Phish Performs With Special Guest Bob Weir at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville

Phish played two sold out shows at the Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville at the open air venue right on the Cumberland river. The day started out perfect, it was an 82 degree sunny day with loads of Phish and Bob Weir (of the Grateful Dead) fans roaming around Nashville. Bob Weir was set to play Wednesday night at The Ryman Theater. We went to a Phish pre-party for the Tuesday show and a trusted source told me that Bobby is playing most of the second set with Phish tonight. The day just got better. We went down to the sold out venue and it was confirmed that Bob was sitting in tonight. Of all the years I have photographed Phish, this is definitely a rarity. Phish is playing incredible and truly seem to be having a blast being on stage together. I have been seeing Phish since 1992 and am a University of Vermont graduate. So needless to say, I have been seeing this band for a long time and through many stages of the band's history. This year has been a great year to be a Phish fan.

It was quite a week to be in Nashville. We got to see Bob Weir at the Ryman, two superb Phish shows, photographed Adele, and went to a private show at Jack White's Third Man Records. The band's official setlist is as follows: Please note that we were not in the pit with our pro cameras during the second set so Bob Weir shots are just point and shoot shots.

SET 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Blaze On, Ghost, Lawn Boy, Halley's Comet > Sand, Tide Turns, 46 Days > Breath and Burning, Limb By Limb > Cavern > Also Sprach Zarathustra

SET 2: Julius > Fuego > My Friend, My Friend, Samson and Delilah[1], Twist[2] > Miss You[3], West L.A. Fadeaway[3]> Playing in the Band[4]

ENCORE: Quinn the Eskimo[2]

[1] Phish debut; Bob Weir on guitar and vocals.
[2] Bob Weir on guitar.
[3] Bob Weir on guitar and vocals.
[4] Phish debut; Bob Weir on guitar.

This show featured the Phish debut of Samson and Delilah and Playing in the Band. West L.A. Fadeaway was last played October 6, 2000 (383 shows). Samson and Delilah through Playing in the Band featured Bob Weir on guitar. Weir also sang vocals on Samson and Delilah, Miss You, and West L.A. Fadeaway. The soundcheck's Blues Jam featured a verse of Funky Bitch from Trey and Walking Blues featured Weir on vocals.


Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com
--Click READ MORE below to see all photos from the performance---

Pearl Jam Blows the Roof Off of Bon Secours Arena in SC

Pearl Jam came to Greenville, South Carolina for an epic 3 hour and 45 minute performance with over 30 songs on the bill. Not only that, but for the first time in a long time, they played all of their second album, Vs, from front to back!! The crowd was very active and this show proved once again why this band headlines festivals and has been named a top ten live act of any band on tour. Check out Pearl Jam at Bonnaroo and New Orleans Jazz Fest this year, or one of their many tour stops..See more of my photos and band info at PearlJam.com. Below click "Read More" to see a setlist and general write up of the show from the band's management...highlights included Comfortably Numb, Dissident, Future Days, Baba O'reilly and other rarities. 

Images by Doug Siegel

www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

--Click Read More for Setlist and Images of Show--

Billy Joel at U.S. Bank Arena

Billy Joel played a long set of all his best songs last night at U.S. Bank Arena. The sold out crowd was singing and dancing with Billy as he rocked the arena with his Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame performance. Billy Joel is one of the most successful solo artists of all time and almost every song he played last night has either won a Grammy or some sort of accolade. Check out the article with my photos next week at The Examiner.

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Incubus & Deftones At Riverbend Music Center

I haven't seen Incubus in 15 years but they sounded as good as they did back in the day. Both bands played full sets of all of their classics. Brandon Boyd and Chino Moreno still have the energy that it takes to front a band and perform well in front of 10,000 people. Check their tour dates at Incubushq.com..

Images by Doug Siegel

Widespread Panic and My Morning Jacket Close Out Nights Two and Three at Forecastle Festival

It was another great year of music in Louisville at the Forecastle Festival. Just starting to sort through thousands of photos from this year's festival and am working backwards, putting Widespread Panic and MMJ as the first bands edited. More to come from Forecastle 2015.

Images by Doug Siegel

John Mellencamp Performs at Aronoff Center with Carlene Carter

John Mellencamp was in town with Carlene Carter (June Carter Cash's daughter) for a sold out show at Proctor & Gamble Hall last night. The band played all the classic Mellencamp songs and about half of their new album, Plain Spoken. Mellencamp sounded as good as when I saw him in the early 90's at a festival. Mellencamp is on an extended tour in the United States. Addition images and crowd photos will be posted this week in NBC's music section at NBC Music(dot)com.

Images by Doug Siegel (Soundboard Shoot)

Particle with Freekbass at The Southgate House Revival

Particle played a one night only show with Freekbass at The Southgate House Revival. Freekbass opened with his unique brand of funk inspired by his mentor, the legendary Bootsy Collins. After a short break, Particle played their unique styles of jam/funk/prog fusion. I haven't seen Particle since a Phish afterparty show in Long Beach two years ago and have to say they have really stepped it up. A great performance combined with a good venue and crowd made for a fun Thursday night. This Los Angeles band currently features Steve Molitz (keys), Ben Combe (guitar),  Clay Parnell (Bass), and Brandon Draper (Drums). Check out Particle on tour now around the United States and visit Particlepeople(dot)com for more tour information.

Images by Doug Siegel

Steve Molitz of Particle

Primus Rocks a Set of Originals and a set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Special Guests

Primus came to the Taft Theater and played a set of originals including an encore of "My Name is Mud" and then played their own rendition of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory music front to back. The show sold out a few weeks in advance and was a fun Friday night with Claypool and crew. Mike Dillon and other guests came out for the Wonka set. Tim Alexander (original drummer) is back on tour with Primus for the first time in years to complete the band!

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Gov't Mule Halloween Extravaganza with Neil Young Tribute

Mulaween took place on October 31, 2014 at The Taft Theater with special guest Jackie Greene (touring member of Black Crowes, Mark Knopfler, BB King, Ratdog, Buddy Guy, etc). The first set included Mule songs and the second set was all Neil Young. The band played for three and a half hours and played 37 songs. They played every classic Neil Young song including "Hey Hey My My, Down by the River, Southern Man, Ohio, Heart of Gold, Rockin in the Free World, " and many more. The encore of "Cortez the Killer" was a crowd and personal favorite. Check out the setlist at Mule Net.

Images by Doug Siegel

Pearl Jam Opens Tour at U.S. Bank Arena with a Marathon Performance

Pearl Jam opened their Lightning Bolt tour in Cincinnati at U.S. Bank Arena on October 1, 2014. They played a three and a half hour show with two separate sets as encores. Highlights included several references to Pete Rose and how he should be in the hall of fame, talking about their last few days in Cincinnati with references to the old days of playing small venues in this city, and 34 songs of constant stadium pounding music. They delivered mellow songs to fast songs covering freedom, politics, charity, surfing, nature, and standing up for what you believe in at all times. Pearl Jam violated their curfew by half an hour and took a fine of over $10,000 to deliver a solid night of music to loyal fans. Pearl Jam gave the entire floor and first level seats to their 10 Club fan base for a minimal price. This band gets their back into their living! Pearl Jam has done over 100 charitable shows giving back to the community and practicing what they preach. This band has proven time and time again that they won't sell out. Go check out Pearl Jam 20 by Cameron Crowe.

The crew talked to people from all over the world throughout the night and was sitting next to Bronson Arroyo and Bob Pollard of Guided By Voices once my work was done. Pearl Jam is heading to several other venues throughout this tour. They will headline Austin City Limits Festival the next two weekends. In the end of October they will play right after Tom Waits and before Neil Young at his Bridge School Benefit in San Francisco, California. I have shot over 350 bands this year and this show was definitely up there in rank. This band has truly become a Hall of Fame act. There were several covers including "The Real Me" by The Who, "Rockin in the Free World" by Neil Young, and "Waiting on a Friend" by The Rolling Stones. Matt Cameron (drums) still tours with Soundgarden. There is a reason why The Rolling Stones,  Tom Petty, Neil Young, and other legends have said this band is one of their favorite touring bands. Rolling Stone also named Pearl Jam a top 10 touring band this year.  (Several photos were withheld for Pearl Jam's website and fan club which will post this week)

Images and Words by Doug Siegel
 (click read more for more images)
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill & Pepper-- Smoke the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in San Diego

Sublime w Rome, Cypress Hill and Pepper brought their "A" game to Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in San Diego, California on July 27th, 2012. After not getting to bear witness to these acts in quite a while, the bands dazzled the crowd and played all of the classics from "Rock Superstar" to "What I Got." The bands talked about all of the good times spent in the San Diego area. It was also clear that the San Diego crowd has spent a lot of time listening to them over the years as the entire crowd sings "Summertime."

I was able to see these bands more than a decade ago and honestly thought they sound better now. It was definitely overheard that most people thought Rome has a very amazing and intense voice that sounds very close to the late Bradley of Sublime. This show was a blast from the past in a very good and uplifting way. Check them out at an amphitheater near you!

Images by Doug Siegel

Roger Waters Performs "The Wall Live" in San Diego, CA

Roger Waters, former bassist and vocalist of the legendary band, Pink Floyd, has brought his arena venue tour to San Diego. With a sold out crowd despite tickets ranging from $70 to $300, the fans are clearly awaiting this monster of a show as almost everyone is in their seats an hour before the show, including the likes of Bill Walton, Tony Hawk, Cory Feldman and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. There is a similar feel to the rock scene in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous," which was filmed at this location in San Diego. The Beatles are playing on the house sound system and then all of a sudden it begins, two sets of "The Wall Live" in its entirety. Waters then appears in his aviator sunglasses, black trench coat with suitable logos of "The Wall" emblems and says "go to the show." Too late Roger, we are already here with matching grins ready to be blown away. If this show comes to an area near you, it is not to be missed!

Review and Photos by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Dr. Dog Album Release at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, California

Images and Article by Doug Siegel

Dr. Dog played for a sold out crowd in Solana Beach on 2/7/2012 for the release of their new album, Be The Void. The band played several songs off their new release including the opener, "That Old Black Hole, " which they would go on to play the following night on Conan O'brien. The band's seventh album has been a hit with the critics and fans alike as they went to their own studio with Anti- Records to create a primitive style recording that showcases their raw style as a band. Dr. Dog is currently on tour in the United States and selling out shows everywhere. 

Wilco at Copley Hall in San Diego

Images and article by Doug Siegel

Wilco played for a sold out crowd on January 22, 2012 in San Diego at Copley Symphony Hall. The band opened with a ten minute version of "One Sunday Morning" and encored with "Whole Love" off their recently released album, The Whole Love. Following "Whole Love" in the encore came old favorites such as "Heavy Metal Drummer" and "Outta Mind." The show had songs from all of Wilco's albums but played a lot of tracks off The Whole Love and Hotel Yankee Foxtrot, which got a great response from the crowd. The crowd was quite diverse with several people saying "this is my favorite band." Wilco is currently on tour selling out most venues that they bless with their presence.

Holiday Hootenany with My Morning Jacket in San Diego

The 2011 Holiday Hootenany at Jenny Craig Arena, featured several bands including My Morning Jacket. MMJ played a full set of their classics and new songs off the album Circuital. In an initial interview, the band seemed exhausted from their travels, but it did not affect their set as they played the three hour set with colossal energy. The show ended with a fitting track named "One Big Holiday," which had the crowd fired up and wanting more from this legendary quintet. Photos by Doug Siegel Photography.

More coverage at http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug_siegel_photography/

Wannee Festival Photos

Photography by Doug Siegel

The 2011 Wanee Festival located in Live Oak, Florida went on without a hitch. With great weather and a superb line-up, the festival attracted a large crowd and bands from Ween to Widespread Panic, Karl Denson, Lotus, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks/Susan Tedeschi, Toubob Krewe, Taj Mahal, Rusted Root, Mike Gordon, and The Allman Brothers Band just to name a handful. 

The crowd was in full spirit and enthusiastic about all the talent involved with the festival. Several band members of all genres of music sat in with other bands showcasing what these festivals are about, the camaraderie of music. 

 

See a slide show with all of Doug Siegel's photos from Wanee Festival