Video: Phish - Ocelot @ Festival 8

Check out this fantastic version of "Ocelot".

Phish - Ocelot @ Festival 8

Monday Morning Coffee Break

• Gigwise interviews Wilco's Glenn Kotche
• Check out this great article about Keith Richards & Gram Parsons during the recording of Exile on Main St.
• Paste brings us their 50 best albums of the decade
• U2, Mick Jagger & Fergie collaborated at the second Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum concert
• Weezer will perform on the kids show "Yo Gabba Gabba"

Finally, props to Sirius XM Radio for their coverage of Phish's Festival 8. Their feed was unbelievably clear and except for them cutting out "Driver" during the acoustic set, I would say it was a huge success. I would have preferred to be at the festival, but at the same time, sipping on a cold beer and listening to the shows from the comfort of my couch was pretty awesome. I will have a full recap of the weekend coming in the next few days.

Setlist: Phish Festival 8 Night 3

Set I: Water in the Sky, Back on the Train, Brian and Robert, Invisible, Strange Design, Mountains in the Mist, The Curtain With, Army of One, Sleep Again, My Sweet One, Let Me Lie, Bouncing Around The Room, Train Song, Wilson, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Driver, Talk, Secret Smile

Set II: AC/DC Bag, Rift, Gotta Jibboo, Heavy Things, Reba, The Wedge, Guelah Papyrus, Undermind, Sparkle, Split Open and Melt

Set III: Tweezer > Maze, Free, Sugar Shack, Limb By Limb, Theme From the Bottom, Mike's Song > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Light > Slave to the Traffic Light

Encore: Grind, Esther, Tweezer Reprise

Notes: Entire first set was acoustic. The band had a different stage set up. Fishman was stage right and Page was on the far left side.

Setlist: Phish Festival 8 Night 2 & Intro Video

Phish Festival 8
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Indio, CA

Set I: Sample in a Jar, Divided Sky, Lawn Boy, Kill Devil Falls, Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil, Runaway Jim, Possum, Run Like an Antelope

Set II: The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street: Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Shake Your Hips, Casino Boogie, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Sweet Black Angel, Loving Cup, Happy, Turn On The Turd, Ventilator Blues > I Just Want to See His Face, Let It Loose, All Down The Line, Stop Breaking Down, Shine A Light, Soul Survivor

Set III: Backwards Down The Number Line > Fluffhead > Ghost, When The Circus Comes, You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Suzy Greenberg

Notes: Entire second set & encore played with Sharon Jones & the Dap King Horns

Eclectic Method Goes Phish from Eclectic Method on Vimeo.

Official Festival 8 Pollock Prints

Jim Pollock has created the official prints for Festival 8. There was a a colored print, edition of 1,000 and a red/cyan 3D print that came with 3D glasses, edition of 650.

My Thoughts: Festival 8 Night 1

Since I couldn't make it to Festival 8, the next best thing would be enjoy it from the comfort of my couch. After getting home from work, I dusted off my satellite radio that had been sitting dormant in it's box and hooked it up to my receiver. I turn on the unit only to find that I didn't have any reception. What was I going to do? I was hungry and wanted to get some grub before tackling my small problem.

I called my friend Karla up and we decided to get some pizza at Piece. We went early enough that we didn't have to wait for a table. The Dark-n-Curvy Dunkelweizen complemented the pizza well as I was getting excited for the show. By the time we left the place was packed. On the way home we made a quick stop at Lemmings for one more beer. The Lagunitas IPA hit the spot!

When I got home I had less than a half hour to solve my signal problem so I had to think fast. Thankfully the chord for the antenna was plenty long. I ran the chord under my door and up to the side of my garage where a hook just so happened to be. It was like the antenna was meant to be there. The antenna had an unobstructed view and I was in business. I tuned to channel 56 and the sweet sound of Ween's "Freedom of 76" was piping through my speakers.

I was hoping for a "Down with Disease" opener, but "Party Time" kicked the festivities off. While the bands partying days are long gone, they were clearly ready to have a good time. Page continued his resurgence and brought some serious funk during "Moma Dance". After a very solid "Stash", the band played the amusing " I Didn't Know", in which Fishman did his trademark vacuum solo.

"Ocelot" was clearly the best song of the first set. The jam had incredible pace and showed why it has become a staple in the repertoire in it's short existence. "Time Turns Elastic" closed Festival 8's first set. I am a firm believer that this song needs to close a set. While the song seemed a little bit sloppy during the middle sections, the band regrouped for a strong finish. All in all the set had it's moments, but for some reason didn't blow me away. It seemed like the band was playing it safe.

Set II: PYITE, Down With Disease > Prince Caspian > Wolfman's Brother > Piper >Joy, David Bowie, Harry Hood, Golgi Apparatus

The second set sounded as good as it looks on paper and maybe even better. After a standard "Punch You In The Eye", the band unleashed one of the best sets of music of Phish 3.0. "Down With Disease" has really become a monster and this version was really tight. There was a stop start jam that really has to be heard. "Wolfman's Brother" saw Mike break out his trademark funk during the jam. I thought the groove they had going was rushed a bit and too short, but nonetheless I enjoyed it.

Phish transported their fans from the Polo Grounds to outer space during "Piper". The jam was very spooky and segued into "Joy". Trey announced that they were going to give fans a clue into their Halloween costume as Fishman started the hi-hat intro to "David Bowie". It was a bad joke, but hey I chuckled. Phish nailed the song and Trey was spot on. After a standout "Harry Hood" the band finished the set with "Golgi Apparatus"

The band came back and played a rocking version of "Character Zero" to end the first night of Festival 8. The story of this show was clearly the second set. The band seemed to be dialed in and lets hope it spills into tonight's show. Happy Halloween!

Festival 8 Spoiler Content & NYE in Miami Confirmed

Setlist: Festival 8 Night 1

Phish Festival 8
Friday, October 30, 2009
Indio, CA

Set I: Party Time, Chalkdust Torture, Moma Dance, NICU, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Stash, I Didn't Know, Poor Heart, Cavern, Beauty Of A Broken Heart, Ocelot, Time Turns Elastic

Set II: Punch You In The Eye, Down With Disease > Prince Caspian > Wolfman's Brother > Piper > Joy, David Bowie, Harry Hood, Golgi Apparatus

Encore: Character 0

Phish Festival 8: Soundcheck & More

Festival 8 is officially underway! The band had their first soundchecks on Thursday. The band had an acoustic run through in the afternoon followed by an electric soundcheck in the evening. Trey teased the beginning of "Kids" by MGMT during the evening soundcheck.

Soundcheck: Jam, Undermind > Devil With a Blue Dress Jam, Starship Trooper Jam, Gone, Liquid Time

Check back for updates, as there will be updates a plenty throughout the weekend.

Someone over on Green Board snagged a copy of the auds of the soundcheck. You can download it here.

Check out some images from Thursday.

Phish is is down to their Elite 8, as Michael Jackson's Thriller was killed off the list this morning.

1. David Bowie | Hunky Dory
2. Genesis | The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
3. Jimi Hendrix | Electric Ladyland
4. King Crimson | Larks’ Tongues In Aspic
5. MGMT | Oracular Spectacular
6. Prince | Purple Rain
7. Radiohead | Kid A
8. Rolling Stones | Exile on Main Street
   
   

A look at the lay of the land at Festival 8


Sierra Nevada brewed up some Foam Pilsner. It was brewed exclusively for Festival 8!



Check out the additional coverage of Festival 8:
Hidden Track Blog
Live Music Blog
YEMblog - Live from Festival 8

Phish Festival 8's Bunny Radio On The Air

Bunny Radio is now live on the air.

You can stream the station online if you aren't at the festival, and you can check out tracklists and commentary via Twitter.

[via Live Music Blog]

Festival 8 Is Upon Us

Boy, do I wish I was on my way to Indio, CA for Festival 8. Aside from the reunion shows at the Mothership this past March, this weekend is shaping up to be the biggest Phish weekend since the train wreck that was Coventry. This weekend will be a true celebration of the spirit of Phish.

I am really hoping that the band will play Electric Ladyland for their Halloween set.

For more detailed information check out the Festival 8 website.

Which album will Phish perform? As of this posting, there are only 9 albums alive.

1. David Bowie | Hunky Dory
2. Genesis | The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
3. Jimi Hendrix | Electric Ladyland
4. King Crimson | Larks’ Tongues In Aspic
5. MGMT | Oracular Spectacular
6. Michael Jackson | Thriller
7. Prince | Purple Rain
8. Radiohead | Kid A
9. Rolling Stones | Exile on Main Street

For those of us who will not be at the festival and have Satellite Radio, you will be able to listen to the entire weekend on Sirius/XM Radio.
XM Radio - Channel 56 Jam On
Sirius Radio - Channel 17 Jam On

Check out this video of Trey talking about how the Phish Festivals evolved.


Need a Phish app for your iPhone?

You can follow the festival on Twitter.

Phish will be offering each show this weekend in FLAC-HD!

If you don't want to pay for the recording, you can also check out bt.etree, where there will be plenty of recordings available after the festival, and maybe even during!

Looks like the weather in Indio will be very pleasant.

I didn't catch this on Conan last night, but this is pretty random.


[via Jamtopia]
[via Live Music Blog]

Festival 8 Update: Goodbye Ziggy Stardust

1. David Bowie - Hunky Dory
2. King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic
3. Michael Jackson - Thriller
4. Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
5. Prince - Purple Rain
6. Radiohead - Kid A
7. Led Zeppelin - Zeppelin I
8. Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
9. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
10. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
11. Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street

Festival 8 Update: T Minus 12 & Counting

Another album just bit the dust.

1. David Bowie - Hunky Dory
2. King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic
3. Michael Jackson - Thriller
4. Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
5. Prince - Purple Rain
6. Radiohead - Kid A
7. Led Zeppelin - Zeppelin I
8. Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
9. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
10. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
11. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
12. Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street

Festival 8 Update: Lucky 13

Phish has their list of possible Halloween costumes down to 13!

1. David Bowie - Hunky Dory
2. King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic
3. Michael Jackson - Thriller
4. Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
5. Prince - Purple Rain
6. Yes - The Yes Album
7. Radiohead - Kid A
8. Led Zeppelin - Zeppelin I
9. Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
10. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
11. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
12. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
13. Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street
    

Hump Day Happenings

• Midlake will release their first new album in three years
• Wakarusa will return next year to Mulberry Mountain
• Deer Tick will be hitting the big screen
• The Avett Brothers will headline MerleFest 2010
• Pavement announced a show at London's Brixton Academy
• The Strokes' Julian Casablancas announced a solo European tour

Finally, with Festival 8 just a few days a way, Phish fans will begin to converge upon Indio, CA for this years biggest Halloween bash. I won't be attending the festival, but I will certainly be following the weekends events closely. There is all kinds of speculation of what Phish will play for their Halloween costume, but below are my top three choices and my dark horse pick.

1. Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
2. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street
3. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
4. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (My dark horse pick)
   

Phish To Perform Radiohead's Kid A on Halloween?

It looks like one of the campgrounds at Festival 8 will be themed after Radiohead's "Kid A". While this doesn't mean the band will perform the album, it looks like it could be one of the finalists. It also might not mean a thing. The anticipation is building! Props to Live Music Blog for posting the info!

Monday Morning Coffee Break

• Live Music Blog has all the latest Festival 8 news
• Metallica's Robert Trujillo sat in with Rodrigo Y Gabriela in Chicago
• Cake's new record to be recorded with 100% solar energy
• Rolling Stone has some updated info on the Smashing Pumpkins plan to release it's new album free
• Weezer will play a free Myspace show in San Francisco on Thursday, October 21

Finally, Diddy really needs to learn to be a little more responsible when it comes to his $20,000 rings. He should consider changing his name to Dummy or maybe Dopey? This is a story that you have to read to believe.

Phish to Play The Last Record Alive

Earlier today, Phish updated their website and gave fans a sneak peak into what they might be playing for their musical costume at Festival 8. It appears as we get closer to the festival, album covers will be axed off the website until we are left with the last record alive. The list of artists is very diverse and includes Rage Against The Machine, Wilco, MGMT, Elton John, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Devo and many more.

Albums that have been axed are:
Medeski Martin & Wood - Shack-man
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes
Talking Heads - Fear Of Music
Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Who - Who's Next
Huey Lewis And The News - Sports
The Beatles - Rubber Soul
White Stripes - Elephant
Ween - White Pepper
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
Primus - Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
Allman Brothers Band - Eat A Peach
Pixies - Come On Pilgrim
Manu Chao - Clandestino
Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain


I will be updating the list as more albums are axed, so check back often.