Face-melting concert photo

Phish Festival 8 Halloween Cover Album Teaser

Learn about PHISH 3D: The Movie shot at Festival 8.

99 8 Albums But They'll Play Just One

Click album titles for a free, legal stream.

  1. David Bowie | Hunky Dory
  2. Genesis | The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
  3. Jimi Hendrix | Electric Ladyland
  4. King Crimson | Larks' Tongues In Aspic
  5. MGMT | Oracular Spectacular
  6. Prince | Purple Rain
  7. Radiohead | Kid A
  8. Rolling Stones | Exile on Main Street

Introduction: The Phish Halloween Album Teaser (September 28th, 2009)

Today the Festival 8 site on Phish.com was updated with yet another teaser animation, only this time instead of teags sayg the location, they're teasing the Halloween cover album.

The new site features a haunted gallery of 99 albums, each a possibility for the musical costume, and each a possible victim of an unfortunate demise.

A handful of albums have already been killed off, and there should be a lot more killing over the next few weeks as the welcome card promises Phish will “play the last record left alive.”

Gotta admit I was pleased to see both of my top choices — Appetite for Destruction and Exile on Main Street — made the list. Figure Appetite is a long-shot but Exile could have a chance.

Place card for Phish Halloween album teaser

Though I doubt this will be quite as uproar-inducing as the Halloween map, it's sure to keep the Festival 8 buzz going strong. Plus it'll also give you a chance to study up on the remaining possibilities (rumor has it there will be 8 albums left when the fest begins) and get familiar with the material, whatever it may be.


WARNING: Spoilers & speculation below. Proceed at your own risk.

Update: The Grateful Living (September 29th @ 12:11 am)

I'm sure this means nothing, but one eagle-eyed fan has noticed that the Grateful Dead are listed as the “Grateful Living” in the xml config file that's driving the gallery. Hmmm… certainly wouldn't mind if American Beauty is “the last record left alive.”


Update: The Grateful Living Part 2 (September 29th @ 2:41 am)

There's a comment below about the Grateful Dead thing pointing out that the word “living” is used in the xml file to denote albums that are still in the mix. I realized that, but in this case it's not just the <stateofbeing> node that says living, but the <title> node as well.

That said, the reader's comment opened my mind up to a much more likely theory. Someone did a search and replace on that xml file, replacing all occurrences of “dead” with “living” — only they didn't select match case — and so the “Grateful Dead” became the “Grateful living.” Note also the lowercase “l” which I incorrectly noted as an uppercase “L” above.

So in effect, I'm still sure it means nothing… other than that speculating on Phish teaser animations is a great way to waste time.


Update: The Grateful Living Part 3 (September 29th @ 1:36 pm)

The Grateful Dead are now listed correctly in the .xml file. Case closed.


Update: Phish-themed Album Covers (October 6th @ 10:36 pm)

Born to Run Languedoc

Strange things are afoot in the haunted gallery, as a number of album covers have started to get a Phish-themed makeover.

  • Phish are in the sardine can on Hello Nasty
  • The hot dog vendor on Pretzel Logic is sporting a viking hat
  • The Boss is playing a Languedoc
  • Trey and Page are moving a keyboard on Moving Pictures
  • T-Rex is now T-rey
  • Tom Petty is wearing a Phish shirt
  • Mike Gordon has joined the Ramones (added 10/7)
  • Rage Against the Machine is now Page Against the Machine (added 10/9)
  • Fishman is on the cover of Exile on Main Street (added 10/10)
  • Ghost in the Machine is now Story of the Ghost in the Machine (added 10/15)
  • AC/DC Back in Black is now AC/DC Bag (added 10/15)
  • Page is in the rearview mirror on the Minutemen album (added 10/16)
  • Fishman's head has been added to one of the Electric Ladyland ladies (added 10/16)

Just as it was starting to feel really repetitive, this is a great twist to keep things interesting.


Update: Phish-themed Album Covers (October 6th @ 11:36 pm)

Original Blind Faith album cover

A commenter below just inquired if anyone noticed that a “new album” had been added to the gallery

Well it's a new album cover, but not a new album. That's the original cover image from Blind Faith's self-titled debut. Rumor has it the naked young girl is Ginger Baker's daughter, but whoever it is she didn't make the cut. The cover was banned in the USA where it was sold with the “bland, but shopper-friendly, band photo.”


Update: Album YouTube Links (October 7th @ 3:23 pm)

Well this is interesting. Some of the albums in the xml config file have been updated to include YouTube links.

I'll give you one guess how many albums got the special treatment…

  1. AC/DC, Hells Bells from Back in Black
  2. Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion from Toys In The Attic (by Gordon/Kottke)
  3. Arcade Fire, Wake Up from Funeral
  4. David Bowie, Oh You Pretty Things from Hunky Dory
  5. David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust from Five Years Live
  6. Led Zeppelin, Going to California from Zeppelin IV
  7. The Band, Up On Cripple Creek from The Band
  8. Clash, Clampdown from London Calling

I sure hope these aren't the finalist because they seem to have forgotten GNR :)


Update: Festival 8 Numerology (October 7th @ 7:17 pm)

Just came across some interesting numerology observations from PTer Sixtwenty294.

8 ball
  • Moving Pictures is Rush's 8th album
  • Escape is Journey's 8th album
  • Kiss Alive II is Kiss's 8th album
  • Tonight's the Night is Neil Young's 8th album
  • Goodbye yellow brick road is Elton John's 8th album (including a live album)
  • Hot Rats is Frank Zappa's 8th album (including comilations) Thx Jeff G.

Plus, they changed 8 album covers — Blind Faith, T.Rex, Springsteen, Beastie Boys, Ramones, Steely Dan, Rush, and Tom Petty. And as noted above, 8 albums have videos.

That's a whole lot of eights. Nice work Sixtwenty294.


Update: Albums with 8 Songs (October 8th @ 12:11 am)

Got some more 8's thanks to a comment from Bryan Lasky — the albums with 8 songs

  • Boston | Boston
  • Bruce Springsteen | Born To Run
  • Black Sabbath | Paranoid
  • Metallica | Master Of Puppets
  • Led Zeppelin | IV (Zoso)
  • Pixies | Come On Pilgrim
  • Van Morrison | Astral Weeks
  • Television | Marquee Moon
  • Leonard Cohen | I'm Your Man (eliminated)
  •  

Update: YouTube Links Part 2 & 8 Letter Names (October 8th @ 4:55 pm)

A few things to note here. 

First, the mis-linked Arcade Fire and Clash videos from yesterday were updated in the xml. Plus, a bunch of additional video links were added some time today. These include…

  1. Frank Zappa, Cosmik Debris from Apostrophe
  2. Led Zeppelin, Misty Mountain Hop from Zeppelin IV
  3. Metallica, Master of Puppets from Master of Puppets
  4. Minutemen, Jesus And Tequila from Double Nickels On The Dime
  5. Nirvana, Lithium from Nevermind
  6. Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb from The Wall
  7. Radiohead, Everything In Its Right Place from Kid A
  8. Rush, YYZ from Moving Pictures
  9. Violent Femmes, Blister In The Sun from Violent Femmes
  10. Yes, I've Seen All Good People from The Yes Album

Next, if you've been enjoying the numbers game and were miffed that there were 10 new videos and not 8, there's a comment from Lorenzo below that I think you'll like — it's the artists on the list with 8 letter names

  • Bob Dylan
  • Bob Seger
  • Brian Eno
  • Firehose
  • Pavement

Update: Electric Ladyland Album Cover (October 8th @ 8:13 pm)

Official Electric Ladyland album cover
Original Electric Ladyland album cover
Linda Eastman Hendrix Experience Alice in Wonderland

Here's an update for the dudes in the front row, and this one actually is riveting.

The official Electric Landyland album cover (left) has been replaced with the original UK cover (center) featuring a harem of late sixties babes. Once again, banned in the USA and elsewhere.

Notably, Hendrix didn't want this cover or the blurry red and yellow mugshot. Instead he'd requested they use a Linda Eastman photo (right) of the Experience sitting with some kids on the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park. Given a vote, I'd have chosen the babes.


Update: Links to Album Streams (October 9th @ 12:52 pm)

For your listening pleasure, I've stated linking up some of the albums below to free, legal streams on Grooveshark. Unfortunately most of their playlists are incomplete or have tons of duplicates, so you basically need to create each one by hand which is time consuming.

That said, if anyone's feeling ambitious and wants to take on an album or two it'd be greatly appreciated. Just shoot me an email or post a comment with the playlist link.


Update: Fall Tour Dates Announced (October 9th @ 10:32 am)

Nothing to do with albums or 8's, but Fall Tour Dates have been announced.


Update: Video Links Part 3 (October 9th @ 1:30 pm)

Got another handful of additional video links that were added some time today. These include…

  1. Blind Faith, Can't Find My Way Home from Blind Faith
  2. Genesis, In the Cage from Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
  3. Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experienced from Are You Experienced
  4. King Crimson, Talking Drum from Larks' Tongues In Aspic
  5. Van Morrison, Cyprus Avenue from Astral Weeks

Update: Albums with Horns (October 13th @ 12:31 am)

The rumor mill is rapidly churning with the notion that there will be horns at Festival 8, presumably for the musical costume. Here's a list of albums you might be hearing if that rumor pans out…

  • Bruce Springsteen | Born To Run
  • Curtis Mayfield | Superfly Soundtrack
  • Chicago | The Chicago Transit Authority
  • David Bowie | Ziggy Stardust
  • Frank Zappa | Apostrophe
  • Frank Zappa | Hot Rats
  • Michael Jackson | Thiller
  • Miles Davis | A Tribute To Jack Johnson
  • Pink Floyd | The Wall
  • Radiohead | Kid A
  • Steely Dan | Pretzel Logic
  • T.Rex | Electric Warrior
  • Rolling Stones | Exile on Main Street
  • Rolling Stones | Sticky Fingers
  • The Band | The Band (aka Brown Album)
  • The Clash | London Calling
  • The Police | Ghost in the Machine


  
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Meanwhile, I'm generally averse to Hitler but the video above cracks me up every time so I'm just embedding to avoid having to go to YouTube — and for the 3 people who still haven't seen it.


Update: Mike's Hotline Hint & more (October 13th @ 11:15 pm)

A few things to report, aside from the fact that CCR, ZZ Top, and the Ramones were killed off today.

First, Mike's hotline is offering a very Gordonesque “hint” at the Halloween album — singing a line from the chorus of the Go-Gos Out Lips Are Sealed. Personally I prefer the Hilary / Haley Duff version. Hear Mike for yourself at 212-330-9092. 

Added 10/14 @ 5:45 pm Lots of message board chatter that lips could be a thinly veiled Stones reference. 

Added 10/19 @ 8:23 pm “Our lips are sealed” is a lyric in the song Elevation by Television. Coincidence?

Second, I've started a gallery of Festival 8 posters that's already got great art by folks like AJ Masthay, Jamie Huntsman, and Not Pollock. 

Finally, I'm doing a Series II Page bobblehead giveaway. This one features Page as The Chairman of the Boards, my favorite of all the bobbles so far.


Page McConnell Phish Bobblehead

Update: Phish Festivalography on Sirius (October 14th @ 12:10 am)

Not sure if I'm late to the game on this but I just got wind of a cool sounding show on Sirius called “Phish Festivalography.” It's a four part series starting Thursday the 15th at 9:00 pm Eastern (with replay at 2 am).

Hosted by Jonathan Schwartz from “Gone Phishin',” the exclusive series will cover Phish's festival history in words and music. Sounds promising.

Festivalography Downloads


Update: Miner's Case for Ziggy Stardust (October 14th @ 3:00 pm)

Spiders from Mars Fleece

Mr. Miner over at Phish thoughts has made the case for Ziggy Stardust:

For the elaborate theatrics and space-aged costumes alone, Ziggy Stardust would make a superb spectacle for the Halloween set. But beyond the glamorous show this album could provide, the music and lyrics of Bowie’s record fit perfectly with Phish’s place in time.

Read Miner's full post for more.

In other news, Zeppelin IV was just eliminated! Kinda figured that one would stick around for a while but alas, it's gone.


Update: The Album Elimination Set (October 14th @ 5:15 pm)

Got what I think might be a fun concept that revolves around the premise / rumor that there will be 8 albums left at Festival time.

Imagine you have just woken up from a dream. In that dream you were at Festival 8 and the band threw a major curve-ball 2nd set Friday, eliminating albums by playing 6 covers plus a cover encore — one from each of the 7 albums NOT being played.

So for example, in my dream it might look something like this:

  1. Detroit Rock City (Kiss)
  2. Communication Breakdown (Zeppelin)
  3. Poem 58 (Chicago)
  4. Counting Out Time (Genesis)
  5. Every Little Thing She Does (Police)
  6. Rip this Joint (Stones)
  7. Encore: Paradise City (GNR)

Stream a compilation of this fake set

Notably, I mixed and matched what I'd want them to play with what I think they'd play, which I think makes a huge difference, and is probably how a real dream would unfold.

Also note that I believe it's highly unlikely that they'll eliminate the final albums this way*, but given this concept, what would they play in your dream? Post a comment below once you've given it some thought.

* My insane hypothesis here, in case you were wondering, is that they will have a real life version of the haunted gallery. This will be designed by the guy who did the installations at Hampton and Bonnaroo. Throughout the first two days of the fest actors will come in and kill these larger than life covers with real chainsaws, hatchets, spurting blood, etc. The final 3 or so will be killed on stage in a theatrical experience immediately preceding the costume set Saturday.


Update: The Dead are Dead (October 14th @ 8:50 pm)

Crying Dancing Bear

Oh man, you step away for a few hours and they go and kill off the good ol' Grateful Dead. I didn't think for a second they were going to play this, but I wouldn't have complained. For those who were hoping for this one, the only solace I have to offer is this: Terrapin from Virginia Beach '98. Enjoy.

  
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Update: Bands with 4 Members (October 15th @ 12:40 am)

Here's an interesting observation from Greg below: all the bands phish has covered have been 4 members (at one point or another). If that trend continues, here's who you might hear:

  • Black Sabbath
  • Blind Faith
  • Boston (technically)
  • Genesis (v1.0)
  • Kiss
  • Led Zeppelin
  • Metalica
  • Modern Lovers
  • Pink Floyd
  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Television
  • The Clash
  • The Doors
  • The Pixies
  • U2
  • Van Halen
  • Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

Greg goes on to jokingly note, “That's 16 bands left. 2 weeks left. 16 divided by 2 is 8!!!!!” Fascinating. Just added the Clash and there are now 17 bands in the list rendering Greg's joke humorless.


Update: Handicapping the Albums (October 16th @ 9:40 am)

I don't think anyone's actually keeping books, but Eric Wyman and Matt Dubno have been handicapping the remaining albums. Here are a few of their picks:

  • Sticky Fingers | Matt @ 20:1, Eric @ 3:2
  • Exile on Main Street | Matt @ 25:1, Eric @ 12:1
  • Moving Pictures | Matt @ 25:1, Eric @ 25:1
  • Hot Rats | Matt @ 12:1, Eric @ 75:1
  • Electric Ladyland | Matt @ 8:1, Eric @ 3:1

See more handicapping action at 99 Halloweens.


Update: The Campground Albums (October 16th @ 11:50 am)

So this latest rumor has been circulating a bit but the din finally got loud enough that I've decided to post it. People are now saying that there will be 8 campgrounds at Festival 8, one for each of the finalist albums. Here's the rumored list…

  1. David Bowie | Hunky Dory
  2. Genesis | The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway | SBD
  3. Jimi Hendrix | Electric Ladyland
  4. King Crimson | Larks' Tongues In Aspic
  5. MGMT | Oracular Spectacular
  6. Prince | Purple Rain
  7. Radiohead | Kid A
  8. Rolling Stones | Exile on Main Street

I'd take it for what it is, a rumor, but that list pretty well thought out. As I'm sure is the case for most folks, there's a few of my favorites (Stones, Jimi, Genesis), a few I'm not so big on (Radiohead, MGMT), a few I could go either way on (Bowie, Prince), and one I've yet to hear (King Crimson).

Crowd favorite Ziggy Stardust is noticeably absent, leading some to speculate that they'll play a non-campground album. But I'm not so sure as that would mean they'd be playing an album that was previously eliminated, a concept that didn't go over so well with California on the teaser map.

Finally, I saw a great suggestion on another board — the band could go around the campsites late-night and serenade each with a performance of a few tunes from their respective albums. That's probably about the only thing that would make me question my hotel decision, but time will tell.


Update: Much on the Horizon at 8 (October 16th @ 4:40 pm)

The Festival 8 site has been updated with a slew of new festival info, summarized below. I didn't think it was possible to be more excited, but I was wrong.

  • The Overlook

    Concert field overlook, Bloody Mary bar, movie / sports viewing, 100 foot Ferris Wheel, and an internet cafe (plus the entire area will have WiFi)
  • The Coil

    Multiple art installations, interactive works galore, and fire artists after dark
  • House of Live Phish

    Mix and re-mix your own custom LivePhish tracks, then share them online. Plus LivePhish sampler and immediately show releases on microSD cards
  • Beers, Beers, Beers

    Over 50 different beers including a custom “FOAM” pulsner from Sierra Nevada
  • Kuroda Light Installation

    Custom light installations around the festival site from everyone's favorite LD
  • The Bunny

    Tons of music and up to the minute reports on 95.9 FM including 3 archive shows from Shapiro
  • Horseshoe Tournament

    Apparently they do this at every festival, but I've never seen it
  • Custom Donuts

    Sunday morning donuts will be commemoratively shaped in a figure eight
  • Farmer's Market

    Locally produced fruits, veggies, honey, cheese, eggs, bread and more, plus an organic cafe

Update: The Killer Album Theory (October 16th @ 6:20 pm)

Okay. Here's a theory (not mine) that's either totally obvious or totally out-there, or perhaps a little bit of both.

Let it Bleed Album Cover

The obvious part of the theory (or at least already been discussed here and there) is that the Halloween album is not actually on the list.

The out-there part is that the 100th album is actually the murderer — the one doing all the killing — and that album would be, pun intended, Let it Bleed… the Stones 8th album.

Look forward to your comments on this one.

Hat tip to Cassidy B. for the theory.


Update: Ryan Kerrigan's 8 Balls, David Welker Scratchboard (October 17th @ 5:49 pm)

Ryan Kerrigan Festival 8 Ball

Just added some great stuff to the Festival 8 poster gallery including a set of hand-painted 8 balls by Ryan Kerrigan and an incredible scratchboard piece by David Welker (who also did the Rift cover).

If this is any indication of the type of stuff people will be slinging at the Festival, I might just need an extra suitcase. 

Nice work gents.


Update: Pictures at an Exhibition (October 18th @ 11:16 am)

A few followup thoughts to the 100th album theory have emerged in the comment thread below, including one comment from ben who suggests Alice Cooper's 1971 album Killer as the 100th album, noting also that Alice is playing in town on the 30th.

ELP Pictures at an Exhibition

Second, and perhaps more intriguing, is this comment from stealingtime about ELP's 1971 album Pictures at an Exhibition

I doubt they'd play this, as the album has hardly any guitar (listen here) but man does that album cover bear striking resemblance to the Phish gallery or what?


Update: Vendor Map of Festival Grounds (October 19th @ 5:30 pm)

Update removed. Sorry.


Update: Upper Playground / Sonic Living “Day 1” (October 19th @ 10:15 pm)

Upper Playground / Sonic Living Festival 8
Upper Playground / Sonic Living Festival 8

Upper Playground / Sonic Living Festival 8

Came across this link on PhishPosters.com tonight. I'm not familiar with either Upper Playground or Sonic Living, both of whom have logos on these, but someone on PhishPosters is guessing that these are Festival 8 laminate designs. 

These aren't quite as cool as past laminates if that's the case, though there's plenty of cool stuff in the UP news feed like this brilliant photo gallery of an urban narcolepsy epidemic.

Update: 10:38 pm Interesting. There's a poster gallery on the Sonic Living site that includes these images, sans text. The guitar gun is by Jeremy Fish, the cityscape by Marco Zamora, and the bike by Sam Flores.

Despite the update, I'm still not sure what the examples above are supposed to be . Post a comment if you have any ideas.


Update: Seeking photos from Phish fans (October 21st  @ 1:18 pm)

Local Indio paper The Desert Sun is looking for great photos from past Phish festivals. See here for details and an email address to send pics.


Update: Festival 8 to be Filmed in 3D (October 21st  @ 2:04 pm)

3D glasses

I heard this rumor from a pretty reliable source last week, but this recent PT post seems to confirm it: Festival 8 will be filmed in 3D! Pretty sure that doesn't mean a simulcast, but it could mean a sweet ass IMAX film down the road along the lines of U2 3D or my other favorite band, the Jonas Brothers.


Update: Burble & Borealis (October 22nd @ 5:22 pm)

Here are two of the amazing interactive sculptures that might be melting your face at Festival 8…

Burble

  
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A spectacular, futuristic sculpture of helium-filled balloons packed with LEDs and infrared sensors that floats above spectators in response to infra-red signals and its immediate environment.

Borealis

  
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A mirage-like installation that glows with colours and ebullient patterns created in response to the competing and collaborative voices, music and screams of people nearby.


Update: Behold the Plasma Cutter (October 23rd @ 5:00 pm)

Here's some more neat stuff the likes of which you just might see at Festival 8. It's two amazing metal sculptures from the portfolio of San Francisco based Dan Das Mann. As you can see, he's not only a genius with the plasma cutter, but also knows a thing or two about melting faces.

The One Tree

The One Tree by Dan Das Mann

The Faces of the Man

The Faces of the Man by Dan Das Mann


Update: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings @ F8? (October 24th @ 10:30 pm)

Here's a rumor that, if true, has been of the better kept secrets of this whole affair.

As posted in this comment, word is Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will join Phish for the musical costume at Festival 8.

The video at right should give you a good idea of Ms. Jones's superb vocals and the Dap-Kings funk / soul musical stylings.

No complaints from this guy if this is legit, which I believe it be. Especially if it means an Exile on Main Street (or Let it Bleed) costume.

  
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Update: Colossal Testaments in Steel and Stone (October 25th @ 3:00 pm)

Here's a trio of large-scale sculptures from Rosanna Scimeca, another artist you might be seeing at 8. According to her site, Rosanna likes to “explore how the observer may interface, interact, and identify with her installations.” Yeah, I can give her a preview: they're going bug out.

Cleavage in Space

Rosanna Scimeca scuplture

The Sirens

Rosanna Scimeca scuplture

Zephyrus' Disglomerate

Rosanna Scimeca scuplture


Update: Pollock Halloween Mask + HeadCount Trivia Contest (October 26th @ 1:45 pm)

Today Jambands.com posted information about a Pollock Halloween mask to be available at the WaterWheel table gallery throughout Festival 8. Plus, HeadCount will be running a trivia contest and the grand prize winner will get an uncut sheet of masks with a  one-of-kind Pollock doodle.

Sample trivia question: “What town does Trey Anastasio, John Popper of Blues Traveler and Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors all hale from?”

Pollock Festival 8 Teaser

There's also the recently surfaced image at right, which I believe to be a teaser for a Pollock Festival 8 poster, though I'm not 100% on that. 

Poster or not, can't wait to see the mask! In the mean time, here's a growing Festival 8 poster gallery.


Update: Stage Photo & Viewing Platform Sketch (October 26th @ 6:45 pm)

Today Twitter user @BathtubGym posted what I believe to be the first pic of the stage setup, as well as a sketch of the viewing platform for the Dan Das Mann installation.

Stage from Behind

Festival 8 Stage

Viewing Platform

Festival 8 Viewing Platform

I'm sure I'll say this ten times over the next 2 days, but I can't believe I just got MORE excited.


Update: Festival 8 to be Simulcast Live on Sirus (October 26th @ 9:54 pm)

This just in: all 8 sets of Festival 8 including the musical costume and acoustic set will be simulcast live on JamOn, channel 17 on SIRIUS!!!

Not a subscriber? Good news… you can sign up for a free trial and hear the simulcast without spending a dime. Huge thanks to whoever is responsible for arranging this. Jam On!

SIRIUS

Update: They Have Created Fire (October 27th @ 1:56 am)

If you're anything like me, you're somehow riveted by fire — and you'll definitely be making it a point to see this six-pack fire artists rumored to be appearing at Festival 8:

  

Nate Smith

  Nate Smith fire art   
  

Vance Cearley

  Vance Cearley fire art
  

Orion Fredericks

  Orion Fredericks fire art       
  

Patrick Shearn

  
  
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Charlie Smith

  Charlie Smith fire art   
 

Justin Gray

 Justin Gray fire art

I think it was Beavis who said it best, “Yeah, fire is cool!”


Update: Leave the Galoshes at Home (October 27th @ 6:38 pm)

In case there's any confusion about how amazing the weather is in Indio…

Click for Indio, California Forecast

Update: Glitches, XML fun, & Gordon's Hotline (October 28th @ 1:18 pm)

The Wall

Looks like there was some sort of glitch in the album teaser on Phish.com for a bit when Apostrophe was killed — as the gallery was only showing living albums, and the Wall and Exile had gone missing. All seems back to normal now, though the Wall is indeed dead as seen at right.

Also appears that someone's having some fun with the xml file — with Michael Jackson changing to “Michael Jackson Is Alive“ and Yes changing to “Yes Yes Yes Yes.“ — but I'm not reading into either of those too much.

Speaking of having fun, Gordon's hotline (212-330-9092) has had two recent updates, the latest playing off the 100th album theories that are floating around.

And last but not least, I just checked into my flight for tomorrow. If anyone's on Southwest from Chicago at 12:35, hit me up for a free drink coupon. I'll be the dork carrying the poster tube.


Update: Jamtopia Meetup | Friday. Setbreak. Picnic Area. (October 28th @ 4:18 pm)

Jamtopia Meetup

Okay, let's make this thing official.

After extensive reviews of the map and comments, I believe the best time and place to meet is setbreak on Friday at the picnic area. It's at the back of the concert field Page side.

That way if people want to hit the Honey Bucket or grab food or drinks or whatever it's all convenient.


Update: Get a FREE scoop of Ben & Jerry's (October 28th @ 5:24 pm)

Jamtopia Meetup

I just got an email from Ben & Jerry's with some great news.

In addition to being huge fans of Jamtopia, Vermont's finest ice cream purveyors will be offering free scoops of Phish Food at Festival 8.

All you have to do is “particip8” in a social action with one of the charities at the WaterWheel booth (e.g. sign a petition, make a donation) to get your free delights.

Sweet.


Update: More Stage Photos (October 28th @ 6:25 pm)

Got some more stage pics, this time from Twitter user @briankarol:

Festival 8 Stage empty
Festival 8 Viewing Stage with speakers

I'm thinking they need more speakers!


Update: Festival 8 Wristband (October 29th @ 12:11 am)

Festival 8 wristband

I'm not sure if this is a staff wristband or just the standard issue, but either way it looks pretty sweet sauce. If the production values of this wristband are any indication this is really going to be one hell of a shindig.

Meanwhile, as I write this, Van Morrison and Zeppelin were killed off. Only 9 remain. Can't get there soon enough.


Update: Festival 8 Shout-out on Conan (October 29th @ 8:08 am)

Well this is surreal. Masterfully bearded Phish fan Rob Howard was in the Late Night crowd yesterday and got interviewed by Conan to “promote Phish.”

As you'll see when you watch the video, Conan had a little something extra planned to help get the word out about Festival 8.

Props to Rob for representing Phish — and the great state of Illinois :)

  
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Update: Finally on My Way (October 29th @ 10:00 am)

Well I'm just about to take off for the airport. This has been an amazing 30+ days tracking the album teaser and I'm almost sad to see it end. Thank you all for your awesome participation: coming up with crazy numerology, alerting me to updates, and just waxing philosophical in the comments.

As soon as I land I'll start up a new post with updates and recaps from the Festival. Hope to keep the great comments going there, so I'll be having a giveaway — a little something that's sure to light up any room. I think you'll like it.

Update 7pm: New Festival 8 Recap post is live.


Update: Phish to Play Exile on Main Street (October 31th @ 3:00 pm)

The Phishbill is out and it's been confirmed, Phish will be dressing up as the Rolling Stones and covering Exile on Main Street tonight.

More coverage on the way at the Festival 8 Recap post. Hope to see you there.


Dead Phish Halloween Cover Albums (Chronological)

9/28
  1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | Damn The Torpedoes
  2. Medeski, Martin & Wood | Shack Man
  3. Huey Lewis And The News | Sports
  4. Talking Heads | Fear Of Music
  5. Leonard Cohen | I’m Your Man
9/29
  1. Velvet Underground | Velvet Underground And Nico
  2. The Who | Who’s Next
  3. The Beatles | Rubber Soul
  4. White Stripes | Elephant
  5. Ween | White Pepper
9/30
  1. Fleetwood Mac | Rumours
  2. Primus | Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
  3. Allman Brothers Band | Eat A Peach
10/1
  1. Manu Chao | Clandestino
  2. Pavement | Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
10/3
  1. The Roots | Phronology
  2. Tom Waits | Rain Dogs
  3. Eagles | Hotel California
  4. Jane’s Addiction | Ritual de Lo Habitual
  5. BeeGees | Saturday Night Fever
10/4
  1. fIREHOSE | Flyin’ the Flannel
  2. X | Los Angeles
10/5
  1. Peter Gabriel | So
10/6
  1. Bob Seger | Against The Wind
  2. David Bowie | Scary Monsters
  3. Elvis Costello | This Year’s Model
  4. Bob Dylan & the Band | The Basement Tapes
10/7
  1. Neil Young | Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
10/8
  1. Duran Duran | Rio
  2. Michael McDonald | If That’s What It Takes
  3. Pink Floyd | Meddle
10/9
  1. John Lennon | Plastic Ono Band
  2. Pork Tornado | Pork Tornado
10/11
  1. Queen | A Night At The Opera
  2. The Beach Boys | Pet Sounds
10/12
  1. Arcade Fire | Funeral
  2. Wilco | Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
  3. Violent Femmes | Violent Femmes
  4. Hall & Oates | Private Eyes
10/13
  1. The Ramones | Ramones
  2. ZZ Top | Tres Hombes
  3. Creedence Clearwater Revival |  Green River
10/14
  1. Aerosmith | Toys In The Attic
  2. Led Zeppelin | IV (Zoso)
  3. Grateful Dead | American Beauty
  4. Devo | Freedom of Choice
10/15
  1. Eric Clapton | 461 Ocean Blvd
  2. U2 | Joshua Tree
  3. Journey | Escape
  4. Pearl Jam | Ten
10/16
  1. The Doors | The Doors
  2. Rush | Moving Pictures
10/17
  1. Love | Forever Changes
  2. Guns & Roses | Appetite For Destruction
  3. Beastie Boys | Hello Nasty
10/19
  1. KISS | Alive II
  2. Bob Dylan | Blood On the Tracks
  3. Jimi Hendrix | Are You Experienced?
10/20
  1. Blind Faith | Blind Faith
  2. Pixies | Come On Pilgrim
  3. The Band | The Band (aka Brown Album)
  4. Metallica | Master Of Puppets
10/21
  1. Frank Zappa | Hot Rats
  2. Miles Davis | A Tribute To Jack Johnson
  3. Rage Agaist The Machine | Evil Empire
  4. The Police | Ghost In The Machine
10/22
  1. Curtis Mayfield | Superfly Soundtrack
  2. Steely Dan | Pretzel Logic
  3. Neil Young | Tonight’s The Night
10/23
  1. Van Halen | Van Halen
10/24
  1. Modern Lovers | The Modern Lovers
  2. Brian Eno | Before And After Science
  3. The Clash | London Calling
  4. Nirvana | Nevermind
10/25
  1. Black Sabbath | Paranoid
  2. Boston | Boston
  3. AC/DC | Back In Black
10/26
  1. Rolling Stones | Sticky Fingers
  2. Elton John | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  3. T.Rex | Electric Warrior
  4. Chicago | The Chicago Transit Authority
  5. Minutemen | Double Nickels On The Dime
10/27
  1. Television | Marquee Moon
  2. Bruce Springsteen | Born To Run
10/28
  1. Frank Zappa | Apostrophe
  2. Yes | The Yes Album
  3. David Bowie | Ziggy Stardust
10/29
  1. Led Zeppelin | Zeppelin I
  2. Van Morrison | Astral Weeks
10/30
  1. Michael Jackson | Thriller

2033 Comments so far   

@Todd Levy

Set up picks:
They really made that wal!!!l ,w/ freakin dragons!!... dude we are about to step into another freakin world!!!!!for 3 days!!!!!!WOOP WOOPP WHOOOOooo!

see everybody at the picnic tables during friday’s set break.

i guess i’m rooting for bowie. but does anybody else think the last few tracks of hunky are a little weak?

maybe its just me but i tend to get a little bored by the time quicksand comes around.

Here are some cool setup pics.

Bag checked. Flight on time. All right.

@ PiNT

Just for the record - I am taking my young ones to the festival. All tour this summer I saw more kids on the lot than every before. We are all growing up, band and fans alike, and a lot of us have kids. I respect those who want to leave the kids at home, and I also respect those who expose their kids to our style of fun on the lot. The way I see it, if I am doing something that I don’t want my kids to see, then I probably am doing something I feel on some level is wrong - This has played out in my life as I grew along with the kids, and I recognized (as it seems the band has as well) that having a blast at a show is better with a reasonable buzz, overdoing the drink or beign on too many drugs to where it wouldn’t matter if it was phish or a middle school band playing usually just makes the experience hazy in the rear view mirror. I struggled with this, thinking that the only way to see the band was to get completely out there before they stepped on stage. Now that I am a bit older, I realize there is great power in controlling just how far out you want to go. Kind of like sex, the older you get the more you figure out that fast and furious is just one way to roll. The point being - there is room on the lot for the kids and don’t fret as we all age, we can keep the scene alive through and with our kids. I don’t deny anyone their right to get completely loaded, just so long as they control themselves and don’t fall on other people or step on anyone else’s buzz. Do what is right for you, but be good phamily. Damn it PiNT, I was looking forward to meeting up with you at setbreak and easing your MJ fears with some foam.

Peace to all - see you at 8 - be good to each other

Thank YOU for running the most comprehensive analysis of the upcoming festival anywhere.  I think I speak for all us phans when I say we owe you!

See you at the show!

We are actually in the air right now! Wifi on board the plane, I never knew! Be on site in about 6 1/2 hrs. See all of you soon!

@ Quillis I am ROFLMAO! 

- Markah

Rob Howard is a baller and a PT legend!!!

Get Ready for some Alice Cooper!

Have heard it will be Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies.  Although i really want it to be The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway!!!

Van Morrison just took an axe to the head.  Then he picked up an acoustic guitar and wrote a 18 minute song about the pain and the tremendous loss of blood he experienced.  It was well received by fans and critics alike.

this month has been crazy now first set is only 30+ hours away. at this point i dont care what album they choose to amaze us with because they will make any choice enjoyable.
i cant wait to hear them play harpua for the first time in consecutive shows
thanks for the posts to keep me busy when im in a lecture. safe travels to all. unfortunately im cutting it close and wont be arriving in LAX until 1pm tomorrow.
see you all tomorrow night

a couple other calls
They will cover Time to Pretend at some point in the weekend and I think the opener on Friday may be 2001 cause the way the California came back on the map to that song.
PiNTS not going? well thanks for sharing all your love anyway.

Im thinkin theres gonna be some other bands playin during the day,if what Jared and TEDfTED say is true. By the way, Im a Ted from SD too, and will get up to DelMar and try those Latkes.
See you Friday.

you’re high off your ass if you don’t believe that its going to be thriller….

Really not sure what kind of Phish phans are exited about hearing “Baby Be Mine” “the girl is mine” or “The Lady In My Life” or “Human Nature” in a Phish show from all places? something isnt right here

For the unknowledgeable ones out there Peter Gabriel was the driving force behind the Lamb, not Phil Collins. The Lamb would be awesome!

Starting to think the same as a lot of you, there will be 8 camps, and they will be getting “axed” throughout Fri & Sat, letting us know what album just before the 2nd set starts saturday.
Or, total surprise which is what I want at this point. Something so good that after the set we wont imagine how we could have wanted any of those silly albums on the list.
I have to agree whith someone below who mentioned Quincy Jones. Even if you think MJ is just an ‘entertainer’ who dances well , Quincy produced and arranged that entire album. MJ wrote the lyrics but most of the music is real pop gold thanks to Quincy. I still think Prince is the real king of pop but Thriller could be exceptional if done with class.

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

I can dare to dream.

Trango Tango to Mother Bird .... Come in Mother Bird…
“Houston we have all systems go…. T-minus 20 Minutes to launch…
Initiate launch sequence…. The sky’s are clear and the weather is perfect…. All thrusters engage!!!!”

Indio…. Here I Come!!!!

Wooooo Hooooo!!!!!!!

Time to go Phishin’!!!!!!!!!! PHUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!

I agree that Thriller may be fun to dance and party to on Halloween.  However, I just don’t see Phish pulling off this entire album and being happy with it.  I do remember listening to a GRAB show when they did Billie Jean.  I still think it’s gonna be Exile.

Can’t wait to taste the FOAM!

Man, we’re fucked. Sitting in the airport in KC. Flight delayed due to major snow storm in Denver. AAAAHHH! I can’t wait.

Anyone else going through Denver?

Hope to make it by tomorrow.

Ha! Just announced we’re boarding.

See everyone there!

@Benka from west la…

I was saying the same thing… My prediction/hope is they end the first night with Loving Cup signaling a no go for Exile.

Jared and I just got to the site and saw something very interesting. There was a tour bus in the back that belonged to the Robert Brown Sextet. Anyone from this area knows they are an awesome funk band. Robert was originally in the band Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, which was a Hebrew Funk band that performed mostly at Bar Mitzvahs in the Palm Springs area. Now Robert gets very funky with his Sextet. I think things are going to get very phunky this weekend.

@Todd

Milton’s is the shiznit dude. I love that cornbeaf and latkes. They are the best in San Diedo. I live a few miles from there.

Campgrounds have been confirmed by the Desert Sun, Indio’s local newpaper:

The campgrounds are named after albums Phish has indicated on its Web site it might cover for its Halloween set, including Jimi Hendrix’ “Electric Ladyland,” Prince’s “Purple Rain” and David Bowie’s “Hunky Dory.”

CAN’T WAIT!!!

Okay, I’m officially worried about Thriller.  I still think it gets the axe, but, as someone pointed out, the ‘play the last record left alive’ could be interpreted to mean that they are going to play the last LP killed (which would be the last one that was left alive).

Gulp!

As I stated long ago, it is with a sad, heavy heart that I will not be attending the festival.  I am now in my mid forties… with a 4 year old son and a 2 year old daughter, so Phish has taken third place in my ‘things I love to do’ list behind being with my kids on Halloween.  You youngin’s who are just getting into the band will understand this some day.

So, in all sincerity, thank you Todd and all the folks who’ve been so much fun to debate with over the past month… I appreciate the comraderie and banter.  I do truly love this band, and part of that is it’s fans and their (how to put this….?) eccentricities!  Have a great, fun, happy festival, and think of me as they don’t cover Thriller!

;)

It’s really looking like it’s going to be Exile on Main St. at this point.

(Kid A or Thriller otherwise.)

Maybe they will play one song of each of the campground albums, eliminating them one at a time throughout Friday and Saturdays’ sets…

Pretty sure at this point it’s going to be Exile.

I sat in on drums at show at Nectars on 420 this year and Fishman was playing with the Touchpants upstairs at Metronome.  I don’t know if anyone knows them but they played Bob Seiger covers all night and are absolutely hilarious!!  But either way, after my set I went upstairs and all that was left was Fishman on drums alone on stage playing with his eyes closed to a room of 5 people.  Amazing.  When he got off I talked to him for a while with my band and he told us what we needed to do was write a song about jesus giving birth to a baby out of his dick hole.  So there you have it.

I remember many years ago drinking a beer with Fishman, I asked him what his favorite album of all time was.

His answer is still on the list:
King Crimson | Larks’ Tongues In Aspic

The Start/Stop Trick has been Done:

Reminder about them “teasing” something first and then doing the full costume…1994, when Dark Side of the Moon had high expectations as being the costume, the beginning of said album was played over the PA system when the lights went down (the heartbeat sound effect to Speak to Me)...the crowd went nuts thinking it was Pink Floyd….and alas the band jammed out the opening riff to Back in the USSR and the real costume was…The White Album.

(sorry if someone noted this already, I read a lot of these comments but not all)

I am beyond excited for Festival 8!  Thanks to everyone for contributing to this blog over the past month or so.  This has been everyone’s source for Festival 8 information…I’ve spent hours on here and am grateful for what you’ve built!

I’m listening to the Genesis album through Grooveshark as I type…MAN I hope this isn’t the one!  ANYTHING BUT GENESIS!!!

Hopping on a jet plane from BTV to LAX in a few hours.  See everyone tomorrow in Indio!

SO may rumors…driving me nuts…Tube opener?  What makes you say that?  That’s too predictable for such a special weekend.

There are 9 left with 8 campground albums.  Thriller is the only non-campground album left.  Out of the remaining choices I say PLEASE PLAY THRILLER!!!  This is Halloween and we NEED a party and MJ will deliver. 

Phish is a band of Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry, Mango, and Kiwi.  Exile On Main Street is an album of straight vanilla.  Not even delicious vanilla bean vanilla, but straight up boring vanilla.  Let’s get something COLORFUL!

knew this was gonna happen.330 in the morning, alarm not set to go off for two more hours and i cant sleep. so here i am one last time. Thank you Todd ! definitely the place to be for all things 8 over this last month . Helped keep the fire burning for sure. hope to see y’all there in about 15 hours.PEACE!!!!

See my previous post #2911, the last nine albums would be the 7 albums on the map + Thriller and MGMT.  Now only one of those two need to go.  But will the remaining eight be finalists (with each possibly chosen), or will there really only be 7 campgrounds (for the runner-ups) (or is it runners-up).

In order not to blow the surprise, i would like to think that there will be 8 campgrounds, or at least all remaining eight albums will be possible costumes.

OK….I have never been so stoked for something ever!!! I met some folks ,at a bar that could be dubbed hipster. I was by myself eating chicken strips and I heard this dude and this chick talking bout “Ziggy Stardust” and “Thriller"and I knew. So I was all “are you going to festival 8?’.they were all “yeah”.We rapped for a bit.

Hey Guys Wake Up!!!!!
It’s Gonna be Thriller.
Nobody is going to walk out or be all “Man This Sucks”.
King Crimson….1/3 of the people might think sucks.
Genesis… for some reason some people hate phil collins (not me)
MGMT…. I would love it but, I can see where some people might not.
Hunky Dory… Bring It!!!
Exile.. Has less of a chance than THRILLER
Purple Rain… Let’s Go Crazy!!!
Radiohead… As far as live shows go.Radiohead is a Living Legend Phish shouldn’t, there is no need,It would be fresh, but you can go see radiohead.
Electric Ladyland… Someone at my work said it’s the “Perfect Record"it should be left that way” He’ not a phish fan, He’s a “I respect what they do” kinda guy.He might be right, but that would be the jam!!!

THRILLER… Raise Your Hand If You Hate Thriller!
Really?... Not one song? Tell me that when you hear paige singing Human Nature in a MSG bustout this fall you won’t flip your shit.
9 left… even if the mgmt album is a campground…that leaves thriller…..Would it piss you off? NOPE. MJ3D

p.s. I’m drunk, but as far as I know MICHAEL JACKSON WAS THE LAST ARTIST ALIVE….........I’ll be dressed as a lifegaurd.Buy me FOAM

Driving to the airport now! Flight leaves Philly at 5:30 am! Flying from Philly-NC-Vegas-Palm Springs, lots of stops, but sooo worth it! See you all there! Can’t wait to meet you guys in the picnic area.

100th album: blues for allah, the dead’s eighth. yep.

Leaving from Alaska tomorrow, see you all there. We’ll both be dressed like Sarah Palin. F8.

Freeway in Los Angeles?
stf

Mike’s message:
In addition to Mike’s postulate: Time

The machine can take 99 messages if they were on the longer side; 100 messages if they were on the shorter side. Average length of a set v. average lengths of these albums?
stf

I think that list of the final eight a week or two ago might have legs…

Computer off…Indio launch sequence beginning…

Has no one mentioned Tube as fest opener?  The obvious choice.

You saw it here first.

Here’s a pic of the work exchange wrist bands… http://twitpic.com/ncyta

ZEPPELIN and VAN MORRISON are AX’D

Thanks to all of you on this blog. It has been a load of fun reading. Don’t blog or post myself but this is my phamily so I will make an exception. Worth noting: If you are a fan of Ziggy Stardust, the Hunky Dory album more closely approximates the live “72 Santa Monica (Ziggy tour - California!) set list. Just a thought. Leaving in the AM for LAX - will I see a moose sitting on the plane?
stf

All righty everyone - it’s been a fun ride. I think if you read over all of the comments you’ll find that I had the Halloween album pick nailed all along.

I’m off to Indio in the morning. I guess the tumbleweeds are starting to roll toward this thread.

Safe travels to everyone who’s going. Safe travels to everyone who isn’t going, but is traveling somewhere else.

And by the way, WTF is Junta?!?!?

Cheers, y’all :)

simmer down Halfpint

Nice work on this site, I checked it multiple times a day this whole month.  Safe travels all.  I hope they play your favorite song.

glowstick wars started out as a fan initiated thing

I am not opposed to audience participation, even if initiated from the audience.  If a glow stick war breaks out, and I am jamming, then I do not have to participate (although I do have to keep an eye out for incoming glowsticks.  If I am enjoying the glowstick war, then I do participate as I can.  Also, if everyone wanted to “freeze” during a part of It’s Ice, I’d possibly be down for it, especially if it grew organically over the shows (like glowstick wars did).

If someone said, “lets do a glowstick war in the second song” and its Horn or Tela, or XXX, would it “go’ with the music like it does in H Hood?  OTOH, If your absolutely favorite song in the world or a kickass version of XXX was the second song, would you flash freeze?

Sorry, I don’t mean to be a downer, and truly, more power to you (flash freezer’s), maybe you’ll be lucky and start something cool, but I am just planning to dance, dance, dance this weekend.

Peace!

PS - there is definitely something on the electric ladyland cover besides Fishman’s head.

Flew in today and had a wonderful adventure in the National Park, if you have a chance GO!!!  But what about the Flaming Lips. I know it has been said before here, but that fits the Velvet Underground and Talking Heads obscurity vs.Beatles Who and Stones.  Don’t really care cause it’ll be an instant fave no matter.  See you guys there be safe its gonna be fulking awesome!

really not feeling the King Crimson

my bet is Zep 1 and then MGMT for the late night “rave” show. 

That Time to Pretend video is unsane. 

I’d suggest a Modest Mouse album for a 100th darkhorse… I’d love Good News for People who Love Bad News.  Modest Mouse are crazy enough to murder 99 innocent albums.

Would also love OK Computer or The Bends.

I Scott.Mizel

@ chillinb from seattle,

Hey, are you on Alaska Flight #530 on Friday morning?  That’s what we’re on too!  Any other Washingtonians on that plane?

I don’t know if anyone has pointed this out on the list,
                but As a reminder to everyone, as the legend goes it
                was Thriller that was played over the band at their very
                first show at Harris/Millis.  Will it circle back around,
                (round a back circle, round a back realize)?

              PS Todd this site rocks, I want to buy you a beer.

Recommended dance styles for the off the wall costume set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOLQkn0VvPc

First day - first set opener - Time To Pretend - MGMT ;)


WTF is Junta?!?!

I’ve made my “plausible” list from most to least:
(this is plausible based on rumors and leaks and empty theories, not what I want them to play, list)

1. Stones
2. Bowie
3. Hendrix
4. Prince
5. Radiohead
6. Genesis
7. Michael Jackson
8. Led Zeppelin
9. King Crimson
10. MGMT
11. Van Morrison


My I want list is, (this is based on how much fun I’d have hearing Phish cover them, not on who I think is better than someone else):

1.KC
2.Jimi
3.Led Zep
4.Stones
5.Prince
6.MJ
7.Radiohead
8.Bowie
9.MGMT
10.Van Morrison
11.Genesis

I can understand why someone might not like Crimson’s LTiA, but to suggest they’ll play something more “rockin’” as someone just did here is a friggin’ joke.  Seriously comical myopia.

LTiA is far more “rockin” than anything Phish has approached, which is one reason why this album (and this entire era of King Crimson/73-74) is loved by so many bands from Phish to really “rockin” bands like Tool; Nine Inch Nails; Mastodon; and many others.

Just saw Phish at Amore restaurant in LQ…....got nothing as far as the Holloween set goes…

I decided to use the grooveshark and check out some of the
remaining albums before my flight… handy and convenient !!

Honky Dory - Astral Weeks = Too Mellow
Lamb Lies - Larks Tongue = Great But Obscure - F8 is a Party!
Electric Lady = Brilliant - Difficult Piece

ZEP ONE = POWERFUL ROCK PARTY ALBUM !!

MGMT = Not Classic
Thriller - Purple Rain - Kid A = Vocal Performance Suicide ??

EXILE OR LET IT BLEED - INSTANT PARTY TIME !!

U never know about these guys but If it was my gig I would
pick something that rips and gets people groovin….

Elec Lady - Zep 1 - Exile - or Let It Bleed #100

CarthageBoy

Maybe what Mike is talking about on the message is that there is some sort of COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN, albeit in a complex and convoluted way. Like he was poorly communicating, like a communication breakdown.

Flash mob is a great idea. I’m down. Been trying to arrange an audience trick for years. Awesome

I am ridiculously stoked for this show!!! Thanks todd!! Any way It has been awesome reading all the guesses and building my anticipation for something that i didn’t think I could be anymore excited for. As far as guesses go, exile has my vote and would be a crowd pleaser and be super fun to here the boys play! I would take anything phish throws at us (even MGMT….I guess). Great to see all the excitement and I can’t wait to get down there. I leave at 7 am from seattle so I ll be waiting on some friends than heading in early styles…. see you all there!

Ps get rowdy…don’t get tazered!!!

I don’t know why it took me so long, but I just relistened to Purple Rain for the first time in probably 15-20 years or so and I am really seeing how great this would be. 

Problem is that I have always bought into the theory that none of the “Campground Albums” will actually be the costume…..but I’m kinda hoping I’m wrong now.  This would be very nice indeed!  Especially if they ended it with their first REAL version of Purple Rain. 

Who knows, maybe instead of Fish coming to the front we might see a slim, demure little man come out to lend a hand…You never do know…???

none of the above.  100th album theory.

Sorry one more thing
Purple Rain & Thriller are the only 2 albums that haven’t been tampered with. I bet MGMT dies at 8AM tomorrow morning The Blanked Out Spot On the map is Thriller. The pre-map campgroundname leak was a trick!!! MJ all the way!!!

i’m thinking there is a friday latenight set.

phish as the midnight rambler.

killing off the rest of the campgrounds/albums with a set featuring a song from each of the remaining campgorunds/albums.

and plays Let It Bleed as the last album standing, because he KILLED the rest.

epic.

OK….I’m going to be landing in california in 23 hours. Here is my final Post (I think).....
If indeed Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings are playing with Phish for the musical costume set there is not one doubt in my mind that it will be THRILLER!!! and it is going to make EVERYONE GO FLIPPING BANANAS!!!
You may say something like Leftover Salmon did that in 03’ or String Cheese has done that twice on halloween. I say to you Not With Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. Go listen to thriller right now (It’s halloween eve,eve,eve) Quincy Jones Produced the shit out of that record. Check out the wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(album)  .There are HORNS, It’s DANCE-ABLE. IT"S FUCKING THRILLER!!!! DUH.
I was leaving the gorge this summer talking all about it. I was all “Can’t wait till they cover thriller this halloween”.
and then my homie was all “That would be nuts” But since then it has become not even an option in my mind. I was all “nope” and “Ain’t no way,too popular,too close to his death,too whatever” but in all actuality It’s Too AWESOME!!! and let sharon jones sing the whole thing. Nobody would see that coming.Maybe we’ll see the first halloween show where phish and another band dress as a musical costume.The Fishman Naration of the VINCENT PRICE part>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA>Beat It???? The line in BABY BE MINEwhere MJ says “We can share this ecstacy,as long as we believe in love” THE PLACE WOULD EXPLODE!!!! Ms Jones could do a little bit with the band during THE GIRL IS MINE (sung by paige and mike)
PYT, HUMAN NATURE, BILLIE JEAN.
This is it.THRILLER might be the first to get arrowed,axed or stabbed
tomorrow morning. Maybe it got killed while I was writing this long ass post (sorry bout that) but PHISH IS GOING TO PLAY THRILLER DURING THE 2ND SET OF THE 2ND NIGHT!!!!
and come on, How are you going to throw an ax at the guy at this point? it would be mean. STORY OF THE GHOST>THRILLER>FLUFFHEAD
see you there, Thanks TODD

I be thrilled with Electric Ladyland

The wind is supposed to die down by Friday.

Third and final song to learn….book it DanO!

Easy Money
Your admirers on the street
Gotta hoot and stamp their feet
In the heat from your physique
As you twinkle by in moccasin sneakers

And I thought my heart would break
When you doubled up at the stake
With your fingers all a-shake
You could never tell a winner from a snake
but you always make money

Easy money

With your figure and your face
Strutting out at every race
Throw a glass around the place
Show the colour of your crimson suspenders

We would take the money home
Sit around the family throne
My old dog could chew his bone
For two weeks we could appease the Almighty

Easy money

Got no truck with the la-di-da
Keep my bread in an old fruit jar
Drive you out in a motor-car
Getting fat on your lucky star just making

Easy money.

Trey says in a recent interview that he’ll give out a hint. The hint he gives is that he’s in the circus and he’s in the middle of the ring. That’s all he’s going to say.

He also said earlier in the interview that they learned an album and subsequently decided not to do that one, and learned another.

Mike’s latest message references that there are sometimes 99 messages and sometimes 100 on his machine. Mike could just be reading the posts on the boards that have suggested the costume is not on the list and he’s feeding the fire.

Going with the 100th album/Stones theme, it’s possible that rather than Let It Bleed, the 100th album is The Rolling Stones Rock n’ Roll Circus. It would give them the opportunity to mix things up more than a studio album would by playing Yer Blues, A Quick One While He’s Away by the Who, along with the some TaJ Mahal, Marianne Fathful and Jethro Tull. In addition, it concludes with Sympathy For The Devil, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, and Salt of the Earth which would be a perfect opportunity for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings to pitch in.

Not likely. Different though, and definitely fun. Of course, they could stay on the list and play Exile.

MGMT is getting killed as soon as the gates open on Friday. They’re not playing that average at best piece of pop culture during an event that will become a part of their legacy. If they’ve given indications to their circle of trust that they will play that, it’s probably subterfuge.

Plus, they had a fire eater in the rock n’ roll circus, and they’re obviously going to have a lot of fire related artwork at this fest.

You know, you folks correcting me are all absolutely 100% correct, I must be crazy for thinking that there will be any attendees from LA that are going to this festival just because their parents gave them the car and the money for the weekend.  Or that there may be more of those types of festival goers at this festival site, a mere 100 miles from LA, than there would be at any of the previous festivals.  What a ridiculous concept… imagine drawing that conclusion!

Thank you for showing me the logic and wisdom to overcome my ‘completely left field’ assumptions.  Boy oh boy, I feel much smarter now.  Shame all those new potential fans will miss the opportunity to learn about the band and its magic, as I was saying, I thought that would have been a good thing.  But I guess I was just being overly optimistic!  Thanks for straightening me out, like all those people who called for Kiss and Metallica and MJ…. speaking of which….

Tomorrow MJ dies (again).  And I will laugh and laugh and laugh.

And for those 100th LP theorists… its southern CA, and there’s knives and blood…. wait!  OJ Simpson is the Killer and they are going to do the Hertz jingle for an hour and a half jam!  I finally figured it out!  Good god, it was sooooo obvious!

Wooo hooo!!!!

Oh yeah.  I forgot to make my call.

First Set.  First Day.  Opener: Tweezer.  Right down to business.


See you creeps in the desert.  I’m out…

P.S. Thanks again for the site, Todd!

ten campsites. the map thing is misconstrued.

confirmation from a worker…there is an mgmt campsite.

a family of treeees wanted to beeee haunted.

ive heard it’s very dusty at the polo grounds today…guess the wind is stirring it up.  plan accordingly. 

maybe i will be a band robber with bandanna for halloween now.

@ Scott G

Thank you.  I’ve listened to that album twice, and it is such a frickin’ downer.  I really pray that they do not play King Crimson.  I love Phish, but I can honestly say that I will be extremely disappointed if they do play that, and I’ll bet I’m in the majority.  However, there are two reasons why I don’t believe it: a) they would not let their album choice leak out 3 days before they play it, if at all, and b) they are going to play something that is much more rocking because it’s HALLOWEEN!  If I am wrong and they do play Larks’, I can take solace in the fact that I will see seven other sets of awesome music!!

ZIGGY! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Purple Rain though…

I’m tellin ya!

Just got 1000 glow sticks.

Ready to do battle.

Woot.

@Kyle from San Diego
Unless the Sharon Jones thing is a sham , there’s no confirmation, someone just spoke confidently and we all believed it.

So it very well could be Zep I , but Im starting to think it IS one of the camp albums,
People will be there tomorrow so theres no secrets after tomorrow
(in other words:we would have known about the map tomorrow anyway.
So everyone will know its one of those 7 or eight Halloween night.)

In that case bring on Electric Ladyland, but I think its gonna be Purple Rain, its been a long time comin’.

Friends-

It will something that no one has even talked about or mentioned over the last 5 weeks. Yes, I subscribe to the 100th album theory, but it will not be Let it Bleed or any other obvious solution to this quandry Phish has presented to us. Guess all you want…..don’t get your hopes up, stay open minded and prepare to have your face melted!

Leaving tomorrow despite the snow in Denver!

Cheers!

Not sure if I will make it to the meet up, but will try.

Zeppelin all the way!

Has anyone come up with this….

to kill off the albums they cover one song from each album in a set before the halloween set.

cheers to party time>electric feel to open the fest.

Zep, MGMT, Thriller or Astral Weeks.  Thats what it’s down to if you buy the theory of 8 remaining albums with the 7 campgrounds being the ones they are not playing. 

Astral Weeks would make a good Sunday morning acoustic set, but no way they are playing it Saturday night. 

MGMT is only up there to keep f’in with us all. 

Zeppelin would be great but doesn’t explain why the Dap-Kings are playing. 

That leaves Thriller…you knew it was going to be Thriller the moment you heard of the Halloween show…don’t lie.  That’s why Sharon Jones is singing too.  The only curve ball I can think of is Mike’s 100th album talk and the conversation between Trey and Page where they decided to change albums after they started rehearsing.  That makes me think ‘Off the Wall’ might still be an option, but like it or not, we’re going to be groovin’ to some MJ this weekend.

My two cents.

Kyle

WTF is with the King Crimson talk?  I’ve ignored it for days and weeks, but now that it’s getting down to the wire, all the KC commentary has me nervous.

I’ve listened to the album with a totally open mind.  NOT feelin’ it.  At all.  What a drag.  I’m not going to storm off the concert field if they play it, but I will be shocked if they can take that mess and make it sound good.  Or good to me, anyway.  I know there are KC fans who love it and will be psyched.  I’m just not one of them, unfortunately.

If they play Larks, I’ll have to have the Men in Black hit me with that flashy thingy and strike the Halloween set from my memory.  And henceforth, I will forever refer to this weekend as Festival 7.

People that dont participate in the flash mob can stay at home for all i care! Its about time we pull one on them.  As far as albums are concerned I understand that it is really fun speculating, but havent I done a decent job of confirming Sharon and Exile on Main st! The excitment has hit a fever pitch and I’m ready to boogie.

Let It Bleed…

Because,

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

no way i’m doing the flashmob, i want todance (besides I wont be able to stop moving even if i wanted to!)

later ziggy. hmmm. Thought he would stick around a little longer.

Trends in past covered albums make me lean towards Purple Rain, which was my prediction before the “last album alive” was posted by phish.  It seems that they like to cover albums that have at least one song they have covered before.  However, I do think the killer 100th album theory is a good one and would LOVE to see phish play “Monkey Man” on hallow’s eve in Indio.

I’m thinkin (and hoping) Off the Wall by MJ, So many reasons, for one Phish joke of it being Off the Wall, the first song is upbeat, song two is I Want to Rock With You…seems right

In regard to my post from earlier today @ 10:56am, I am 3 for 3: Ziggy, Wall & Yes gone today.  Kinda gets a bit easier when there’s nothing really left, huh?

NOOOOOO!!!!!! I’m so disappointed they’re not doing Ziggy! It was by far the best one they could have picked!

Well, anything they play is still gonna rock and be a lot of fun! Although I really do not want them to play a new album like MGMT.

SEE YOU ALL IN INDIO!!!! I’M FLYING OUT OF NEWARK, NJ AT 10:20 TOMORROW!

King Crimson

I’ve been telling you for a couple days now that its KC for sure.  Here’s the next song to learn folks…...one more to follow…..

Exiles
Now…in this faraway land
Strange…that the palms of my hands
Should be damp with expectancy

Spring…and the air’s turning mild
City lights…and the glimpse of a child
Of the alleyway infantry

Friends…do they know what I mean
Rain…and the gathering green
Of an afternoon out-of-town

But Lord I had to go
My trail was laid too slow behind me
To face the call of fame
Or make a drunkard’s name for me
Though now this other life
Has brought a different understanding
And from these endless days
Shall come a broader sympathy
And though I count the hours
To be alone’s no injury…

My home…was a place near the sand
Cliffs…and a military band
Blew and air of normality

Finally, no offense to anyone, but I will not participate in this Flash Mob BS.  I am going to a phish festival and plan to dance my ass off any time I want to (like, ALL the time), and the only people I will listen to to do something is the band itself.  Sorry, but I just do not think that that is the right thing to be trying to do at a Phish show.

Just to point out… glowstick wars started out as a fan initiated thing

Ziggy and Apostrophe… Two of my three picks, brutally and mercilessly murdered. Here’s to Lark’s Tongue!

See, 3.0 phans can dig the classics, too. :)

Ziggy gone!!!!!  WTF?  Good thing I’m going as Bowie :)

Ziggy is dust…

@todd thanks for the site and hours of mindless theorizing…See ya at setbreak

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