A new video featuring scenes from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ iconic 1997 residency at the Fillmore has been released under the title ‘The Fillmore House Band – 1997 (Short Film 2)’. The 12-minute mini-feature includes scenes from the 20-night stand along with band members looking back at the experience of being there. It follows the release of an earlier video & a box set of performance audio.
“You feel the history; you feel the ghosts,” guitarist Mike Campbell says in the clip. “And you feel the magic that’s happened – it’s sort of dripping on the walls.” Keyboardist Benmont Tench adds, “Being that close to the fans was better. I think the stage was a little lower; I think the fans were a little closer. … When you’re in a smaller space that’s enclosed like that, then the concentration of the energy, the concentration of the band, the focus, is different. That’s got a really serious kind of magic.”
Speaking soon after the run ended, Tom stated, “I love it. I’ve had a ball. This may be the best time we’ve ever had: musically, we’re all getting along real well. … It’s maybe the best time of our lives really…”
The Fat Angel Sings 