Watch: Phish Studies Shares Conference Videos from 2024 Summit at Oregon State University

Photo: Danny Clinch

The Mockingbird Foundation has released a comprehensive archive featuring a total of 19 videos from the Phish Studies Conference, held from May 16 to 19, 2024, at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Offering in-depth scholarly analysis of Phish’s songs, culture, and the band’s social impact, which spans more than a dozen disciplines, the video series can be found on YouTube or viewed in full below. 

Now on view are conversations that touch on fan identity and concert rituals, legal issues related to copyright and attending gigs, as well as an analysis of specific songs and setlist structure. Last year’s event was co-hosted by the Beaver State school and the Mockingbird Foundation to bring together a scholarly community with diverse backgrounds in philosophy, sociology, law, communication, economics, and more. 

“The Mockingbird Foundation is thrilled to present this free, one-of-a-kind resource to the Phish community and beyond,” said Stephanie Jenkins, Mockingbird board member and conference committee chair. “This collection, which celebrates all things Phish, is the culmination of years of hard work by the Phish Studies community and reflects Mockingbird’s core commitment to music education.”

According to the co-host’s official website, “The Mockingbird Foundation is an all-volunteer, fan-founded, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting access to educational opportunities for young people in music and the musical arts. Since its inception in 1996, the Mockingbird Foundation has awarded 762 grants in all 50 states, totaling more than $2.75 million.”

Amongst the videos, Benjy Eisen offers his rousing keynote speech, titled “Gamehendge State of the Union Address.” Learn more here. Watch the 19-piece video series below, including Eisen’s featured presentation.