Booche Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 "Rock Band Phish to Announce 'Tiered Ticket Pricing System' Does the setlist really matter? Phish and their fans apparently think so. By Ayla Jean Yackley BURLINGTON (rolling stone) - Throughout its 20 year history, Vermont Rock band Phish has never been known to simply 'go with the phlow'. The bands' continued success is attributed to going against traditional mainstream marketing and PR norms that currently dominate the entertainment industry. From spreading their music through free live recordings in the 80's and 90's, to being one of the Internet pioneers in connecting their fan-based community, Phish has succeeded by taking chances that pay off.æ Even last year, the band began selling MP3 recordings of their shows from their website just 48 hours after the show. The success of this new music distribution effort is catching the eyes of music moguls who are looking for new ways to capitalize on the new technology medium. Once again, Phish will be announcing an unusual and rather shocking new method for selling concert tickets.æ Next week, Phish manager John Paluska is expected to announce a new 'tiered ticket pricing system' for their devoted rock fans, who often attend several shows on a given tour. Unlike most bands who offer tiered ticket pricing for better seats, Phish will offer tiered ticket pricing for 'better songs' perceived by their audience. This sounds like an outrageous plan, but not to Phish band members. "Our fans are extremely devoted to seeing our music live, and often pay hundreds of dollars to travel to see our music in several different states on a given tour," explains Phish bassist Mike Gordon. "I often read about people who feel they got 'ripped off' when traveling great distances to see a show, only to have us play songs which they don't want to hear." That may not make any sense to the average Joe. Why would fans travel such great distances when they don't like many of the songs the band plays? Well, that's because Phish happens to have the most extensive repertoire of any modern rock band performing today. Long-time Phish fan Tyler Mulrooney has seen 86 shows in his 13 year parade around the US and Europe. "This is the best idea I've ever heard! I can't tell you how many times I've gone to shows and have been shocked by the song selection - making it a mediocre show experience. Then the next night they bust out with tunes that haven't been played in 10 years! Or a song that's only been played a few times in a long while. Rare tunes are what keep me coming back for more." According to Phish sources, the band has played 654 different songs over 1157 shows, and 261 songs have been played only once. That sense of not knowing what the band might play makes for an eager audience waiting to hear something rare and unique and maybe something performed only once. However, this fan mentality contradicts the intent and desires of the band as they embark on their third decade of making music. After coming back from a two-year hiatus, the band played two tours in 2003, plus a four show stint following thanksgiving, and a NYE run in miami. I took a look at the setlists from the tours and found many duplicate songs performed many times on both tours. Several songs, like 'Walls of the Cave' and 'Seven Below,' were performed many times because they are new tunes on the most recent album. Other songs, like 'You Enjoy Myself' and 'Harry Hood,' are the oldest songs in the Phish catalog and Phish staples, and were played extensively this year to reacquaint the audience with the classics. Palusksa said this move to price shows per-song was triggered by the popularity of the 'Live Phish' download service. "We took a look at the shows which people downloaded most from the most recent summer tour, and we saw that 2 shows in particular had songs played which the band rarely performs. The Utah and Pittsburgh shows were fan favorites, and we think it's because of the types of songs played there." Fan Tyler Mulrooney couldn't agree more. "This is exactly what I'm talking about! I spent a load of money traveling to Alpine Valley to see the boys, and they played great - but standard shows when it comes to setlist. Then I hear about the Pittsburgh show and the Utah show, and I make sure I hit both nights at Camden. And they play the same stuff! I got another Seven Below, You Enjoy Myself, Twist, Bug and Piper. It gets a little frustrating, especially when I see the reviews for those other shows." Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio thinks this new ticket pricing system will keep everyone happy. "Over the years leading up to the hiatus I think we, as a band, felt this overwhelming need to satisfy every urge of our audience and live up to their expectations. I mean, at the end of the day our fans are what matter most to us, but we need to grow and evolve and continue to be creative as a band. So to us, that means playing the same songs more often these days, and playing the new songs a lot too - to keep the band fresh and sounding new and different. I remember hearing boos after the encore of our Camden show last tour, when we encored with a new song called 'Secret Smile.' Some people think the song's crap, and they want something rocking for a closer. Well, we realized that in order to keep this thing together, we have to play what we want to play. So we wanted to play that song, and many people didn't like it. Personally," Trey snickers, "I don't really care if people boo anymore, not like they ever really booed in the past. But this new idea we came up with really works for everyone. So we'll let the fans know which kind of show they'll hear. We know what songs they go crazy over and what songs they don't care too much about, so we'll let them know what kind of show they should expect. I think that's a happy medium, where the fans know which shows to travel to and we get to play what we want and everyone's happy." Paluska intends to provide more details into the new ïtiered ticket pricing system. He believes the pricing model, to be implemented for summer tour 2004, will be labeled P, S, and H. Below is a sampling of setlists the fans should expect to hear for each category. The band has reportedly categorized their song-base into these categories, but will not release those details. So even though Phish won't tell you what exactly they will play, they believe their fans will have a pretty good idea of what to expect: Sample Phish Show 'P': Ticket Price: $29.95 Set I:æ Bouncin around the Room, Sample in a Jar, Two Versions of Me, Discern, Secret Smile, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Brian and Robert, Billy Breathes, Sparkle, Chalkdust Torture Set II: Twist, Walls of the Cave, Heavy Things, Bug, Waste, Piper, David Bowie, Character Zero Encore - Friday, Farmhouse Sample Phish Show 'S' Ticket Price: $37.95 Set I: The Moma Dance, Free, Tweezer, Julius, Punch You in the Eye, NICU, Bathtub Gin, Boogie on Reggae Woman Set 2: Mikes Song->Hydrogen->Weekapaug Groove, 2001, Rock and Roll, Possum, Loving Cup Encore: Pebbles and Marbles Sample Phish Show 'H' Ticket Price: $69.95 Set 1: The Wedge, Magilla, Guelah Papyrus, Peaches En Regalia, Brother, Once in a Lifetime, Glide, The Horse->Silent in the Morning Set 2: Buffalo Bill, Fluffhead, Col. Forbins Ascent->Mockingbird, Harpua, Alumni Blues, Layla, Simple Encore: The Curtain With, Bike, Sanity The above sample setlists provided by Phish mean absolutely nothing to me, but apparently mean everything to Phish fans. Explains Mulrooney, "this is the best idea I've ever heard! No more disappointing shows! What you see is what you get. Now I will know what shows are worth traveling to and what shows are a waste of time. I probably will still see a 'P' show if it's near my house, just to see the boys in action. But this will save fans all over the country a lot of time and money, and people will finally stop being so critical about what the band is playing. As usual from Phish, pure genius." As with all the Phish gambles over the years, I guess we'll have to wait and see." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Holy crap... sample Phish show "P" isn't worth $15!!! I've heard lame ideas before but this one takes the cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paisley Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 ya, make sure ya got company of the opposite sex with you for Sample P the whole thing kind of takes away from the mystery of the coming show, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Dr.Huxtable has been doing this for months. This is nothing new. BTW, April 24th Dr.Huxtable is playing Irene's again and the pricing model is now available. $2 sample set: * Crowd / tuning Breakline Tonto's Underwater Paradise > Centragnome > Run Like Hell > Centragnome Zedonk * tribute to nero reproducing 11-28-03 in it's entirety. $4 sample set: ** Second that emotion NFO > MAggie's > NFO Shadow blind Airbourne > Switzerland ** set feature an extremely loaded Dr.Hux $7 sample set: *** Looks like Rain Minglewood > Other one > Dark Star > Bird song > NFO > Other One > Theme from Mash *** entire set sung by Bob Weir as Dr.Hux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 the whole thing kind of takes away from the mystery of the coming show, no? Yeah, like why the hell would I travel if I know the show isn't going to be great. Maybe this is just an excuse for the band to be lazy or maybe they'll play lots of expensive shows to keep their nasal passages busy. p.s. the winking smiley looks like he's having a stroke! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Only thing about the Huxies, the more you pay, the worse the show is. I'ld rather pay 4$ to see a loaded Hux vs the 7$ set (but I would ask for a 2$ NFO refund). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Musicface Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 (This is why I love April Fool's Day!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Musicface Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Oh yeh, and why the hell would I pay $7 to see Hux try and act like Bob Weir when I could just hang out with him for free and see that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogatthestation Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Me too. I thought it was going to be fun watching this thread all day and laughing my ass off. Oh well :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pootie Tang Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Dr.Huxtable has been doing this for months. This is nothing new. BTW, April 24th Dr.Huxtable is playing Irene's again and the pricing model is now available. $2 sample set: * Crowd / tuning Breakline Tonto's Underwater Paradise > Centragnome > Run Like Hell > Centragnome Zedonk * tribute to nero reproducing 11-28-03 in it's entirety. $4 sample set: ** Second that emotion NFO > MAggie's > NFO Shadow blind Airbourne > Switzerland ** set feature an extremely loaded Dr.Hux $7 sample set: *** Looks like Rain Minglewood > Other one > Dark Star > Bird song > NFO > Other One > Theme from Mash *** entire set sung by Bob Weir as Dr.Hux LOL, That's hilarious Mike, we really should try that. I see enuogh of drunk Dr. Hux at home, and let me tell you it's not worth the price of admission..."I love you man (insert drool here)...I love you mann...zzzzzzzz" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 "(This is why I love April Fool's Day!)" Are you sure? You are lucky I didnt write that one out myself. Next time I see you, I am sticking one of your off-key harmonicas up your ass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasemonkey Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 :: :: :: :: wise guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Musicface Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 "(This is why I love April Fool's Day!)"Are you sure? Oh come one dude, half the fun of the day is being the the smartass who calls the smartass on his original smartassedness. Besides, you've still got a 1/2 hour 'til noon to come up with something else. Think of it as an opportunity. :: - M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted April 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 "Besides, you've still got a 1/2 hour 'til noon to come up with something else. Think of it as an opportunity. " Ok, I'm not going to stick one of your harmonicas up your ass, smart-ass. If we make it to CTMF, and you make it to CTMF, you aint sleeping pal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boogieknight Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 holy shit, now that was funny. best april fools joke of the year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Musicface Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Let's be fair, if I make to CTMF & you make it to CTMF, how likely was it that either of us were gonna get any sleep anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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