Phish bets on Boulder after decades away
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Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon perform with Phish at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City on Aug. 30, 2015. Photo: Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Prolific jam band Phish will play three nights of shows starting Thursday at the University of Colorado's Folsom Field.
Why it matters: While it seems like Phish would be a natural fit for Boulder, this will be the jam band's first gig in the city since 1993 after a lengthy run in Commerce City.
Catch up quick: Phish halted a 13-year, 42-show run of Labor Day weekend concerts at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
- The band's promoter, Don Strasburg, president of AEG Presents' Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest regions, told the Denver Post the move was "worth trying," but did not elaborate on the band's venue change.
The intrigue: Steve Hurlbert, a spokesperson for CU athletics, told Axios Boulder there are no agreements with Phish beyond this year.
- The band will see how this year's Folsom run goes before committing to future shows. "There's always risk involved because we don't know how it's going to go," Strasburg said, per the Post.
- Folsom Field has a capacity of roughly 50,000 people per show — about twice Dick's 24,000.
- Hurlbert told Axios Boulder ticket sales "have been strong" but there are still seats available for all three nights. Individual tickets start at $110, with multi-day packages at $330.
Friction point: In addition to trying to fill a larger venue, the change also means Phish fans will gather in a dense residential area.
- Residents complaining about noise and nuisance from concerts was the reason Folsom went on a concert hiatus following the Dave Matthews Band playing past curfew in 2001.
- Meanwhile, Phish was unofficially banned from Red Rocks following a rowdy concert in 1996, per the Denver Post.
- Yes, but: There were similar concerns about Deadheads descending on Boulder, but fellow jam band Dead and Company hosted years of successful shows after Folsom welcomed bands back in 2016.
The big picture: Phish marks the fourth band or artist to play the stadium since Folsom Field reopened to concerts.
- Folsom last year hosted Odesza and Tyler Childers, and this fall will feature DJ and songwriter John Summit.
What's next: No other shows are currently booked, but Hurlbert told Axios Boulder: "Folsom Field is back on the map as a premier major concert venue in Colorado and we're anticipating an increase in shows representing a variety of genres taking place here in the years to come."