Burgettstown, PA
July 29, 2003
[Photo by Libby McLinn for Phish.com]
My favorite outdoor shed venue sits just about halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh. With beautiful trees lining the lawn and the friendliest venue staff I’ve ever encountered, the venue formerly known as Star Lake provides a unique visual in comparison to most amphitheaters. It’s also the site of several great Phish shows including this bustout-palooza from 2003. The 8-13-97 Gumbo from Star Lake is probably the best version ever played. Without any other Phish-sized venues nearby, Burgettstown was always a place that required extra driving and the band always made it worth the trip.
Antioch, TN
June 22, 2000
[youtube]32jEcI6n-Rc[/youtube]
It was only about 96 degrees with 90 percent humidity on this night as Phish opened up the US leg of their summer tour after tearing it up in Japan. Located about 20 miles from Nashville, Antioch’s southern feel provided a great setting for a twangy guest-packed show highlighted by Wynonna Judd, celebrating the one year anniversary of her divorce, belting out Freebird. Despite some initial tech problems with Mike’s bass during First Tube, the show was a doozie and a great way to start the summer. The band also endured a treacherous thunder and lightning storm at this venue in 1999 that forced them to cut the 2nd set short.
Volney, NY
July 17, 18, 1999
[Ticket Stub via Phish.com]
The hottest and dustiest festival in Phish history took place at the Oswego County Airport, five hours from New York City, in what truly felt like the middle of nowhere. Unlike the other festivals, this one didn’t take place at the end of a tour so attendance wasn’t as high and traffic wasn’t as bad. But there was enough dirt for all the Phish fans on the planet. As usual, we just walked through it, inhaled it, slept on it and otherwise dealt with it. Musically, the band did not disappoint with two days of solid Phish and each show clocking in at just under three hours. Trey was especially heavy on the nonsensical banter during set III of the second night. Special guests included Son Seals and the Del McCoury Band. Also of note this weekend was the plane crash fatality of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
What are some cities you would have never visited if it wasn’t for The Phish? Let us know by leaving a comment below…
27 Responses
I know it’s near a metropolis, but I don’t recall travelling to Noblesville for any other reason!
I would have gone to Hartford but I would not hvae stopped there if I wasn’t there for Phish.
Probably Charlotte too.
Antioch ah, the memories. Sadly, the amphitheater has since closed its doors for good. I will never forget the day I scored front row tickets to the 7/1/99 show via mail order. Those were definitely the good ol’ days!
Cant say I’d have ever seen LIMESTONE, MAINE or possibly COVENTRY, VT w/o Phish. Can say I wish I didn’t see Coventry ;-)…and hope to be in Limestone…say…this time, next year? Dont think I’d have ever ventured to Hampton, VA either.
I don’t want to be in camden for any reason other then a phish show.
Aimes, IA
Normal, IL
Worcester, MA
Big Cypress, FL
Hampton, VA
Knoxville, TN
and so many more places I probably would never have been to if it wasn’t for The Phish
West Valley, UT
Good God! Not just cities, but entire states! George, Wa, has to top the list, but honestly… would I have ever visited Anyplace, IN, Anyplace, KS, Anyplace, MN, Anyplace, KY, etc., were it not for Phish and Dead tours?
I love to see Star Lake getting the love that it deserves . . .
I second Normal, IL — and what a great show…
Hampton!!!
Wow, I was at all of those shows you mentioned with the exception of Burgettstown.
Damn, I miss the Gorge.
it was so fucking hot at Oswego…ugh.
Las Vegas. I don’t understand what people do there all day when Phish or Trey isn’t playing.
for me, it’s Cuyahoga Falls and Candandaigua… two difficult to pronounce spots with wonderful memories attached to them.
Binghamton, NY!
Murfreesboro, TN…oh wait I live there nevermind.
Coventry
Oswego
TOGA!
I would have never gone to Limestone (3x), Volney or Coventry let alone Manchester Tennessee to see TAB in 2002.
Love your line about taking a few days off from work, hoping in the car and drinking a Sierra Nevada at 4pm…absolutely captured my life from 1994-2003.
Murfreesboro, TN for sure. But man was the Stash they played that night worth it.
I wasn’t sure that the old wooden bleachers in that old gym were going to hold.
Boise Idaho 9-14-99 glad I didn’t skip this one. Alpine Valley WI. another place I would probably never have gone or rather stopped when driving thru. Something I realized over my 20 years plus of seeing The Grateful Dead and Phish that sometimes it’s not the show but OUR traveling circus that makes these out of the way places endearing to us. I know that when I was far from home all I had to do was look to my left and right and see thousands of freinds and I was home. Whether it was Jerry on stage ripping your heart out with a Stella Blue or Trey and the boys kicking the door open with a Punch You opener it was the energy of the people that made that city special. Sorry off the subject and rambling. As Bobby would say “Let the words be yours I’m done with mine”.
Well said, Craig. Can’t wait for Hampton.
Me either look forward to continue where we left off standing in the mud at Coventry. We”ve been to a few band reunions together and I’m psyched to bring the boys back with you. Hey will you be bringing your psychic Mike’s Song shirt? What’s that shirts record?
Haha. Lots of rips and tears in the Mike’s Song t-shirt. I’ve always wanted to write a post about it, but it’s so self-serving.
For the record, the shirt was 12 for its last 12 dating back to 12/31/98
Might have to retire it at the even dozen.
I second the love for Star Lake (please, don’t call it Post-Gazette, under any circumstances). Good to see it getting its props. I never would have seen East Troy, WI, if not for Alpine . . . what a freakin trek that is.