Photo by Peter Wallace

Trey Anastasio Band descended upon The Centennial State for two concerts this weekend. On Saturday, the Phish frontman and his collaborators made their first stop at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colo., followed by a one-night stand at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo., on Sunday. Both shows featured a plethora of memorable moments, including the 2022 debut of “Party Time,” the story behind “Walfredo” and many 2022 tour firsts.

The initial night of TAB’s Colorado stand got underway with a number off Anastasio’s 2020 solo LP, Lonely Trip, ahead of fan favorites “Mozambique” and “Cayman Review.” Next, the ensemble performed a number from Phish’s effervescent songbook before returning with “Curlew’s Call” and “Drifting.”

The latter half of the first set included another return to Phish’s catalog on “Undermind,” the title track off the 2004 LP. Then, they proceeded with “Money, Love and Change” before breaking into an exquisite take on “Rise/Come Together.” The first set came to a close with “…And Flew Away.”

The second set of Trey Anastasio Band’s return to Vail, Colo., heated up with the first 2022 performance of “Party Time,” which was last played at New York’s Radio City Music Hall in Oct. 2021. Then, they pulled out fan favorites, “Blaze On” and “Burlap Sack and Pumps,” before setting the crowd-free with “Spin.” “Magilla” came next, ahead of “ 46 Days” and “Valentine.” Finally, the set came to a close with a pair of fan favorites, “Plasma” and “Push On ‘Til the Day.”

After a brief break from the stage, Anastasio returned to deliver a solo acoustic take on “Theme From the Bottom,” which was capped with the story behind “Walfredo.” The latter notably references Phish’s time playing at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater with Santana in 1992. The tune pays tribute to the one-time Santana percussionist, Walfredo Reys Jr., with the lines: “Now when I think back on you, Walfredo/ Those were times I’ll never forget/The snow fell in Vail Colorado/ When Fish played the vacuum and ruined your set.” Then after a solo display, the final songs of the night were played. The entire band return for a segued pairing of “Shine” and Ghost.” 

The following evening, amidst late spring snow flurries, Trey Anastasio Band made their way to the fabled Red Rocks Amphitheatre to deliver an unforgettable performance, which began with “Set Your Soul Free” followed by a tune named after Anastasio’s daughter, “Olivia.” Next, the band noodled with “Camel Walk” before sliding into “Love Is What We Are.” Then, the band toyed with “The Moma Dance” and “Dark and Down.”

The band rolled out “Alive Again” and “Money, Love and Change” before finishing the first set with “Sand.” The latter half of the show began with “Everything’s Right.” Then, the group of rockers performed a five-song segued selection, which began with 2022 debut, “No Men In No Man’s Land” > “Liquid Time” > “Roll Like A River,” performed for the second time ever, following a May 8 debut at Boston’s new Roadrunner venue > “Quantegy” and finally, “Simple Twist Up Dave.” 

The final songs of the second set included a fun take on “Night Speaks to a Woman,” “Ether Sunday,” and lastly, “Gotta Jibboo.” For the band’s encores, they landed on “A Life Beyond The Dream” and “First Tube.” Following last night’s Red Rocking performance, TAB will remain off the road until gigs pick back up in mid-June. 

See Trey Anastasio Band’s setlist from Vail and Morrison, Colo., below.

Trey Anastasio Band 

May 21, 2022

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater– Vail, Colo. 

Set I: I Never Needed You Like This Before, Mozambique, Cayman Review, Curlew’s Call, Drifting, Undermind, Money, Love and Change, Rise/Come Together, …And Flew Away 

Set II: Party Time, Blaze On, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Spin, Magilla, 46 Days, Valentine, Plasma, Push On ‘Til the Day 

Enc.: Theme From the Bottom*, Shine > Ghost

Notes: 

* Trey solo acoustic 

Trey Anastasio Band 

May 22, 2022

Red Rocks Amphitheatre– Morrison, Colo.

Set I: Set Your Soul Free, Olivia, Camel Walk, Love Is What We Are, The Moma Dance, Dark and Down, Alive Again, Money, Love and Change, Sand

Set II: Everything’s Right, No Men In No Man’s Land > Liquid Time > Roll Like a River > Quantegy > Simple Twist Up Dave, Night Speaks to a Woman, Ether Sunday, Gotta Jibboo

Enc.: A Life Beyond The Dream, First Tube