With its lakefront breeze, the skyline view, and good vibes, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is the perfect venue to experience a top-tier jam performance. And when the performance includes two of the best jam bands in the business – Tedeschi Trucks Band and Gov’t Mule – firing on all cylinders, fans are in for an unforgettable night of music.
“How’s everybody doing out there tonight? All right, thank you so much for having all of us today. It’s a beautiful night,” said Susan Tedeschi early in TTB’s set.
“Crazy Cryin’,” “Signs, High Times” – which featured delicate guitar work from both Tedeschi and Derek Trucks – and “I Got You” set the tone for the performance while Mike Mattison took the vocal lead on “Fall In.” “Until You Remember” and “Let Me Get By” also appeared early on the setlist.
One of the most magical moments of the night came when Gov’t Mule guitarist, vocalist, and founder Warren Haynes jammed with Trucks – his former Allman Brothers Band collaborator – and company for a cover of the iconic instrumental “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” late in the TTB set. The two guitarist treated fans to a musical conversation that defied space and time. Now, the stage was set for Tedeschi to knock the socks off the packed crowd with her impeccable vocals on “Space Captain,” continuing the group’s passion for keeping the legacy of Joe Cocker alive following their captivating 2021 documentary Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen and forthcoming album, Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (LIVE AT LOCKN’).
Gov’t Mule also used their set as an opportunity to jam with their pals in TTB. It seemed like an intoxicating cover of Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” – featuring TTB vocalists Mark Rivers, Alecia Chakour, and keyboardist Gabe Dixon along with the horn section (Elizabeth Lea, Ephraim Owens, and Kebbi Williams) – wouldn’t be topped, but before the set was through, Trucks joined the fun for a cover of Jeff Beck’s “Freeway Jam.” And that’s not all, Tedeschi brought the house down trading vocals – and guitar licks – with Haynes for the set-closer, “Soulshine.”
Earlier in the night, Nolan Taylor opened-up the show with some “sad folk songs” like “If You Would’ve Told Me” and “Holding On.”
“Give it up for Gov’t Mule. Give it up for the Tedeschi Trucks Band,” said Taylor. “What a dream to have been asked to do this and be on the road with these guys. I grew up going and watching ’em. So, to be able to share the stage with such tremendous legendary talent is absolutely unbelievable and that is something that I’ll never take for granted. I’m so thankful to be here.”
After a show like that, it’s safe to say that everyone who attended was so thankful for the experience.
Check out photos of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gov’t Mule, and Nolan Taylor below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates. More information can be found at Tedeschitrucksband.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
