Spafford closed out their 2018 with the second of two hometown shows at The Van Buren in Phoenix. The rising jam act used their New Year’s Eve performance to offer up first time takes on covers from Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Violent Femmes and The Traveling Wilburys.
The four-piece acted kicked off their final show of the year with an expansive take on Stealers Wheels’ “Stuck In The Middle With You.” It marked the second take on tune since it was revived on Halloween after nearly a year layoff. A short run-through of “When It Falls” from their 2018 release For Amusement Only followed. The band then dug their heels in on jam-fueled versions of “Mind’s Unchained,” “Leave The Light On,” “Broken Wing” and “Salamander Song.” Spafford closed out their penultimate frame of 2018 by debuting their take on Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” from Eagles founder’s 1982 solo debut I Can’t Stand Still.
“America” was tapped to open the foursome’s seamless second set as they headed towards midnight. The setlist staple worked its way into the band’s first ever take on the Grateful Dead’s “The Other One.” The propulsive jam-vehicle segued into just their third ever version of “Aliens.” The rarity, which was last seen on New Year’s Eve 2017, was once again used to ring in the year. “Auld Lang Syne,” a brief return to “America” and “The Reprise” put a cap on the stanza. Spafford delivered a four-song encore that was highlighted by two more cover debuts as they quartet offered up the Violent Femmes’ “Blister In The Sun” and The Traveling Wilbury’s “End Of The Line.” Listen to full show audio taped by Taper Troy below:
Setlist (via Spaffnerds)
Set I: Stuck In The Middle With You, When It Falls, Mind’s Unchained, Leave The Light On, Broken Wing, Salamander Song, Dirty Laundry
Set II: America > The Other One > Aliens > Auld Lang Syne > America > The Reprise
Encore: Blister In The Sun, Slip And Squander, All In, End Of The Line
