Today was an interesting day here on the internet if you are a Phish fan. There was more than a few people that chimed in on message boards and emailed the blogs to get the message out that the official word would be coming from the band any second now that would be confirming that they are reuniting early next year for a three-night run in Hampton, VA at the Hampton Coliseum, a venue that served the band well during their heyday. It’s not at all unbelievable and it’s not entirely confirmed yet. But it’s confirmed. It’s going to happen. And this is going to be huge.
I had mixed feelings for so long but any possible thought of getting the news tonight is something that excites me a great deal. The band will be coming off a long break and a large change in lifestyle for each member of the band (in theory), so it’d be interesting to see how they’d come together and how the shows would sound. I immediately started running through the thoughts of what I’d need to do to get there. Plus, I realized that I wanted to get ready for South By Southwest next year but I missed the cheapest badge price cutoff. So I have not yet booked my trip, so this is important in my consideration of what to do for an early 2009 vacation. It’d be fantastic to take my first trip out to Virginia to see the return of Phish, arguably the biggest live music event that everyone is going to be talking about for the next couple months. I have to consider it now that the news is imminent.
I’m hearing that the hotels in Virginia are already getting booked up for the weekend. I’m going to try to procure a place once the news is official. Anyone want to share a room?
Of Montreal is back with a new album called Skeletal Lamping Collection and a decent set of fall tour dates to support the effort. I love how they’re releasing the album, too:
Of Montreal has unveiled the physical versions of its groundbreaking Skeletal Lamping Collection due out October 21 on Polyvinyl. The collection marks a first in album packaging and design, with seven different packaging formats to choose from when purchasing the forthcoming of Montreal album: A table top floral beast, a lantern, a collection of wall decals, a stallion shaped print, a collection of pins, and a clothing and tote bag line act as the Skeletal Lamping packaging instead. [JamBase]
Now that is style. I’m eager to read the new writeup on Of Montreal and Kevin Barnes in the new Spin that just arrived at my doorstep. He is quite an interesting character, so it’s actually cool to read about him. And the band’s music is just wild thanks to his vision, so I’m hoping to catch their San Francisco date before I head off to Arizona for my little Thanksgiving break. Read on for the tour dates.
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About a month ago I realized that I had the opportunity to see over 20 bands in about the same number of nights; I figured it could be a cool little “feat of strength” while on vacation. But I ran into something much bigger and more powerful than myself: mother nature. The adventure came up five bands short but that’s the only thing that didn’t measure up. I spent a work-week in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and just couldn’t pull myself away from the majesty of America’s Southwest in time to fulfill my endeavor.
I did see fifteen bands in eighteen days including an incredible festival day at Red Rocks and an amazing My Morning Jacket show at the Greek Theater in LA that wrapped up the whole trip. My companions and I missed a festival day at San Diego’s Street Scene but other than that the entire trip was a success. Read on for a little synopsis of the last half of 20 Bands, 20 Nights.
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Happy Monday, dudes. Sorry for so much downtime on the site lately. I’ve been working on finding a new apartment here in San Fran and this city is friggin’ cutthroat. It’s nothing like trying to rent in Chicago. Here, you’ve got competition and people ready to take credit reports in order to sell your identity all while you’re stressed out and vulnerable looking for that perfect apartment to put you sometime in the future until you need to worry about finding an apartment again. It’s always worth it when you find a place you like, but given my experience over the past year it’s worth taking some time and remaining calm until you find something you love. So that was my weekend. I found something I love and it’s a place I could turn into a proper studio in more ways than one, so I’m pumped. But enough about me.
The big news this morning is that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been booked as the Super Bowl halftime show performers, definitely not a huge surprise but nicely received from my point of view. The Boss is the shit, for lack of something more proper and intellectual to say. There’s no point, really. It’s The Boss. ‘Nuff. said.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will play the halftime slot at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., snagging the spot at the most-watched musical event of the year, according to the organizers.
I never think of this as the most-watched music event of the year, but if so that’s a bit funny to me in more ways than one. First, can’t we actually do way better than what we’ve seen over the past few years? The Boss may be able to one-up anyone that would come before him, but in terms of a headlining star-studded event I’m worried that Springsteen may be a bit past his musical prime in terms of relevance. We’ve got to remember the audience, of course, so I’m guessing that a TV on the Radio appearance, for instance, wouldn’t make much sense in terms of audience reach. Second, if it is going to be the Boss, can we assume that he’s just going to own the halftime show all himself or will the networks try and get him to recruit some younger, star power? I’m not sure that either is really the best question but it’s immediately what popped out in my head.
Bruce Springsteen To Rock Super Bowl Halftime [Billboard]
Few bands are worth waiting through two hours of over the top, arty music for; I was nearly prepared to walk out of the Empty Bottle two Thursday’s ago because I was pretty sure Black Moth Super Rainbow wasn’t going to make me forget the previous two hours of shitty music. After dragging a cigarette out for as long as I possibly could, the last opener finally finished and I decided to wait to see what BMSR had to offer.
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I was surprised to find out that in the fifteen years that Weezer has been putting out some of hardest and catchiest pop music around, last Wednesday night’s show was their first time headlining the storied arena. Go figure.
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BP NYE Logo
Whitperson just sent me this but didn’t have time to get it posted. Brothers Past is returning with their original lineup for a New Year’s Eve show at The Note in West Chester, PA.
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