Trey Anastasio served as the first in-studio performer since lockdown due to COVID-19 began. On the Aug. 11 edition of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the guitarist performed “I Never Needed You Like This Before” from his new, surprise album Lonely Trip. He was backed by The Roots, who serve as the Tonight Show house band.

“Here in studio – I can’t believe I’m saying this! – is the great Trey Anastasio!” exclaimed Fallon as he introduced Anastasio.

The guitarist originally put out “I Never Needed You Like This Before” in late March as a homemade video on social media, as part of a series of songs written and recorded largely during quarantine. On July 30, Anastasio announced that the songs he had shared via social media would be released as a new solo record, Lonely Trip. Read the Relix review of Lonely Trip here.

Previously, Phish graced The Tonight Show Staring Jimmy Fallon stage in 2014 and 2016 to promote their studio projects Fuego and Big Boat, respectively. In 2000, Phish also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and, two years later, Anastasio performed on the program. Fallon also famously collaborated with Phish when they were the musical guests on SNL in 2002.

Watch Anastasio’s Tonight Show performance below, as well as the original video for “I Never Needed You Like This Before.”

I Never Needed You Like This Before:I duck taped my UE boom and my phone to the closet door for this one. 😜🤘🏼 Desperate times.Song by Trey, @boytommy and Scott

Posted by Trey Anastasio on Sunday, March 22, 2020