5/6/17 Trey Anastasio @ Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI

Let's preface this by saying that I bought this ticket back in 2016 and was working a different job.  Moving forward I won't be driving this far for one show like this.  It was a foolish decision to buy the ticket.  With that said I had nothing better to do.  I had the time and the inclination.  I got the yard mowed on Friday and was ready to go by 11:30 am on Saturday.  It was clear blue skies for most of the day with temps in the fifties.  The drive went smoothly.  I stopped for Wendy's in Paw Paw, MI.  On the way there I saw a billboard for Tim Allen doing standup comedy at a casino.  They still love him up there.  I heard "The Payback" by James Brown on the radio as I was rolling into the Detroit area and that got me amped for the show.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Royal Oak was a fairly gentrified suburb of Detroit.  It was easy to find a parking garage near the venue.  The venue was pretty cool besides the TSA style metal detectors.  They did have a little patio for the smokers which filled up quickly during setbreak.  I found a place to dance toward the back of the floor.   The poster with the oak tree and the city behind it captured the suburban setting.  The wood grain reminded me of what we do at work. 


The Sand opener got things going.  I remember Acting the Devil from 01-03 era TAB which was a whole different musical beast than what we currently see.  This version of TAB still grooves but its largely a pop vehicle.  Anastasio's playing was restrained and patient almost to the point of there being a bit too much tension and not enough release.  The band was tight and everyone had their moments.  Cayman Review got me thinking how the self titled Trey album still largely anchors his solo canon.  Magilla seems a bit tired.  I'm not sure Ocelot and Alaska need to be played in the same show with Phish or TAB.  Curlew's Call has always been a favorite from Trey's repertoire.  I could have done without the Hozier cover.  Unless Trey is doing Bowie on Halloween I don't need him putting his guitar down to be a singer.  Dark and Down was one of my favorite parts of the show.  I'll never forget the lightning at Summercamp during that song a few years ago.  Money, Love and Change is a song I can relate to lyrically.  I was glad to hear the new Trey song Everything's Right.  Some of the vocals almost put me in the mind of George Michael.  Last Tube wrapped up a generous 80+ minute first set. 


Night Speaks to a Woman got the show going again and the energy was back to where we left it at the end of the first stanza.  Shine wasn't the direction I'd have gone in that slot.  49 Bye-Byes made the show for me. I was hoping to hear that cover of CSN&Y that they have been doing recently.  I met some friendly people at this show.  Some guys from Cleveland brought up the Cubs and I felt bad for them.  We were lucky not to have blown Game 7.  The next night on 60 Minutes the segment went over exactly what I talked to them about.  Simple Twist Up Dave has long been a song of Trey's solo career that I've liked.  After that I was satisfied with what I'd seen.  The show had been a positive experience so when they started up Bounce I took that as a cue. 


The drive home was a challenge but I got after it.  It was unnerving to see a lot of freshly hit deer in the road.  Michigan has a lot of woods along the interstate.  Not ideal for night driving.  I took a little break at the South Holland Oasis once I crossed back into Illinois.  After some Dunkin' Donuts in Morris I was able to push on and made it home as the sun was coming up.  I pulled into the driveway at 5:55 am on Sunday.  In three weeks I'll be seeing Trey Anastasio again in Chillicothe, IL.