Photo from the Oct. 17 edition of The Beacon Jams


On Oct. 23, Trey Anastasio continued his weekly livestream residency from the Beacon Theatre. During the show, he performed Phish classics “The Lizards,” “Possum,” “Twist” and more.

This week’s edition began with a special pre-taped performance by Anastasio and his Phish bandmate Page McConnell. The duo performed “Evening Song” from Phish’s latest release Sigma Oasis from the porch of their Barn studio in Vermont.

After the short performance, the stream cut back to the Beacon as Anastasio and his band took the stage. Like the past installments, the guitarist was once again backed by a band made up of TAB members Russ Lawton (drums), Ray Paczkowski (keyboards), Tony Markellis (bass) and Cyro Baptista (percussion). Pianist and frequent Anastasio collaborator Jeff Tanski also returned for a song. In addition, The Rescue Squad Strings, consisting of Anja Wood, Rachel Golub, Katie Kresek and Maxim Moston, returned for parts this show.

“Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan” got things going, followed by another energy boost in “Party Time.” Next came “The Way I Feel,” followed by “Sweet Dreams Melinda.” The band then debuted “Shaking Someone’s Outstretched Hand,” which appears on Anastasio’s new record Lonely Trip. “Andre the Giant” came next, marking its first appearance in an Anastasio setlist since May 26, 2002.

After a performance of “Spin,” Trey then moved to his acoustic guitar for a solo performance of “Turtle in the Clouds.” Tanski and The Rescue Squad Strings then joined him for a stunning rendition of “What’s the Use?” Tanski then left the stage as Anastasio and the strings delivered beautiful arrangements of Phish ballads “Brian and Robert” and “If I Could.” The guitarist then cheekily played “Rescue Squad,” the improvised song debuted during Phish’s technical-difficulty-plagued 2019 New Years Eve show.

After “Rescue Squad,” Anastasio and the string quartet performed “Leaves.” The guitarist then returned to his electric guitar and delighted fans by opting for the beloved “The Lizards,” which also featured the string section. Next came a high-octane rendition of “Mr. Completely” which transitioned into “Windora Bug,” which Anastasio had briefly quoted during the first Beacon Jams broadcast. Another Phish classic, “Possum,” followed, before a pairing of “A Case of Ice and Snow” and “Last Tube.” “Twist,” which was introduced as “Folding The Laundry” and “When Your Dryer’s Broke,” closed out the show.

Anastasio returns for another installment of The Beacon Jams on Friday, Oct. 30. Check out the full setlist (via Phish.net) from last night below, as well as a video of Anastasio and McConnell’s performance of “Evening Song.”

Trey Anastasio
Oct. 23, 2020
The Beacon Theatre, New York, N.Y.

Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Party Time, The Way I Feel, Sweet Dreams Melinda > Shaking Someone’s Outstretched Hand [1], Andre the Giant, Spin, Turtle in the Clouds [2], What’s the Use? [3], Brian and Robert [4], If I Could[4], Rescue Squad [5], Leaves [6], The Lizards [7], Mr. Completely > Windora Bug [8], Possum, A Case of Ice and Snow > Last Tube, Twist

[1] Debut.
[2] Trey solo acoustic.
[3] Just Trey with The Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano.
[4] Just Trey on acoustic guitar and The Rescue Squad Strings.
[5] Trey solo acoustic; first acoustic performance by Trey.
[6] TAB debut; Trey on acoustic guitar and The Rescue Squad Strings.
[7] Full TAB debut; with The Rescue Squad Strings.
[8] With Corona references.