Phish Announces 13th Studio Album 'Big Boat' Due Out October 7th September 7, 2016 19:56

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

Just three days after Phish's summer tour closer in Colorado, the band has announced very limited details on it's 13th studio album, 'Big Boat', due out on October 7th.  The album takes its title from the Jon Fishman-led tune "Friends," which includes the line "We're on a big boat, like the ones our forefathers sailed." While very few details have been unveiled, the band released a video which revealed the cover artwork and a sample from a song which has not been performed.  'Big Boat' will be the band's first album since the Fuego in 2014, and it will be released via the band's label JEMP Records.

Big Boat was produced by Bob Ezrin, who also produced Fuego, as well as many legendary albums including Pink Floyd’s The Wall, KISS’s Destroyer, Alice Cooper’s School’s Out and Peter Gabriel’s Peter Gabriel I. The LP was completed during Phish’s Summer Tour as guitarist Trey Anastasio mentioned the band had completed the album prior to dedicating "Sing Monica" to Ezrin, who was in the crowd, at Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco, CA earlier this summer.  

Anastasio elaborated on the album in an interview with Rolling Stone earlier this summer.

Check out what appears to be the cover artwork for the album:

Watch the video released by Phish earlier this afternoon:

Runaway Gin - A Tribute To Phish Reveals Fall And Winter Tour Dates September 7, 2016 15:28

Formula 5 Reveals Extensive 2016 Fall Tour Dates September 7, 2016 13:38

Umphrey's McGee Unveils New Mash-Up Album 'ZONKEY' September 7, 2016 12:24

Original Drummer Neal "Fro" Evans Is Returning To Dopapod September 7, 2016 11:34

Boston-born jam quartet Dopapod has announced major news this morning, as the band will be reuniting with original drummer Neal "Fro" Evans, and parting ways with Evans' replacement, Scotty Zwang.  The band confirmed the news this morning via Facebook, explaining the circumstances for the initial change and giving thanks to the amazing work from Zwang over the past three years.  Evans' first shows back with the band will take place at the upcoming Resonance Music & Arts Festival and Catskill Chill Music Festival.  See below for the band's official statement via Facebook.

Watch Gov't Mule's Set From Red Rocks In Its Entirety (HD) September 6, 2016 16:18

Mike Gordon Confirms 15-Show Late Fall Tour September 6, 2016 15:15

It's shaping up to be a busy fall for bassist Mike Gordon, who will be touring with Phish in October, only to be followed by fifteen shows with his five-piece solo act.  Gordon, along with drummer John Kimock, guitarist Scott Murawski, percussionist Craig Myers and keyboardist Robert Walter will tour from mid-November through mid-December.

The tour kicks off on November 18th at Delmar Hall in St. Louis, and continues with stops across the midwest, northeast, and southeast.  A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available now through Thursday Sept. 8 at 5:00 PM EST. After that, tickets will then go on sale to the general public beginning Friday Sept. 9. For more ticket information, visit Mike Gordon’s website.

Watch Mike Gordon's official tour announcement video here:

Mike Gordon Tour Dates 

Nov. 18 – Delmar Hall – St. Louis, MO
Nov. 19 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI
Nov. 20 – Park West – Chicago, IL
Nov. 22 – Stage AE, – Pittsburgh, PA
Nov. 23 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
Nov. 25 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
Nov. 26 – The Egg – Albany, NY
Nov. 28 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 29 – Lincoln Theatre – Washington, DC
Dec. 1 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
Dec. 2 – Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN
Dec. 3 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
Dec. 9 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
Dec. 10 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
Dec. 11 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

My Morning Jacket Adds October Dates in Chattanooga, Asheville September 6, 2016 12:50

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

My Morning Jacket has been all the rage these past two weeks following it's headlining performance at LOCKN' Festival, which no one can stop talking about.  With upcoming dates at the Bridge School Benefit and Suwannee Hulaween, many have wondered if the band would add any additional shows between the two events.  Earlier today, Jim James and company announced two additional southeastern dates: Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, TN (10/26) and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, NC (10/27).

Following these two dates, MMJ will head south to Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for the annual Suwannee Hulaween Festival, which runs from 10/28 - 10/30.  Fan club tickets will be released on Wednesday, September 7th, and all additional details can be found at MMJ's official website.

Watch My Morning Jacket perform "I'm Amazed" at LOCKN' Festival here:

Umphrey's McGee Is Returning To Chicago For New Year's Eve September 5, 2016 13:00

Photos by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

Progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee made a major announcement over the weekend; one which many of the band's oldest fans can rejoice about.  While specifics have not yet been announced, Umphrey's will return to their home city of Chicago for the 2016 NYE run.  The band's first-ever New Year's Eve show was on December 31st, 2000 at The Cubby Bear, and they proceeded to play the city every year through 2010.  They then hit St. Louis and have rotated between Denver and Atlanta for the past four years. The band made the announcement via Twitter on Saturday, and keyboardist Joel Cummins confirmed the news on stage at North Coast Music Festival this weekend.

Past Umphrey’s McGee New Year’s Eve Shows

• 2015 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
• 2014 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
• 2013 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
• 2012 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
• 2011 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
• 2010 – The Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
• 2009 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
• 2008 – The Auditorium Theatre – Chicago, IL
• 2005 – 2007 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
• 2004 – The Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
• 2001 – 2003 – The Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
• 2000 – The Cubby Bear – Chicago, IL

Watch Umphrey's McGee perform "Amazing Grace" > "Glory" with the Chicago Mass Choir on 12.31.08:

Looking Back On LOCKN': A Weekend In Review September 4, 2016 14:20

Now that I have had nearly seven full days to digest what I witnessed last weekend, it only seems appropriate to attempt to explain my LOCKN' experience.  This was something I planned to do earlier in the week, before coming down with a mild case of what many have called the "wook flu."  My friends and I set out out on the journey from Alabama to Virginia just before sunrise on Thursday, August 25th, slightly apprehensive and anxious about a four day festival in the heat of summer.  With arguably the best lineup of bands I've ever seen (extra stess on "arguably," as it's all relative), excitement was certainly abound.  Luckily, some friends hooked us up with a few extra forest camping passes, which proved to be a total game changer.  We managed to set up camp just in time to head to the concert grounds for Vulfpeck's opening set, which served as a perfect intro to the epic weekend ahead.

Vulfpeck has been one of the hottest bands in the festival scene for nearly two years, and their live show speaks for itself.  What you see is what you get with Vulfpeck. They keep it as simple as possible, playing real instruments with essentially no effects. This making for a a very raw, natural outcome.  This set was highlighted by several of their hits, such as "Funky Duck," "1612," and "Put It In My Back Pocket," as well as a cover of Steely Dan's "Peg" that nearly lit the crowd on fire.  As they finished up, the massive crowd had its first glimpse at the infamous "turntable stage," which Umphrey's McGee took full advantage of.  Within three seconds of Vulfpeck stopping, Umphreys cranked into full effect with "Nipple Trix" as the stage rotated, which quickly segued into one of my personal favorites, "1348."  

The set continued with "Attachments" and "The Triple Wide," one of the bands biggest jam vehicles.  The "2x2" > "Speak Up" > "2x2" sequence moved swiftly into a raging take on "Puppet String," ultimately leading into "Roctopus."  At this time, Brendan Bayliss called upon none other than Gene Ween, who performed an entire set with Umphrey's last summer known as "God Boner."  Being that ole Gene has an uncanny resemblance to Billy Joel these days, the decision to cover Joel's "The Stranger" was well received.  With little time to spare, the band then segued back into "Puppet String," before "All In Time" closed things out in powerful fashion.   

Next to take the stage was Ween, who was slated for the evening's headlining set.  It was clear early on that many in attendance did not know what to expect from these guys; myself included.  While I've casually listened to Ween over the last fifteen years, I never dove in deep, and I'd never had a chance to see them live.  While their were some very bizarre moments, I loved every minute of it.  These guys managed to pump out 26 total songs, including many I was familiar with such as "Transdermal Celebration," "Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony," "How High Can You Fly," "Beacon Light, "Baby Bitch," "Boys Club," "Fat Lenny," "Push The Little Daisies," "Ocean Man," and "Zoloft."  We've made it a full week since this set, and I'm still talkin' bout "Boys Club."  I can't help but think that Dean and Gene must be somehow related to Trey Parker and Matt Stone (creators of South Park), and last weekend further affirmed that assumption.  

After a truly exhausting two hours with Ween, there was just enough time for the first of many cool down sessions back at the car.  These sessions were critical, as we had a chance to turn up the A/C, charge the cell phone, and collect our completely scattered thoughts.  There wasn't much time to waste though, as Joe Russo's Almost Dead was up next at the Blue Ridge Bowl.  This was arguably my most highly anticipated performance of the weekend.  Like many others, I had been dying to see this band since its inception three years ago, but they don't tour extensively.  So, this was my first opportunity to catch their set, and I'll just say this.  JRAD uses the catalog of the Grateful Dead as a launching pad into something that is totally its own.  

I was absolutely blown away by my first JRAD experience, which kicked off with "Space" > "Truckin'," before moving into an absolute monster "St. Stephen."  "The Eleven" and "Brown Eyed Women" would follow, before "The Wheel" opened up another insane improv section.  The set continued with powerful takes on "Estimated Prophet," "Tennessee Jed," and "Viola Lee Blues," and a beautiful take on "He's Gone" would follow.  Right around 3:15 AM, the band busted into "Terrapin Station," and you better believe we got the full Terrapin Suite.  This was easily the best late night set I'd experienced at this point, and one of the best Dead sets I've ever witnessed.  Keep in mind that I'm a child of the late 80's.  

While it was already nearly 90 degrees upon waking up on Friday, the lineup ahead of us demanded our full effort and attention.  Turkuaz was scheduled for a 12:30 PM power funk lunch session, and that's something you just can't miss out on.  This is one of the most entertaining, high-energy bands in the festival circuit, and they've only scratched the surface.   These guys are incredibly tight, and the level of choreography that goes into each set can't go unnoticed.  The set ultimately closed with an amazing rendition of The Band's "Shape I'm In," to which the stage rotated with Vulfpeck in full effect.

As much as I hated to walk away from Vulfpeck, I knew that my next move was arguably my most critical decision of the weekend, and the "Infinity Downs" area had a live video stream of the main stage.  I made my way over to the almighty Vida-Flo RV, which treated me to an incredibly pleasant experience.  The fine folks at Vida-Flo spent their majority of time at LOCKN' helping others rehydrate and obtain a much needed second wind to fight through the outrageously hot and humid weekend.  "The LOCKN' Special" put me exactly where I needed to be, and I was able to enjoy Vulfpeck's covers of "Boogie On Reggae Woman" and "Tell Me Somethin' Good" during the procress.  I can't say enough about Jamey, Katie, and the rest of the Vida-Flo team for the service they provided to so many at LOCKN'.

The remainder of Friday afternoon was highlighted by performances from White Denim, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, and Peter Wolf (of the J Geils Band).  With my new found energy and hydration, I made it back to the concert grounds and enjoyed a seriously rockin' set from White Denim, who I'd been looking forward to seeing for several years.  While I definitely haven't given White Denim the attention they deserve over the years, I have loved everything I've heard from these guys.  Songs like "Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)" and "At Night In Dreams" have been staples in my regular rotation for some time, and the entire Corsica Lemonade album is simply brilliant.  

One lifesaving factor to my LOCKN' experience that I have failed to mention thus far is the hospitality that we experienced at Starr Hill Brewery tent, which was located at the back of the concert grounds.  Starr Hill, a craft brewery based in Crozet, VA, is the official beer sponsor of LOCKN', and I'm not sure how we would've survived without it.  Fortunately, a longtime childhood friend works for the brewery and granted us access to the tent the entire weekend.  Shade, fans with mist, cool beer, and most importantly water, were made available to all of Starr Hill's patrons this weekend, as well as a distant view of the main stage.  The luxury of watching White Denim and part of Charles Bradley's set from the Starr Hill tent was a perfect way to continue the afternoon.  Star Hill Brewery probably saved our lives last weekend.

As the sun began to set, Ween returned to the stage for it's second set of the weekend.  While this set was closer to 80-90 minutes, it was an absolute scorcher.  One of my top highlights from the weekend came in the form of "Roses Are Free" > "Your Party" > "Bananas and Blow" > "Voodoo Lady."  Several other classics, including "Mutilated Lips," "Spinal Meningitis," "Piss Up A Rope," and "Buckingham Green" helped make this set one that I'll never forget.  

The stage was now set for a moment that so many were waiting for.  Phish was slated for two full sets as the Friday night headliner.  While the 90-minute break in music felt like an eternity, this was soon forgotten as the band took the stage and ripped into the opening notes of "Wilson."  Despite a few miscues in "Wilson," as well as the intro to "Down With Disease," this set was off to a really hot start.  "Free" and "Wolfman's Brother" would follow, before we were treated to a "Tube" which featured that extended jam that has been somewhat rare in recent years.  Next up was "555," which even went further than it typically does with a next outtro jam.  

"It's Ice" was probably the highlight of the first set for me, as it's just one of those songs that I tend to miss by one show.  "Wingsuit," which may be the most underrated song in the Phish catalog, slowed the pace and ultimately led into one of the most beautiful jams of the weekend.  The transition into "Simple" pumped a new life into the massive crowd, and just when you thought the set was over, the lights shifted to one particular mic stand, indicating an acapella performance.  I was lucky enough to witness the debut of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" at Wrigley Field in June, and I was elated to hear it again on Friday night.  There's nothing quite like their spin on that classic tune.

After a brief intermission, Trey wasted no time busting into "Punch You In The Eye," and he didn't let off the gas once.  "Blaze On" and "Fuego" were perfectly executed, and the "Ghost" that followed was easily the biggest jam of the night.  The segue into "Bathtub Gin" was seemless, and "Backwards Down The Number Line" provided an amazing, nostalgic sing-a-long, as it always does.  Any set that ends with "You Enjoy Myself" is a treat, and this was the case on Friday.  The trampolines came out, and Trey even gave us a little break dancing expo during Mike's solo.  The "Ass Handed" tease during the eventual vocal jam was icing on the cake.  You can only do so much with an encore after "YEM," and this was a night where "Character Zero" was the perfect choice.  Just like that, Phish's first LOCKN' set was over, and we couldn't have asked for much more.

I won't get too repetitive when discussing the second late night set from JRAD, but goodness gracious, it was amazing.  Just the fact that our evening included Ween > Phish > JRAD was hard to believe.  "Good Lovin" kicked off the set, and "Shakedown Street," "China Cat Sunflower," and "I Know You Rider" would follow.  The band welcomed Nicole Adkins to the stage to add a little Donna Jean flare to "Dancin' In The Streets," "The Music Never Stopped," and "Turn On Your Lovelight."  I was not familiar with Adkins prior to this set, but wow...she's got some serious pipes.  Her involvement in this set was something that will always stand out when thinking back on this one.  Fortunately, she stuck around for harmony vocals on the "Franklin's Tower," "Thowing Stones," and "Not Fade Away" which closed out night two at LOCKN'.  Joe Russo's ability to command and lead this band from behind the drum kit is absolutely remarkable, and I've never seen anything like it.  We are talking about one of the most talented drummers on the planet though, so I guess no one should be surprised.

We were now halfway through our LOCKN' experience, and waking up knowing that there were two more days of this madness was hard to believe.  Just like every other day, the lineup was slam packed full of "must see" bands, starting with Keller Williams' Grateful Grass at the Blue Ridge Bowl, or at least what was left of it from the two nights of JRAD destruction.  The Grateful Grass experience features a rotating cast of bluegrass musicians.  It's gotten to the point that Keller looks at the Dead's catalog as it's own genre, similar to jazz, as musicians can simply jump on stage with very little experience playing with one another and just roll with it.  I'd highly recommend reading Live Music Daily's interview with Keller from LOCKN', where he goes in depth on the evolution of the Grateful Grass concept.  

Moon Taxi was first up on the main stage, and they had the farm rocking at an early hour.  It's been a true pleasure watching this band progress from the college bar scene to touring across the country playing many of the most prestigious venues.  Their ability to find a balance between jam and mainstream rock is brilliant, and I can only imagine the dividends that it is paying.  Twiddle was up next, and I can't say enough about this band.  I feel like I haven't stopped listening to Twiddle all summer, and I've been fortunate to attend two summer festivals (LOCKN' and The Werk Out) which featured two sets of Twiddle.  "Jamflowman" and "When It Rains It Pours" gave me my two favorite Twiddle originals, and Keller Williams' sit-in on "Best Feeling" was likely the top spontaneous collaboration of the weekend.  

Thanks to the champions at SiriusXM JamOn, nearly every major set at LOCKN' was broadcasted live, which you wouldn't think would impact those of us at the festival.  You have to take a break at some point though, especially amidst the extreme heat and humidity last weekend.  While I didn't watch the Galactic set with Lee Oskar, I was able to listen live from my car, which was a major luxury.  Galactic has been an anchor in the jam/festival scene for as long as I can remember, and they delivered once again.  Hard Working Americans were next on stage, providing me with my first chance to see this super group in person.  

While I've been a huge Widespread Panic fan for 15+ years, my eyes were glued to Neal Casal's guitar playing.  This guy is one of the best in the business, and easily one of the "hardest working" musicians around.  He was easily the MVP of the weekend, performing with HWA, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Phil Lesh & Friends, and Circles Around The Sun.  Todd Snider's unique stage presence and style was a treat to watch, and it was a lot of fun watching Dave Schools and Duane Trucks jamming together with these guys.  

Saturday's Phil & Friends lineup was easily one of the most hyped moments of the weekend, and how could it not have been?  Who would have ever thought we would see Phil Lesh, Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, Joe Russo, Anders Osborne, and The Infamous Stringdusters play an entire set together?  How about adding Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi for two songs ("Mr Charlie" > "Sugaree")?  That is absolutely ridiculous, and yes, it really happened.  Seeing the stage rotate with this cast, while they busted into "Scarlet Begonias," was a memory I will always cherish.  I know I'll be listening to their renditions of "Dire Wolf," "Uncle John's Band," "Shakedown Street," and "Terrapin Station" (even if it wasn't the full Terrapin Suite) for the rest of my life.  

Most festivals would have probably featured that type of set as the night's headliner, but we weren't even close to that point.  The world class Tedeschi Trucks Band was up next for a super soulful ride into the evening.  Each night as the sun would go down, the crowd was able to breathe a little easier without the brutal sun beating down on us, and Tedeschi Trucks was a perfect way to ease into the night.  Joe Cocker's "The Letter", "Keep On Growing," and "Let Me Get By" rounded out this killer performance, setting the stage for the set that everyone is still talking about.

My Morning Jacket is no stranger to the festival scene, and it's no secret that they are one of the greatest rock-and-roll bands of our era.  That being said, I don't think anyone realized how dynamic this headlining set would be.  MMJ started in familiar territory with "Victory Dance," which flowed perfectly into a sequence of "Compound Fracture" > "Off The Record."  Next up was "Steam Engine," before a cover of Burt Bacharch's "What The World Needs Now" that had some true magic to it.  "I'm Amazed," "Spring," "Phone Went West, and Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved" would follow and keep this set alive.  "Magheeta" would precede another epic moment, as James led the band through a well executed cover of Prince's "Purple Rain."  The set's closing sequence of "Wordless Chorus" > "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream (Pt.2)," David Bowie's "Rebel, Rebel" and "One Big Holiday" couldn't have been written up any better.  MMJ was headlining the jam scene's biggest festival of the summer, and they dialed up a list of songs that reflected that.  The hype surrounding this set is absolutely justified, and anyone who had already seen this band perform wasn't surprised in the least.  Is there a bigger modern rock star than Jim James?  

-

Saturday's late night at Blue Ridge Bowl provided a much needed dose of funk as Lettuce took control of the party.  It's always a special occasion when Nigel Hall (keys/vocals) is on stage, adding an extra vocal element and opening up so many different options for this insanely talented group.  Prior to the set, drummer Adam Deitch and guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff promised fans the most psychedelic set of their career, and they delivered just that.  This set was specially crafted for LOCKN', and you can't help but tip your cap to these guys for such an appropriate approach.

For many, Sunday started off with a much needed church session, and luckily, Keller Williams was slated for his annual "Grateful Gospel" set.  Joining Keller on lead guitar was none other than John Kadlecick, who's known for co-founding Dark Star Orchestra in 1997, as well as joining Furthur in 2009. The female backing vocalists truly added a church-like gospel feel throughout the set, but I highly recommending watching the performance of "We Bid You Goodnight" below.  I can't imagine a better way to start your day at a festival than 90-minutes of Keller's Grateful Gospel.

I was unable to make it to the main stage for the afternoon's first two performers, The Dharma Initiative and Doobie Decibel System, but there was definitely a buzz about both performances.  As amazing as this year's lineup was, it can be painful when deciding which sets you have to take a break during.  Fortunately, our campsite was within listening distance for even these sets that weren't streamed live via JamOn.  I knew I couldn't miss Twiddle's encore performance.  It's amazing to watch this band continue to flourish and reel in new fans on the biggest stage.  Sunday's set started off with "Blunderbus, "Daydream Farmer," and "Beehop," before "Lost In The Cold" seemed to have the entire farm singing in unison.  "Carte Candlestick" and "Frankenfoote" ultimately closed out the short set, as the band was again slotted for just 60-minutes.  While most any band would kill for 60-minutes at LOCKN', you just want so much more once this band gets going.  I'll be shocked if we don't see these guys back on Oak Ridge Farm in 2017.

Every music festival could use a nice dose of reggae, and who better to provide that than the band who taught us about this genre, The Wailers.  These seasoned vets took the stage and laid down literally every Bob Marley / Wailers hit that you've ever heard.  This music always generates a notable energy amongst a crowd, but it was something really special on Sunday afternoon. You've got to love the planning and attention to detail with the placement of each band on this lineup.  There is absolutely a science to it, and Peter Shapiro knows it as well as anyone in the game.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood took the stage fairly late in the afternoon, and they had their work cut out for them.  Not only were they slated for 90-minutes of originals, but they would then join Phil Lesh for the weekend's second set of Phil & Friends.  The CRB set was highlighted by originals such as "Leave My Guitar Alone," "Forever As The Moon," "New Cannonball Rag," and "Ain't Hard But Fair," while Jackie Moore's "Precious, Precious" and Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" rounded things out.  The band's latest hit single, "Narcissistic and Soaking Wet" would ultimately close things out.

While Saturday's Phil & Friends lineup featured the sexier lineup on paper, I personally thought Sunday's set had the true feel of a Dead set.  Perhaps it was presence of weekend MVP Neal Casal, who just knows how to play it like Jerry.  I've always been a fan of Robinson's vocals, and he really delivered for this one.  Just as the stage began to rotate, Phil, the boys from CRB, and Gary Clark Jr. began ripping into "Samson & Delilah."  "Good Morning Little School Girl" and "Wang Dang Doodle" were perfect choices, and the decision to play The Dead's version of Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle" was one of my favorite moments of the weekend.  This song might be the most commonly covered song in rock-and-roll, but hearing Chris Robinson sing it to The Dead's tempo was a fucking treat.  Do yourself a favor and watch the video footage below and see for yourself.  "Fire On The Mountain" and "New Speedway Boogie" opened things up for yet another monster "St. Stephen," and "The Wheel" wasn't going to slow down.  There aren't many songs in the Dead catalog better suited for a party than "Turn On Your Lovelight" (Bobby Bland), and Robinson crushed every note.  It was refreshing and reassuring to see Phil having such a great time, surrounded by so many world class musicians at LOCKN'  

Gary Clark Jr. might have been the most intriguing act on the lineup entering the weekend.  While I've heard "Bright Lights" and "Don't Owe You a Thing" as many times as I can remember on JamOn, I just haven't given this guy the attention he deserves. I've been well aware of his reputation and status across the scene in general, but I was way past due for a Gary Clark Jr. set.  He and his band came out swinging as they opened with "Bright Lights," and swiftly moved into "Travis County," "Next Door Neighbor Blues," "Cold Blooded," and "BYOB."  The crowd continued filling in, and the set eventually closed out with "Don't Owe You A Thing," "You Saved Me," and "Shake.  The sound that this guy has is out of this world.  There are moments where My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon, Jimi Hendrix, and White Denim all come to mind, except that Clark compliments the heavy riffs with one of the most soulful voices you've ever heard. 

The stage was now set for one final time, and you couldn't help but stand up and look around at the scene that awaited.  The energy at Oak Ridge Farm on Sunday night was impalpable, with 30,000+ fans riding high on four days of music with two more sets of Phish to come.  Each day as the sun would set, we experienced significant release as the temperature seemed to instantly drop fifteen degrees, and this held true once again on Sunday.  Phish took the stage right around 8:30 PM, and "Sample In A Jar" was first up to the plate.  Page then cued the now infamous vocal tracking of "Martian Monster," much to the approval of the LOCKN' faithful.  I really wish they would jam this one out more than they do now, and it feels like more appropriate in the second set (Ex: Atlanta, GA - July 31st, 2015), they're typically throwing it in early and keeping it fairly tamed.

The first set stayed super hot with "Axilla" and "The Moma Dance," before "Halley's Comet" provided that absurd, silly sing-a-long that very few are capable of pulling off.  We were then given a double-dose of the band's 1986 cassette tape release The White Tape with "AC/DC Bag" > "Fuck Your Face."  The sequence of "Fuck Your Face" > "46 Days" is about as heavy rock-and-roll as you can ask for from Phish.  "The Line" was a bit of a curveball, as it tends to be, but "Limb By Limb," "Possum," and "First Tube" would follow and wrap up a very, very solid first yet.  

There were high expectations for a wave of heavy hitters in set two, and they were exceeded, as usual.  "Carini" lit a fire across the farm and flowed nicely into the "Chalkdust Torture" that you knew was coming as some point.  "Twist" seems to be one of the jams of 2016, and I don't think anyone is complaining.  I've been a sucker for "Light" since the release of Joy in 2009, as this tune has become one of the bigger jam vehicles of the Phish 3.0 era.  The "Light" jam ultimately landed into "Tweezer," prompting a mildly concerning glow stick war on Oak Ridge Farm.  Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter" was next, prompting McConnell to guide us through the classic cover.  I'm assuming the guy next to me promised his friends that he would do a headstand if Phish was to play "No Quarter," because he went ballistic during the opening notes, and his friends proceeded to lift his feet to the sky as he hit the deck.  Truly remarkable.

From here, we went into full "space jam" mode, as Fishman dropped into the opening beat of "Also Sprach Zarathustra," aka "2001 (Space Odyssey)."  That's a dance party that never gets old.  It was apparently Fishman's moment, as he then dropped into the opening notes of "Harry Hood," which seemed to be a likely place for the set to end.  As I've said before...just when you think you know, this band proves you wrong.  They tacked on a "Tweezer Reprise" just for safe measure and made sure that this crowd was still on it's toes.  After a brief exit, the band returned and broke into The Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup" and closed out the festival with everyone screaming "What a beautiful buzz!"  While it might not have been a shocking encore selection, it felt extremely appropriate.  

Sitting down and reliving this unforgettable experience over the past few days has allowed me to fully comprehend the remarkable journey we took just a week ago.  It's easy to get caught up in the fatigue, anxiety, and pressure to "get back into a normal" rhythm after these huge musical weekends, but it's equally important to reflect and cherish the moment.  As much fun as it was, it certainly wasn't easy.  I've never dealt with that type of heat, humidity, and pure exhaustion without access to "going inside."  In the long run, that makes the experience that much more unique, and it definitely makes for better story-telling.  There were twelve different bands on this lineup that I have travelled to see play on their own, and some on multiple occasions.  Top that off with the fact that this marked my 30th show with my favorite band: Phish.  What's left to say?  My ability to continue embarking on these musical adventures with so many of the world's greatest friends is an element of life that I'll never take for granted.  Until next time, LOCKN'...

Special thanks to Keith Griner of Phierce Photography for capturing this weekend for us and allowing us to share it with you all.

Watch Phish's "Squirming Coil" Encore From Night Two At Dick's September 4, 2016 11:31

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

Last night brought about the second night for Phish and it's annual Labor Day Weekend celebration at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.  The band began this tradition in 2011 and has continued to conclude each summer tour at the famed soccer stadium.  Each run has been highlighted by different "setlist gags," like using the first letter of each song to spell a phrase or song title.  Saturday night featured the first "Slave To The Traffic Light" opener since 1998, as well as notable jams on "Down With Disease," "Maze," "Divided Sky," "Fuego," "Sand," "Simple," "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)," and "Harry Hood."  The choice for the encore was "The Squirming Coil," and it was no ordinary Coil.  As the outtro jam concluded, members of the stage exited one-by-one, and Mike Gordon took on the final solo on "The Squirming Coil" with an onslaught of "Gordo bombs" for the final three minutes of the song.  Full HD video footage of "The Squirming Coil," as well as the complete setlist, can be found below.

Click Here: Pre-Order Phish's Third Night at Dick's on Sunday, September 4th

  Watch Phish perform "The Squirming Coil" at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on 09.03.16 here:

Setlist: Phish - Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO - 09.03.16

Set 1: Slave to the Traffic Light, Down with Disease, What's the Use? > Maze,Farmhouse, 555, Wolfman's Brother, Divided Sky, Rock and Roll

Set 2: Fuego > Sand > Blaze On > Simple^[1] > Twist > Theme From the Bottom >Also Sprach Zarathustra > Harry Hood

Encore: The Squirming Coil^[2]

[1] Trey on Marimba Lumina.
[2] With closing bass solo.

Notes: This show was webcast via LivePhish. Simple featured Trey on Marimba Lumina. Coil ended with Trey, Fish, and finally Page walking off, leaving Mike to take a bass solo.

Couch Tour Alert: Watch Phish's Three-Night Colorado Run From Home September 2, 2016 13:59

Photo by Phierce Photo by Keith G.

Phish kicks off it's highly anticipated, annual Labor Day weekend run on Friday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.  The band confirmed on earlier this week that all three sold out shows will be available for streaming via LivePhish.com.  After what has been another top notch, highly praised summer tour, this weekend's run at Dick's is one that fans will not want to miss.  If you've never experienced an evening of Phish "couch tour," it's something we highly recommend. The band offers an experience like no other from the comfort of your own home, with live HD footage and soundboard audio.

Watch Mike Gordon Sit-In With Dumpstaphunk On "Funky Bitch" In Denver September 2, 2016 13:00

As Phish prepares for its annual three-night summer tour closer at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in in Commerce City, there is no shortage of excitement surrounding the weekend.  The excitement includes a number of both pre-parties and after-parties surrounding all three shows.  Phish bassist Mike Gordon went ahead and got his weekend started early, as he sat-in with New Orleans funk outfit Dumpstaphunk for a cover of Son Seals' "Funky Bitch" at Cervantes in Denver on Thursday night.  

Reports say Gordon also added to Dumpstaphunk’s cover of DNCE’s “Cake By The Ocean.”  This guest appearance came as no surprise to many fans, as Gordon sat in with Dumpstaphunk at this same venue prior to the Dick's run in 2014.

Watch Dumpstaphunk perform "Funky Bitch" with Mike Gordon here:

Video by Long J

Watch The Werks' Entire Set at Red Rocks Amphitheatre September 1, 2016 14:14

As the summer rolls along, there is never any shortage of world class music at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, and this weekend was no exception.  Veteran rock group 311 hosted the annual Reggae On The Rocks, which also featured performances from Iration, Steel Pulse, Morgan Heritage, The Werks, and Judge Roughneck.  While The Werks aren't exactly a reggae band, this was a monumental opportunity nonetheless, as this would serve as the band's first performance at the famed venue.  Thanks to dedicated videographer Charles Izenstark, The Werks' entire 60-minute set from Red Rocks can be watched in full HD below.  

Watch The Werks perform at Red Rocks Amphitheatre here:

Video by Charles Izenstark: Izeoftheworldphotos

Setlist: The Werks: Red Rocks Amphitheatre: 08.27.16

Moving On
Better Than Before
Fat Man
Galactic Passport > While My Guitar Gently Weeps Jam > Galactic Passport
Lights Out
Duck Farm

Funk You Announces 2016 Fall Tour, First-Ever Colorado Dates September 1, 2016 12:27

Georgia's favorite funk outfit, Funk You, has announced it's official 2016 fall tour dates, and it's shaping up to be a busy season.  The band kicks things off on September 1st in Knoxville, TN and will continue across the southeast with shows in Greenville (SC), Winston Salem (NC), Valdosta (GA), St. Simons Island (GA), Greenville (NC), Statesboro (GA), Tupelo (MS), and New Orleans (LA).  Late in September, the band will make three stops in the state of Texas: Austin (9/22), Dallas (9/23), and Amarillo (9/24), as well as two stops in New Mexico: Albuquerque (9/25) and El Prado (9/26).  

Funk You will then make it's long awaited debut in Colorado, with three big shows to close out the month of September.  These dates include Ft. Collins (9/28), Boulder (9/29), and Denver (9/30).  On their way back to the southeast, the band will make stops in Stillwater (OK), Fayetteville (AR), and Oxford (MS), before a major headlining set at CukoRakko Music & Arts Festival in Steele, AL on Friday October 7th.  Remaining dates include stops in several familiar cities for the band: Charleston (SC), Wilmington (NC), Atlanta (GA), Savannah (GA), North Augusta (SC), and a homecoming Halloween show in Augusta (GA) on Monday, October 31st.  

For future updates and further details, head over to the band's official website and Facebook page.

Watch Widespread Panic & Jerry Joseph Perform "Cortez The Killer" In Full HD September 1, 2016 11:45

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Widespread Panic is in the midst of another monster year; one which has certainly seen the band making all kinds of noise.  The band's spring tour was packed with many highlights, several of which came during the band's summer tour, which led them to the west coast for visits to many venues that hadn't seen the band in many years.  During a multi-night run in Bend, OR, Panic welcomed it's old friend Jerry Joseph to the stage for a rousing cover of Neil Young's "Cortez The Killer."  This would serve as the first time Panic had played the Young classic since October 17th, 2009.  Fortunately, HD video footage has surfaced, and the video can be watched in full below 

Watch Widespread Panic & Jerry Joseph Perform "Cortez the Killer" here:

Watch Phish's LOCKN' Performances In Full HD August 30, 2016 14:04

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

This past weekend's LOCKN' Festival was packed full of highlights, starting with Vulfpeck's opening set on Thursday night and concluding with Phish's second two-set performance of the weekend on Sunday night.  This festival boasted one of the best lineups in music festival history, and the headliners were certainly heavy hitters.  Phish performed two full sets on both Friday night and Sunday night, with Friday night's performance coming just after nearly two-and-a-half hours from Ween.  Live webcasts from the festival were available all weekend via Fans.com and Qello Concerts.  Full HD footage and complete set lists from both night's of Phish at LOCKN' can be found below.  Stay tuned for our full recap from LOCKN' Festival coming later this week!

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

Watch Phish's performance from Friday 8/26 at LOCKN' here:

Setlist: Phish at LOCKN' Festival: Friday 8/26/16

Set 1: Wilson > Down with Disease, Free, Wolfman's Brother, Tube > 555 > It's Ice >Wingsuit, Simple, Space Oddity

Set 2: Punch You In the Eye > Blaze On > Fuego -> Ghost > Bathtub Gin^[1] >Backwards Down the Number Line, You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Character Zero

[1] Unfinished.

Teases:
· The Little Drummer Boy tease in Fuego
· Ass Handed quote in You Enjoy Myself

Notes: This performance was part of the Lockn' Festival and was webcast via Live Phish, Fans.com and Qello Concerts. Trey teased Little Drummer Boy in Fuego. Bathtub Gin was unfinished. The YEM vocal jam included Ass Handed quotes from Fish.

Watch Phish's performance from Saturday 8/27 at LOCKN' here:

Setlist: Phish at LOCKN' Festival: Sunday 8/28/16

Set 1: Sample in a Jar, Martian Monster, Axilla > The Moma Dance > Halley's Comet >AC/DC Bag, Fuck Your Face > 46 Days, The Line, Limb By Limb > Possum, First Tube

Set 2: Carini > Chalk Dust Torture > Twist > Light > Tweezer > No Quarter > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Harry Hood > Tweezer Reprise

Encore: Loving Cup 

Notes: This performance was part of the Lockn' Festival. This show was webcast via Live Phish, Fans.com and Qello Concerts.

STS9 Will Play Oak Mountain Amphitheatre With GRiZ: Friday 10/29 August 30, 2016 11:10

Veteran jamtronic act STS9 has announced it's return to the Birmingham area, and this particular show will lead them to an even bigger stage.  The band will play it's first headlining show at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham on Friday, October 29th with support from producer GRiZ, another rising star in the jam scene.  Tickets will start at only $20 through the Labor Day Holiday Weekend (through 9/5 at 11:59PM CT).  Head over to STS9's official tour page for further details.

STS9 is an instrumental band whose sound is based heavily on instrumental rock and electronic music, funk, jazz, drum and bass, psychedelia, and hip hop, originating in Georgia, USA. Self-described as "post-rock dance music," the band mixes standard live rock instrumentation with electronics, favoring group rhythm over individual solos.

STS9 has released 11 albums, two remixed albums (Artifact: Perspectives & the Peaceblaster: Make it Right Remixes), and multiple live DVDs (Live as Time Changes, Axe The Cables, and various live performances) on their own label 1320 Records.  STS9 has toured the US nationally and internationally, ranking among Pollstar Magazine’s list of top-grossing touring acts, with a heavy presence in the music festival circuit.

Grant Kwiecinski, also known by his stage name GRiZ, is an American DJ and electronic producer from Michigan.  He is known for playing the saxophone along with producing funk, electro-soul, and self-described future-funk.

Live & Listen's 'Bands You Should Know': Dank August 26, 2016 09:58

Photo by Christian Stewart

Live & Listen is pleased to continue a brand new weekly feature known as Bands You Should Know. This new concept will highlight a different band each Friday with an interview, general background information, current happenings, as well as videos and audio from each band.  After nearly two years of various interviews and artist spotlights, we feel that installing a consistent weekly feature is the best next step for Live & Listen.

For our seventh edition of Bands You Should Know, we sat down with Matt Henderson of Dank, one of our favorite up-and-coming bands out of Atlanta.  We were first introduced to Dank as they toured around the southeast, and we couldn't be more excited for their upcoming sets at CukoRakko and Funksgiving.  Dank's funky nature leaves you wanting more with every track, and there is no doubt that the future is bright for this group that only seems to get tighter with every show.

Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

So you guys officially started the band back in 2010 in Athens.  That's obviously a hotbed for musicians and live music in general.  How did you guys initially get connected and put things into motion?

Matt: Right.  So this current lineup didn't really get solidified until about two years ago.  Athens is such a small community of music and such a small little town.  Everyone kind of knows everyone through friends, or you've played together, or you seen each other's bands play.  That's really how things were born.  Friends of friends got together, started playing, and that's how I got to know all of these guys that are in the band now.  There's just so much music going on, and Athens is such a great atmosphere for playing music.

Things have obviously evolved a bit in the past year.  The band is now operating as a four-piece, and the new EP Get Up definitely has a new, energized sound to it.  Tell me a little bit about the direction the band is moving in right now.

Matt: Absolutely.  I think a lot of it is just that the band has really matured and grown our songwriting.  What we like and want to do musically has changed a bit.  What we listen to, and what we're striving for.  We're really focusing on the songs, and we're trying to write the best songs that we can.  What parts does the song need for the studio?  We've been trying to look at the live show and the record as two entirely different things.  Taking advantage of the studio in different ways, and not always thinking about what would be cool to play live.  

We've focused more on what would be cool for each track once we're in the studio.  How can we make it the best possible song?  How can we use different recording techniques to enhance each song?  That was a conversation that we were having a lot for the Get Up EP.  Moving forward, we want everything to sound a little more mature and tight on the record, while still having a show that is wide open, as far as us being able to improvise and bounce ideas off of each other in the moment.  Trying to keep both aspects of that alive.  

Watch Dank's official music video for "Get Up" here:

How does the improv element work for you guys? Are there particular songs that you're always looking to really open up and run with?

Matt: Definitely.  There are usually a few that we know we are going to open up and see what happens.  There are other songs, like "Get Up" for example, that has that little "end section," which we can kind of adjust accordingly each night.  If we only have a 45-minute set, we usually keep it pretty straight.  If we have more time, we can open up that certain section.  Then, there are other times where we take a song that we've been playing for a few years and haven't really jammed it too much, and we might say, "Lets open up this section tonight and see what happens."  That allows us to keep things fresh for ourselves, too.  If we've been playing the song for a long time, and we feel like it's getting stale, we try to find a way to reinvent what is in the song, for ourselves.  We want to keep in interesting from night to night.  Then, there are other times when we just kind of stumble onto something, and we go from there.

I've talked to several bands who are moving more in the direction of the 3-5 song EPs, rather than putting out full length albums.  There are obviously two sides to that concept.  Studio time isn't cheap, and people's attention spans aren't always there.  Is this something you feel you guys are headed towards?

Matt: Right.  It's funny...we've had that conversation a lot.  It's kind of an ongoing thing that everyone seems to be talking about.  The music industry is so different now.  There is so much content out there.  We decided to go that route this time; keeping things short and sweet.  It's new stuff for people to hear, but yet there is something about the concept of the full album that all of us really love.  You think back to your favorite bands, and most of the time, there is one record that has really stuck with you and made an impact as a whole.  That's something that we really like and haven't taken off of the table.  I think the full record sometimes gives you a little more room to do interesting and creative things with soundscapes between tracks, interludes, or just weirdness in general.  Whereas an EP is more about sticking to the songs and getting them released.  A record allows you to create an entire vibe for 45-60 minutes or so. 

We're trying to balance both, because at the same time, I do thing that people's attention spans are getting shorter and shorter.  It's hard to get people's attention for long enough to really listen to an entire record. We've been trying to think of ways to maybe have both.  We feel like the music video is really making a comeback these days.  That's a nice way to shorten up things.  People can watch it and hopefully like the song, then that might lead them towards wanting the rest of the record, or whatever else we put out.

Photo by Jim Dimitroff of Showlove Media

So, I guess to elaborate on that...the way music is released and delivered is a totally different things these days.  Album sales are nearly extinct, but you have the ability to get music in front of people easily and quickly.  How do you view the pros and cons of this concept as a touring musician?

Matt: Right.  It's definitely tough.  From a digital/online perspective, we like to keep it free. There's so much stuff out there, and we want to get the music out and in front of as many people as we can.  I was reading your interview with Justin (Hasting) from Zoogma, and he mentioned something about still having a bunch of extras CDs sitting around from previous releases.  We have that same thing.  You get these records pressed, and people just don't really buy CDs like they used to.  Some people do, but most people just go to Spotify and stream it from their phone.  

We've been talking about totally abandoning the concept of getting CDs pressed.  We've talked about records as well, and I feel like that's something still worth investing in.  We know that about 80% of people are listening to music on their phones, in the cars, or whatever.  It's an interesting climate we're in for sure. 

I'm sure that it's hard to justify spending that money sometimes.  You don't want to abandon the CD, because it's so much of what you've known, and it's a tangible object that is part of a collection.  That can be an easy expense to avoid though, especially when you see the market really trending in that direction.

Matt:  Definitely. People still like to have something to take home that connects them with the music.  So we're trying to come up with creative ways to still have something that people can tangibly get to connect them with the music, but we don't have to order 1,000 CDs that might end up sitting in our basement.  

Listen to Dank's 'Get Up' EP here:

Shifting a little more towards what's coming up this Fall, I know you guys are returning to CukoRakko in October.  The band is billed as "Dank and Friends" for this particular performance.  Can you elaborate on that?  Should fans expect anything different?

Matt:  Super, super excited about that.  I won't give too much away, but we're really good buddies with the Funk You guys.  Those are some of our good friends.  We saw that they were playing, and even though we knew some of our guys would be at a wedding that weekend we still wanted to be involved. So we started talking to Greg (Entrekin) and Jamie (Glass) about the idea, who are just awesome dudes that we've known from playing the festival a couple times in the past, and they were open to the idea.  Me and Jimmy (Bones) actually went up there this past spring, when we weren't even playing.  It's just that awesome of a place.  I try to tell everyone who has never been up there how cool it is, and it's hard to really put into words.  But yeah, we really wanted to be involved, and we talked to the Funk You guys, as well as some friends that have a horn section.  We put together a set of some really great, fun songs.  We'll be focusing on southern heritage...southeast United States.  Dank and friends is really what it is.  

Very cool.  I've been really intrigued as to what you guys have planned for that set, so I appreciate you giving a little insight on that.  That's going to make for a really fun set.

Matt: Definitely.  We saw that Mama's Love and Maradeen is on there now too.  We know all of those guys.  Backup Planet, too.  There is a really cool group of connected bands on the lineup this year.  We've definitely been reaching out to everyone.  Anyone that is going to be there that wants to join in on the party is more than welcome.  We're really looking forward to it.  Should be a really fun set with a lot of friends sitting in.

That type of situation always creates a really great energy.  That always translates over onto the stage.

Matt: Definitely.  Horse Pens 40 is just an incredible spot for music, so there is always a good energy there.  Any of the bands who have played there know that.  

How are things shaping up for the fall and winter?  What can we expect to see and hear from Dank in the coming months? 

Matt: You can check out CrankTheDank.com.  We've got all of our dates for the fall.  We'll be heading around the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia.  All of the normal places that we go.  Mainly, on the horizon, I would say that new music is really what we're focusing on.  We just put out this EP, but we've been writing a ton, and we have a lot of new material.  We're excited about that, and we want to get to work on it as soon as possible.  

Official Website: Dank

Follow Dank on Facebook

Follow Dank on Instagram

Follow Dank on Twitter

Photo by Christian Stewart

LOCKN' Festival Announces Free Live Video Stream Schedule August 24, 2016 15:07

For those unable to make it to this weekend's LOCKN' Festival, we have good news just for you.  The festival has announced a free livestream this weekend sponsored by FANS.com and powered by nugs.tv and Qello Concerts, featuring sets by all of your favorite LOCKN' performers, including Phish (x2), My Morning Jacket, Ween (x2), Phil Lesh & Friends, Gary Clark Jr., Vulfpeck, Umphrey's McGee, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Joe Russo's Almost Dead (x2), Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Twiddle, Hard Working Americans, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, and many more. For information on where to watch, visit the LOCKN' website, and view the full livestream schedule below. 

Click Here: Official Details via LOCKNFestival.com

-
LOCKN' FESTIVAL 2016 LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE:
All times are EDT, and subject to change.
-
THURSDAY 
Vulfpeck – 7:30pm 
Umphrey’s McGee – 8:30pm 
Ween – 10:00pm 
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – 1:00am 
-
FRIDAY 
Donna The Buffalo – 11:00am 
Moogatu – 12:00pm 
Turkuaz – 12:30pm 
Vulfpeck – 1:30pm 
White Denim – 2:30pm 
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires – 3:30pm
Peter Wolf – 4:45pm
Ween – 6:00pm 
Phish – 8:30pm 
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – 1:00am 
-
SATURDAY 
Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass– 10:30am 
DJ Williams Projekt – 12:00pm 
Moon Taxi – 12:30pm 
Twiddle – 1:30pm 
Galactic w/ Lee Oskar – 2:40pm 
Hard Working Americans – 4:10pm 
Brandi Carlile – 5:40pm 
Phil Lesh & Friends – 6:40pm 
Tedeschi Trucks Band – 8:20pm 
My Morning Jacket– 10:20pm 
Lettuce – 1:00am 
-
SUNDAY 
Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel – 10:30am 
The Dharma Initiative – 12:00pm 
Doobie Decibel System – 12:30pm 
Twiddle – 1:00pm 
The Wailers – 2:00pm 
Chris Robinson Brotherhood – 3:00pm 
Phil Lesh & Friends – 4:45pm 
Gary Clark Jr. – 6:15pm 
Phish – 8:30pm

Red Clay Revival Returns To Zydeco Birmingham On August 27th August 23, 2016 13:50

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Red Clay Revival is thrilled to announce its return to Birmingham Alabama, August 27th at Zydeco. Playing music from their debut album Barefoot that featured Keller Williams, Larry and Jenny Keel, and Tim Carbone from Railroad Earth, music from their EP Chilly that features Jeff Sipe from Aquarium Rescue Unit and Ryan Cavanaugh from the Jeff Austin Band, and debuting some brand new tunes from the yet to be released Red Clay Revival record. They will be sharing the stage with hometown favorite Winston Ramble and The Yellow Dandies are set to open.

Born in the soul-basted countryside of Alabama, and brought to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains to marinade and mature, Red Clay Revival delivers an experience that reshapes the parameters of “roots music” as its known. The songsmith extraordinaire, Doug McElvy lays a solid foundation, and his heart-driven compositions are orbited by the most notable and virtuosic musicians in the industry today. For the 2012 full-length debut, Barefoot, McElvy teams with resophonic guitar guru, Billy Cardine, as creative consultant and co-producer.

The album features collaborations with decorated pros, such as; Keller Williams, Larry and Jenny Keel, and Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth. “Barefoot” received stellar reviews and accolades from industry peers, and listeners alike. The title track earned a spot on Relix Magazine’s widely distributed July-August 2012 compilation disc. For the 2014 EP, “Chilly,” McElvy and Cardine again pair in production, recruiting the talents of world class violinist, Casey Driessen, and beat master Jeff Sipe for backing elements. “Chilly” delivers nothing short of pure musical gold. Red Clay Revival's powerful live performance harnesses an energy that electrifies any room, leaving audiences with an embedded musical experience.

Watch Red Clay Revival perform "Get No Better" here:

Runaway Gin: A Tribute To Phish Will Play Birmingham's Zydeco On November 11th August 23, 2016 11:33

Photo by Lucas Armstrong Photography

The world's most active Phish tribute, Runaway Gin, is officially set to make it's Alabama debut on Friday, November 11th at Zydeco in Birmingham.  We couldn't be more pleased to be a part of this show, as we have had the pleasure of seeing Runaway Gin many times over the years.  The group, which holds a weekly residency at The Charleston Pour House every Sunday night, has quickly expanded outside of the South Carolina market and become a nationally touring act in very high demand.  While Phish did not make it back to Birmingham on their fall tour, fans can rejoice in the fact that Runaway Gin is bringing a tribute that is second to none.  We recently caught up with frontman Andy Greenberg, who expressed the band's excitement to break into the Birmingham/Alabama market.  

With over 200 shows under their belt, Runaway Gin is the World's most active Phish Tribute Band. They play every Sunday at the Charleston Pour House and tour often.

The members of Runaway Gin are long time Phish fans who have united with the goal of creating musical moments inspired by Phish. The band's song list is constantly growing and their improvisational and communication skills are constantly developing independently and together. Like Phish, Runaway Gin will never play the same show or jam the same way twice making every show a unique experience and every moment pure artistic creation.

Runaway Gin strives to capture the essence of Phish's flagship live style of group improvisation known as "type-2" jamming as well as learning the composed segments of Phish's catalog with impeccable precision. Their success in these areas comes from constant live shows as well as rehearsals. The current moment is always the driving force in a Runaway Gin show giving the quartet a fresh and original sound during jams and shows as a whole.

Click Here: Purchase tickets to Runaway Gin at Zydeco today!

Photo by Lucas Armstrong Photography

STS9 Announces Halloween Show at The Georgia Theatre August 22, 2016 11:30

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Electronic rock veterans STS9 have revealed their 2016 Halloween plans, which will lead the band back to the famed Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA on Monday, October 31st.  The show was first announced earlier this morning via the Georgia Theatre's Facebook page, which states that tickets go on sale this Friday, August 26th at 10:00 AM EST.  Following what is sure to be a huge weekend at the annual Suwannee Hulaween festival, Tribe fans can be confident that this will make for another epic night with STS9 in Athens.  

STS9 recently revealed the title of their new album, The Universe Inside, along with three tracks, "Supercluster," "Get Loud," and "Give and Take," which can be streamed via Spotify below.  The Universe Inside will be the follow up to the 2009 release Ad Explorata and is scheduled for release on September 2nd (according to an Amazon.com listing).

Listen to the sampler from STS9's new album here:

Watch STS9 perform "Better Day" > "By The Morning Sun" with Maureen Murphy (vocals) in Athens in March of 2015 here:

Video by Seth Jacobs: Heady Flair

The Marcus King Band Releases New Single "Ain't Nothin' Wrong With That" August 22, 2016 10:47

The Marcus King Band is set to release it's brand new, self-titled album on Friday, October 7. The group’s sophomore LP features the single “Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With That” which the band released over the weekend for your listening pleasure.  Produced by legendary guitarist Warren Haynes, the album also features the Gov't Mule guitarist on the song "Virginia," while fellow legendary guitarist Derek Trucks plays on the song "Self-Hatred."  The album will serve as the follow up to the band's 2015 release Soul Insight and was recorded at Carriage House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut.

At only 20 years of age, Marcus King’s dazzling musical ability is evident throughout The Marcus King Band, the young phenom’s 2nd full-length LP and first for Fantasy Records. Operating within the fiery brand of American roots music that King calls “soul-influenced psychedelic southern rock,” the album highlights King’s gorgeous, rough-hewn vocals, soaring guitar work and heartfelt songwriting all amidst a group of masterful musicians who, together, are quickly becoming one of the country’s most sought after live acts.

Click Here: Listen to The Marcus King Band's "Ain't Nothin' Wrong With That" via JamBase

“Marcus is the first player I’ve heard since Derek Trucks to play with the maturity of a musician well beyond his age,” said Haynes. “He’s very much influenced by the blues, but also by jazz, rock, soul music, and any timeless genre of music. You can hear the influences, but it all comes through him in his own unique way. He has one of those voices that instantly draws you in, and his guitar playing is an extension of his voice and vice versa.”

Marcus King has taken the jam/festival by storm in recent years, clearly garnering the attention of many of the greats.  While King handles lead guitar and vocals, he is supported by Jack Ryan on drums, Stephen Campbell on bass, Matt Jennings on keyboards, Dean Mitchell on saxophone, and Justin Johnson on trumpet, trombone and backing vocals.  

King’s talents and trajectory have already led his band across the country, and he’s opening shows for the Foo Fighters, Johnny Winter and, of course, Gov’t Mule and its leader, Warren Haynes. King emerged from his native Greenville, South Carolina, and its sister city Asheville, North Carolina, where Haynes was born. King hit Haynes’ radar thanks to the reputation the young artist has earned with his incendiary live performances.

In December 2014, King and his band were invited to perform as part of Haynes’ annual Christmas Jam benefit, which occurs in Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center Arena, the prestigious club the Orange Peel and other rooms around the musician-and-artist-heavy mountain city. A few months before that, the Marcus King Band had recorded Soul Insight at the Compound Studio, just south of Los Angeles in Signal Hill, California.

Pre-order the album today and choose from a variety of deluxe packages via PledgeMusic.