Trey Anastasio Performs First “Ray Dawn Balloon” Since 2002 in Birmingham
Photo Credit: Bill Kelly
On Saturday, March 22, Trey Anastasio touched down in Birmingham, Ala. for a solo acoustic performance at the Alabama Theatre. Now midway through his celebrated series of intimate performances, the iconic Phish frontman came to The Magic City with a setlist of well-rehearsed Phish classics and solo originals. Never one to rest on his laurels, the performer continued the tour’s countless twists and turns with several bust-outs, including the first staging of “Ray Dawn Balloon” in over two decades.
Anastasio stepped into the spotlight at the Alabama Theatre with the Big Boat selection “Blaze On,” then tore into a set lined with highlights like “AC/DC Bag,” “46 Days,” “Back on the Train,” “Chaalk Dust Torture,” “Lifeboy” and “Ghost.” Along the way, the artist offered the first performance of the Ghosts of the Forest standout “If Again” since his unforgettable October 2019 performance at Carnegie Hall and his first solo acoustic performance of the Evolve sleeper hit “Monsters.”
After finishing “Wilson,” Anastsio welcomed pianist Jeff Tanski to the stage to support the show’s second half, beginning with “Rift.” Together, the musicians presented six further compelling duets before closing out the main portion of the performance with a high-spirited “Slave to the Traffic Light.” When they returned for an encore, the artists shocked fans with the first performance of Anastasio’s original “Ray Dawn Balloon” since November 2002, then followed the soul-stirring instrumental with “If I Could” and show closer “The Squirming Coil.”
Anastasio will return to the stage on Wednesday, March 26 for a performance at Orlando, Fla.’s Walt Disney Theater. He’ll share eight further sholo acoustic shows through April 6. Find tickets and more info on the ongoing tour at trey.com/tour.
Watch a fan-recorded video of Saturday’s encore below, including the long-awaited “Ray Dawn Balloon” bust-out.
Trey Anastasio
Alabama Theatre – Birmingham, Ala.
3/22/25
Set: Blaze On*, Free*, When the Words Go Away*, If Again*, AC/DC Bag* > Prince Caspian*, 46 Days*, Brian and Robert*, Snowflakes in the Sand*, Back on the Train*, Oblivion*, Chalk Dust Torture*, Theme From the Bottom*, Lifeboy*, My Friend, My Friend*, Monsters+, Ghost*, Wilson*, Rift~, Bouncing Around the Room~, It’s Ice~, Petrichor~, What’s the Use?~, Billy Breathes~, Split Open and Melt~, Slave to the Traffic Light~
Encore: Ray Dawn Balloon~, If I Could~, The Squirming Coil~
Notes:
* Trey solo acoustic.
+ Trey solo acoustic; first acoustic Trey performance.
~ Trey acoustic and Jeff Tanksi on piano.
