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I’m crammed onto a staircase leading to the balcony level of Ft. Lauderdale club Revolution, former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio is onstage working his way through the solo-Trey staple “Simple Twist Up Dave” and kicking-off what should be a great weekend at the Langerado music festival. The guy sardined-in next to me leans over and says, “This is a fire hazard. I should have planned better.” Me too, buddy. Me too.

After getting stuck in traffic during the monotonous drive from Tampa to Lauderdale, I was late for the show, which began (much to my surprise) before 8:30 p.m.

This was Anastasio’s first show since pleading not guilty to assorted felony and misdemeanor drug charges stemming from a December D.U.I. arrest in upstate New York. In addition to providing what Rolling Stone called the most bemused mug shot ever, Anastasio has stated publicly that the arrest has been a positive thing for him, causing him to seek help for an out of control drug problem. While
Thursday’s show was really just a warm-up gig for tomorrow night’s headlining slot at Langerado, you wouldn’t have known it from the energy of the band and the crowd. Revolution was overflowing (especially during the first set), and those in attendance were treated
to a terrific performance.

Playing with eight musicians he’s worked with for, in some cases, decades, Anastasio has surrounded himself with a cast of supportive old friends. Bassist Tony Hall, trumpet player and vocalist Jen Hartswick, keyboard player Ray Paczkowski,  saxophone wizard Dave “The Truth” Grippo and tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum are all accomplished players in their own right, and this latest incarnation of Trey’s solo band (there have been many) is probably the most solid since the days of Plasma.

Despite the talent of the backing musicians, it’s Anastasio’s name on the tickets and he dominated the stage with his biting guitar tone, fairly strong voice (Trey has never been a belter) and a bizarre yet endearing array of facial expressions. (He always looks like he’s some
where between high-fiving God and busting a nut.) On songs like the Rolling Stones-inspired rave-up “Dragonfly” (off Bar 17, Anastasio’s latest album), the Bob Marley cover “Small Axe” and the old Phish fave “Gotta Jibboo,” Anastasio utilized a mixture of hand gestures, eye contact and musician E.S.P. to lead the band through a series complex, roiling jams with

Things really heated up during the second half of the concert, the whole band banging away during a percussion jam (Anastasio and Hall on cowbell) during a smoking “Mr. Completely,” and Anastasio pushingShine-highlight “Spin” to delirious heights. The band returned for an encore of “Push On ’Til The Day,” and we’ll all take his suggestion. Things are only getting rolling here at Langerado, but they’re off to a
good start.

Cross-posted from Blurbex.

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