Photos via Chris Spiegel Blur Revision Media

On Saturday, Nov. 11, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., hosted a Nectar’s Presents event billed as Soule Monde, featuring Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski, with Dezron Douglas. The nature of the event was unannounced to some, which leaned in the direction of a celebration, marking Phish lyricist Tom Marshall’s 60th birthday. During the special occasion, Trey Anastasio Band treated folks to a set, which included a rare “Tubthumping,” performed for the first time by said unit of musicians.

The night began with an invite-only frame courtesy of Marshall and Anastasio, who stroked their shared pass with a couple of acoustic tunes performed as a duo. Spin Doctors’ Anthony Krizan also appeared on stage, at times adding to the musical moment. During their stage time, the friends landed on “Waste” and “Strange Design,” adding to the intimate nature of the night.

During the set, Anastasio paused to acknowledge his longstanding relationship with Marshall, landing on their start and reciting: “Tom and I have been writing songs since fifth grade.” He continued, “It’s one of the greatest joys of my life, being Tom’s friend and writing songs with him.” The night was fixed on memories and stories, which served as preludes prior to run-throughs of material. Notably, Marshall, Anastasio, and the birthday boy’s daughter, Anna, performed “Be A Friend.” 

Before TAB’s stage time, Spin Doctors’ Krizan delivered some songs, which preluded the aforementioned live performance from Marshall’s longtime friend and co-write. Krizan was also a known member of Amfibian, the musical project led by Marshall with Scott Metzger–who would perform later with LaMP. Anastasio led his own ensemble through the initial songs of the night: “Back on the Train” and “Sand.” Next, the unit of musicians debuted Chumbawamba’s ‘90s classic, “Tubthumping,” notably, the last time Phish ran through the cover on November 21, 1998. During the first performance and the latest, Marshall took the lead on lyrics, creating an arc between the decades-apart plays. 

“Tubthumping” merged into “Happy Birthday to You,” which included guest trumpeter Tony Perusso, who assisted on both previously mentioned covers. Ensuing renditions of “Outside the Lines” and “Wolfman’s Brother” emerged before a jammed-out pairing of “The Moma Dance” into “No Men In No Man’s Land.” After a brief pause, the set continued with “Steam” prior to the final songs from TAB, “Blaze On” into “Ghost.”

Trey Anastasio Band 

The Stone Pony – Asbury Park, N.J.

Nov. 11, 2023 

Set: Back on the Train, Sand, Tubthumping [1] > Happy Birthday to You [2], Outside the Lines, Wolfman’s Brother, The Moma Dance > No Men In No Man’s Land, Steam, Blaze On > Ghost

Notes:

[1] TAB debut; Tom Marshall on vocals and Tony Perusso on trumpet.

[2] Tony Perusso on trumpet.

Setlist via phish.net.