Trey Anastasio with the Colorado Symphony
by Corey Blecha
photos by Josh Brown
Last Tuesday, a special night of music took place in downtown Denver, with Trey Anastasio of famed jam-band Phish, acting as leader and composer for the amazing Colorado Symphony. The much-anticipated show had lines of people stretched out to the streets in front of the Boettcher Concert Hall on 14th Street; everyone extremely excited for the night ahead. Playing in Denver for one of four stops in the United States performing with local symphonies and orchestras, this show was sure to be a unique event, and the hype beforehand rivaled that of nearly any Phish show.
As drones of Anastasio fans (some of the most dedicated fans in the world) filed in and took their seats, it quickly became clear that this was a show made up of Phish fans at a symphony, not symphony fans at a Phish show. The beautiful setting and the elegant dress of most every person in attendance, showed the fancy side of an often-mocked group of fans, and the vibe inside the venue was respectful and positive–a mix of mostly Phish fans with just a dash of the trendy LoDo crowd sprinkled in. Regardless of who was in attendance, everyone knew what the focus was on, and when Anastasio hit the stage, the roar was deafening, something that the Symphony was surely surprised by.
Immediately picking up the guitar, Anastasio started the show in style with “First Tube”, a tricky Phish original that slinks along with dramatic string and horn stabs beneath a beautiful guitar lead, that could only come from the fingers of one man. From that point on, Anastasio took the crowd on a trip through Phish favorites like “Stash” and “Divided Sky,“ and threw in other gems like his original concerto, “Time Turns Elastic” and a Beatles’ cover, “Golden Slumbers,“ to finish things off.
Though the concert was different than any Phish or Anastasio show I’ve ever attended, it was definitely the coolest setting I have seen him in. The layout of the venue and the emotion of the crowd, which seemed, at times, to surprise Trey, gave the night a unique feel that you can’t find in a venue parking lot or stadium. The intimacy of the night allowed for a connection between the audience and the performers; the ultimate goal for any performance, regardless of the venue.
As attendees filtered out of the concert hall, there was talk of future Phish shows, and reminiscing of past shows, something that keeps the mystique and lure of Anastasio and the rest of the band alive. The culture surrounding the band, and the draw that they have, is a testament to their durability and value to an entire scene. Anastasio’s spectacular performance with the Colorado Symphony only added to the legend of one of America’s greatest rock bands.
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