We got there an hour before the show and there were only scattered groups of people strewn across the front banister that separates greatness from a smaller sea (than that of a Phish show) of fans. I was so excited immediately upon arrival, knowing full well that we would be able to get up close enough to see Trey- not little blurbs of someone moving (because I’m always so far away at Phish shows).

I could see the crew doing minor tweaks to the set minutes before the show started; I could see the steam coming from Trey’s cup of tea, details on his custom Languedoc guitar with the ocelot, the pure excitement on his face throughout the show, with an equal amount of concentration and focus on each string of his instrument. His fingers moved like it was second nature, flowing like a steady stream of water- each seemingly effortless strum quenching the musical thirst of every individual in the theatre.

Opening with one of his more well-known numbers, “Caymen Review,” Trey played for over three hours to a packed house, all of which came out- despite the degrees lingering in the teens- to see him play. Fellow band members included: trumpeter and vocalist Jennifer Hartswick, trombonist and vocalist Natalie Cressman, saxophonist James Casey, Russ Lawton on drums, Ray Paczkowski on keyboard, Tony Markellis on bass, and Cyro Baptista on a 10-piece percussion ensemble.

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Set List:

Set 1: Cayman Review, Alive Again, Pigtail, Magilla, Sweet and Dandy, The Land of Nod, Money, Love and Change, Scabbard, Frost, Sweet Dreams Melinda, Dark and Down, Valentine
Set 2: Sand, Corona, Simple Twist Up Dave, Let Me Lie, Goodbye Head, O-o-h Child, Alaska, Architect, Clint Eastwood, Push On ‘Til the Day
Encore: Flock of Words, Heavy Things , Sultans of Swing

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This year alone I got to see the jam band giants at three different venues; Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, SPAC in Saratoga Springs, New York, and starting off with floor seats at their NYE opener on December 28th, only to close with nosebleeds the following day.

Photos courtesy of the band’s Facebook page

I have heard “phans” from all over the country tell me how many hundreds of shows they have seen. I can’t touch what they have seen, or the Phish knowledge they have acquired over the years. I will say that with under 10 shows now safely etched into my repertoire, there is no stopping me. I am definitely considered a new fan of the music, having only started listening to the band within the past two years. For a band that started in the ’80s, one could consider me late to the party.

I grew up on r&b and pop music, and now, after clarity found me at 25 years-old, I realized that hands-down, Phish and other jam-related bands (alongside my alternative rock) is the music that best suits who I am and what gets my ears off best. Who can hate on that?

So, Jonny and myself stayed at Hotel Pennsylvania on West 34th, which- luckily for drunk concert-goers- is directly across the street from MSG. I will refrain from going into detail about how we got lost trying to find our hotel at the end of the show. I mean…. that didn’t happen.

Below are just a few photos I took. The Green Mountain State quartet took MSG by storm. Their shows were so powerful you could practically see the energy floating in a vibrant rhythm above the heads of the fans below (that would be 75,000 fans over the course of the band’s run- according to Glide Magazine). I could have sworn at one point I could feel the floor shake.

Trey’s guitar playing pulsated through me in a way I never thought music could. I was so enlightened by the deeper vibrations of Mike Gordon’s bass, and still am when I listen back to the show. The keys of Page McConnell’s piano tap dance with color in front of me when I hear him going at it during Reba. The sound of Jon Fishman’s drumming slithers through me with delight; flows through me just enough to be able to simultaneously hear bass, guitar, piano, voice and practically melt to the floor that is dancing along with me.

Below are some photos I snapped but there is honestly nothing I could have taken that could describe the sheer pleasure of being at Madison Square Garden for their New Year’s ’12-’13 run. Not one thing.

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For a complete NYE Phish setlist, visit here!

I was brought up on classic rock. My father, a down-to-earth, blue collared factory worker kept the classic rock radio stations turned up day in and day out. Granted I went through that typical “teenie-bopper” phase, I learned the music of greats like the Stones, Zepplin, Pink Floyd and countless others by the slight of my father’s hand.

I was invited to see the show by a good friend of mine and set off to Jersey via Amtrak. We started with a yummy Portuguese dinner at Campinos before heading to the Prudential Center. Not only were the Stones amazing, (Mick’s energy was through the roof), but my all-time favorite musician just so happened to be playing alongside them for one song. John Mayer. A wonderful guitarist and lyricist, Mayer is talented beyond his years. His personal life and supposed douche-baggery does not, nor will it ever affect how I see him as an artist. He was wonderful next to Mick and the gang, as he wailed on his guitar (his voice is on rest for the foreseeable future), for the track “Respectable.” I managed to keep still the entire song so to record it and subsequently post to YouTube.

Here are some photos, along with the setlist I gathered from that night. I wanted to post on this earlier but because of the Newtown ordeal, I wanted to give it a little time.

Setlist 12/13/12

1. Get Off of My Cloud
2. The Last Time
3. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
4. Paint It Black
5. Gimme Shelter
6. Respectable
   (with John Mayer)
7. Wild Horses
8. Around and Around
   (Chuck Berry cover) (first live performance since 5 March 1977)
9. Doom and Gloom
10. One More Shot
11. Miss You
12. Honky Tonk Women
    (followed by band introductions)
13. Before They Make Me Run
    (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
14. Happy
    (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
15. Midnight Rambler
    (with Mick Taylor)
16. Start Me Up
17. Tumbling Dice
18. Brown Sugar
19. Sympathy for the Devil
20. Encore:
21. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
    (with the Choir of Trinity Wall Street)
22. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
23. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

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John Mayer & The Rolling Stones

Catskill Chill Music Festival was held in Hancock, NY, and is in its third year. Acts like Conspirator, Lettuce, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Soulive were on the bill, but it was more than the music for me. Every time I go to a festival it is reinvention of myself. I learn to love more, I learn to dance more, and I learn to appreciate nature, music and all types of people for who they are.

The weather was hot on the way up but the nights were cool and reminiscent of autumn. Having gone last year without appropriate clothes and blankets, the two of us knew this year to pack up. We brought a canvas and some acrylic paints and painting carefree strokes until we created a picture we thought was good enough to use as a reminder of our Catskill stay.

The experience– although I have had it before– was somewhat enlightening. There was no cell phone service, I couldn’t take a shower, I slept in a tent, and I stayed up all night to clear skies and crisp air that left me no choice but to think deeper than I have in a while. It was a much needed getaway, after the stresses of school and work came at me all at once late last month.

The fun is over and the summer is, too. I have months and months to plan our first music festival next year, Bonnaroo. Cheers to the changing seasons!

Feel free to comment, rebut, and fight with me over my picks!

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Reality Television Show

Bronze: Dance Moms

I am a sucker for crazy moms who force their children into activities such as dance and pageants. I mean, I feel bad, but it makes for great television. Dance Moms is about the Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and four moms and their little girls as they set out to dominate the dance world. One problem, the owner, Abby Lee, is a major biotch who plays favorites and love drama.

Watch it on: TLC 

*

Silver: Snooki & JWoww

I am a long-time fan of the Jersey Shore. I love their skanky ways and no-holds-bar lifestyles. I live slightly vicariously through them. So when I heard JWoww and Snooki were getting their own spin-off, I made sure to set the DVR, just for late night giggles.

Watch it on: MTV

*

Gold: Mob Wives Chicago

After watching the first two seasons of Mob Wives, which took place in the Staten Island area, I had to tune in for the Chicago version. The women of season 3 are daughters and ex wives of big-time mob criminals including Frank “The German” Shweihs, Vincent Rizza, Wolf DeSimone, Raymond Janek and “Big John” Fecarotta. So much drama, so much entertainment.

Watch it on: VH1

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Non-reality Television Show (Comedy & Drama)

Bronze:  True Blood

I am so late to the game with this one. I watched season one then stopped because my house did not get HBO. However, I am back on the True Blood train. Now there are fairies and shape-shifters and all types of nonsensical characters, but as long as there is sex, nudity, and of course, those crazy vamps, I am watching!

Watch it on: HBO

*

Silver: The Big Bang Theory

I am utterly obsessed with these nerds. I love the wittiness; the catch phrases that make these four scientists lovable and the way the show keeps on keepin’ on with new material, characters and jokes that never make it a bore to watch.

Watch it on: TBS

*

Gold: The Walking Dead

Please, did you think I would say anything else? This show was snubbed Emmy’s for its killer acting but received three nominations for makeup and effects, as deserved. The Walking Dead has been dubbed “The Best Thriller Ever Produced for Television” by Entertainment Weekly. The show is about more than a zombie apocalypse, but about the interpersonal relationships and conflicts those survivors deal with amidst the chaos. Simply wonderful.

Watch it on: AMC

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Best Movie

Bronze:  The Cabin in the Woods

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Jesse Williams

*

Silver: Moonrise Kingdom

Starring: Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Kara Hayward, Jason Schwartzman

*

Gold: The Avengers

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hiddleston

For the record, I have yet to see The Dark Knight Rises, and because I love scary movies more than anything, this is best mish-mosh of award-giving I could do to get an equal share of genres in there. Moonrise Kingdom is a brilliant independent film directed by Wes Anderson. Read the synopsis here.

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Best Looking Male Actor

Bronze: Chris Hemsworth

The Avengers, Star Trek, Thor

*

Silver: Norman Reedus

The Boondock Saints, The Walking Dead

*

Gold: Alexander Skarsgard

True Blood, Battleship, Meloncholia

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Best Looking Female Actor

Bronze: Nina Dobrev

The Vampire Diaries, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (post-production)

*

Silver: Mila Kunis

Ted, That 70′s Show, Black Swan

*

Gold:  Kristen Stewart

Twilight, Snow White and the Huntsman, Into the Wild

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Best Album

Bronze: Metric- Synthetica

As a longtime fan of Metric, I have to say this is their best album yet. Emily Haines on vocals is splendid as usual, and the tracks all line up perfectly but are rightfully different, bringing a deep groove and hipster dance-worthy melodies and choruses. Give all their albums a listen and disappointed you will not be.

*

Silver: Best Coast- The Only Place

I am, as of recently, a huge Best Coast fan. After seeing them in concert a few weeks ago, I have been doing my best to get all my friends on the Best Coast bandwagon. Their tunes are light and catchy, but there is a great depth to them that will make you reconsider sitting on your ass, and encourage plan-making! “The Only Place” is their second album, so go on and take a listen!

*

Gold: John Mayer- Born & Raised

A more mature sound than his previous albums, John Mayer channels his inner west-coaster on the record. He sings a lot about his mistakes, his apologies and his future. This album is super relatable and very much wholesome and thought-provoking.

So what and who do you think deserves the Gold? 

The first is on organ donation; the benefits, how to go about donating, becoming a donor and a highlight of a local town in Connecticut’s affiliation with Donate Life Connecticut and Donate Life New England. The story is really touching and changed my mind completely about becoming a donor, which is a goal I must reach on my Life List. Check it out and leave a comment?

The second post is on a great soul-jazz band, Soulive, in which I had the pleasure of writing about. I interviewed drummer Alan Evans in order to put this all together.

They are a fantastically funky trio from New York, and with this post you can learn a lot about them and their music. Here it is one more time:

http://gatheringofthevibes.com/govibes-blog

Gathering of the Vibes Music and Arts Festival starts today and I will be there all week/weekend to take in all the beautiful energy, music and people, with a subsequent post at its end come Monday.

Any opportunity for me to write is an opportunity I will never pass up. I hope you all enjoy the posts I wrote! If you are heading to the Vibes bring a poncho, the weather looks icky the next two days, and if you are too far to get to Vibes this year, well, have a fantastic week. I will be back soon