This photo essay was written by photographer John Crouch, who took the accompanying 27 photos (among others) for the Mockingbird Foundation at Hampton shows in 2009 and 2025.
Sixteen years ago, I went to Hampton to see my favorite band in the world. Just five years prior they said they'd never play again, so of course these shows were extremely special. Not only did I get to go to this very special reunion but I was going there as a photographer of the Mockingbird Foundation to capture the experience for the upcoming PC2 book. I don't think I'm alone here, but they are more than a band today me, they've been a big part of most things I've done in my life.
To stand in Hampton coliseum at the lip of the stage waiting for the band to come out in a room full of quite possibly the most animated, inebriated, unique, and diverse fan base in the world, is the rush concert photographers are chasing. The moment when the band hits the stage and the energy level between fans and the four immediately hits high gear.
Phish.net is a non-commercial project run by Phish fans and for Phish fans under the auspices of the all-volunteer, non-profit Mockingbird Foundation.
This project serves to compile, preserve, and protect encyclopedic information about Phish and their music.
Credits | Terms Of Use | Legal | DMCA
The Mockingbird Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Phish fans in 1996 to generate charitable proceeds from the Phish community.
And since we're entirely volunteer – with no office, salaries, or paid staff – administrative costs are less than 2% of revenues! So far, we've distributed over $2 million to support music education for children – hundreds of grants in all 50 states, with more on the way.