Gov't Mule sparkle on New Year’s Eve at The Beacon in NYC
Gov't Mule in Concert. The Beacon Theatre, New York City. 12/31/2024. Photo: Cathy Chelstowski
By Ray Chelstowski
A 30th anniversary is a big deal, no matter what it celebrates. But for a rock band, sticking it out that long says a lot about the members, the music and the fans. For Gov’t Mule, this 30th year ends a stretch where music formats have continued to evolve, rock radio has regressed and a pandemic put an almost insurmountable squeeze on live shows. So across this familiar close-out to the year, Mule had a lot to salute, not just the end of 2024.
A few weeks earlier, band leader Warren Haynes had participated in a three-day Dave Matthews Band MSG run that ended in Soulshine, a star-studded extravaganza held to raise money for the hurricane-ravaged South. There as the elder statesman, and often master of ceremony, Haynes reminded everyone why he is held is such high rock regard. His song selection was masterful, complete with an ear perfectly designed to find just the right cover at the right moment. His playing was technically precise and never absent of unmistakable soul. Haynes presented his quintessential package and it made each night glisten.
That may have established an expectation for the New Year’s Eve show that was unfair. Chatter in advance was filled with predictions of multiple guests, Allman offerings, a medley of his infamous complete album shows and an expanded band. None of those things happened. Instead, Haynes chose a stripped down, deep cut approach that brought things back to the band’s roots. In total they played 26 songs, only three of which are included in their iTunes Top 20 list. A good part of these were performed as a trio (Warren Haynes, Matt Abts and Kevin Scott). Danny Louis joined in when the music demanded keyboards. The trio format likely drove the decision to include two rare ZZ Top covers, but they too kept this show one for the die-hard fan, and one less for those just as excited to see those balloons in the rafters be released at midnight.
Gov't Mule New Year's Eve 2024 Photo Pass. Photo: Ray Chelstowski
Haynes and company performed with an intensity and exactitude and made the Beacon Theatre feel more like a club than a 3,000-seat venue, and the room seemed comfortable following whatever musical path they chose to pursue. But it was again in covers, where Haynes demonstrated his remarkable dexterity as an artist. This was particularly evident on “Dazed and Confused” where both his guitar and vocals transported the room to another time and place; one where he was one half Robert Plant and the other, Jimmy Page. It was magical.
In the end, how anyone chooses to celebrate a 30th anniversary is up to them. While I had hoped for more, Gov’t Mule is still together because as one, they know what’s best, and as always, The Beacon is happy to host a group that has long called her home.
Set 1
1. Mule*
2. Larger Than Life
3. Temporary Saint
4. Dolphineus
5. Painted Silver Light
6. Peach I Need
7. Shake Our Way Out
8. Just Got Paid
9. Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings
10. Captured
11. Monkey Hill
12. Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman)
13. Thorazine Shuffle*
Set 2
14. After the Storm
15. Young Man Blues
16. So Weak, So Strong
17. Down and Out in New York City
18. I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
19. The River Only Flows One Way
20. Auld lang syne
21. 21st Century Schizoid Man
22. Listening to You
23. Dazed and Confused
Encore
24. Bad Little Doggie*
25. World Boss
26. Brand New Angel
Visit the Goldmine store for vinyl, CDs, box sets, collectibles, merch, music history books and limited-edition, Goldmine-only exclusives. An online store specifically for music collectors. Click HERE!
