How The Band Phish Played Chess Against Its Fans on New Year's Eve (jambands.com) 14
An anonymous reader writes:
So on New Year's Eve, the "jam" rock band Phish re-broadcast their legendary 1995 performance on New Year's Eve -- while playing a game of chess against the audience. (Just as they'd done in 1995 -- although during that tour they'd made two just moves during each show.) In a video promoting this year's event, a chess "historian" remembers "No single band in the '90s was playing better chess against their audience" and shares an alleged conspiracy theory that they were being coached by Garry Kasparov. And yet, "Midway through the second of two nights at Madison Square Garden, the audience takes Phish's queen" -- and the band resigned.
This had left their ongoing audience-versus-band match with a score (one game apiece). So 25 years later, for New Year's Eve, Phish finally staged the great re-match.
"However, just as it was time to begin the game (and as the show kicked off with opener "Punch You In The Eye"), Chess.com, the popular chess site hosting the online game, crashed," reports JamBands.com.
Thinking quickly, the band announced on Twitter that "We're making a quick pivot, 2020 style, to live chess mode. We will be using a moderator from Chess.com who will take feedback on the move within the chat and then complete the audience move."
JamBands.com explains how the long-awaited match finally culminated: In between sets, the broadcast cut to a live zoom call between all four band members, during which they discussed their next moves in the game and chatted. At various points, Gordon and Anastasio picked up guitars, and Gordon had a surreal projection of a chess board floating behind him at times. During the first break, McConnell referenced the technical difficulties. "I'm sorry this didn't work out to plan, but nothing this year did," he said with a laugh.
During the break between the second and third sets, the shenanigans increased, with drummer Jon Fishman following through on an off-hand promise to shave his head. (At first, the other three band members didn't even notice.) Ultimately, the band defeated the audience... Down to just their king, queen and a few pawns, the audience resigned as the band was up a pawn and still had a rook and queen on the board...
Phish raised funds for a charity during the broadcast. "For this final webcast of the year, our beneficiary will be none other than The WaterWheel Foundation itself," the band wrote prior to the stream. "Since 1997, the band and their fans have collaborated on a nationwide charitable endeavor by raising funds and donating the proceeds across the country. This year alone, collectively we have raised and donated nearly $750,000 to 27 different nonprofits during the Dinner And A Movie series. Join us in continuing to support those in need...."
You can watch the entire four-and-a-half-hour webcast on YouTube.
This had left their ongoing audience-versus-band match with a score (one game apiece). So 25 years later, for New Year's Eve, Phish finally staged the great re-match.
"However, just as it was time to begin the game (and as the show kicked off with opener "Punch You In The Eye"), Chess.com, the popular chess site hosting the online game, crashed," reports JamBands.com.
Thinking quickly, the band announced on Twitter that "We're making a quick pivot, 2020 style, to live chess mode. We will be using a moderator from Chess.com who will take feedback on the move within the chat and then complete the audience move."
JamBands.com explains how the long-awaited match finally culminated: In between sets, the broadcast cut to a live zoom call between all four band members, during which they discussed their next moves in the game and chatted. At various points, Gordon and Anastasio picked up guitars, and Gordon had a surreal projection of a chess board floating behind him at times. During the first break, McConnell referenced the technical difficulties. "I'm sorry this didn't work out to plan, but nothing this year did," he said with a laugh.
During the break between the second and third sets, the shenanigans increased, with drummer Jon Fishman following through on an off-hand promise to shave his head. (At first, the other three band members didn't even notice.) Ultimately, the band defeated the audience... Down to just their king, queen and a few pawns, the audience resigned as the band was up a pawn and still had a rook and queen on the board...
Phish raised funds for a charity during the broadcast. "For this final webcast of the year, our beneficiary will be none other than The WaterWheel Foundation itself," the band wrote prior to the stream. "Since 1997, the band and their fans have collaborated on a nationwide charitable endeavor by raising funds and donating the proceeds across the country. This year alone, collectively we have raised and donated nearly $750,000 to 27 different nonprofits during the Dinner And A Movie series. Join us in continuing to support those in need...."
You can watch the entire four-and-a-half-hour webcast on YouTube.
It came back? (Score:2)
I never saw that they instituted a Plan B so I gave up. The video feed was 90's standard definition and already had that show so there wasn't any compelling reason to hang around. Oh well. In the meantime, I leave you with https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com].
Re: It came back? (Score:1)
Stoned (Score:2)
4 and 1/2 hours of Phish? (Score:3, Insightful)
Good grief. That's at least three songs.
Slow news day? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
The "big" news is that it was the 2020 version of 1995. It's not a tale of technological gee whizzery (and chess.com proved the opposite....)
I'm not sure why this is on Slashdot (Score:2)
But I do like Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream [benjerry.com].
Adam Lambert should do this (Score:2)
Adam Lambert should play chess with his fans.
I want to see what he does with his Queen.
Fun fact - Adam Lambert did a Queen sing for his American Idol audition. Simon Cowell thought he was "too theatrical" and Adam almost didn't make it onto the show. Cowell may not have thought Lambert is that good at doing Queen songs, but Brian May and Roger Taylor think he's phenomenal in the role, so Lambert definitely gets the last laugh.
Chess is too easy (Score:2)
Tell me when they chessbox [wikipedia.org] their fans.
What? (Score:2)
None of this makes any sense to me. How do you play chess with fans while performing a concert? I guess you have to be a Phish fan. Probably should watch the video, but I'm not that interested. Musicians, play music, please.
Re: (Score:1)
The 1995 game was played 2-turns (not sure per side or 1 each) per night. Somehow the audience came up with a move, then the band decided their move during set break.
This 2020 game was played with the band on Zoom, and the fans on Chess.com and communicating somehow, probably Facebook/Twitter/etc. I joined watching, not playing, after the crash at Chess.com.
I was entertained. I like Phish, but am not a Phishhead. And it, along with "The Queen's Gambit", has me interested in actually learning to play wel