Trey Anastasio

Normally, you wouldn't find me within a mile of Phish or any of its members. The wheedling, folk-rock wankery, with its airy, high-pitched leads and unending jams (entertaining only if you've taken enough drugs), sends me fleeing in the other direction. I've caught Anastasio here and there, including the Dave Matthews/Trey Anastasio collaboration at Bonnaroo 2004 (which produced tear-inducing, self-flagellating boredom). But his set at Bonnaroo this year was a revelation, featuring meaty, blues-driven riffs that were a lot closer to B.B. King than to Jerry Garcia. Besides the decidedly blues-rock bent of the evening, Anastasio's fretwork was equally surprising, displaying a supple, sinewy strut that gives rise to memories of Clapton. Never thought I'd turn in my Trey-hater card, but people are dynamic, which is why you absolutely have to keep an open mind about music.