Late last month we shared the disturbing news that the future of rock shows at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, New Jersey was in doubt thanks to a legal dispute between promoter Bowery Presents and the venue’s owner. As Bowery Presents prepares to throw its final rock show (for now) at the Wellmont on Thursday featuring MGMT, comes word – via Barista.net – that Live Nation has signed an exclusive agreement to book shows at the Montclair venue.

[Photo via Wellmont Theatre Facebook]

We give Bowery Presents high marks for the impressive and eclectic mix of shows they presented at the historic theater and wonder what the “Live Nation Club And Theatre Team” has in store. We’d think renovations will be part of the deal, but there’s no confirmation of that at the moment.

Bowery Presents has penned a lovely farewell letter to the Montclair Community…

READ ON

We stumbled across news that could turn out to be quite a bummer as it appears the future of rock shows at Montclair’s Wellmont Theatre is in doubt. The Montclair Times team realized that the venue promoter, The Bowery Presents, only has two concerts scheduled at the historic theater in downtown Montclair, New Jersey; with the second one – MGMT – set to take place on June 20.

[Photo via Wellmont Theatre Facebook]

When The Montclair Times reached out to The Bowery Presents, they received this statement:

“The Bowery Presents loves being part of the Montclair community. We have been embraced by our fans, fellow business people and local officials, and have always been good neighbors to the restaurants and stores by offering great shows and concert experiences at The Wellmont Theatre. While we can’t comment on litigation at this time, our current goal is to continue to run The Wellmont as a beloved entertainment venue.”

According to the post there’s a legal dispute between The Bowery Presents and venue owner Rosen Group Inc. Apparently there are issues that will involve “some substantial money spent on finishing the issues in the building” as per Montclair Township Attorney Ira Karasick. While there aren’t any public safety issues, the problem could lead to the end of the relationship between the venue’s owner and promoter. The director of Montclair Center Business Improvement District, Luther Flurry, told the Montclair Times that he predicts the Wellmont “will continue on with or without The Bowery Presents.” That would be easier said than done in our opinion. We’ll keep you posted on any further news about the future of the Wellmont Theatre, but we have our fingers crossed a resolution will be found.

[via The Montclair Times / Hat Tip - Dan Takacs]

We’ve had our eyes on the ongoing renovations at Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island in Chicago ever since it was announced Phish would play three shows at the venue on July 19 – 21. Back in March the Chicago Plan Commission approved work on the venue that would raise capacity and rotate the stage. The first concert set to take place at the renovated Charter One Pavilion was a Dispatch show this coming Saturday.

Due to recent storms that have led to floods in The Windy City, there have been delays to the renovation of Charter One Pavilion leading promoters to move Saturday’s Dispatch concert to UIC Pavilion. Here’s the official announcement from Dispatch’s Facebook Page…

READ ON

Earlier this afternoon the Chicago Plan Commission held its monthly meeting. Among the topics discussed was a plan by the Chicago Parks District to expand the concert pavilion at Northerly Island. The project has been approved by the CPC and the work is expected to be done by June 1st, leaving plenty of time before Phish visits the venue for a three-night stand on July 19 – 21.

According to P. Swanton, who attended today’s meeting, after the project is completed the capacity of the venue will increase from below 10K to 30,600. Swanton also reports that the orientation of the venue will change so that all seats will have stage and skyline sight lines. There will also be improved restrooms, backstage facilities, pathways and concessions.

Swanton contributes to the Online Phish Tour site where you can read more about the meeting.

UPDATE: This afternoon the Phish Tickets page has been updated with the following information:

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved a reconfiguration of Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island that will allow for the creation of a General Admission lawn area by opening the venue into the park adjacent to the existing venue.

GA Lawn tickets will be $45.00 ($120.00 for a 3 Day Ticket) and will be available for sale through Ticketmaster when the shows go on sale Friday, March 29th at 10:00am Central.

The tickets available via Phish Tickets are only reserved and GA floor. The GA Lawn tickets are not included in the allotments sold through Phish Tickets.

Please welcome our newest contributor, Robert Janoski, to preview this month’s TAB Tour.

For the 14th year of his namesake solo group’s existence, Trey Anastasio and his TAB ensemble will embark on a nine-show mini tour starting tomorrow at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan. In 2012, the early months that in 2010 and 2011 were reserved for TAB tours were given over to Trey’s symphony outings. These shows revealed nuances to Trey’s Phish and solo compositions unique to orchestral settings, and had fans pleasantly surprised. However, most still yearned for the frontman to direct his energy once again to the more accessible and cathartic Trey Anastasio Band.

With this extended eleven-month layoff period between the band’s last performance, energy is expectedly high leading up to these shows. Fans have crossed off the days until the 18th in anticipation of hearing debuts from Anastasio’s new album Traveler; four out of the ten songs on Traveler have yet to been performed publicly. Couple these reasons with the announcement detailing this iteration of TAB’s lineup and you’d have to be jaded not to feel some curiosity as to what these gigs will produce. Joining Anastasio for the tour are TAB mainstays in Natalie Cressman, Jennifer Hartswick, Russ Lawton, Tony Markellis and Ray Paczkowski, the new face of James Casey from Lettuce (who will be replacing Russell Remington on tenor saxophone) and a dearly missed percussionist in Cyro Baptista.

Here’s a pre-tour breakdown of the stops TAB will make on their autumnal sprint.

October 18th, 2012: The Fillmore – Detroit, MI (Capacity: 2,200)

READ ON

The New York Times just posted an interesting article about the reopening of the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York that names some names of performers that will play the venue in the coming months. While we already knew Umphrey’s McGee, moe., Strangefolk and The Roots will rock the Cap, today’s article reveals that My Morning Jacket will play three shows there, The Roots will play a total of four nights, with Bob Weir joining them at one, as well as expected performances from Fiona Apple, Dirty Projectors, Regina Spektor, Blues Traveler, Indigo Girls, Al Green, the Moody Blues and the Steve Miller Band.

Shapiro discusses what went into the $2 million renovation of The Cap and Weir chimes in on what made the venue special within the must-read article. We’re especially excited for the “arena-size lighting system, 10 high-definition projectors and an advanced sound system.” No word yet on which “iconic artist” will re-open the theater on September 4, but that info is expected at some point this coming week.

[New York Times]

UPDATE: More Shows Have Been Posted on the Venue’s Website and subsequently removed. We love that Shapiro will honor the history of the venue with ’70s classic rockers (Moody Blues, Steve Miller Band) and ’90s jam rockers (Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler). We also caught a few listings on TicketFly before they were pulled. Here’s what we know:

09/04 – Bob Dylan
09/07 – The Roots w/ Bob Weir
09/08 – Hugh Laurie and The Copper Bottom Band
09/09 – Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang
09/14 – The Roots w/ Dirty Dozen Brass Band
09/19 – J. Geils Band
09/21 – The Roots w/ Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
09/22 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd / Robert Cray
09/25 – Dirty Projectors
09/27 – David Gray
09/28 – The Roots w/ TBA
10/03 – Regina Spektor
10/06 – Galactic
10/09 – Ben Folds Five
10/10 – Fiona Apple / Blake Mills
10/11 & 10/12 – “Weekend With Warren Haynes”
10/13 – Blues Traveler / Spin Doctors
10/17 – Umphrey’s McGee
10/20 – Psychedelic Furs + Lemonheads w/ Juliana Hatfield
10/25 – Al Green
10/27 – Indigo Girls
11/08 – Lyle Lovett
11/09 – moe.
11/10 – Justin Townes Earle + Tift Merritt
11/20 – Ray LaMontagne
11/23 + 11/24 – Strangefolk
11/27 + 11/28 – Moody Blues
12/27 + 12/28 + 12/29 – My Morning Jacket
12/30 + 12/31 – Steve Miller Band
1/11 – Roger Hodgson of Supertramp
1/18 – Guster
4/13 – Herbie Hancock

Even though concerts at Red Rocks are said to take place “rain or shine,” organizers may cancel or bring the show to a halt when lightning threatens the historic Morrison, Colorado venue. One such occurrence took place on Friday night just as String Cheese Incident’s first set of the evening was getting started. A massive thunderstorm enveloped the natural amphitheater four songs into the SCI’s performance which led organizers to stop the show and call a rain delay. Two hours later, once the powerful storm passed, the jam titans returned to the stage and finished the concert for those who stuck around with a marathon second set and two encores.

SCI keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth took the opportunity of the rain delay to film a rare backstage look at Red Rocks. We see the signatures and memorabilia that line the walls of the venue’s bowels as well as a peek at Kyle’s bandmates Bill Nershi, Michael Kang and Keith Moseley jamming in the rehearsal room while a party rages outside. Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic even makes a cameo. Check it out…

Kyle Hollingsworth’s Backstage Tour of Red Rocks

The folks at Brooklyn Vegan have broken the news that the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York will re-open at some point in September. Relix publisher and Brooklyn Bowl owner Pete Shapiro, who will book and operate the venue along with Bowery Presents, tells BV that he’s “very excited” about the progress on the Cap, which has hosted many legendary concerts in its day.

We’re excited to hear that the venue will feature a projector that can project design’s on the venue’s ceiling. No word yet on who will play the historic room during its opening weeks, but the Cap team has shared a video about its return…

Since Dave Calarco, a.k.a. Mr. Miner, author of Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts: An Anthology By a Fan for the Fans and Phish Thoughts blogger, has seen and reviewed nearly every Phish show since the band returned to action three years ago, we asked him to share his take on the venues the quartet will hit on their summer tour. While our look at the venues focused on the history of Phish’s appearances, his piece contains tips of how to make the most of your Phish experience in each room.

Words: Mr. Miner

With this summer’s Phish dates just announced, the excitement in the fan community has skyrocketed, as everyone has begun to plot and scheme their own summer plans. On the heels of a triumphant year of game-changing music for this era, 2012 is filled with anticipation to see what is next for the band. Will they delve deeper into abstract jamming—a hallmark of 2011—or will they veer off that road? All that remains to be seen, but the one thing we know for sure is where the shows of the first leg will take place. Aside from Bader Field, this tour is comprised of venues that hold a significant amount of Phish lore. But let’s forget about the band for a moment, and take a look at the places where the magic will happen. Below are some tips from personal experience that might enhance your enjoyment at each stop along the way.

DCU Center, Worcester, MA

Phish will kick off this summer indoors in a building they have visited more than a few times. A staple of northeast runs during the late ‘90s, Phish returned to “The Centrum” for first time this era in December 2010, and the venue had changed for the better. Instead of a floor jam packed with seats, the arena had decided to implement a GA policy—the staple of an intimate-feeling indoor show. These upcoming shows have the feeling of something big, as the band will return to a classic indoor arena on the heels of a meh-tastic New Year’s Run with a pattern of blowing out the beginning of tours this era. If I had to choose two shows to go to in on this tour, these would be the two. Though many fans have lamented indoor shows in the summer time, I find the prospect incredibly inviting.

READ ON

Starting today, Wilco will bring the latest leg of their world tour in support of The Whole Love home to Chicago for five shows at five different venues across the city. This isn’t the first time Wilco has had a residency in the Windy City. Back in 2008, the band set up shop at the The Riviera Theatre and performed every song from each of their studio albums over five incredible nights. Let’s take a look at the venues on Wilco’s “Incredibly Shrinking Tour” of Chicago.

Civic Opera House

[Photo by Ardis Krainik]

Monday, December 12, 2011

Support: Nick Lowe
Capacity: 3,563
Previous Wilco Shows: None

The residency will begin with Wilco’s first ever show at the stunning Civic Opera House. The venue, which opened on November 4, 1929 features and art deco interior and is the permanent home to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. While it is highly unlikely, it would be awesome if Jim Cornelison would sing the national anthem before Wilco hit the stage.

READ ON

After a long day, when the hustle and bustle of New York City seems to be just a little too much to take, I often find myself escaping and reveling in the beauty that the city, and its numerous attractions, have to offer. Such landmarks include NYC’s music venues, from the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club to Radio City Music Hall to the Mecca itself, Madison Square Garden. Which led me to think that focusing on the history and roots of one such venue, the fabulous Beacon Theatre on the Upper West Side, would make for a great Postcards From Page Side column. So join me for a walk through its hallowed halls and allow me to share some of my favorites concerts that have occurred there over the years.

[Via The Monitor]

Originally the “brainchild” of Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel and designed by Walter Ahlschlager, “The Beacon,” as it’s affectionately referred to, opened on Christmas Eve in 1929 and was originally a venue for vaudeville shows, movies, drama and opera productions. Starting in the 1970′s when a pair of Stephen’s – Metz and Singer – bought The Beacon, music concerts as we are used to them today, took over as one of, if not the main focus of the property. One such act, The Allman Bros. Band, which hosts an annual March residency, has performed over 200 shows there since 1989 – some of which made my list of personal, favorite shows.

In 2009, the venue underwent a $10 million renovation to restore some of its former grandeur. Besides the magnificent architecture that gives the Beacon a leg up on most of the other venues in New York (except maybe it’s “younger sister” Radio City Music Hall), the theater also boats one of the best sounds systems around. With no bad seat in the house, whether you be on the floor, the loge, or the lower or upper balcony, there is a pristine auditory pleasure, along with the allusion that you are almost on to of the band. In other words, it’s cozy, especially from the balconies, as you almost feel as you are looking down on the band from certain vantage points.

READ ON for more on NYC’s Beacon Theatre…

After Live Nation’s disastrous attempt to change the name of Irving Plaza to the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, you’d think we were safe from another name change for a while. Well think again as the iconic venue will be now be known as Irving Plaza Powered By Klipsch. The speaker manufacturer also struck a deal with Live Nation to rename Miami’s Bayfront Park Ampitheater to Klipsch Amphitheater at Bayfront Park.

We’ll just keep calling Irving Plaza by its old name, thanks.

Here’s a quick tour of the ‘nets for six stories of interest…

• De La Soul replaces Cypress Hill at Summer Camp
• Camp Bisco adds include LCD’s Murphy & Mahoney
• Dennis Cook reviews Paul Simon’s Fillmore show
• Stream Warren Haynes’ recent VH1 Classic appearance
• Here’s a chance to see Mike Gordon’s dreams animated
• The Lonely Island + Beck team up for Attracted to Us

Finally, the Mimi Fishman Foundation has just unveiled a new set of auctions that includes the chance to have lunch with Phish drummer Jon Fishman. You can also bid on drum heads that Fish used on the band’s 2010 tour as well as drumsticks and much more.

In a little less than three months, Phish kicks off its Summer Tour 2011 with a three-night stand at the gorgeous Bethel Woods amphitheater in Bethel, NY. This marks Phish’s first appearance at the shed, which was featured on our 2009 list of previously Phish-less venues where we’d like to see the band play. Not only are Phish fans pumped up for the quartet’s first trip to the town that hosted the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969, but area residents and businesses are excited as well.

Area hotels, motels and campgrounds sold out immediately after the February 22 tour announcement with some selling out even before official word came down. Sullivan County businesses are getting ready to roll out the red carpet.

“We are already gearing up members to offer special discounts to concert-goers,” said Terri Ward, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce. “All of us at the Chamber, as well as our members, are excited to show our brand of Sullivan County Hospitality to our guests that weekend and all summer long,” Ward continued in a statement. According to an article in the Times-Herald Record, Alex Berentsen of Berentsen’s campground in nearby Bloomingburg calls the attention from Phish fans “the biggest response we’ve had ever for any concert there, including Dave Matthews.”

Traffic is certainly a concern for the venue, which is located off a two-lane country road. Local officials are already on the case. “When we first found out about Phish, we were very pleased,” Dan Sturm, Town of Bethel Supervisor commented in a statement. “First because it will get the summer off to a good start having that many people here for Memorial Day Weekend, and second because of our relationship with Bethel Woods and what they are doing for the town. They have done a great job keeping us in the loop and working with us on all aspects of this event including traffic management and all the planning aspects of the three-day event.” Keep in mind, there’s only so much that can be done to alleviate congestion so we highly recommend fans planning to attend the Bethel shows carpool and leave plenty of time for traffic.

Tickets to Phish @ Bethel Woods go on sale this Friday at 10AM.

New York City venue Sullivan Hall will celebrate its third anniversary on January 1st with a show by a supergroup worthy of the word “super.”

Guitarist Steve Kimock will be joined by keyboardist Nigel Hall and bassist George Porter Jr. along with legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann. The performance is billed as a “post Phish show” and is scheduled to start at 11:55PM, which should give those attending the Phish concert at Madison Square Garden time to get down to Sullivan Hall. Tickets will run you $35 in advance and $40 if any tickets are left day-of-show. All four musicians head off for Jam Cruise a few days later.

Sullivan Hall was known as the Lion’s Den for years until a major renovation and name change. Tea Leaf Green performed at the grand re-opening celebration on January 1, 2008.

One of the country’s great arena rock venues meets its demise starting today as The Spectrum in Philadelphia meets a four-ton wrecking ball. At noon, Philly’s mayor and Spectrum officials will say a few words about the former home to the 76ers and Flyers before the exterior demolition, a process which the Philadelphia Inquirer reports will take four months, begins.

The Grateful Dead hold the record for most shows played at The Spectrum with 53. Other notable concerts from the venue’s history include a Doors’ gig in 1970 released as Live in Philadelphia ’70, numerous Phish and Yes performances, a Bruce Springsteen concert that took the place the night after John Lennon was shot and a Pink Floyd show featuring the only song the band ever performed without Roger Waters after the bassist was taken to the hospital just before the Us & Them encore.

Pearl Jam closed out the arena’s life as a rock venue with four epic shows last October. Comcast-Spectacor owns the property on which The Spectrum resides and plans to replace the 43-year-old arena with a giant mall called Philly Live! R.I.P. Spectrum, rock fans everywhere will miss your unmatched vibe that only decades of historic rock shows can provide.

• CLICK HERE FOR LIVE VIDEO OF THE CEREMONY

Have you seen any concerts at The Spectrum? Any shows in particular stick out? Let us know all about it by leaving a comment below…