Photo by Patrick Jordan via Trey Anastasio’s Facebook page

Trey Anastasio returned to the stage last night, kicking off a three-show acoustic run at Saratoga Springs, NY’s Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Though the Phish guitarist has been incredibly busy during the pandemic–releasing multiple albums, broadcasting from his home studio and staging the Pollstar Award-winning Beacon Jams–last night marked his first performances in front of a ticketed live audience since February 2020.

Anastasio opened the night with solo acoustic versions of “Wilson” and the lyrically appropriate “Alive Again,” the latter of which the guitarist has not performed acoustic since a string of radio appearances tied to the release of his self-titled album in 2002. Then, he welcomed the Rescue Squad Strings–violinists Katie Kresek and Maxim Moston, viola player Rachel Golub and cellist Anja Wood–and and one of his closest collaborators of late, piano player and Broadway veteran Jeff Tansky, for his first acoustic take on “Stash” as well as “Water in the Sky.” Following solo takes on “Lost in the Pack,” “Back on the Train,” “Sample in a Jar,” “Sigma Oasis” and “Theme From the Bottom,” Anastasio welcomed Tansky back for “Shade’ and then the string section for “Fluffhead,” “Mercury” and “The Inlaw Josie Wales.”

Soon after, Anastasio offered another solo segment consisting of “Turtle in the Clouds,” “Maze,” the recently revived “Snowflakes in the Sand” and “Everything’s Right,” which was stopped after the guitarist made a playful fake exit. Next, Tansky returned to help Anastasio offer his acoustic debut of the Lawn Boy favorite Split Open and Melt and then the string section joined in for “Joy” and “Harry Hood.”

For his true encore, Anastasio ran through a solo take on “More” and then welcomed his collaborators back for “First Tube.” He also nodded to the final song’s co-author and longtime Saratoga Springs resident, Trey Anastasio Band bassist Tony Markellis, who passed away in April.

Anastasio will return to SPAC this evening.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via Phish.net

Friday, June 18, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

SET 1: Wilson [1], Alive Again[1], Stash [2], Water in the Sky [3], Lost in the Pack[1], Back on the Train[1], Sample in a Jar[1], Sigma Oasis[1], Theme From the Bottom[1], Shade [4], Fluffhead[3], Mercury[3], The Inlaw Josie Wales[3], Turtle in the Clouds[1], Maze[1], Snowflakes in the Sand[1], Everything’s Right [5], Split Open and Melt [6], Joy[3], Harry Hood[3]

ENCORE: More[1], First Tube[2]

[1] Trey on acoustic guitar.
[2] Trey on acoustic guitar; with the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tansky on piano. First acoustic performance.
[3] Trey on acoustic guitar; with the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tansky on piano.
[4] Trey on acoustic guitar; with Jeff Tansky on piano.
[5] Trey on acoustic guitar. Started and stopped before being played in full.
[6] Trey on acoustic guitar; with Jeff Tansky on piano. First acoustic performance.