RICHMOND, Virginia – Phish co-founder Trey Anastasio enjoyed a day off from touring in Richmond, Virginia on Thursday.
Anastasio, 56, has been photographed by several fans while walking around town with his wife Sue.
Phish fan Mike Cyr couldn’t believe his eyes when the acclaimed guitarist crossed the street right in front of him while he and a friend were stopped at a red light.
Mike Cyr
Trey Anastasio is walking through Richmond, Virginia on September 23, 2021.
“I was awesome, but I managed to thank him for the outstanding show and to tell him I love him,” Cyr wrote in a text. “He said it back, lmao. I’m still in shock.”
Anastasio’s other band, the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB), performed at the Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville the night before.
Scott Wise
Trey Anastasio will perform in Charlottesville, Virginia on September 22, 2021.
Thursday was a day off before the band’s Friday night show in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Anastasio told fan Eileen Mellon, who stopped and asked for a photo, that he was passing through on his way to Wilmington.
“My friend’s sister sent me a picture of her boyfriend who spotted him near the 7-Eleven in Madison!” Mellon was referring to the store near the Jefferson Hotel, said. “Minutes later I was driving near Monroe Park and saw him cross the street and really scream out my window and park my car erratically and run towards him.”
Perhaps Anastasio was forced to stop in Richmond after speaking to fellow Phishist Mike Gordon.
Before the band’s appearance in the band and fan favorite Hampton Coliseum in 2018, the Phish bassist also strolled through the streets of Richmond and praised the capital.
“It’s just so damn great here in Richmond, Virginia,” Gordon said in the middle of a 2018 video posted on his Twitter and Instagram. “I experience all of these cobblestone neighborhoods and culture that is kind of old-fashioned but then moves towards innovation.”
Gordon also gave some examples of the places he had noticed in Richmond.
“Art institutes, cafes, instrument stores, and I feel at home every step of the way,” the New England native continued. “I feel elated and liberated and I am just so grateful that it is so beautiful and that I can be here now [in] Richmond, Virginia. “
Anastasio may also have been drawn to Richmond by his stomach.
Richmond-based burrito delivery company Sous Casa founder Jim Hamilton is the chef for Phish when the band is out. He recently filled the bellies of the band members on Phish’s 22-day summer tour. So it’s possible that Anastasio couldn’t wait for the fall tour to begin on October 15th to try Hamilton’s cuisine again.
RELATED: Feeding Phish: How the Richmond Man became the Chef of the Stars
Most likely, however, Richmond was a convenient place to rest and take in the sights on the road with TAB.
Whatever his reasoning, photos of Anastatio crossing the street and flashing a peace sign outside the 7-Eleven on Belvidere Street made Phish-Memers work overtime on what was actually a day off.
Phish fans hope Trey Anastasio had a good time on the town. Perhaps such a nice visit that it brings Phish back to Richmond – a city the band hasn’t played in since 1994.
Did you see Trey in Richmond? Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.