Prepare the patchouli: Phish announces tour (sorry, L.A.). Bonnaroo next?

Calling all Phish fans who have been spinning their wheels of late following Widespread Panic and moe.: Your leaders have returned. After a five-year hiatus from touring, Phish will take to the road after a March reunion performance in Hampton, Va.

But the bummer continues for any, ahem, "phans" residing west of the Mississippi: St. Louis, Mo., is as far west as the band is traveling this summer, and questions to the band's publicist about possible plans for a second leg were met with a curt, "The press release contains all confirmed information."

So, pack up the Subaru if you want to be on the safe side, left coasters -- it's not like the hardcore fans are averse to such road trips, anyway. And hey, you can even stop in Branson on the way back for a real hallucinogenic experience.

But there may be a nugget of hope buried among the tour dates for those who want to get the most bang for their concert dollar. There's a curious series of open dates on Phish's itinerary between June 9 and 16, coincidentally the scheduled dates for Bonnaroo 2009 (a hot, yet still unconfirmed rumor Rolling Stone reported back in December). Let the speculation "run like an antelope."

As if that weren't enough for jam-band fans, Phish's inspiration -- or at least a modified version -- is hitting the road as well this spring. The Dead, or the Grateful Dead minus Jerry Garcia, is back on the tour bus for, coincidentally, the first time since 2004. And, with a stop at the Forum they even acknowledge that a few of their fans might live in California. Shucks, we didn't get you anything.

Tour dates for both below:

Phish (tickets available 1/30-31. More information at www.phish.com/tourdates)
6/4-5    Wantagh, NY                Nikon Theatre at Jones Beach
6/6    Mansfield, MA              Comcast Center
6/7    Camden, NJ                 Susquehanna Bank Center
6/9    Asheville, NC                Asheville Civic Center
6/16    St. Louis, MO              Fox Theatre
6/18    Burgettstown, PA         Post Gazette Pavilion
6/19    Noblesville, IN              Verizon Wireless Music Center
6/20-21    East Troy, WI                Alpine Valley

The Dead (More information at www.dead.net. )
Sun 4/12         Greensboro, NC        Greensboro Coliseum
Tue 4/14         Washington, DC        Verizon Center
Wed 4/15       Charlottesville, VA    John Paul Jones Arena
Fri 4/17           Albany, NY                 Times Union Center
Sat 4/18-19         Worcester, MA          DCU Center
Tue 4/21         Buffalo, NY                 HSBC Arena
Wed 4/22       Wilkes-Barre, PA      Wachovia Arena @ Casey Plaza
Fri 4/24           Uniondale, NY            Nassau Coliseum
Sat 4/25         New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Sun 4/26         Hartford, CT               XL Center
Tue 4/28-29         E. Rutherford, NJ       IZOD Center
Fri 5/1-2             Philadelphia, PA       Wachovia Spectrum
Tue 5/5           Chicago, IL                All State Arena
Thu 5/7           Denver, CO                Pepsi Center
Sat 5/9             Los Angeles, CA       The Forum
Sun 5/10          Mountain View, CA      Shoreline Amphitheater

-- Chris Barton

Photo: Phish's Trey Anastasio at a 2003 Forum performance. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[SB]

YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw.

[dan]

So, you seriously think Phish isnt coming to the west coast? there will be another leg of the tour in july.

[Josh Celli]

I sure hope they come to the West Coast. I'm fourteen and have always loved Phish an I've dreamed of seeing them ever since I first heard them. Words cannot describe how much I want to experience that magic and that love. After listening to this weekend's Hampton shows, it made me realize that Phish will always live and be loved. Phish, please come to the Gorge! Jam on, guys. You're the best.

[mike gordon]

phish sucks

[phan]

then leave
phish must come and i will see you all if you go, PHIIIIISH Phorever!!