Photo credit: Jake Silco

On Thursday, May 9, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB commenced its current tour at Chicago’s Salt Shed, debuting three new numbers and setting a trend for the follow-up appearances. Well, Friday’s ensuing live display didn’t hit the same quota; the ensemble kept up with the arrival of new music, this time premiering  “Long Long Time.” In continuation of the motif, Saturday, May 11, saw the first performance of “Snowflakes in the Sand” from Classic TAB; notably, all previous versions had been performed sans accompaniment and acoustic by Trey Anastasio. 

Before the night’s most talked about happening, the bandleader set the show off on 

Round Room originator, “46 Days” before moving into “Drifting” and “In Rounds,” the latter’s first 2024 run-through. Seemingly working in a nod to movement, the band kept the setlist in -motion on “Spin” before heading “Back on the Train.” The initial frame contained “Gotta Jibboo,” which came before the first “Snowflakes in the Sand” from this specific configuration of musicians. For this one, the group stayed true to its previous Phish-played format, and the song was delivered with the bandleader on acoustic–in the same vein as its ‘99 debut and subsequent follow-ups. 

The completion of “Everything’s Right” took the group into a set break, after which they reentered for the second half of the concert on “The Moma Dance” paired with “Life Saving Gun.” After a pause, they resumed their delivery on “Outside the Lines,” followed by “Dark and Down” and the first “Pillow Jets” to be played by TAB this year. “Steam” and “Ghost” served as the final numbers before the night’s encore, which consisted of solo acoustic takes on “When the Words Go Away,” last played on Aug. 20, 2022, and “Brian and Robert” from Anastasio. Inevitably, the entire band returned for the last song of their Madison, Wis. stand, a take on “First Tube.” 

After a packed weekend of concerts and debut, Anastasio and Classic TAB return to the stage on Tuesday, May 14, at Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Mich. Tickets remain on sale. 

Trey Anastasio Band and Classic TAB 

The Sylvee – Madison, Wis. 

May 11, 2024 

Set I:  46 Days, Drifting, In Rounds, Spin, Back on the Train, Gotta Jibboo, Snowflakes in the Sand+, Everything’s Right

Set II: The Moma Dance > Life Saving Gun, Outside the Lines, Dark And Down, Pillow Jets, Steam, Ghost

Enc.:  When the Words Go Away*, Brian and Robert*, First Tube

Notes: 

+ Full band debut; Trey on acoustic

* Trey solo acoustic.
Setlist via phish.net.