second bust-out of the evening.
The theme of originals continued with “Tailspin,” complete with monster power chords courtesy of Schnier. The 15-minute blues-rock jam that ensued is worth a re-listen, as the one-two punch of Wilson and Amico elevated this well-known original nicely.
“Opium” hopped into the set subsequently, from their 2001 album Dither. Derhak drove this song before handing the keys to Wilson, who added a jazzy touch to this classic. Schnier and Garvey brought the tune home with slide guitar effects. The band morphed into an inspired jam, which jettisoned back into “Rebubula” with vigor to end the set. This essentially book-ended set two with the fan-favorite tune.
The band returned to the stage and took a few moments to recognize fan milestones. This included a special shout-out to Jude by Wilson, along with a “Hey Jude” tease. The band then dropped into a smile-inducing “No Rain” by Blind Melon, sung by Wilson, that ended this epic Garden State show with a bang.
moe. crushed their performance at the Wellmont and are red-hot as they head back out on tour. They are up next in Charlottesville, VA, on March 5, 2025. Tickets are available via this link. Head on over to this link for more dates on moe.'s 2025 ledger.
Band: moe. Date: February 27, 2025 Venue: Wellmont Theatre Location: Montclair, NJ Set One: Crushing > Bullet, Don’tcha Know, Little Miss Cup, Half Empty > Giants, Skitchin' Buffalo, Silver Sun Set Two: Rebubula > Big World > Ricky Marten, Brittle End, Tailspin, Opium > Rebubula Encore: No Rain1 Notes: 1. Blind Melon Show Notes: Vinnie Set-list, Walk on music: Woke Up This Morning by Alabama 3
The rowdy, piano-playing front man Andy Frasco, along with his skilled band known as the UN, graduated to Irving Plaza on February 28, 2025. After multiple stints at the smaller Brooklyn Bowl, Frasco and the UN sold out this well-known venue near Union Square in New York, New York, with a 1,200-person capacity. There was no shortage of guests on this stop of Frasco's Try Not To Die 2025 tour. Most notably, Mihali and his band sat in for a chunk of the show and also provided their support as the opening act.
The music began with Mihali, better known as one of the co-founders of Twiddle. His band brought a vibrant reggae meets jam rock vibe that could put a smile on anyone's face. The lineup included guitarist Mihali, bassist Zdenek Gubb, drummer Adrian Tramontano, keyboardist Scott Hanay, trumpeter Michael Bafundo, and saxophonist Michael Oehman. Their fans are some of the nicest folks we've ever encountered at jam rock shows, and this show was no exception. The music included a mix of new Mihali solo tunes and a couple of Twiddle classics. Mihali crushed a few jams on the guitar.
Frasco took the stage after a short break, and along with his high-energy band. Tonight's lineup included keyboardist Andy Frasco, guitarist Shawn Eckels, drummer Andee Avilla, saxophonist Sam Kelly, and a bassist who filled in for Frasco regular Floyd Kellogg. Kelly subbed for saxophonist Ernie Chang. It wasn't long before Frasco was standing on top of his custom keyboard that rises in the air, while drinking Jameson.
New York City resident and bassist extraordinaire Karina Rykman joined the band on stage for a tune, while trading rock star moves with Kelly.
Frasco played a number of his original tunes including "Try Not To Die," "Dancing in our Graves," and "Iowa Moon."
Later during his set, he summoned Mihali and his band to join the party, and specifically requested a Twiddle song. They remained on stage for a few songs, and returned to close out the set.
Allie Kral (Cornmeal, YMSB) sat in with the band for about half of the second set. She complemented the band well, and prompted Frasco to utter at one point, "Don't you think she should join our band?"
This talented group played a few covers, including "Killing in the Name Of" by Rage Against the Machine. Frasco also sprinkled inspiring words throughout the show to the fans, encouraging them to keep going, and referenced his own struggles.
Overall, both Andy Frasco and the UN, along with Mihali, delivered a highly entertaining and uplifting night of music. Frasco is up next at the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA on March 7, 2025 and at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern in Cleveland, OH on March 8, 2025. Head on over to Frasco's tour page for details about more show dates. Mihali will be at the Reggae Rise Up After Party in St. Pete, FL on March 13, 2025.
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue returned to The Capitol Theatre on March 8, 2025, as part of his Shorty Gras 2025 Tour. This show was the second night of a two-night stand. The band uniquely blended jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and rock, along with plenty of Big Easy swagger, to create a fun sound that resonated throughout the iconic venue. Troy Andrews, also known as Trombone Shorty, brought his always-impressive stage presence, which included singing, dancing, and playing brass instruments like a boss. Tank and the Bangas were on hand to provide their support.
The evening began with the 2020 Grammy nominees Tank and the Bangas, who delivered their own infusion of funk, soul, hip-hop, and pop, along with spoken word. Also hailing from New Orleans, the band was led by singer Tarriona "Tank" Ball, who brought a lot of energy and excitement to the mix. She sang and danced around the stage along with another female vocalist while their bandmates dialed into the music. All band members wore bright orange clothing, including Tank.
After a short break, Orleans Avenue entered the stage with their lineup for the night, which included guitarist Pete Murano, saxophonist Dan Oestreicher, saxophonist BK Jackson, and drummer Joey Peebles, along with others. Andrews eventually followed after Orleans Avenue got the crowd riled up.
Dripping with charisma, Andrews owned the stage with his trombone-fueled dance moves and authentic smiles. He has been performing and playing trombone since the age of three, including as part of a family band. This creative brass instrument specialist performed a jazzy rendition of America the Beautiful prior to the coin toss at the recent Super Bowl LIX, which was held in his hometown of New Orleans, LA.
His show included a mix of originals, traditional tunes, and some eclectic mashups. Some notable instances included Hurricane Season from his 2010 release Backatown. He also brought plenty from the bayou with tunes like the traditional When the Saints Go Marching In and Fire on the Bayou by The Meters.
They also unleashed some really stellar medleys, including a mashup featuring Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle) by Limp Bizkit and Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty By Nature. The fans were in full-on dance mode during this '90s-themed sequence.
About halfway through the set, the band started playing Here Come The Girls from his 2017 album Parking Lot Symphony. Tank and her female vocalist bandmate joyfully joined the party to a vibrant applause and contributed their vocals to this catchy tune that we are adding to our party playlist.
As the show wound down, the band delved into James Brown's Sex Machine. Andrews uttered, "I'm having so much fun that I don't want to leave!" This was certainly the vibe, both from the stage and the crowd.
Trombone Shorty and his accomplished band, Orleans Avenue, crushed their performance at The Capitol Theatre. Their slate of clever originals and NOLA-inspired covers, combined with plenty of great dance moves, produced a very memorable evening. Everyone appeared to truly enjoy themselves, both on stage and off. They are up next in Memphis, TN, on March 16 and Tulsa, OK, on March 18. Head on over to their tour page for more details on the Shorty Gras 2025 Tour.
The Capitol Theatre has a number of great shows coming up as well. On March 17, they will host Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh. Head on over to this link for more details. On March 22, Railroad Earth will be supported by Tom Hamilton. Visit The Cap's tour page for more upcoming shows on their jam friendly ledger.
The rising jam rock artist Dogs In A Pile returned to the Brooklyn Bowl to headline their first ever two night run at the iconic venue on March 29, 2025. Their last show at the Brooklyn, NY locale was on October 21, 2021 as an opener, and what a difference three and half years made. Their friend and New York City resident Karina Rykman joined them for a tune, which only elevated this tasty performance.
The evening began with none other than Dogs, as they did not have an opener. They kicked off the festivities with the upbeat "Look Johnny II," before executing a detour into Grateful Dead territory with "Mr. Charlie." This classic tune is a set list staple for Dogs, with guitarist Brian Murray leading the blues rock jam that followed. Keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan and guitarist Jimmy Law contributed to this vibrant opening jam.
The band took a few steps back into "Look Johnny," which launched a fourteen minute jam. Kaplan fired up the clav like a mad scientist, which only dialed up the funk. The quintet originally from Asbury, NJ settled into a mellow psychedelic jam as drummer Joey Babbick drove the rhythmic cadence.
A short but sweet "Ugly Song" proceeded, along with new tune "116 Days." The band brought a light rig with them that included lower lights immediately behind them. This lit up the Bowl, and hit particularly well during "116 Days." The band quickly flowed into a funky, twelve minute "You Didn't Hear It From Me." They found themselves in a melodic grove that slowly built into a raging inferno. The funk continued into "My Disguise," which included Kaplan on vocals.
The catchy "Appleseed" was up next, and jettisoned the band into another twelve minute heater. Law elevated the prog rock inspired jam on guitar as bassist Sam Lucid delivered a thumping rhythm during this fun song. Law contributed vocals to the last tune of the set, "Way to Be." Kaplan took charge during a jazzy keyboard sequence that was uplifted by the light show, while Babbick skillfully matched the quickly changing cadence on drums. This energetic jam mellowed, as Law layered in the jazz guitar. This gave way to a face melting, blues rock driven conclusion to a killer jam that we highly recommend a re-listen.
The band returned to the stage after a short break, and began the second set with the breezy "Little Things," penned by both Murray and Lucid. A smooth transition lead the band to shift gears into the heavier "The Bag." This song contained blissful moments of interwoven dark and light, and was the perfect lead in for the next tune, "City Kids." Dogs brought their favorite city kid to the stage, Karina Rykman, who joined them as they performed her edgy, prog rock tune. Rykman brought a refreshing "Les Claypool meets unicorns" vibe with her incredible stage presence and skill as a band leader on bass. This eleven minute song saw Murray and Rykman playing off one another as the jam intensified.
Vintage Dogs tune "Go Set" followed this intensity, which included a disco funk jam. A dark, melodic transition ensued into "Minnie the Moocher," which is a cover by jazz singer Cab Calloway. This old timey tune is known for it's nonsensical lyrics, also known as scat singing, and was made for Kaplan to crush, both lyrically and on the keys. The band quickly pivoted into a sixteen minute "Tillie." This technical, prog rock inspired tune had all the deep set jam feels.
The music gently flowed into new, memorable tune "Chop Shop." This upbeat song came along with a stellar lighting display and on point playing from all five band members. A euphonious "Men of Steel" proceeded. The music was brought home during the last song of the set, "Bent," from their 2023 release Bloom. The fans were enamored during this ending sequence.
The band returned to encore with "Mr. Tooker," which was dominated by blues rock and jazz influences. This ended the show with a proverbial bang, and also reminded us of the ridiculously tasty "Mr. Tooker" cookies and cream chocolate bar that Dogs was selling last fall.
Dogs in a Pile delighted at the Brooklyn Bowl, and are on fire right now. They are up next at the Musikfest Cafe in Bethlehem, PA on April 3, 2025, and at Mr. Small's Theatre in Millvale, PA on April 4, 2025. Head on over to their tour page for more details on upcoming shows. Also, the Brooklyn Bowl always has something hot on the schedule, including Bushwick's Dead on April 6th, the Spin Doctors on April 12th, and Schpongle on April 13th. Visit their Upcoming Events page for more future listings.
Date: March 28, 2025 Band: Dogs in a Pile Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Location: Brooklyn, NY Set One: Look Johnny II, Mr. Charlie[1], Look Johnny, Ugly Song, 116 Days > You Didn’t Hear It From Me, My Disguise, Appleseed, Way To Be Set Two: Little Things > The Bag, City Kids[2], Go Set > Minnie the Moocher, Tillie, Chop Shop, Men of Steel, Bent Strange Encore: Mr. Tooker Notes:
[1] Grateful Dead
[2] FTP, Karina Rykman, with Karina Rykman on bass
