Trey Anastasio Talks Recovery on The Small Bow Podcast, Turns in First Full Band “Let Me Lie” Since 2015 During Missouri Tour Stop
Photo credit: Jake Silco
Phish’s Trey Anastasio has taken part in a new conversation with The Small Bow Podcast’s host A.J. Daulerio. The interview, which is out now, presents the guitarist’s own recovery process, which led to his second act and aiding others’ success stories through the launch of the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program in Ludlow, Vt. The heart-to-heart comes just a week out from Anatasio’s highly anticipated Beacon Jam’s Fifth Anniversary concerts and webcasts.
In the conversation, the host and guest discuss their own recovery journeys as a framework for Anastasio’s current humanitarian trajectory. The podcast is broken into parts that delineate the overarching theme of the back-and-forth, beginning with what makes Divided Sky different. Anastasio says, “I think it’s a good place for anyone. Acute detox will happen in a hospital. It won’t happen there; it’s not a medical facility. So it isn’t a rehab, it’s a sober retreat.”
The podcast hovers on the notions of emotional sobriety and considers the traditional 12-step program before veering into what it takes for someone to know they’re ready to enter recovery. In a march down memory lane, the guitarist retraces the effects of his addiction on Phish before touching on his drug charges and jail time, and ultimately underscoring: everyone can get sober.
Anastasio’s Small Bow Podcast discussion hit streaming sites hours after turning in his latest live performance, The Factory in Chesterfield, Mo. During TAB’s latest concert, the ensemble started with the first “Speak to Me” since May 7, 2022. The feature of the bandleader’s own Paper Wheels album set up before an uncommonly early set arrival of “Everything’s Right.” Before turning in the initial set of music, the performers played the first full-band “Let Me Lie” since 2015 and used the remaining time to transition from “Evolve” to “Ghost” without a pause.
During the band’s return for the second half of the evening, “The Moma Dance” was deemed “The Mamma Dance” in honor of Natalie Cressman’s soon-to-be status. Notably, Cressman and her partner Ian Faquini partnered with the Nancy Langhorne Foundation once again to deliver a new charity Christmas album in honor of her TAB’s horns section brother, the late James Casey.
After Cressman received a well-earned do, they coursed through staples before producing the night’s most extensive and seismic jam, wheeling “Blaze On” into nearly 20-minute territory. Also during the second set, the group performed “About to Run,” which moved from its typical set one closer position. Last night’s placement represented the first time Anastasio had moved “About to Run” to the latter frame since 2023.
For their final moves on the Factory stage, TAB offered “What’s Going Through Your Mind” as the final-second-set song, returning for an encore that consisted of “The Lizards” and “First Tube.”
Stream the podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube.
Trey Anastasio Band
The Factory – Chesterfield, Mo.
Nov. 19, 2025
Set I: Speak to Me, Everything’s Right, Olivia, Oblivion, Love Is What We Are, Heavy Things, Drifting, Steam, Liquid Time, Let Me Lie, Evolve > Ghost
Set II: The Moma Dance, Back on the Train, Gotta Jibboo, Ghosts of the Forest, Blaze On, About to Run, What’s Going Through Your Mind
Enc.: The Lizards, First Tube
Notes:
Trey introduced The Moma Dance as “The Momma Dance” and dedicated it to Natalie who was expecting a child soon.
Setlist and notes via phish.net.
