With Vermont residents still reeling from the state’s worst natural disaster in a century, the state’s legendary jam band, Phish, will be offering some relief through a September 14th benefit show. The September 14th performance will take place at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT and marks the band’s first performance in the state since 2004.
To ensure that locals have the first opportunity to attend the show, the September 10th public on-sale will be in-person only with box office locations revealed Friday, September 9th at the band’s website. General admissions tickets will cost $75 (including an mp3 download of the show) with proceeds from sales and event merchandise going directly to The WaterWheel Foundation, founded by the band in 1997, and The Vermont Community Foundation to aid in the recovery of the Green Mountain State.
For non-Vermonters, and those with a special interest in their homegrown talent, a special “Friend of WaterWheel” package will be available for $250. It will include preferred parking, a reserved box seat, a limited edition poster, and access to a Vermont craft beer tent. A very limited number of tickets are available directly through Phish’s online ticketing system. The ticket request period is currently underway and will end on Wednesday, September 7th at 12:00 pm EST.
Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983, keyboardist Page McConnell notes the area’s importance for the band: “Vermont is very much a part of who we are as a band. We’re really looking forward to playing this show, and we hope the money raised will make a difference in the recovery and rebuilding effort.”
Below, watch Phish performing their classic “Run Like an Antelope” in Vermont back in 1987.
