Can anyone give me any information about the Backyard and its surrounding area? Cops, locals, etc.

Yeah, I lived in austin for years. The backyard is out by the lake and has ties to willie nelson. Its a beautiful little 3000 seat venue under oak trees w/ lights that shine up in them. You won't have problems with the cops out at the venue or on the way, but be careful coming back into town. There are 2 ways back in, if you turn off 71 to go down 2244 (BeeCave) then you will go through a couple of small towns right before meeting up with Mopac (Rte 1) again. The cops in these towns are trouble. Alternatively, it's a little longer, but you can stay on 71 to Oak Hill and get on Mopac (Rte 1) from there. If you're in a conspicuous car, it might be a good idea. Once you get back ito Austin proper you should be fine.

I'm flying back just to see Phil in my old home town - I think you'll enjoy it. The parking lot scene is pretty nice and I knew several of the security people who worked it. Everyone's laid back in Austin and they know the difference between a Dead how and a Eminem show.

Have fun!

I'm curious you said this place has seating?

So it's not just a grassy lot in front of the stage?

pretty good description. I'm an austin local and will be tuning up for alpine at this show. yahooo!

no seating. well, there are a few vip seats up in the back. Most of the venue is lawn and there are a few wooden deck areas in the back near the bars. plenty of room and a pretty cool place.

I agree, no real hassels, but watch yourself on the way back to town.

I from Austin Too. No disagreement here, but there is more concrete than grass at the back yard now, (a result of corprate control).
It is still a cool Venue, Capacity is over 3000, but not much.

Moved to College Station from No. Va a little over a year ago and have seen a bunch of shows at the Backyard. More of an intimate atmosphere and everybody is right, your not going to get hassled at the venue by any police ect.... Cool place to see a show, kind of reminds me of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD with the picket fence in the back and the big trees on the back side of the lawn. It's kind of like seeing a show in someones backyard, hence the title of the venue. Should be a great time, Phil had yet to grace the Lone Star State with his prescence so I'm interested to see what he pulls out for the Austin and Dallas shows ???? Hope to see you all there !!!

Hey Bobby and Angela thanks for the downlow and every one else too. I've never seen any shows in Texas and I've been really concerned about the local authorities being 'gung-ho'. So far seems like everyone likes the Backyard which is great. I'm really looking forward to this small out-of-the-way venue. Then to Dallas and St Louis before the Grand Finally at Alpine. Yay!

Hey Now!!! The Backyard sounds like it's a neat little venue, but if you want to see Phil & Friends in a beautiful indoor venue with excellent sound and AC, Meet Me In St. Louis on Aug. 1st for P&F at The Fabulous Fox Theatre! It doesn't get any better than a show at The Fox! The decor and sound inside The Fox can't be beat! I am inviting everyone from Austin and Dallas to come to the show in St. Louis, on your way to Alpine Valley. And if your NOT planning on going to Alpine Valley, come to St. Louis anyway, it's going to be a FANTASTIC SHOW! I hope to see many Texas license plates on the streets around The Fabulous Fox Theatre! For more info about The Fox Theatre, Log on to: www.fabulousfox.com

I heard that just this year the Backyard has moved their stage back to accomodate up to 5000 people. It's not grass and it's not concrete so much as it is native ground (hill country pink granite/limestone pebbles). Wear comfortable shoes and you'll be fine. It is a beautiful place. Another route back to Austin is 71 south to Southwest Parkway. It's a little quicker than going thru Oak Hill. my advice with the local law is this: if you give them an excuse to pull you over, they may do so. treat them with courteous respect, and they'll do the same.

Welcome to Texas, Phil & Friends!

p.s. can anyone shed some light on the New World Theatre in Dallas?

How far is the backyard outside Austin? Are there any hotels close by?

I'm thinkin I need a trip to Texas in the summertime. How hot will it be?

Just curious how many zoners will be at the Backyard show ??? Chime in and perhaps we can get together before the tunes start. Love to meet you guys especially the ones I've been sending these vines to the last year or so. Let me know who will be in attandance.

Well, we're still coming for the one show since airline tickets were still purchased. Haven't been a big poster, but have been following the reviews closely. We saw 5 of the east coast shows last week and can't wait for Austin! Maybe we could meet up at the Gingerman before the show? I sure would like to get on the vine tree for this summer's run!

Derrick

I'll be there en route from New Orleans. Did someone say vines? The Gingerman, is that a bar?

The Gingerman is a tap beer bar with 80+ beers on tap + anything else in a bottle with living room settings at 5th and Guadalupe (on 5th st) in downtown. Parking is doable and a good launching point for the show. The deal is that the doors are at 3:30 and the show's at 5:00 so probably an early meeting over lunch time beers at 1:00 or so would be best. Parking is a bit cramped out at the venue, so you don't want to be real late. I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends in the lot anyway.

Derrick

Christ - I remember when the Gingerman was just a little pub with lots of beers and a couple dart boards that Trish & Darrin used to play at from time to time.

Now it's a fucking chain. You couldn't pay me money to drink there now. As for it being a good launching point for the show, I guess it would work if enough people were into drinking in downtown Austin in the first place (which seems to be common enough), but it's not like it's actually close to the Backyard or anything.

At least the Gingerman did inspire me to read an interesting book though - "The Gingerman", by IIRC, J.P. Donleavy.

Zzzzz - I generally agree w/your sentiment "Now it's a fucking chain. You couldn't pay me money to drink there now." but I still do like to go to the one in midtown-NYC occasionally. They DO have good beer, and the DO have friendly waitresses (not always the case in NY) and they DO have comfy couches to hang out on. But the beauty of NYC is that I can do that for a couple of hours after work and then move on to other pastures, of which there are no lack.

anyone going to this show wanna pick me up a t-shirt I managed not to pick one up at WPB and am pissed

if you can help lemme know

fee12345@aol.com

today is the day. SAAAWEEET!. I think phil is going to enjoy playing the backyard. I'll be getting down and warming up for alpine.

Set One

Jam>
Friend of the Devil>
Just A Little Light>
Leave Me Out of This>
Spacey Jam>
1/2 Step>
Eyes of the World>
Night of 1000 Stars

Thanks Jeff from Austin

Second Set

Uncle John's Band>
She Said>
Crazy Fingers>
Help>
Patchwork Quilt>
Slipknot>
Franklin's Tower

Encores:
St. Stephen>
Mason's Children
Doin' That Rag

Thanks Again Jeff

DAMN!

Looks like they treated Austin damn phine!!!

Wow great set list......and how about that encore!!!!!

>>>Looks like they treated Austin damn phine!!!

Yes they did. Damn phine indeed.

So now that my thoughts are gathered and my head a clearer, I'll attempt to post my first review. First of all, I was little disapointed in the size of the crowd. The Backyard is not a big venue and I'd estimate it was 2/3's full, maybe 3000 (which is fine by me cause it opens up the dancing and breathing room). With the cancellation of the Dallas show, and the seemingly low turnout last night, I'd be suprised to see the boys back in texas any time soon. Thanks for stopping by though Phil. We enjoyed it. That being said, the crowd that was there was very musically aware and on the "older" side of the jamband fanbase (as compared to SCI or panic). One of the reasons I enjoy phil shows more than any other.

Anyway, its always fun to introduce some virgins to the phil experience and last night I went with some friends who are very into music and had seen the dead and ratdog over the years but had never seen Phil and Co. they were blown away.

so here are my thoughts....

SET 1: started about 6:30, early.
jam
FOTD - fast paced and a bit funky. Phil had a huge grin on his face and all looked to be having fun in the Texas heat.

Just a little light - I think they do this one real well. Warren's vocals were on. Being a big Jimmy fan, I was pumped to watch him rip up the guitar during a serious jam in the middle of the song. At this point my buddies said to me. "Damn that dude fucking rips!" yep.

Leave me out of this - one of my favorites of the new album. Pretty standard with some nice bouncey moments. Rob was dancing on his keys. Warren and Jimmy were trading licks back and forth and just smiling. these guys are so good individually, but together...GET BACK!!

miss 1/2 step - sweet. Phil is so much improved on vocals over the last few years. Thought this was a nice follow from leave me out of this.

eyes - again jimmy jimmy jimmy...the dude just jams

1000 stars - standard version. Warren's voice just boomed throughout the venue

SET 2:
Uncle john - I called this one before the show and what do you know. they can never go wrong with Uncle John.

jam
She Said - my friend got his wish, a sweet beatles cover. Again Jimmy keeps ripping it up. Seems to me the last few times I've seen the band, jimmy is taking over more and more of the leads. I'm not bitching.

there was an extended jam here with a couple teases i can't quite put my finger on.

Crazy Fingers - First time I've heard them do this. I was very pleased. Nice interplay between the band mates. Some good jamming.

Help - This is one of my wifes favorite tunes and I thought of her as the song cranked out (she decided to sit this one out and rest up for our weekend at Alpine)... Hopefully we'll get a help in wisconsin.

slipknot! - seemed a bit slower than I've heard in the past, but some nice noodleling from jimmy

Patchwork quilt - I thought this was a nice little spot for this ballad, as the help/franklins sandwich fixin's.

Slipknot!

Franklins - I was too busy getting down to notice anything in particular during this tune. very grooving...

E: St Stephan>masons>doin' that rag - enough said!!

Overall, a very nicely prepared show. The jamming was constructive and always seemed to lead somewhere fun. Not much "lost" jamming at all. And as i said, jimmy was all over his geeeetar.

Thanks again phil and co. Looking forward to Alpine. those going to st louis...happy b-day jer and all you have fun.

peace-out from texas.

Doug, thanks for the review! Safe travels to Alpine and maybe we'll see you and your wife there?

Damn, I was hoping to hear Uncle John's Band and Patchwork Quilt at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, MO.

I have to agree with Letitgrow...the set was magical. Patchwork Quilt was sooooooo sweet. Brought tears to my eyes.

Franklin was most danceable- I was too busy movin' my feet to do anything but grin and spin.

The boys did a great job on She Said- it was a tasty little rockin' turn on a classic Beatles tune that was original and fresh with Warren and Jimmy both rockin with some tasty runs.

The crowd was way into Phil and I was very happy driving home last night listening to the 12-31-01 show from Oakland. Just couldn't get enough of Phil! Lots of my 'Rat friends had a mighty fine time and are going to Alpine. Alas- I gotta work :^(


I hope they come back soon, but I will agree that the low turnout for Phil & Ratdog earlier are distressing. This town has major music props and should turnout in droves for these shows.

I will say one thing- with both Phil & Ratdog there were a ton of shows here around the same time, so $$$ for every show could be part of the issue....there is some sort of economic downturn goin' on out there...

This looks like it was the sleeper show of the year. Although there looks to be nothing sleepy about it.

I also agree that the show was fantastic. Being an Austin native it was really cool to see such a great show 10 miles from my house. I loved watching the boys play in front of those beautiful live oaks. I thought the light play on the oaks after the sun went down was really nice as well.

Yes there is an economic downturn going on here. Most the people I know have been layed off at least once in the past year and a half, and are finding it hard to find new jobs.

Lucky 13. My 13th Phil show and it was a good one! Letitgrow's song by song review was dead on, and I also want to give a nod to the light crew. The lighting effects off the oaks was way cool.

Got to the Backyard early, while sipping on a beer could hear Blues For Allah being played during a soundcheck. Took this as a sign for an interesting show. My friend and his brother-in-law finally showed up, partied a bit, and went into the venue just before Phil came on. I guess one benefit of the relatively small turnout was that we were able to secure some real estate about 30-40 feet from the stage on the Jimmy side.

From the first few notes I knew I was going to locked into the Phil zone all night. The bass sound was tight and powerful and it is a rush to watch Phil play. This was also the first time I really got to see Jimmy up close, and it gave me a greater appreciation of his contribution to the band. All the band members were in sync and on fire tonight, and certainly didn't pick up on any problems between Jimmy and Warren that were alluded to in reviews of previous shows.

My friend, a deadhead, who hadn't seen Phil's band before tonight was blown away by the show, and just about lost it when Mason's started, this was the one song he wanted to hear. His brother-in-law, a newbie, was impressed with the interplay of the band members, and Phil's rib-rattlin' bombs.

To me the most disturbing thing about the low turnout for Phil is that last fall DSO drew as many, if not more people to the Backyard. Maybe part of problem is that UT Fall semester hasn't started yet.

Colorado in 4 weeks!

whoooaaa, Nelly.

I agree with what's been said about the turnout....the parking lot scene reminded me of the Sweet Corn Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 2,000 people tops, weary from the heat, no vending, no shakedown, no scoobies snacks and nobody too excited about seeing the boys. Guess its safe to say they canceled Dallas cause of ticket sales. C'mon Texas!

That said, the backyard kicks ass! Chiiiiiil security, cheap micros and imports....and big ole shady live oak trees in and about the venue, including a cluster just behind the stage that reminded me of the back of the Anthem of the Sun album. Candace must have slobbered on herself when she saw what she had to work with...becase she played the lights off of the leaves of those trees all 2nd set, changning the colors and textures.

JAm to start off was obviously rehearsed and peppy...but wandered off a bit and then ambled into a spunky little Friend...didn't scorch, but the images were right on for the hot and dusty western hillcountry. As ever, the sound was immaculate....particularly that fella on bass guitar. Believe it or not, Just a Little Light was one of the highlights of the whole evening for me...as one of the only times Jimmy and Warren seemed to push eachother, lead guitar wise that is. Went to the head for Leave Me out....but when I came back, it was clear that this tune (and 1kstars and Patchwork, too) had a little lift to it that the others did not. Hard to describe...inspired playing, yes, but the actual SOUND of these tunes was super duper crisp. I liked half step much better when Rob sang it...this isn't one of Phil's better vocals...but he nailed Eyes. Really, straining to hit the notes, and he did. Jimmy, at this point is pretty much taken over....his tone struck me as a little thin and clean, but the volume was there, and Warren was more adding texture and an occasional solo. Jimmy is just steady and consistent and reliable and oh so tasty. My first eyes in 14 shows believe it or not, and I was in ecstacy. Again, nice lyrics for the setting as the sun dipped behind the hills.As I mentioned, 1k Stars was inspirred, and yes, this one does get better every time i hear it. Particularly like watching Molo drive the Toms on this one. Warren's thick Allmansy leads sort of define this track for me as well. Warren's voice seems to come from a barrel of pipes...love it every time.

What do you say about UJB to open, with no jam? Again, appropriate to the venue, and FINALLY got a listless crowd to bop and participatte. Tight harmonies and Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. Example of how a song that was sort of flaky and soft with the Dead now has an edgier attitude to it....and it gets sinister at the end with the WAH WAH guitar. Not so fast says Warren! She Said was tight and powerful, sort of like the Real Thing...just meaty, but I was disappointed in the outro, (see Danver Filmore 10.00 and there is ten solid miuntes of she said jamming) but I coulnt be happier with the selection of the first three...She Said just fizzled and then gradually they picked up into Crazy Fingers. Never been a fave tune of mine, but maybe my highest moment of the night. Luscious. I guess thats why we go instead of just read the set lists. Close your eyes and Rob = you know who. . CAnt figure out how they make that syruppy sound for the intro and chorus....and after it was finished (but before help) I told my bro that was the sickest jam I'd ever seen this band do, EVER! What about it? Phil, laying down a groove that could only be the Other One and just driving and pushing the band with intensity. Had to had to had to be the Other One and then Bam...Help on the Way...

Okay, forget Slipnot, Franklins, the sandwich, etc.....the song Help on the Way is about the coolest sexiest groove in rock history. I gobbled it up as darkness set in and Candace started working her magic, bathing Rob in purple light. Has Boracco ever had an off night? Never. This guy is the

Okay, Bucky, Keyshawn, Sideshow....let me have it for being a hypocrite...but putting Quilt in this spot is criminal, especially since the transition was totally flubbed. Love this tune...but ever feel like they had us by the nuts....and then fizzzzzzz. Anyway, touching lyrics but I felt like Id been rudely shaken from a dream. The outro jam turned into a chugging locomotive that could only be RIDER! Killer killer jam here, everyone plauying tight chords, not noodling, but power chord....and out comes a buncha Allmaan Brothers stuff...can't believe it wasn;t on the board...MTN Jam, whipping post, Elizabeth Reed, GET THE TAPEs...it was all boiling in the cauldron, and the Kats around me were going crazy to see what was gonna pop up.... Franklins TOwer. Yowsaaaaa. Time to be frank: this wasn't Warren's night, and it was dreadfully apparent in the second half of this set. Distracted. Checking his rack. Hair in his face. Sheet music trouble. Really...especially during Frank, Stephen, Was weird...he kept stepping over to his rack and STOPPED playing more times than I could count. Odd. Even on Masons, Warren was like a guest musician, adding flair and texture, but seldom part of the foundation of the jam. Hmmmm, he's my man, so don't even question that.

Anyone jealous of that encore? I've seldom even gotten a double, much less tripple. Yippee! An apology for pulling us out of slipnot? Nah, another little journey, like a mini set. Stephen was truncated, which was cool because I knew we'd get a bonues track...but didn't expect Mason's, c'mon! Metallica like jams.....and the lullaby jam
out of Mason's always

Doin That Rag is the perfect example of Phil's expriamentation WORKING. When has this tune ever been in this slot? Ever? But it was beautful....and Boracco, my MVP of the evening, poured his guts out for us, and it took on an urgent, painful tone that Jerry used to own. Rob seemed to be pleading with an estranged lover, Heartbreak and loss--which turned me inside out, especially considering my mood after the Stephen, MAsons. Three pretty serious tunes to be sure.

At their best, I feel like this band is pulling me along by a fragile little string attached to my rib cage. Trusting them and following them is opening yourself up to an uncommon vulnerability. Not sure of the story Phil was trying to tell, but throughout, I was keenly aware of my emotional trip, how each song activated a different emotion. (No drugs, either.) Powerful, powerful stuff my friends...and overall a good, though not legendary, show.

There's nothing else on the planet I'd rather be doing.

>>Believe it or not, Just a Little Light was one of the highlights of the whole evening for me...

Always been one of my faves too. Last summer when we went to the 3-night stand at the Berkeley Greek, after having a few beers at the Hotel Durant, we went to the front and they came out and did a 15 minute SCORCHING JALL. My friends and I turned to each other and said, "shit, we can fly home right now; it's not going to get any better..." And you know what: It didn't.

The back cover of Anthem of the Sun is great, innit?

>>Doin That Rag as encore...when has this tune ever been in this slot?

Checked DB. Only played live by Dead in '69, never as encore.

>>UJB...example of how a song that was sort of flaky and soft with the Dead...

Listen to 12/26/79, dude. Or 6/8/80.

P.S. I also love their version of Crazy Fingers. For some reason, seem to be in the minority here.

Light may be the only song that plq actually does better than the dead. saw the dead do it a number of times and as the tapes testify, unfortunately it became a throwaway. they really wasted it. i don't even think i was ever aware of it until i saw plq do it on their first goaround at the baltimore civic ctr. man it knocked me off my feet. i was like woa, what's this song. this is truely a great song that plq does justice to. brent really scored with this one as did barlow with the lyrics. to bad the dead never realized it.

P&F 10-9-00 encore: Doin That Rag.

Guess I'm in the minority too then - I loved the Crazyfingers too.

I also Loved the CrazyFingers!