Spafford Reunites With Former Members At New Year’s Eve Concert In Tempe

Spafford called upon a few old friends to help them welcome 2025. The band was joined by former keyboardist Andrew “Red” Johnson and drummer Cameron Laforest at various points of their home state New Year’s Eve concert at Tempe’s Marquee Theatre.

“Red” left Spafford at the end of 2023 after an 11-year run with Cory Schechtman tapped as his replacement. Laforest and the band parted ways in 2019 when Spafford brought back original drummer Nick Tkachyk.

Spafford — guitarist Brian Moss, Schectman on keys, Tkachyk on drums and bassist Shon Gordon filling in for Jordan Fairless (who has “no current plans to return”) — opened with a well-jammed take on one of their newest songs, “Darkness Singularity.” Laforest then came out to add double drums to exploratory versions of “Hollywood” and “Broken Wing.” Cameron Laforest stepped away for a cover of Stone Temple Pilots’ “Plush” but was back for the set-closing “Ain’t That Wrong.”

Both Andrew “Red” Johnson and Cameron Laforest performed the entire second set with the quartet. Spafford and their old friends got “Comfortable” to kick off the frame featuring “Red” on lead vocals. “Comfortable” melted into the Moss-led “Walls.” An apt “Red’s Jam” showcasing both Johnson and Schectman then gave way to a “Drums” duet between Laforest and Tkachyk.

Spaffnerds were particularly excited at what came next as Red sang “My Road (My Road).” The song had previously been shelved since Johnson’s last show on New Year’s Eve 2022. “My Road (My Road)” featured plenty of jamming and a strong peak. Spafford, Johnson and Laforest added a “Slip and Squander” for the good measure.

The evening’s third set was an abbreviated five-song affair featuring the current lineup. After opening with “Pursuit Of Trance,” Spafford lit into the beloved “Electric Taco Stand.” Moss counted down into 2025 following a shred-heavy peak and the band ushered in the new year with the traditional “Auld Lang Syne.”

Cory Schechtman starred on the subsequent “Neutrino,” which flowed into the end of “Electric Taco Stand.” Fan favorite “The Remedy” brought Spafford’s third set to a close. Andrew “Red” Johnson and Cameron Laforest each returned for an encore featuring “The Postman” played within “Weasel.”

Stream the official soundboard audio recording of Spafford’s New Year’s Eve show below with a nugs.net account:

Setlist

Set One: Darkness Singularity, Hollywood* > Broken Wing*, Plush > Ain’t That Wrong*

Set Two: Comfortable** > Walls**, Reds Jam** > Drums* > My Road (My Road)**, Slip And Squander**

Set Three: Pursuit Of Trance > Electric Taco Stand > Auld Lang Syne, Neutrino > Electric Taco Stand, The Remedy

Encore: Weasel** > The Postman** > Weasel**

• * – with Cameron Laforest (double drums)
• ** – with Cameron Laforest (double drums) and Andrew “Red” Johnson (double keys)