FLUFFHEAD (YEAH!!!)THE MOTHERSHIP HAS LANDED.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Best of Hampton
The Hampton Coliseum, opened in 1970 will be the home of the Phish reunion in a mere 2+ days (as if you didn’t know!) Hampton, also known as ‘The Mothership’ for its multicolored exterior and similar shape to a space ship, has been a special musical venue for many years. Its non-musical events have been nothing particular to celebrate: home to an old ABA team and a mainstay on WWE tours are really the highlights. However, bands have sensed there was a special vibe to this building. Elvis played the venue twice, and The Rolling Stones played the venue in 1981, even releasing a now out of circulation DVD of the show. The Grateful Dead played there 21 times before getting banned from the venue. However, so extraordinary was this venue, that the Dead actually played two secret shows under the name ‘The Warlocks,’ in 1989, with the specific intent of fooling the local authorities into allowing them to play the venue. These Dead shows are special for many fans and even marked the bustout of Dark Star after over 350 shows.
With this sort of musical history it is no surprise our favorite foursome has a strong love for this venue. The first show was on 11/25/1995, and when Phish next played Hampton on 10/25/96, Trey stated from the stage: "Sometimes people ask me what the uh, best rooms that we play are ah, in are. This is pretty much it, for me. Just so you know to answer the question. Good sound. Everyone gets to go where they want on the floor. You can't beat it."
The band further solidified their affection for this venue when, in 1997, they played one of their highest regarded two night runs in their history on 11/21/1997 and 11/22/1997. It certainly helps they were in the midst of the best tour of their career in this fan’s opinion. The first night opened with a 17 minute version of the Rolling Stones’ Emotional Rescue (perhaps an homage to the show the Stones had played there 16 years earlier). The second night is front to back one of the phinest Phish shows ever played. It opens with a traditional Mikes’ Groove then drops into a Harry Hood, blowing the crowd’s collective mind. The Mike’s Song is amongst the best ever, plunging immediately into the deepest and darkest of rock funks, and only proceeding to drive and dig deeper for the next twelve minutes or so. The rest of the set excels as well with a couple breather songs followed by two high energy covers to close the set. The second set was preceded by an organized chant for the ever elusive (until 2/28/03 of course) Destiny Unbound. Trey made a joke about it sounding like a call for human sacrifice before dropping into perhaps the best Halley’s Comet ever played. I say that with full awareness of hyperbole, but my god is that jam good. The whole second set has an incredible continuous groove that pervades every song in the set, allowing for an incredibly fluid set that absolutely rocks and leaves the crowd wanting for nothing.
The following year Phish played two shows they themselves were so fond of, they released them in a set of live recordings better known as Hampton Comes Alive. In 1999 Phish saved their best for last in Hampton with a tour closing 12/18/99 show that may even be better than the lauded 12/11/1999 show from Philadelphia a week earlier. Both shows have a Hood opener, something that had not happened for over ten years before the 12/11 show, and then they did it twice in a week!
When Phish first got back together after their hiatus there was only one venue they could choose for a multi-night run. While the 1/2/2003, 1/3/2003, and 1/4/2003 shows are often critically maligned, they certainly had their bright spots (Contact>Tweeprise comes to mind). I also do not know a person in the venue who did not have the time of their life from the ubiquitous euphoria that came from everyone having their favorite band in the world back on stage.
So in less than 3 days, when we all are back in Southern Virginia, inside the Mothership, there is no telling what kind of show we will get. Obviously everyone will hope for more 11/22/97 than 1/2/03, but one thing that we can all be sure of, is that the euphoria of which I just spoke will be pervasive and I can only hope everyone will be having the time of their life, because I sure know I will. See everyone there! Read more
With this sort of musical history it is no surprise our favorite foursome has a strong love for this venue. The first show was on 11/25/1995, and when Phish next played Hampton on 10/25/96, Trey stated from the stage: "Sometimes people ask me what the uh, best rooms that we play are ah, in are. This is pretty much it, for me. Just so you know to answer the question. Good sound. Everyone gets to go where they want on the floor. You can't beat it."
The band further solidified their affection for this venue when, in 1997, they played one of their highest regarded two night runs in their history on 11/21/1997 and 11/22/1997. It certainly helps they were in the midst of the best tour of their career in this fan’s opinion. The first night opened with a 17 minute version of the Rolling Stones’ Emotional Rescue (perhaps an homage to the show the Stones had played there 16 years earlier). The second night is front to back one of the phinest Phish shows ever played. It opens with a traditional Mikes’ Groove then drops into a Harry Hood, blowing the crowd’s collective mind. The Mike’s Song is amongst the best ever, plunging immediately into the deepest and darkest of rock funks, and only proceeding to drive and dig deeper for the next twelve minutes or so. The rest of the set excels as well with a couple breather songs followed by two high energy covers to close the set. The second set was preceded by an organized chant for the ever elusive (until 2/28/03 of course) Destiny Unbound. Trey made a joke about it sounding like a call for human sacrifice before dropping into perhaps the best Halley’s Comet ever played. I say that with full awareness of hyperbole, but my god is that jam good. The whole second set has an incredible continuous groove that pervades every song in the set, allowing for an incredibly fluid set that absolutely rocks and leaves the crowd wanting for nothing.
The following year Phish played two shows they themselves were so fond of, they released them in a set of live recordings better known as Hampton Comes Alive. In 1999 Phish saved their best for last in Hampton with a tour closing 12/18/99 show that may even be better than the lauded 12/11/1999 show from Philadelphia a week earlier. Both shows have a Hood opener, something that had not happened for over ten years before the 12/11 show, and then they did it twice in a week!
When Phish first got back together after their hiatus there was only one venue they could choose for a multi-night run. While the 1/2/2003, 1/3/2003, and 1/4/2003 shows are often critically maligned, they certainly had their bright spots (Contact>Tweeprise comes to mind). I also do not know a person in the venue who did not have the time of their life from the ubiquitous euphoria that came from everyone having their favorite band in the world back on stage.
So in less than 3 days, when we all are back in Southern Virginia, inside the Mothership, there is no telling what kind of show we will get. Obviously everyone will hope for more 11/22/97 than 1/2/03, but one thing that we can all be sure of, is that the euphoria of which I just spoke will be pervasive and I can only hope everyone will be having the time of their life, because I sure know I will. See everyone there! Read more
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
