Over the weekend Farm Aid’s YouTube Channel released six full videos from Phish’s set on 10/3/98. This show featured a sit-in by Neil Young, the purveyor of Farm Aid and one of the more legendary guests in Phish’s history….especially at the time.
Bootlegged YouTube videos from the Country Music Television broadcast have been widely available but now we get the official higher quality versions. The undisputed highlight is the 20+ minute “Down by the River,” a video that’s been traded amongst fans forever. Hopefully you’ve seen it but if you haven’t, this post is especially for you. Read on for the videos and more on Farm Aid.
Neil Young and the Phish were obviously enjoying themselves as they played almost the entire set together.
10/3/98 New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, IL (Phish.net)
(Runaway Jim Through the End of Set w/ Neil Young)
Set 1: Birds of a Feather, Farmhouse, The Moma Dance, Runaway Jim -> Arc -> Down By the River, Moonlight in Vermont, Will the Circle Be Unbroken? > Amazing Grace > Uncloudy Day
As most of you know, Farm Aid is a music & arts festival started in 1985 by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young to raise awareness and provide assistance to families who depend on agriculture for a living. Please support their cause and donate today.
Phish continues their Summer Tour on Tuesday, 8/28 at The Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, MO. Next up for Neil Young is this year’s Farm Aid in Hershey Park Stadium on September 22nd. Playing the event this year will be Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, ALO, Pegi Young & The Survivors, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, and Kenny Chesney. Tickets are still available. Neil Young & Crazy Horse have also just announced the release of their second album this year, Psychedelic Pill. The album will drop in October with an extensive cross-country tour to follow. Check out The Neil Young Times for more.
