Photo by Scott Preston
Written by Bill Whiting
The Trey Anastasio Band played to a packed Taft Theatre on Saturday, May 24, and added to Cincinnati’s festival atmosphere. Outside the venue, the annual Taste of Cincinnati had thousands of revelers roaming the streets. Inside the Taft, the Trey Anastasio Band took the stage, and launched into the free flowing number, “Sometime after Sunset.” Continuing in the same propulsive groove, TAB knocked the one-two punch of “Pigtail” and “Burlap Sack and Pumps” out, with Anastasio firing off focused lead guitar riffs. The heightened screams from the Cincinnati faithful were awarded with two refined compositions, “The Land of Nod” and “Valentine.” Anastasio and co. energized the balcony with a fired up version of “Bounce,” that led into the Phish classic, “Gotta Jibboo.”
Taking the stage for set two, the Trey Anastasio Band jammed on two rockers from 2002’s Trey Anastasio recording, “Cayman Review” and “Alive Again.” The scintillating rhythms of the title track from 2005’s Shine album had the twirlers dancing in the aisles, and the Taft’s denizens shouted aloud the lyrics of “Alaska” and the title track of 2012’s Traveler disc with great spirit. Returning to Phish territory, TAB stretched out musically on the improvisational masterpiece, “Sand.” A cover of Gorillaz’ “Clint Eastwood” was pumped up and engaging, and TAB went into full instrumental meltdown on “Push On ‘Til the Day.” Encoring with Phish’s “First Tube,” the Trey Anastasio Band put on one of the finest concerts of the year at the Taft Theatre on May 24.
Set One: Sometime After Sunset- Pigtail- Burlap Sack and Pumps- 1977- The Land of Nod- Valentine- Money, Love and Change- Flying Machine- Bounce- Gotta Jibboo
Set Two: Cayman Review- Alive Again- Shine- Spin- Alaska- Traveler- Magilla- Sand- Tuesday- Clint Eastwood- Push On ‘Til the Day
Encore: At the Gazebo- First Tube
