Phish Studies Conference Returns In 2024, Reveals Keynote Speaker
Oregon State University’s peer-reviewed symposium on the Vermont Quartet is back after a five year pause.
By Nate Todd Dec 27, 2023 • 9:51 am PST
Oregon State University announced the keynote speaker for its peer-reviewed, 2024 Phish Studies Conference. New York Times best-selling author, artist manager, co-host of the Undermine podcast and JamBase contributor Benjy Eisen will deliver the keynote speech at the conference taking place May 17 – 19 in Corvallis, Oregon.
Oregon State’s Phish Studies Conference “encourages multi-disciplinary scholarly approaches to Phish’s music, fan culture, social impact, and enduring popularity,” as per a press release. The first iteration of the symposium was held in 2019 at OSU. The Phish studies conference now returns in 2024 with keynote speaker Benjy Eisen.
“I first fell in love with Phish during my first semester of college, and for the following four years they were an inseparable part of my college experience,” Eisen stated. “Heading to OSU for an academic conference on the band feels full circle or, perhaps, full donut.”
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“We’re thrilled that Mr. Eisen will deliver the 2024 Phish Studies Conference keynote address,” associate professor of Philosophy at OSU and Conference Program Committee Chair Dr. Stephanie Jenkins added. “As a live music journalist, writer, and chronicler, he brings unique experience and wisdom to Phish scholarship.”
The Phish Studies Conference is calling for presentations, art and performances with the deadline for proposals extended to January 15, 2024. Head to the conference website for more info.
Phish Studies Conference committee members will also be available for office hours at PhanArt on December 30 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Hill Country BBQ in New York City during Phish’s New Year’s Eve run at Madison Square Garden. Fans and those with prospective proposal’s are encouraged to attend PhanArt office hours in NYC to to discuss their ideas.
“PhanArt is an event with such great energy,” musicologist and Program Committee Member Dr. Jake Cohen said. “We’re so excited to share our enthusiasm for the conference and help phans turn their ideas into Phish Studies proposals.”
Phish kicks off their four-night run at MSG on Thursday, December 28. Check out their full tour routing with ticket info below:
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