In an attempt to witness Phish history, I embark on a concert quest to secure a last-minute ticket to the band's groundbreaking Sphere residency, battling against soaring prices and fierce competition for the most coveted and expensive concert ticket ever.
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I'm on location, with a finger up, hanging out with other miracle ticket seekers outside the venue. But the quest doesn't stop there. I take you all over Vegas to talk with dedicated fans (and haters too) at Phish webcast gatherings, after-parties, in nitrous alley, and on Uber rides. You'll hear real-time reviews from Phish fans moments after the show, the lengths people went to get a miracle ticket (like trading a goat!), and the insane prices they were willing to pay.
My trip concludes at Brooklyn Bowl, where I chat with Peter Shapiro, the concert promoter behind the Fare The Well Tour and co-owner of Brooklyn Bowl. When I asked him about miracle tickets, he encouraged me to watch his 1993 documentary, "And Miles To Go Before I Sleep" where he gave away tickets on Shakedown Street during a Grateful Dead run. Witnessing the joyful reactions was a reminder of the connections made at concerts and the traditions we've created in the jam band scene. It was inspiring to watch and taught me to keep my own heart open, knowing that at any moment, a miracle might find its way to me.
Yes, the music is what brings us together, and I hope to get my ass inside the Sphere at some point soon, but this experience ultimately showed me that while technology at music venues is rapidly evolving, the business is changing, and ticket prices are insane, the basics remain the same, like being in the lot, enjoying everyone's company, and experiencing something new together.
And that's what Concert Cast is all about - capturing the concert culture, the people, the conversations, and talking with strangers who become friends. Concert Cast is about documenting the moment and giving fans an ear to listen and to be heard. It's in these instances that we understand the power of the music we love, which makes us feel like we're part of something greater than ourselves. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being hear.
My trip concludes at Brooklyn Bowl, where I chat with Peter Shapiro, the concert promoter behind the Fare The Well Tour and co-owner of Brooklyn Bowl. When I asked him about miracle tickets, he encouraged me to watch his 1993 documentary, "And Miles To Go Before I Sleep" where he gave away tickets on Shakedown Street during a Grateful Dead run. Witnessing the joyful reactions was a reminder of the connections made at concerts and the traditions we've created in the jam band scene. It was inspiring to watch and taught me to keep my own heart open, knowing that at any moment, a miracle might find its way to me.
Yes, the music is what brings us together, and I hope to get my ass inside the Sphere at some point soon, but this experience ultimately showed me that while technology at music venues is rapidly evolving, the business is changing, and ticket prices are insane, the basics remain the same, like being in the lot, enjoying everyone's company, and experiencing something new together.
And that's what Concert Cast is all about - capturing the concert culture, the people, the conversations, and talking with strangers who become friends. Concert Cast is about documenting the moment and giving fans an ear to listen and to be heard. It's in these instances that we understand the power of the music we love, which makes us feel like we're part of something greater than ourselves. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being hear.
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Travel Tips
Where to stay: Venetian. It's attached to the Sphere, so it's a really convenient walk to and from the venue.
How to spend your day? By the pool!
Food: I'm not even going to attempt to cover this. So many options. But I am a big fan of Lotus of Siam.
Other Music Venue Destinations: The Sand Dollar Downtown is your destination for Phish Webcast gatherings.
After Parties: So many around town. My faves: Brooklyn Bowl + Area 15.
Other Ticket Resources: TickPick, Cash or Trade
Phish Head Websites for Reference: PhishonPhilm, Phunkyourface, Venue Llama
How to spend your day? By the pool!
Food: I'm not even going to attempt to cover this. So many options. But I am a big fan of Lotus of Siam.
Other Music Venue Destinations: The Sand Dollar Downtown is your destination for Phish Webcast gatherings.
After Parties: So many around town. My faves: Brooklyn Bowl + Area 15.
Other Ticket Resources: TickPick, Cash or Trade
Phish Head Websites for Reference: PhishonPhilm, Phunkyourface, Venue Llama
Concert Cast Interviews with Jon Fishman
I sat down with Fishman after his radio show in Belfast, Maine and we talked about everything under the sun!
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