a release from the band & staff

From Shelly Culbertson, circa fall 1995:

As most of you know, Phish has always made an effort to allow taping to be a part of the show. We feel that the proliferation of live tapes has helped spread the music to new fans, and tapers have always been very co-operative with our requests to keep the situation in control.

Now Phish has started playing in some larger venues where the staff is unaccustomed to permitting taping, and we have had some difficulties regarding reserved seating, blocking sight lines, fire lanes, etc. Because the band is committed to allow taping, we are taking steps to standardize the way it happens, so there won't be so many surprises for all of us.

One point is essential: as a group, tapers must take it upon themselves to keep the situation in control. Please remember that most people at the show are there to experience the moment, and we have to think of them first. There will always be some tapers who will try to ignore our guidelines in order to get what they think are better tapes. No-one in our organization is going to bust people for overstepping these guidelines; but if problems mount to a point where people's enjoyment of the show is compromised it will endanger the future opportunities of all tapers at Phish shows.

Guidelines for tapers:

1. Please tape in designated areas only. Usually this will be directly behind the soundboard riser.
2. Keep mic stands at a reasonable height, 10 feet or so.
3. Be considerate of those around you. Don't demand that people be quiet around your microphones.
4. Plan on providing your own power. Come prepared. We can't lend you extension cords, blank tapes, adapters, etc.
5. Don't talk to Paul (sound) or Chris (lights) during or immediately before the show.
6. Please pack your equipment in a timely manner. House security people get all worked up trying to hustle everyone out the door.Let's not antagonize them.
7. Don't go overboard with equipment. Large mixers, racks of gear, large reel-to-reels, etc. won't be allowed in the venue.
8. Let other tapers know when they are stepping over the line. Be polite; maybe they don't know what the rules are.

For non-tapers, Todd Kennedy has put together the Helping Phriendly Flyer, of which you might want to make some copies to distribute at shows.

Thank you for your co-operation. We hope that these guidelines will benefit everyone involved. Please remember that audience taping is for non-commercial purposes only; any sale of tapes is completely prohibited and will endanger the future of taping at Phish shows.

Thanks also the Matthew Sileski <msielski@vt.edu> 11/13/00.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are we at a concert?""
-- Bob Weaver, at the dawn of 1-1-00"