JAM, a documentary about the well-known 2004 traffic jam that happened due to masses of phans driving through Vermont to catch the at-the-time last Phish show ever, was released to the public on August 5, nearly 20 years after the legendary event.
Releasing almost exactly 20 years after Phish’s farewell show in Vermont, JAM is a 30-minute documentary short film chronicling the epic 2004 traffic jam in Vermont, where tens of thousands of Phish fans struggled through days of gridlock, resulting in one of the most profound traffic jams in history.
When Phish announced that their August 2004 shows in Coventry, Vermont, would be their last ever, it was a no-brainer to expect record levels of fan turnout. What wasn’t expected, though, was the severe rain that ravaged Vermont throughout the weeks leading up to the shows. Even with the rain, thousands and thousands of fans still made the trip to Coventry, but another issue arose: those making the trip directly caused one of the most iconic traffic jams ever. The overwhelming number of cars backing up Interstate 91 eventually reached a dead halt, which led to many fans simply leaving their cars on the side of the road and trekking to the venue.
For those who were able to get there, the grounds were so covered in deep and thick mud, making everyday tasks like eating and cleaning oneself a massive challenge. But despite all of the adversities Phishheads faced, thousands still showed out, making one of the most iconic weekends not only in rock history, but in all of music history.
JAM features on-camera interviews with attending fans, including Aron Ralston (renowned outdoorsman and motivational speaker), retired Vermont State Police Seargent Bruce Melendy (key figure in managing the crisis), concert promoter Dave Werlin, spokesman Adam Lewis and Matt Maxwell of Maxwell’s Neighborhood Farm (concert venue).
The film is based on extensive footage recorded by Alex Daltas, a longtime Phish fan since age 16. His
video footage is believed to be the most comprehensive account of the traffic jam, enhanced by
retrospective interviews and archival footage collected over two decades. Witness history’s most powerful traffic story, taking you back to a time before smartphones when the love of music burned brightest.
JAM debuted with advance screenings at the Coventry Community Center on August 2nd and 3rd and released fully to the public on August 5. JAM is available to buy and rent here.
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