Trey Anastasio Band Lights Up Oregon with Vibrant Sunday Performance (SHOW REVIEW)

Phish fans love to throw around the saying “never miss a Sunday show” as a way of implying that the Vermont jam legends sometimes bust out their best musical moments on what is considered a sleeper night. The band’s frontman Trey Anastasio put this to the test when he brought his band to the gorgeous Edgefield venue in Troutdale just outside Portland, Oregon on Sunday, September 25th. Though Anastasio isn’t promoting any new solo material, his fall tour offered a chance to wind down after a busy summer with Phish and run through a thorough setlist of his main band’s songs alongside his solo work.

Set one started on a high note with the funky jungle jazz instrumental “Olivia” lead by the horn section of trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman, multi-instrumentalist James Casey on saxophone, and trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick. This segued into the Phish classic “Gotta Jibboo,” an early highlight of the show with its clean funk groove. Anastasio would keep the sound in a similar vein during “Set Your Soul Free,” unleashing the wah wah effect on his guitar during his interplay with Casey on saxophone. Other highlights of the first set include the consistent groove and Dire Straits-esque sound on “Liquid Time,” Anastasio taking the Phish song “Steam” into a dark and feisty realm with his sinister guitar solo backed by his in-the-pocket rhythm section, and percussionist Cyro Baptista busting out some of his coolest toys to create a mélange of sound effects while Hartswick and Cressman brought the bright vocal harmonies on “Valentine.”

Following a short break, the band returned and got straight down to business with the unmistakably slick riffage of “Sand,” getting the party going with a version that was clean and tight without veering too deeply into the jam. The bright and lively horns kept the music levitating as the band cruised into a version of “Burlac Sap and Pumps” that incorporated elements of salsa and New Orleans jazz bands. Phish tune “Moma Dance” was a second set standout, with the vocal harmonies injecting a healthy dose of soul into the music and giving it a Talking Heads-like quality pulsating with a polished groove. “Last Tube” also stood out with its galloping beat and proggy horn breakdown, not to mention Baptista and the horn section each donning their own percussion instrument to create a fun and tingly sound. The band’s full chemistry was best on display during the expansive “Night Speaks to a Woman” that segued into Phish’s “Bug.” They would end the set with “Ghost,” pulling in the audience for one final dance as Anastasio contributed to the vocal harmonies to give the song a soulful vibe. He would eventually dig into the guitar parts of the tune, serving up some of his best work of the night with a solo that was straightforward and rocking enough to take the song to new heights.  

Sunday’s show was less of a standout for its extensive jamming than it was for the full band chemistry on display. Anastasio was clearly relishing his ability to switch from his role as the Phish frontman to the happy bandleader embracing the contributions of each member. He could easily make his guitar playing the focal point of each song, but instead he chose to showcase the talents of his band, in turn proving the versatility of his music. Most importantly, Sunday’s show at Edgefield was the perfect way to welcome fall with a funky party under the stars.  

Trey Anastasio Band Setlist McMenamins Historic Edgefield Manor, Troutdale, OR, USA, Fall Tour 2022

 

 

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