photo by Bill Kelly

Trey Anastasio stepped onstage in Portland, Ore. last night to commence his monthlong acoustic tour. Through June 24, the Phish frontman will command the spotlight solo and alongside pianist Jeff Tanski in intimate theaters across the country. For the first date in the 12-show run, he worked through 22 Phish staples and reliable solo entries.

Anastasio and Tanski emerged together at the outset of their show at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The performers, who have remained consistent collaborators from their work together on 2013’s Broadway musical Hands on a Hardbody to last year’s Beacon Jams anniversary celebration at the Beacon Theater, opened with The Story of the Ghost classic “Guyute,” which was last staged independently by Anastasio during 2020’s Beacon Jams livestreams. The song’s appearance as a show opener was its first by just the duo, and Anastasio’s first before an audience since 2001.

Anastasio and Tasnki moved into the tried and true romp of “Wolfman’s Brother” before “Ray Dawn Balloon” and the uncommon acoustic entry “Taste,” then the guitarist worked alone for “Lost in the Pack,” “Bathtub Gin,” “Drive,” “Oblivion” and “Back on the Train.” The pair alternated duo and solo segments like that through a sing-along set closer of “Harry Hood,” then, after the lights fell, emerged once more for a suo encore of “Dirt,” “Stash” and finally a rare delivery of “Tweezer Reprise” without a precedent of its full version.

In April, Anastasio released Trey Anastasio – Live and Acoustic, his first independent live album since 2020’s Burn It Down and a record of his 20-show series with Tanski from last spring, which marked his first proper acoustic tour in six years. The album features 22 tracks culled from the run’s repertoire, including Phish classics like “Stash,” “Billy Breathes,” “Lifeboy” and “Divided Sky,” all produced by Vance Powell.
Anastasio and Tanski will move on to Seattle’s Paramount Theater tonight. Find tickets and information on the full acoustic outing at trey.com.