Phish frontman Trey Anastasio will be swimming through a series of tour dates this fall. Despite increasing speculation about a Phish reunion, Anastasio isn’t hitting the road with the iconic jam-rock band, but with the Classic Trey Anastasio Band (Classic TAB).
The Northern Exposure Tour 2008 begins its brief nine-show run on September 27 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, and runs through October 25 with a closing show at The National in Richmond, VA. The trek stays true to its name, with the core dates booked farther north than the start and end dates. Northern gigs include an October 19 concert at Higher Ground in Anastatio’s native Vermont, and an October 23 show at the Orpheum in Boston, MA.
Presales for the tour started September 5 and close September 11 at 5 p.m. (EST). Public onsales for all dates begin September 12.
The “classic” incarnation of TAB is comprised of Russ Lawton (drums), Tony Markellis (bass), and Ray Paczkowski (keys). The group is just one of the many side projects pursued by Anastasio since Phish called it quits four years ago. However, in recent months, speculation about a Phish reunion was fed by comments from the band.
Though the four Phish members have been busy pursuing their solo projects, they have increasingly commented on the possibility of a reunion during interviews and in official statements. In May, Anastasio told Rolling Stone that he “certainly thought about” a return during his short stint in jail for a drug-related violation.
Keyboardist Page McConnell followed suit in late June, making an official statement on Phish’s Web site. “We hope to spend some time together and take a look at what possible futures we might enjoy,” McConnell wrote. “In fact the only real decision that has been made is that when we do get together, it will only be the four of us, hopefully with no distractions.”
According to published reports, a single-night reunion did unfold on September 6 when Anastasio, McConnell, Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman gave an impromptu performance of several Phish tunes at a friend’s wedding. However, no long-term touring or recording plans have been announced.
Trey Anastasio & Classic TAB itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)
| September 27 | Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium |
| October 16 | Port Chester, NY | Capitol Theatre |
| October 17 | Wallingford, CT | Chevrolet Theatre |
| October 18 | Albany, NY | Palace Theatre |
| October 19 | South Burlington, VT | Higher Ground |
| October 21 | Providence, RI | Lupo’s |
| October 23 | Boston, MA | Orpheum Theatre |
| October 24 | Philadelphia, PA | Electric Factory |
| October 25 | Richmond, VA | The National |
