Grateful Dead

Fate made it possible for me to attend Phil Lesh and Friends in 2006 at SPAC.

Glad I went even though the show itself was...kind of...not...amazing.

The venue itself was like people are describing.

Got my shipping notice at 4:AM today. Left the UPS facility around 5:AM CA time. Says it’ll be here Tuesday, which is my day off! We’ll see…

I hear what you guys are saying, and yeah, sight lines could be a challenge. Now, I’ve only been for the Dead 84 & 85, and maybe things are different now, but seeing the dead there/then was amazing! Camping for a couple daze around those grounds etc, sweetness, and one of the best parties we ever went to!
We always went to lower lawn, not too close so we could catch PA, but we could see ok. But it wasn’t much about seeing back then, and man, what a dance party out on that lawn in the pouring rain! You really did have to be there!
No, it’s not the rocks, or the Gorge, or the Frost or Greek, but it will always be one of my favorite venues just because of the setting/place and vibe. And the band went as nuts as we did, and always kicked ass!

Fun Toga story: in 84 we went a day early and they let us park/hang in the main lot area. (We had some fun jams with some dude playing Tull on Flute!) By next morning, overwhelming insanity.
So, after lighting up like NY all night, my Bud (ole BOO469) and I decide we need to rest up a little for the show, and yet another all night high wattage affair. So we grab our sleeping bags and venture into the park itself, find a nice quiet picnic shelter, and proceed to get comfy on the picnic tables.
Well shortly thereafter, park ranger comes round “no camping in the park”!
Well old Boo gives em the “what if we’re not camping” which kinda throws the guy. Boo continues “yeah, what if we’re just having a picnic” Rangers like, picnics ok, no camping, so Boo goes “well what if while we’re having our picnic, we decide we want to lay down for a few minutes and digest our big meal etc” Rangers like, picnics ok, no camping. So of course we adamantly tell him we are most certainly having a picnic in spite of any evidence to the contrary and he goes away, and we both got the most necessary rest needed, on our picnic ; )
The rest is history! Pheeeew, summer 85 baby!

My favorite show in '79 was in Indy on 2/03.........have a poster from the show that I put dibs on at a local headshop........10 years later, Mouse signed it for me at an art show that was touring along with the band. It's a blue/orange day-glo of the back of Terrapin Station, which is his design........tix, as stated on the poster, were $6.50/$7.50 DOS................dem good 'ol days!!

Never been there, but in looking at pictures (over many years), it seemed like the design was off. Looks like a hard time seeing from lawn. Makes sense, used to have a small lawn where you can see. Now expanded into bad design. Why not upgrade the shed part of the property so that the whole lawn can see?

back at cha!

Thanks!

Unless you are inside, DO NOT waste your time and money on SPAC. Went both D&C shows, and could only watch on a big screen from the lawn. It was friggin' ridiculous, there were so many people watching on the big screen, outside of the RESTROOMS, that first you had to fight through that crowd, then you had to fight army of dudes waiting to pee afterwards. I'm out! I will say though, we stayed within walking distance, and that part of it was ah-mazing. The park and trees etc was maybe the best I've ever seen surrounding a venue. Also, the town of Saratoga, A+, lots of fun, food, and history.

Another venue whose lawn got destroyed by greed is Meriweather Post. Used to be an excellent lawn venue, now you're lucky to get a glimpse of the band.

When Irene tore through Vermont, Phish did a benefit show at the Champlain Valley Expo near Burlington and raised over a million bucks. There's a major fair scheduled there end of August so they went to SPAC. Video can be seen with Page talking about the current situation, plan for SPAC and Vermont flood damage by going to the "sight" for WCAX, the local CBS affiliate in Burl, search on "surprise Phish shows..."

I hit SPAC for the first time ever on July 7th when Goose rolled through. It was their largest ever crowd and I was thrilled to be a part of that legend-in-making. Was probably one of the best live shows I've seen - ever! Their trajectory is exponential at the moment and it's really really cool to be holding on for that ride and witnessing it in real time, being a part of it all. The fans are so appreciative and vice versa.

SPAC as a venue was really, really cool. HUGE grounds, lots of open spaces so everyone isn't crammed into one back end area between sets, etc. We were under the pavilion and it was pretty amazing - it reminded me of being in an open-air concert hall, the way they have the roof and wall panels designed. We were right off the soundboard, so the seats were perfecto. Agree the lawn is dicey - the best spots are the ones closest but things get a bit diluted the further back you go with previously noted obstructions, etc. But overall, it is probably the coolest venue I've ever attended. Really happy that Phish is doing this - doing the helpful thing - the world needs a lot more of that these days and it's refreshing to see some good guys doing this for others.

Be Well People!
Sixtus

Well at least we got that going for us.
That and total consciousness on our deathbeds.
No wait, that's Carl Spackler.
Cheers