Wednesday 06/19/2013 by Doctor_Smarty

REVISITING ALPHARETTA

On July 16 and 17, 2013, Phish will return to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park for their third twin bill at the summer home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO). The amphitheatre, owned by the ASO parent organization Woodruff Arts Center, features a 7,000 seat fan-shaped roofed pavillion and low-angle lush green lawn that will accommodate an additional 5,000 fans that are in turn encircled by some of the heritage trees that are characteristic of the larger 45-acre park in which the amphitheatre is set. The amphitheatre will be enjoying its sixth summer concert season since opening in May 2008. The Woodruff Arts Center in turn, is completing its 45th year since being established in October 1968 as the Memorial Arts Center in memory of over 100 of Atlanta’s arts and civic leaders lost in a June 1962 crash on takeoff of Air France Flight 007 (a Boeing 707 named The Chateau de Sully) as it departed Orly, France. This crash, represented the first civilian jet disaster with greater than 100 deaths (130 total); making it the worst single plane disaster at that time, the third worst air disaster overall through 1962, and the catalyst that changed Atlanta’s modern cultural history forever.

Occurring in the midst of the civil rights movement in the United States, “the day Atlanta stood still” is likened to Atlanta’s equivalent of 9/11 by Ann Uhry Abrams in her 2002 biography of the victims entitled Explosion at Orly. The crash was commemorated in Andy Warhol’s first disaster painting 129 Die in Jet (which is technically accurate...since the 130th victim later died in a hospital), led Martin Luther King Jr. and Harry Belafonte to cancel a planned sit-in against racial segregation to allow the city to grieve, and vaulted Malcolm X into his place of nationwide notoriety during a speech in Los Angeles after he gave thanks for the plane full of over 120 white people falling from the sky and indicated that he would continue to pray that another one falls out of the sky every day. These incendiary words, later repudiated by MLK, are the stark negative counterpoint to everything the Atlanta Arts Association has endeavored to provide to enrich the culture of the city since that tragic day. The vitriol the words espouse are also evocative of the first of the two most explosive moments that have transpired during Phish performances at the amphitheatre that was born from the ashes of an air disaster in a time of racial division.

The first instance of Alpharetta fireworks, appropriately enough, occurred on Independence Day 2010 during the second set of the second night of the first Phish doubleheader. After a “Harpua” narration in which Trey excoriated both the conventional and alternate history books of our great nation as a collection of lies; he explained that Phish was actually weaving the true alternate history of our country into their song lyrics and they were one of only two bands that wouldn’t bullshit us. He identified the other as being Rage Against the Machine and then launched into an electrifying version of the Rage classic “Killing in the Name” with Fishman on vocals and a full-blown mosh pit writhing throughout the amphitheatre. As discussed in some detail elsewhere and in keeping with the undertones of racial strife that unfortunately still pervade in certain parts of the south, this song choice represents one of the more blatant political statements Phish has ever made as a band.

The second electrifying yet culturally insensitive instance of fireworks in Encore Park occurred at what ultimately became the end of the first set of the second of two shows Phish played at the amphitheatre shortly before Juneteenth 2011. These fireworks were of the atmospheric variety as a late spring thunderstorm with unconfirmed tornado reports rumbled through the region. The inclement weather lead Phish to bring an early end to their set and resulted in the only divided “Mound” to date. A “Mound” divided will not stand...the irony here being that because of the storm, and the delay in restarting the second set, the show likely didn’t end until after midnight...making it a perfect way to honor the 153rd anniversary of the great emancipator’s legendary “A House Divided” speech before the Hall of Representatives on June 16, 1858. Somehow, as always, everything seems to be connected to everything. The second set once resumed certainly absorbed some of the electricity in the atmosphere and was well played and well received despite the delay; but by all means it did not compare with the legendary lightning show at Walnut Creek on 7/22/97.

So where does that leave us for the return engagement? As Darius Rucker recently found out following a performance of Bob Dylan’s “Wagon Wheel” at the amphitheatre and his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, racism is still alive and well in 2013. Clearly as a nation there is more work to be done. By attending these Phish shows in Encore Park you are effectively taking part in that process through your support of the Woodruff Arts Center and their continuing efforts toward the cultural enlightenment of the city of Atlanta. The greater Atlanta area has been the site of some legendary Phish performances. Considering this year marks the 20th anniversary of the visit to the Roxy, these upcoming shows are likely to be hot and sweaty. Based on the fireworks that have erupted during recent trips to the amphitheatre, they may get served up with a side of thunder and lightning. All we can hope is that it is not the musical equivalent of the disaster in Orly. That will of course likely be dependent on whether or not the shows are webcast.

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Comments

, comment by funkbeard
funkbeard A great historical overview here. SO glad you went above and beyond just Phish to bring us more insight than we might have imagined. Being born in 1974, I didn't even know about that plane crash or Malcolm X's response until now. Thank you for all the research!
, comment by Rusty_Shackleford
Rusty_Shackleford I did not enjoy reading this garbage. Instead of telling us something cool about Phish and the city of ATL, U took shots at the South and the people who live here.
, comment by TheEmperorJoker
TheEmperorJoker I'm lived in the south for 13 years. He is definitely not taking shots at the south. Good write up
, comment by Skiguy
Skiguy Nice review! For all who are attending these shows I have two extra 7/17 lawn tickets that I need to get to someone that needs them!!! They are free! PM me for details! I can't make it and would like to get them to someone who can use them for free!
, comment by Fluffyfluffyhead
Fluffyfluffyhead Great write up! That show was like a Bruce Willis movie. That tornado video link is a good representation of what went through the place before the show. Shakedown was completely shut down/blown down. We got in our rented car and hotboxed it until the mayhem passed thru, then went in and enjoyed the second set of mayhem. One of the best experiences I've ever had.
, comment by TheEmu
TheEmu @Rusty_Shackleford said:
I did not enjoy reading this garbage. Instead of telling us something cool about Phish and the city of ATL, U took shots at the South and the people who live here.
Not sure how you got that out of what was written. FANTASTIC job Marty, as always.
, comment by bertoletdown
bertoletdown Oh, Rusty...
, comment by The_Good_Doctor
The_Good_Doctor I lived in Atlanta for over a decade and I echo the sentiments of @TheEmu @TheEmperorJoker . @Doctor_Smarty did not portray the south (or its people) in a disparaging manner.

Atlanta has long been a cauldron for rendering the gritty, unsavory history of racial strife in our country. I was fortunate enough to attend the 'Killing in the Name' on 07/04/10. IMO the backdrop of Atlanta was not coincidental for an Independence Day surprise performance of 'KitN' IMO. MLK's legacy is conspicuous in downtown Atlanta. He was a great leader and advocate of non-violence protest, only to be assassinated by 'the machine' in his demand for equality.

"Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses
Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites"

AND since this .net series aims to provide an in-depth look at this summer's (revisited) venues - great synthesis and job well done. So relevant, so spot on. This is why we love this band. Thank you.
, comment by totlotkid22
totlotkid22 @Skiguy : Can't send you a PM at this time but would love those tix! Had to finally make a profile just because of that post. If you haven't gotten rid of them already, let me know
, comment by Doctor_Smarty
Doctor_Smarty Rusty...I apologize if my presentation of what I considered to be some interesting historical information about Atlanta and the people behind the venue caused you any personal discomfort...I assure you that was not my intent. Full disclosure, I had watched Django Unchained the night before compiling the piece, for what that's worth.
, comment by TheEmperorJoker
TheEmperorJoker WHO IS ON THAT NAG!?
, comment by Rusty_Shackleford
Rusty_Shackleford @Doctor_Smarty said:
Rusty...I apologize if my presentation of what I considered to be some interesting historical information about Atlanta and the people behind the venue caused you any personal discomfort...I assure you that was not my intent. Full disclosure, I had watched Django Unchained the night before compiling the piece, for what that's worth.
First of all, I apologize for calling your article garbage. That was wrong of me. Second my post was a knee jerk reaction. I should have taken a few bong hits and listened to something like Train Song or Cars Trucks and Buses to mellow me out and then PM you my thoughts. Last I feel like my generation down South is trying to work on this bad rap we got and every article I read about the South reopens that wound. This is something I have to work on. Hope we're cool fellow Lizard...... Durango Unchained is a bas ass movie.
, comment by SANDman21
SANDman21 So stoked to be going back to where I experienced my first Phish show on 7/3/10! Great review I definitely learned a lot I had not known before. Very interesting!
, comment by Mr_Palmer93
Mr_Palmer93 Lived in ATL all my life. Great Review. Stoked for this tour.
, comment by Doctor_Smarty
Doctor_Smarty @Rusty_Shackleford said:
Hope we're cool fellow Lizard...... .
of course...one man's garbage is another man's national treasure
, comment by makisupaman
makisupaman Visited Lakehood for the first time last year, and I look forward to some different scenery in what is otherwise a fun and diverse city. Glad to know I will be supporting a significant organization steeped in such crucial history. Thank you, @Doctor_Smarty, and well done.
, comment by Peanut
Peanut July 4 2010 Alpharetta entertained me greatly. Alpharetta crushes Lakewood as a venue EXCEPT for the fact that Phish played a Gin at Lakewood 2000 (then called something else if I remember) that was soooooo engaging.
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