Phil Lesh & Friends Launches Summer Tour At Frost Amphitheater

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh kicked off his Phil Lesh & Friends summer tour on Saturday at the Frost Amphitheater on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto California. Phil was backed by a band featuring guitarists Grahame Lesh, John Scofield and Scott Metzger, keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Joe Russo for his first show at the venue since 2002.

Grahame Lesh served double duty on Saturday as he also performed with support act Midnight North at the recently renovated venue. Phil and his ensemble opened their first of two sets by working an improvisation featuring “The Other One” teases into “Truckin’.” The group fit more “Other One” teases into the “Truckin'” jam and eventually lit into a “Playing In The Band” sung by Scott Metzger.

Phil Lesh & Friends continued their first set with a lengthy “Saint Stephen” that gave way to “The Eleven.” An expansive “Uncle John’s Band” followed before the group wrapped the frame with a “Sugar Magnolia” featuring Grahame Lesh on lead vocals.

“Bird Song” took flight to get the second set underway on Saturday. The band spent nearly 20 minutes on “Bird Song” before diving into “I Know You Rider.” Next, Metzger channeled Bob Weir on “Let It Grow” and Grahame handled lead vocal duties on an adventurous “Eyes Of The World.” Phil Lesh & Friends then delivered a gorgeous “The Wheel” with a jam on “Tennessee Jed” connecting the song to the “Terrapin Station” set closer.

The band returned for a “Shakedown Street” encore after Lesh asked fans to become organ donors. Phil resumes the tour on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon with a band featuring Stu Allen, Grahame Lesh, Steve Molitz and Tony Leone.

Photos by Susan Weiand

Check out fan-shot video from Saturday’s concert captured by Deadheadland below:

Setlist (via Viva La Zone)

Set One: Truckin’ > Playing In The Band, Saint Stephen > The Eleven > Uncle John’s Band, Sugar Magnolia

Set Two: Bird Song > I Know You Rider > Let It Grow > Eyes Of The World > The Wheel > Terrapin Station

Encore: Shakedown Street