Today we look back to February 27, 2003…

Phish Covers Trey Anastasio, Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon, Vida Blue, Pork Tornado

Phish debuted four songs – one from each of the band memberssolo projects – last night at the Worcester Centrum in Worcester, MA. The show-opening You Enjoy Myself dissolved into a vocal jam that segued into the title track of Mike Gordon and Leo Kottkes Clone album, released last fall. Shortly thereafter, the band performed Trey Anastasios Drifting and the Pork Tornado diddy, Blue Skies, sung by drummer Jon Fishman. Towards the end of the first set, Page McConnell took over on piano and vocals for Vida Blues Final Flight.

The second set included three additional covers: The Mustangs’ Ya Mar, Edgar Winters Frankenstein and the Rolling Stones Loving Cup (those scoring at home might also include Wars Low Rider, which was played briefly, sans vocals).
Although Phish is currently based out of Burlington, VT, the show was a homecoming of sorts, as the group has ties to Massachusetts (Gordon is from Sudbury and the quartets management office was originally based out of Watertown and later moved to Lexington).

The tour tomorrow at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.

Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, Me’Shell Ndegello Join Soulive for Stretch Finales

Guitarist Warren Haynes was Soulive’s surprise guest last night at New York’s Tribeca Rock Club, as the band concluded its February Stretch residency. The series of shows took place at different venues around NYC each Wednesday of this month and included different special guests and musical themes at each show. Following Soulives early performance at Joes Pub, which included guest appearances by Ivan Neville, Me’Shell Ndegello and Maktubs Reggie Watts, the trio welcomed Haynes to Tribeca for a rock-themed gig. The set included a wealth of improvisation, as well as Cissy Strut, Lenny, Turn it Out and Fast Maceo, which featured saxophonists Sam Kininger and Ryan Zoidis. The show lasted until shortly before 3 a.m.

Soulive plays next March 13 at The Mercury in Austin, TX. For more dates, visit www.soulive.com

10,000 Lakes Festival Announced; Widespread Panic, Allman Brothers Band to Headline

The line-up for the first-ever 10,000 Lakes Festival has been announced. The event is scheduled to take place July 3 5 on the 600-acre Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN. Artists performing include Widespread Panic, the Allman Brothers Band, moe., Govt Mule, Galactic, Leftover Salmon, O.A.R., Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Leo Kottke, The Big Wu, Particle, Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons, Wookiefoot, RANA, Topaz, Echo, Tim Sparks, The Lost Trailers and Jack Brass Band. Tickets are on sale now.
For complete details, visit www.10000lakesfestival.com.

Vida Blue Releases April Dates

Less than 24 hours after Phish debuted the Vida Blue song Final Flight, the trio has announced plans to perform five shows this spring. The group features Phish keyboardist Page McConnell, bassist Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band) and drummer Russell Batiste (Funky Meters, Papa Grows Funk). The band will play April 9 at The Vic in Chicago, April 10 at Promowest Pavilion in Columbus, OH, April 11 at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, April 12 at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI and April 13 at Toads Place in New Haven, CT. Trainwreck, which features KG of Tenacious D (whose album Page plays on), will open each show. In addition, Karl Densons Tiny Universe will appear at the April 11 show in Philly. Tickets go on sale tonight at 9 p.m.

For complete details, visit www.vidablue.net.