With Phish tour beginning this week, Live for Live Music decided to take a look at some of the pre and post parties, along with some other events going on as we get ready for our annual summer tour season with the Vermont Quartet.

Everyone Orchestra – July 2nd @ Putnam Den

Arriving in Saratoga Springs a night early to get settled in for the annual 3-night SPAC run? Well, we have Matt Butler bringing his all-improvised jam session to Putnam Den w/ Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico of (moe.), Todd Stoops (Kung Fu/RAQ), Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Nate Edgar (John Brown’s Body/The Nth Power), and Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power).

If you’re not familiar with Everyone Orchestra, San Francisco native Matt Butler conducts a revolving cast of jam band all stars in a night of completely improvised and unrehearsed magic. He guides the artists on stage through the use of cue cards, also inviting audience participation throughout the musical journey. The Everyone Orchestra has previously featured some of the biggest names in music, featuring members of Phish, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Lotus, Further, Big Gigantic, The Motet, ALO, and so many more.

The show has a later start time to accomodate those traveling into town, so don’t worry about missing any of the music. Tickets are available here. 

Pre-Phish SPAC July 4th BBQ w/ Z3 (Frank Zappa Tribute), FiKus, and The Jauntee

Looking for somewhere to spend your July 4th during the Phish three night run at SPAC? Tired of getting tickets for drinking in a State Park? Live For Live Music has got you covered, as we’re throwing a July 4th BBQ extravaganza just steps away from SPAC’s gates! Included in your ticket price is an ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ, along with sets from The Z3 (A Funky Take On Frank Zappa), FiKus, and The Jauntee! Also, we’re fully licensed to serve alcohol throughout the day – pregame safely!

The Columbia Pavilion is a covered venue, just a ten minute walk from SPAC’s gates and the Phish lot. Park your car either in the Phish lots, or in our private parking space near the Pavilion, and join the party! We’ll be serving drinks and flipping burgers ALL DAY and jamming out to some incredible music. Then after the Phish show, instead of worrying about paying to park at the venue, then being stuck in terrible traffic after the Phish show, just take a stroll through the park, watch some fireworks, and take off stress free! 

More info on the BBQ here. Get your tickets at this link.

Putnam Den’s Late-Night Schedule

There is quite a bit going on at SPAC for the 3-nights that Phish is in town. On July 3rd, Putnam Den will be bringing a post-Phish show with Lucid (tix are $10). On July 4th, L4LM is bringing you the aforementioned Pre-Phish 4th of July BBQ, along with late-night sets from Twiddle and Waylon Speed back at the Den after the main show (tix for each show are $10, or $15 for a “roaming” pass). On Saturday, July 5th, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will be playing the Den Stage w/ Richard James & The Name Changers for $10, while Formula 5 will throwdown a set at The Parting Glass Stage at Putnam Den for $10 (again, with a $15 option to roam between both shows). You can check out the bands playing at the venue’s late night lineup here.

For tickets to any of the events, visit www.putnamden.com 

 

RAQ w/ The Earthlings @ The Electric Factory July 9th

On Wednesday, July 9th, RAQ will deliver some post-Phish goods for a late-night after party at Philly’s infamous Electric Factory. Joining RAQ will be a new group, The Earthlings, a musical collective featuring members of Dopapod, Lotus, and The Nth Power. Deathwaltz is bringing the lot to the factory and having a ton of vendors until 3am as well.

The Earthlings were founded by Dopapod’s Eli Winderman, ever evolving and adapting to the situation at hand. Earthlings will grace the stage for the first time ever with special guests Rob Compa (Dopapod), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Nate Edgar (Nth Power) and more! Expect some cosmic funky vibes from this newly-assembled quartet, to get things rolling for what is sure to be a spectacular night.

Headlining the after-party is the Burlington-based prog jam rock band RAQ. Ladies and gentlemen, RAQ is baq. After a brief hiatus, this band is back with a fervor, and have hit the ground running. Their sets feature an energetic blending of experimental jazz, psychedelic, and good ol’ rock and roll. Expect nothing but high energy from these jam veterans, who are sure to perform into the wee hours of the evening.

Purchase tickets here. 

In-Between: Lettuce and Exmag at Le Poisson Rouge, July 10th

What better way to spend a night off between the two Philly shows (July 8-9) and the Randall’s Island weekend run (July 11-13) than with Lettuce and Exmag at Le Poisson Rouge on Thursday, July 10th. This duo of funky bands will keep you dancing all night long, gearing you up for either Phish’s three-night run in NYC, or the nearby Hudson Project just upstate.

Lettuce is a funk ensemble, comprised of Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (guitar), Eric Krasno (guitar), Adam Deitch (drums), Erick “Jesus” Coomes (bass), Ryan Zoidis (alto, tenor, and bari sax), Neal Evans (organ/keys), and Eric “Benny” Bloom (trumpet). The band always pushes the limit, bringing an undeniable dance party with each performance. Couple that with Exmag, a future funk band from Gramatik’s Lowtemp label, and you’ve got yourself one crazy night.

Tickets for the event start at $28 ($32 at the door), or $45 for VIP, which includes a private DJ set from bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes, drink discounts, a meet and greet with band members, and a show poster. This show will sell out, so act fast! Tickets are on sale now.

ICHISAN and RAQ Rocks Off Boat Cruise Pre-Phish Randall’s Island Parties (July 12-13)

Looking for something to do before the 7/12 and 7/13 Phish shows on Randall’s Island, NYC? Well, look no further, because Rocks Off Concert Cruise has you covered.

ICHISAN will be throwing a disco/house set on July 12th.  Touring alongside such well-known acts as The Disco Biscuits, Boom Box, Conspirator, and Party Supplies, Ichisan’s infectious grooves have earned the DJ a loyal following. With an album due out later this year, expect big things for this foreign DJ.

RAQ will continue their Phishing with a performance on July 13th. Both cruises are official pre-Phish parties, meaning they are perfectly scheduled to have you rip-roaring and ready to go for the Phish shows later that evening. 

Purchase ICHISAN tix at this link, and RAQ tix here.

Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys Tribute – Sunday, July 13th @ BB Kings

On July 13th at BB King Blues Club in NYC, Live for Live Music has put together an all-star ensemble to perform a Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys Tribute Set after Phish plays their final Randall’s Island show (get tix here). The group will be made up of Roosevelt Collier (The Lee Boys) on pedal steel, Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band/Jennifer Hartswick Band) on vocals/trumpet, Ron Johnson (Gregg Allman Band/Warren Haynes Band) on bass, and Adam Deitch (Lettuce/Break Science/Pretty Lights Live Band) behind the kit.

This will be the perfect way to cap off a weekend of Phish in New York City. Grab a drink, take a seat or rock out, and let this incredible ensemble deliver you one magical experience.