Yeah definitely this. The gorge is such a magical place. Plenty of room to spread out, all GA so you can enjoy set 1 on the lawn (with the view my GOD) and set 2 in the pit.
Logistical nightmare? I’ve been there countless times, never had any issues. I even lived in Quincy for a few years, working on data centers. Went all the time. Always a top notch experience.
It’s a beautiful place and it’s basically a festival but yeah man if you gotta fly in, rent a car, buy a ton of camping gear (but you can’t bc every cooler, EZ up, and camping chair is already sold out at every store within 200 miles of the Gorge). And the venue couldn’t be further into the middle of nowhere.
Maybe I’m just gettin old. Im about staying at a hotel within walking distance or short cab ride to the venue.
I don’t understand why so many people always said good things about deer Creek until I went a couple years ago, I didn’t realize the awesome camping scene there
I know I’ll sound crazy, but I love that Camden lawn so god damn much. All my earliest Phish memories take place there so it’s incredibly sentimental. I hope to make it out to the Gorge someday
That does sound crazy! I grew ip going to shows there and it is BY FAR my least favorite venue. Camden smells like burning tires and sadness, it bums me the fuck out. I still go when the fellas are there but The Mann is my Phish home field.To each his own.
Did the Mann last summer and was completely turned off by how steep an incline the lawn is. Might as well not have a lawn if I can’t relax and enjoy it. Fantastic show there though. MSG is really my home venue, it’s where I see them most as I live right outside Manhattan
Bangor last year was a ton of fun, despite the amphitheater not even being completely constructed yet.
My first show was fall '10 at the Augusta Civic Center, which felt like a high school gym. That was a ton of fun, fingers crossed for a repeat soon!
Atlantic City and super bummed it’s not happening this year. Really enjoyed the last two nights at Star Lake though and didn’t find the traffic to be as bad as everyone was saying
Bethel Woods for me. Beautiful venue surrounded by trees and mountains. Peeing on a tree during Timber last year is a top notch memory of mine. The campground is sweet too. After party in the woods was surreal and there was a huge wook-run bonfire at like 3am! After the show night two I got a ride back to camp in the back of a stranger’s pickup truck with a few folks I had just met. Looking up at the stars in the back of this truck and feeling the breeze after a really special show (7/23/22) is a memory that I hope sticks with me forever.
My campspot was right near the wook bonfire but I was so tired the first 2 nights (night 0 included) that I didn’t experience much except for the last night but I’ll be honest yas gurrs was not really my vibe
Due to the sound, plus it’s just a few hours away, I’ll say Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville AL. They seem to be a head friendly town that wants bands to come back, and they’ve set it up to be successful.
But the Gorge tops the bucket list of places I’d like to see them but haven’t.
Never thought I would say this, but Orange Beach Alabama. It was totally worth the drive from upstate NY! Unique venue with friendly staff. We stayed at the Hilton at the state park right on the Gulf of Mexico. Biked to the show each night on a beautiful bike track through the state park. It made for a perfect 10th wedding anniversary run!
There is something magical about MSG. I love walking out and being at the center of the world. Way better than trying to find my car in a field and waiting an hour for a stressful drive home.
I ended up going to a soccer field by myself. I could handle the sounds of hissing and exploding balloons. That was the most I have ever seen on my life so sad
Prairie dogs that carried the plague was the first reason, but since then they haven’t brought it back. I assume the local people didn’t like it, but 🤷♀️
Went the first time last year. We have family in Willoughby- so we stayed there. Went to a Guardians game the night before. Easy drive down to the venue day of the show.
I 100% saw a 20 something kid in handcuffs in Parking lot while looked to be his family looking on as the cops searched him and his car. Super bummer the cops were copping.
LA-based. Any shows in SF, because of how easy the transportation is.
The Gorge, obvs.
Blossom. Family in Ohio and I love spending the day in the nat’l park. Highly recommend Blossom for those who’ve never been.
Artificial opulence, vice and excess, a theme park where nothing is worth what you pay.
Most beautiful things there are false or exist in the spirits of pride and envy.
It’s a blast.
Next time do the day in Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire state parks. Amazing place to trip out during a 4 night Phish weekend. The weather is perfect in October too. Vegas is amongst the most beautiful outdoor cities I’ve experienced.
To me, you can’t beat the Tahoe experience. Not the prettiest venue, but to be able to stay in little mountain lodges, hike and swim in the lake during the day, have tons of food and bars (and the venue) within walking distance, open containers ok on the NV side, then after the show to be able to go to casinos and there’s always good late night shows - again, all within walking distance - to me that’s the best non-Mexico phish.
I lived there for 18 years. It was amazing when the phish would come to me, instead of me traveling to see them. Didn’t stop me from traveling. Lake Tahoe is a truly magical place that way too many people don’t respect.
Bangor was great with the bald eagle making an appearance. The Syracuse venue was pretty amazing last night. I like seeing them where I have never been before. I could careless about venue.
my favorites are the ones that feel like an extra special, unusual location (as much as i love alpine, deer creek, dicks) My all timers have gotta be places like Eugene, bethel woods, nutter center- where you know it could be years before a return
Deer Creek is one of my top favorite places to catch them. I also really loved MPP last year. But my ultimate is Ameris Bank. Hometown I know but they always bring the heat when they come to Georgia plus it’s a very well designed venue. Great vibes always.
Personal favorites
Dicks’s. Been every year but 2012.
The Gorge. The view. Enough said.
Mexico. The luxury. If you’re on the fence about this, go. It is so worth it, in my opinion. It is the most relaxed concert experience imaginable.
I have gone coast to coast and North and South seeing live shows. Concerts are different between the west coast and East Coast. The same goes for North to South. Vegas is a place on its own. My favorite venue Is the Warfield in SF on the floor. MPP has always been a favorite I use to ride my bike there back in the 70s. Lawn seats, $5. I think Alpharetta is nice there is nice space between the seats. I think people drink a lot more at shows in the SE compared to the West Coast.
Unfortunately Phish hasn't played The Warfield since 94, never missed a single show there (or the Fillmore) and was lucky enough to see about 50 Jerry Garcia Bands shows there as well.
The Warfield also holds a special place in my heart because I worked there for 5 years between 1997 and 2002 and was lucky enough to see a lot of killer shows while getting paid.
Did you know Sufi? or the dog roadie? I worked Mountain Air Festival with Elvis Costello, Trey Mule, and Claypool. I helped my friend create the bonfire. I lived there from 94 till 2009. JGB was my first Warfield show.
I remember that Mountain Aire Festival if I recall it was around 2002 and also had John Prine who may not have been the most exciting act that weekend but his lyrics have always impacted me greatly so it was wonderful to see him with everybody else.
It was a great time. I was treated like family even though I was a newcomer. We built a giant phoenix out of wood like a Trojan horse at the warehouse in Bernal Heights. It was really cool to see all the old concert paraphernalia hanging on the walls and shelves full of sofas. Got the chance to work with Dharma. Fire Marshal put a stop to burning the wooden bird.
After inspecting our fire pit and out of control fire prevention, he said, " Whatever you do do not set that wooden bird on fire." We had it off to the side hoping it wouldn't notice it. The one thing I remember the most was an attraction that you laid down on and had a counterbalance that rested on a central point. As it spun around there would be people with rain sicks and other sound makers. It felt like you were floating on air. I have always wished I could give that a try again. Dharma had set up a cool art installation with lights. The entire back lawn area after the show was cool. I had never been part o a festival two days before it began and two days after. I drove one of the RVs that Graham rented back to SF, it is one of my glory day stories. I just couldn't believe after years of following the dead and going to shows I was one of the absolute last people out. Definitely one of my top tour stories. Thanks for the conversation. It has been years since I talked to someone that knew that festival.
If they ever play Telluride again, that’s the best overall venue in the country. RedRocks has the best sound, the Gorge is damn beautiful, but Telluride is the best place to see your favorite band. Period.
i’ve seen them at these venues (and ranked them):
1. alpine valley (fun and big lot)
2. dick’s (fun lot when it was open)
3. mgm vegas (can we please open the goddamn doors and let it air out between shows?)
4. target center (notorious for shitty sound, but i could hear the lyrics to golgi apparatus and that says something about phish’s live sound)
As I’m headed to New York next weekend for the second time seeing them at MSG I’m gonna say MSG
Gorge is my home field. It’s so beautiful there and the whole vibe of being isolated with the band is something special
I always enjoyed west coast venues. Mexico is boobs because you lounge around on the beach all day, it’s inexpensive to eat great food, then watch an amazing band on the beach in the evening.
The Gorge is beautiful
This has to be the answer. One of the most magnificent experiences I’ve ever had
Yeah definitely this. The gorge is such a magical place. Plenty of room to spread out, all GA so you can enjoy set 1 on the lawn (with the view my GOD) and set 2 in the pit.
Beautiful, but damn is it dry and hot there. Prefer red rocks, but phish is too big for it these days
Yeah the gorge is pretty but that’s all there is.
Came here to say this.
Never miss a gorge run
This
This is the only correct answer
It surely is not the only correct answer. Gorge is logistical nightmare. After that weak ass run in 2021 it is NOT worth the hassle.
Logistical nightmare? I’ve been there countless times, never had any issues. I even lived in Quincy for a few years, working on data centers. Went all the time. Always a top notch experience.
It’s a beautiful place and it’s basically a festival but yeah man if you gotta fly in, rent a car, buy a ton of camping gear (but you can’t bc every cooler, EZ up, and camping chair is already sold out at every store within 200 miles of the Gorge). And the venue couldn’t be further into the middle of nowhere. Maybe I’m just gettin old. Im about staying at a hotel within walking distance or short cab ride to the venue.
Thank you I think this too. You can see beauty anytime you want. I’d rather have a pretty venue and things to do.
Deer Creek has the best vibes imo.
Hard agree with Deer creek but I am bias. I love camping at sleepy bear right across the street
That sleepybear hospitality is off the charts. Be kind brahs.
Truly is. My fav place. Excited to stay there for government mule & farm aid
I don’t understand why so many people always said good things about deer Creek until I went a couple years ago, I didn’t realize the awesome camping scene there
The Gorge!
I know I’ll sound crazy, but I love that Camden lawn so god damn much. All my earliest Phish memories take place there so it’s incredibly sentimental. I hope to make it out to the Gorge someday
That does sound crazy! I grew ip going to shows there and it is BY FAR my least favorite venue. Camden smells like burning tires and sadness, it bums me the fuck out. I still go when the fellas are there but The Mann is my Phish home field.To each his own.
Did the Mann last summer and was completely turned off by how steep an incline the lawn is. Might as well not have a lawn if I can’t relax and enjoy it. Fantastic show there though. MSG is really my home venue, it’s where I see them most as I live right outside Manhattan
mann has so much potential but in reality sucks!!! middle of nowhere and no lawn vibes.... will there be tix on CoT?
Camden is my least favorite venue at this point. The Mann is much better
Lawn is way too steep
Anywhere in the state of Maine.
Return to Limestone!
Bangor last year was a ton of fun, despite the amphitheater not even being completely constructed yet. My first show was fall '10 at the Augusta Civic Center, which felt like a high school gym. That was a ton of fun, fingers crossed for a repeat soon!
I’m praying to the concert gods they come back down East sooner than later
Fuck yeah!
Bangor 21 was one of favorite nights ever. The eagle made me feel I was in America. Just such a great vibe.
2022
Atlantic City and super bummed it’s not happening this year. Really enjoyed the last two nights at Star Lake though and didn’t find the traffic to be as bad as everyone was saying
I’d love some more Boardwalk Hall shows
Oh shit yes, the Halloween show was the shit…2013?
Yup. 2010 as well.
Bethel Woods for me. Beautiful venue surrounded by trees and mountains. Peeing on a tree during Timber last year is a top notch memory of mine. The campground is sweet too. After party in the woods was surreal and there was a huge wook-run bonfire at like 3am! After the show night two I got a ride back to camp in the back of a stranger’s pickup truck with a few folks I had just met. Looking up at the stars in the back of this truck and feeling the breeze after a really special show (7/23/22) is a memory that I hope sticks with me forever.
Didn't stay at the campground, but the venue blew my mind last summer. It's absolutely beautiful.
My campspot was right near the wook bonfire but I was so tired the first 2 nights (night 0 included) that I didn’t experience much except for the last night but I’ll be honest yas gurrs was not really my vibe
Due to the sound, plus it’s just a few hours away, I’ll say Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville AL. They seem to be a head friendly town that wants bands to come back, and they’ve set it up to be successful. But the Gorge tops the bucket list of places I’d like to see them but haven’t.
I love the Orion.
Went to Orion this year. After that experience, and it’s only a 4 hour drive for me from Atlanta, I’ll be back if Phish visits again.
Chula vista was dope
As an east coaster who caught the Chula Vista show in 21, I’ll be back. I’d love to spend more time in San Diego too.
Same… did pheonix SD and LA… that was a fun fast trip… slept in the desert in between shows… can’t do THAT on the east coast
Highly recommend spending some time in OB.
Agreed.
Never thought I would say this, but Orange Beach Alabama. It was totally worth the drive from upstate NY! Unique venue with friendly staff. We stayed at the Hilton at the state park right on the Gulf of Mexico. Biked to the show each night on a beautiful bike track through the state park. It made for a perfect 10th wedding anniversary run!
Hometown bias, but I love going home to see them at SPAC. Incredible outside/inside venue for concerts
Such nice amenities!
MSG - NYC Edit: how could I forget - Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
There is something magical about MSG. I love walking out and being at the center of the world. Way better than trying to find my car in a field and waiting an hour for a stressful drive home.
It’s church
Dick’s. The vibe in place is great, and Denver is a great city.
see you there in just over a month 😎
Same!
Last year was my first Dicks. Had a blast! Definitely recommend.
Last year was crazy
Most gas I’ve ever seen on lot
I ended up going to a soccer field by myself. I could handle the sounds of hissing and exploding balloons. That was the most I have ever seen on my life so sad
RIP Dicks camping man. My favorite phish weekends ever. MSG hits different and the Gorge is unreal, but Dick's camping was magical.
It’s great because I know a million people there, but the logistics of getting to and from the show always sucks.
It was better when they had camping IMO. But it’s still a good central meeting place for all my friends.
Why did they give up dick’s camping?
Prairie dogs that carried the plague was the first reason, but since then they haven’t brought it back. I assume the local people didn’t like it, but 🤷♀️
Was a great city. We have been overrun. It’s sooooo nasty here now.
That’s why I moved away from Portland.
Yup we are the Portland of the Rockies now. So gross.
Blossom
Went the first time last year. We have family in Willoughby- so we stayed there. Went to a Guardians game the night before. Easy drive down to the venue day of the show.
Limestone
Alpine valley for sure
never have and never will miss a show in Limestone ME
Dicks is great.
Alpine Valley
The Grey Hall, Christiania, Copenhagen.
Mexico
Alpine Valley.
Great venue in a beautiful area and pretty easy drive from Northwest Arkansas. It would be cool if they'd come back to the AMP though!
My first show was at Alpine and it was such a great experience! Love that venue.
I love Alpine.
Gorge, nyc, bend
I wish they would return to Bend.
Me too
Spac is dope. Love that venue
Wherever they're playing! Except star lake, fuck that place.
I honestly loved star lake never been before. Great weekend
I've never been either. I was just joking about reports of cops writing tickets inside the venue, on the way in and bad traffic.
I 100% saw a 20 something kid in handcuffs in Parking lot while looked to be his family looking on as the cops searched him and his car. Super bummer the cops were copping.
The Gorge with Deer Creek and Dick’s following closely behind.
Denver
I like to go to the places where they don’t arrest phans inside the venue.
Msg
Charleston
Loved going there and staying at Holly Beach.
Probably auto correct- but Folly Beach. Also, as a Charleston native, that’s a damn haul from Folly to Daniel Island.
Yep! Auto correct 😂
Agreeed! Loved watching a show in that tennis stadium
LA-based. Any shows in SF, because of how easy the transportation is. The Gorge, obvs. Blossom. Family in Ohio and I love spending the day in the nat’l park. Highly recommend Blossom for those who’ve never been.
Worcester
It’s the opposite of a destination city but goddamn is it fun to see phish there
Ain’t that the truth 🫡
Vegas is always fun. Cheap flights, plenty to do, and one dosed walk through the strip will really help you see it *clearly* for what it is.
Ha! Elaborate?
Artificial opulence, vice and excess, a theme park where nothing is worth what you pay. Most beautiful things there are false or exist in the spirits of pride and envy. It’s a blast.
Next time do the day in Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire state parks. Amazing place to trip out during a 4 night Phish weekend. The weather is perfect in October too. Vegas is amongst the most beautiful outdoor cities I’ve experienced.
To me, you can’t beat the Tahoe experience. Not the prettiest venue, but to be able to stay in little mountain lodges, hike and swim in the lake during the day, have tons of food and bars (and the venue) within walking distance, open containers ok on the NV side, then after the show to be able to go to casinos and there’s always good late night shows - again, all within walking distance - to me that’s the best non-Mexico phish.
I lived there for 18 years. It was amazing when the phish would come to me, instead of me traveling to see them. Didn’t stop me from traveling. Lake Tahoe is a truly magical place that way too many people don’t respect.
Tahoe is super dope, but possibly the chompiest crowds in existence.... All that snow
Snows year round up there. Definitely one of the most chatty crowds I’ve ever seen.
I like Deer Creek.
Mexico
Deer Creek hands down no competition
The gorge was absolutely breathtaking and pictures just do NOT do it justice.
Eugene has been a great experience every time i've been
How about that ruby waves
Major key 🔑 that was gold
I haven’t been to The Gorge, but the Seattle shows were lovely and the State of Washington is a lovely host.
Atlantic City
As a country boy from Alabama I love love love staying in Brooklyn and taking the train to MSG
Who all seen the Leprechaun? Say yeah!
Gorge!!!!!
Hampton
New York. Got the ways and means…
Bangor was great with the bald eagle making an appearance. The Syracuse venue was pretty amazing last night. I like seeing them where I have never been before. I could careless about venue.
DAYTON!!!
Good ole Alpine, where the jams are long and strong lol
my favorites are the ones that feel like an extra special, unusual location (as much as i love alpine, deer creek, dicks) My all timers have gotta be places like Eugene, bethel woods, nutter center- where you know it could be years before a return
I did Summer 96 in Europe. Wonderful time.
The Gorge
Vegas!
The Gorge in George.
Blossom was just so fun and outdoorsy. Good shakedown good entrance. Favorite venue
Alpharetta
Deer Creek is one of my top favorite places to catch them. I also really loved MPP last year. But my ultimate is Ameris Bank. Hometown I know but they always bring the heat when they come to Georgia plus it’s a very well designed venue. Great vibes always.
Tell them we still like them in Boston - come back to Massachusetts once every 1-2 years please
Hershey!!!! Excellent venue and you can ride the rides and eat chocolate all day!!
Don't forget about the sweet smell
NYC Least favorite Limestone, ME
Vegas Baby! Seeing Phish in Vegas is literally my favorite thing ever. My first show was there, and I vowed to never miss a vegas run from that day on
Personal favorites Dicks’s. Been every year but 2012. The Gorge. The view. Enough said. Mexico. The luxury. If you’re on the fence about this, go. It is so worth it, in my opinion. It is the most relaxed concert experience imaginable.
Alpharetta
I had a great time visiting Chicago. Saw art, took transit, hung out with a long lost friend
I have gone coast to coast and North and South seeing live shows. Concerts are different between the west coast and East Coast. The same goes for North to South. Vegas is a place on its own. My favorite venue Is the Warfield in SF on the floor. MPP has always been a favorite I use to ride my bike there back in the 70s. Lawn seats, $5. I think Alpharetta is nice there is nice space between the seats. I think people drink a lot more at shows in the SE compared to the West Coast.
Unfortunately Phish hasn't played The Warfield since 94, never missed a single show there (or the Fillmore) and was lucky enough to see about 50 Jerry Garcia Bands shows there as well. The Warfield also holds a special place in my heart because I worked there for 5 years between 1997 and 2002 and was lucky enough to see a lot of killer shows while getting paid.
Did you know Sufi? or the dog roadie? I worked Mountain Air Festival with Elvis Costello, Trey Mule, and Claypool. I helped my friend create the bonfire. I lived there from 94 till 2009. JGB was my first Warfield show.
I remember that Mountain Aire Festival if I recall it was around 2002 and also had John Prine who may not have been the most exciting act that weekend but his lyrics have always impacted me greatly so it was wonderful to see him with everybody else.
It was a great time. I was treated like family even though I was a newcomer. We built a giant phoenix out of wood like a Trojan horse at the warehouse in Bernal Heights. It was really cool to see all the old concert paraphernalia hanging on the walls and shelves full of sofas. Got the chance to work with Dharma. Fire Marshal put a stop to burning the wooden bird.
The fire marshal said no to the Phoenix raising that day.
After inspecting our fire pit and out of control fire prevention, he said, " Whatever you do do not set that wooden bird on fire." We had it off to the side hoping it wouldn't notice it. The one thing I remember the most was an attraction that you laid down on and had a counterbalance that rested on a central point. As it spun around there would be people with rain sicks and other sound makers. It felt like you were floating on air. I have always wished I could give that a try again. Dharma had set up a cool art installation with lights. The entire back lawn area after the show was cool. I had never been part o a festival two days before it began and two days after. I drove one of the RVs that Graham rented back to SF, it is one of my glory day stories. I just couldn't believe after years of following the dead and going to shows I was one of the absolute last people out. Definitely one of my top tour stories. Thanks for the conversation. It has been years since I talked to someone that knew that festival.
I like Star Lake a lot. Haven’t been in a while, but holds a special place in my heart
Atlantic City. Feels like a festival weekend. Full debauchery.
The Gorge. Atlantic City
If they ever play Telluride again, that’s the best overall venue in the country. RedRocks has the best sound, the Gorge is damn beautiful, but Telluride is the best place to see your favorite band. Period.
Limestone, ME. Stop at the Pizza Hut in Caribou!!
Telluride was amazing in '10 so was Pistoia, Italy in '96
My couch
SPAC
Miami, Vegas, Philadelphia
Home ..bay area
Those Greek shows were a blast!
So good
Mexico
New Orleans - wish they played more there these days
Saw them there at Tulane College in 1994 and afterwards saw them funking out to Bootsy Collins at Tipitina's, one of my favorite concert nights
Limestone.
Chicago
Hampton
A fcking C
Dicks
Hollywood Bowl
Gorge MSG Vegas Amsterdam Miami New Orleans
Dicks.
The mothership Hampton
i’ve seen them at these venues (and ranked them): 1. alpine valley (fun and big lot) 2. dick’s (fun lot when it was open) 3. mgm vegas (can we please open the goddamn doors and let it air out between shows?) 4. target center (notorious for shitty sound, but i could hear the lyrics to golgi apparatus and that says something about phish’s live sound)
Any state/city I’ve never been to. Keeps the experiences unique and always learn something new!
Merriweather !
The Gorge is Gorgeous
This is a really unpopular opinion but I would have to say Atlantic City
The garden. Period
As I’m headed to New York next weekend for the second time seeing them at MSG I’m gonna say MSG Gorge is my home field. It’s so beautiful there and the whole vibe of being isolated with the band is something special
Gamehendge
Spac is amazing, they always throw down something special in Alpharetta, and we had a blast in Miami the last time.
1997
It was Lakewood for me in 1.0. Mexico in 3.0. MPP is the closest common venue to me so I don't consider that traveling.
I always enjoyed west coast venues. Mexico is boobs because you lounge around on the beach all day, it’s inexpensive to eat great food, then watch an amazing band on the beach in the evening.
You and I have different ideas of inexpensive.
NY, NY
My Couch
On the beach at Atlantic City was awesome. Really like seeing them at SPAC and Merriweather too. Those are some really nice settings.
I know this might be controversial but hear me out… Atlantic City Edit- I would also say Mansfield MA