Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh performs this week at The Capitol Theatre with a slew of talented musicians for four nights, which started on March 15, Phil’s birthday show. Sunday will see Phil notch his 100th show at The Cap, capping off the celebration.
For Phil’s birthday show, he was joined by Rick Mitarotonda, Grahame Lesh, James Casey, Natalie Cressman, Jennifer Hartswick, John Medeski, & John Molo. The show started off running with “Help On the Way > Slipknot”, with the first set including Deadhead favorites such as “Cumberland Blues” and “Scarlet Begonias”. Later in the set, James Casey’s vocals on “Fire on The Mountain” were masterful.
The second set opened up with “Not Fade Away,” filled with explorative jamming which peaked with a psychedelic “The Wheel” and an energetic “Let it Grow” to close out the set.
Owner of The Capitol Theatre, Peter Shapiro, came on stage to surprise Phil Lesh with a birthday cake. The crowd proceeded to sing “Happy Birthday” to Phil, before the band concluding their encore with a classic “I Know You Rider.”
Phil Lesh – The Capitol Theatre – Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Set 1: Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Cumberland Blues, Dire Wolf, Scarlet Begonias, Fire on the Mountain, Franklin’s Tower Set 2: Not Fade Away, Playing in the Band, St. Stephen > The Other One > Long Time Gone > The Wheel > Let It Grow Encore: Donor Rap, Happy Birthday to You, I Know You Rider
Goose and their flock of fans have descended upon Port Chester for five nights of indie jam rock. With three nights down, there have been debuts, fresh covers and a sit-in from none other than Jimmy Fallon.
Goose closed out their five-night stand at the Capitol Theatre on Sunday night with a blazing hot show packed with pockets of dense improvisation.
Opening the night with “Time to Flee,” the quintet wasted absolutely no time and delivered a punchy 17-minute version highlighting guitarist Rick Mitarotonda’s scorching guitar tone and playing. The band next offered up the synth-drenched arrangement of “Indian River” coupled with its usual “Welcome to Delta” jam. The peppy piano-led groove felt more energetic than its normal laid-back vibe, blasting to more incredible peaks as the energy in the crowd seemed to continue rising.
A big trend for the final two nights of the Cap run was pure ENERGY. The 1800-capacity venue was amped from the first note of Wednesday night’s show but the weekend crowd took it to another level.
A deceptive cool-down song in the Peter Anspach-penned “Honeybee” quickly elevated to more soaring guitar licks from Mitarotonda before Goose fired up the dance party of “Jeff Engborg.” Named for Anspach’s old Great Blue bandmate, the fifth Goose performance of this song is a personal favourite of mine due to what I call “Big Clav Energy.” The rhythm section of drummer Ben Atkind, percussionist Jeff Arevalo, and bassist Trevor Weekz locked in as Anspach and Mitarotonda shredded over peak after peak.
Taking a moment to breathe and reflect with the 75-show bustout of “It Burns Within,” the band jumped into a fun “Butter Rum” to close the set. While a concise and energy-filled 8-minute version could have done just fine in this slot, Goose opted to deliver possibly the finest version of the song played to date, stretching just past the 20-minute mark. Anspach’s Prophet and Nord synths got a serious workout in the latter half as Mitarotonda riffed on a theme similar to Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.”
The final set of the five-night run began with a lengthy “Arrow,” breaking its longest show gap in three years. Mitarotonda attacked the jam with the same animalistic ferocity he had been displaying all week, and while it stayed relatively within the song’s boundaries, it should NOT be overlooked. A calm and beautiful reading of ballad “A Western Sun” led to another dance party in “Into the Myst.” Atkind propelled the band into a steady jam as Anspach worked his Vintage Vibe electric piano through the segue into “White Lights.”
Looking at the setlist on paper, this relatively short song in the middle of the set may look innocent enough, but it is well worth a listen. One of the biggest peaks of the entire weekend took place as the incredibly positive energy of the band and crowd flowed. Anspach danced like a happy camper within his keyboard rig as all five members became pieces of the same improvisational brain and launched the Cap into orbit.
A patient build on iconic Goose song “Elmeg the Wise” brought the tenth and final set of the run to a close in fine fashion. Anspach took a moment before the encore to thank each and every member of the Goose crew as well as the venue staff for an unforgettable week before the band absolutely tore “The Empress of Organos” to shreds. Weekz got his final bass solo to cap of what was undoubtedly the week of the BASS.
Over the course of five nights, Goose played 64 songs – 60 of which were originals and three of those debuts. The band took new risks in improv, debuted new rigs and tones, a new light rig – the list goes on!
With an extensive spring tour beginning next week in Boston, their first proper “tour” since October, anticipation could not be higher for what is to come in the future!
Goose – Sunday, March 12
Set 1: Time to Flee, Indian River[1], Honeybee[2], Jeff Engborg, It Burns Within, Butter Rum
Set 2: Arrow[3], A Western Sun, Into The Myst[3] > White Lights, Elmeg The Wise
Encore: The Empress Of Organos
[1] 80s synth version. With Welcome to Delta jam. [2] With Coach on rainstick. [3] Unfinished.
Saturday, March 11
For night four of five at the Capitol Theatre, Goose delivered what some have called the best show of the run yet – two dense sets packed with energy, improvisation and incredible playing from all five members.
Opening up the show with an upbeat “Echo of a Rose,” guitarist Rick Mitarotonda quickly led the jam from an airy space into a grimy section propelled by drummer Ben Atkind’s persistent beat. Using that as a launchpad for a modulation into Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights,” the band and crowd alike blazed through the rocking cover with great aplomb.
Ripping through a thick “Bob Don” next, Mitarotonda and multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach locked in on the outro “With” jam as the crowd’s energy continued to climb higher through the band’s return to the ending of “Echo.” The twin parts of “Seekers on the Ridge” offered a bit of a breather before another incendiary Mitarotonda solo blew up the building in Part II.
“Mr. Action” was tapped ahead of a set-closing “Same Old Shenanigans,” a perfect call for the energy-focused first set. Anspach and Mitarotonda shined once again during their respective solos as the rhythm section locked in underneath them on the path to several mountainous peaks that ended the first frame.
Returning with “Hungersite” to open the second set, Goose wasted no time before diving directly into a heavy-hitting space that Mitarotonda peaked massively. Atkind and percussionist Jeff Arevalo’s insistent drumming helped push the blazing improv. Post-peak, bassist Trevor Weekz stepped out as the band led into a thick and grimy motif that has popped up numerous times throughout the Cap run.
“Silver Rising” offered a cool-down after the intensity of the “Hungersite” jam before the band debuted Anspach original “Feel It Now.” This catchy and danceable song is highlighted by a peppy groove and bright guitar lines from Mitarotonda – there is also tremendous jam potential that I am certain will come to fruition as the song gets played more.
Where else to go in the middle of a Saturday night second set than with “Arcadia”? Weekz once again absolutely brought the house down with a deep and funky bass solo before an aggressive theme developed. Picking up the pace and energy once again, Goose blasted the capacity crowd with peak after peak as they shredded through the ending of the song. A heartfelt and tender “726” closed out the second set.
Ripping into “Dripfield” for the encore was a perfect choice, getting the crowd moving in time with the pounding drums as the title track to the band’s most recent album rocked the Cap to close.
Goose – Saturday, March 11
Set 1: Echo Of A Rose[1] -> Hollywood Nights[2] > Bob Don[3] -> Echo Of A Rose, Seekers On The Ridge Pt. 1 > Seekers On The Ridge Pt. 2, Mr. Action, Same Old Shenanigans Set 2: Hungersite, Silver Rising, Feel It Now[4], Arcadia, 726 Encore: Dripfield [1] Fast version [2] Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band [3] With [4] FTP
Friday, March 10
For the third of five nights at the Capitol Theatre, Goose delivered two blazing sets that were lighter on the improv that the first two shows but had possibly the highest energy of the run so far.
Opening up the night with a funky “Animal,” the band jumped into a concise “Flodown” next where multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach threw in Prophet synth sounds as guitarist Rick Mitarotonda toyed with his delay pedals. Upbeat rocker “Everything Must Go” and Anspach tune “The Whales” continued the set before the energy really got taken up a few notches with “Turbulence & The Night Rays.”
The rocking Vasudo-penned song seems to reach new heights each time it gets played, and Mitarotonda’s emphatic solo had the packed Cap eager for more. Anspach took a second to introduce the next song, debut “Lead Up.” Displaying a rocking vibe similar to the Red Hot Chili Peppers at times, “Lead Up” retained that distinctive Goose song as well as showing off the band’s dual-guitar sound – the last two Goose original debuts with Anspach on guitar were “Butterflies” in June 2022 and “The Whales” in June 2020!
The momentum and energy of the first set came to a peak with crowd and band favourite “Thatch,” which featured its first extended improv and some mind-blowing work from drummer Ben Atkind and percussionist Jeff Arevalo, the latter of whom seemed to be at risk of breaking his cymbals from the sheer force of his hits.
Returning from a lengthy setbreak, Anspach took a stroll into the crowd during the intro to “Creatures.” The dance party song morphed into a gorgeous bliss jam distinctly reminiscent of its counterpart from Legend Valley in 2022. Bassist Trevor Weekz really stepped out in this segment, while Atkind spun a beat that made the jam feel like the beginning of an “Empress of Organos” jam. Slowly returning to earth, Anspach led the band into “Red Bird” as lighting director Andrew Goedde bathed the stage in that colour for the duration of the song.
The bird took flight with a rocking jam led once again by the rhythm section – Atkind’s pounding toms and Weekz’s bursting envelope filter playing propelled the quintet to a series of big peaks ahead of a transition into Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” Offering up the finest improvisation of the night, the classic cover tune quickly opened up into a thrashing groove as Mitarotonda took the reins with some serious fretboard fireworks. Building into some darker themes, Goose exploded into an amazing major-key section with strong “SOS” vibes before landing in tender ballad “Arise.”
Most known for its acoustic performances with offshoot group Orebolo, this gorgeous and heartfelt song translated exceptionally well to an electric setting for just the fifth time ever. Arevalo made an inside reference to a well-known acoustic performance with a reminder for the crowd to “zip it” before the song began (note: his instruction was followed by some, but not all). A blazing “Hot Tea” complete with filthy wah guitar from Mitarotonda, crunchy clav from Anspach, and a bass solo from Trevor closed out the set.
Goose welcomed comedian Jimmy Fallon to the stage for an encore of “Mustang Sally” last night that had the crowd eating up every moment of the fun shtick.
Goose – Friday, March 10
Set 1: Animal, Flodown, Everything Must Go, The Whales, Turbulence & The Night Rays, Lead Up[1], Thatch Set 2: Creatures, Red Bird, In Your Eyes[2], Arise, Hot Tea Encore: Mustang Sally[3]
[1] FTP [2] Peter Gabriel [3] Wilson Pickett. With Jimmy Fallon on vocals
Thursday, March 9
Goose threw down another heater on Thursday night at The Capitol Theatre for the second of five shows at the historic venue. While nothing quite reached the improvisational heights of Wednesday’s show, the band but together two well-flowing and complete sets with fantastic moments throughout.
Beginning the night with a hot “Jive I”, guitarist Rick Mitarotonda and multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach took their usual spotlights on the song with energetic solos as the crowd got warmed up. A jamless “Atlas Dogs” followed before the quintet fired up Anspach tune “Elizabeth.” The first extended jamming of the night, while just barely cracking the 10-minute mark, saw the band get into some nice churning themes.
The slinky vibe of “California Magic” fit the vibe of the first set perfectly before a new double-time arrangement of “Borne” was tapped next. Part of this new take on the song is a much cleaner slide into the jam which the band took full advantage of, developing a spacey theme with reverb-drenched piano at the forefront. Bassist Trevor Weekz led a slow build as the band worked together in a very democratic fashion. Drummer Ben Atkind pounded away at his toms as the jam build to a solid peak.
Anspach stepped out again on the Vintage Vibe outro to “The Old Man’s Boat” before Mitarotonda led Goose into “Rockdale.” Getting into the grime immediately, Anspach’s low clavinet colouring and Weekz’ deep bass accentuated Mitarotonda’s tension-building guitar as the band built to several phenomenal and explosive peaks to close out the first set.
The second set began in fine fashion with a long “Tumble.” The jam began with its classic dual-guitar churn groove as Mitarotonda got the energy of the crowd up. After hitting a first peak, the band took the vibe down and Anspach hit the keyboards. Displaying his impressive interplay with Mitarotonda that we’ve been seeing this week, Goose dove deep into a quieter section within “Tumble” that gave percussionist Jeff Arevalo an opportunity to really step to the sonic forefront of the jam.
Reaching a progression reminiscent of “Love is a Battlefield,” Mitarotonda took back the reins of the improv and built back to a final peak and return to the song. The guitarist then fronted the quintet on the debut of original “Not Alone,” a tender ballad that was received extremely well by the crowd – it acted as the perfect breather between two big second-set jams.
“Rosewood Heart” was tapped next and saw Anspach dialing up percussive loops on his Prophet synthesizer as Goose took a very different route in the jam. Eschewing the normal Type I section, they opted for a funky and percussive groove that had the venue getting down for its duration. A powerful rendition of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” came next before Goose ripped out “Madhuvan” to close the set.
Few songs elicit a crowd reaction on the level of this massive jam vehicle, and last night was no different. Beginning in a space not unlike its counterpart from Glens Falls this past November, Anspach laid down low tones on the Vintage Vibe while simultaneously creating feedback from his guitar, lending to the immediate dark and eerie tone of the jam. Patiently exploring every inch of this motif, Weekz dropped massive bombs as synthesizer loops and guitar arpeggios dominated the space. Gradually picking up steam, the improv took on a lighter tone as the band hit on their second “Loose Ends” tease of the week. Continuing the huge build, Mitarotonda led his bandmates into the ending of “Madhuvan” at full tilt, bringing an excellent set and show to a close. A brief encore of “Turned Clouds” sent the crowd home happy.
Goose – Thursday, March 9
Set 1: Jive I, Atlas Dogs, Elizabeth, California Magic, Borne[1], The Old Man’s Boat, Rockdale Set 2: Tumble[2], Not Alone[3], Rosewood, Heart > Sinnerman[4], Madhuvan[5] Encore: Turned Clouds
[1] Double time feel [2] With Pick Up The Pieces tease from Ric [3] FTP [4] Nina Simone [5] With Loose Ends teases
Wednesday, March 8
For the first night of Goose’s Capitol Theatre five night run, starting the run with what they ended Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival with, Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue.” Check out video and more photos from Cory Schwartz below.
Set 1: Jam -> Electric Avenue[1], All I Need[2] > Dr. Darkness, Butterflies, Jive II, Earthling or Alien?[3], So Ready Set 2: Wysteria Lane > Doobie Song, Drive[4], Yeti, Your Ocean Encore: Pancakes
[1] Eddy Grant. Ending only, finishing the version from 3/3/23 Okeechobee [2] Slow, melodic version [3] With Jive II teases from Trevor [4] With Loose Ends teases
Grammy-Award winners Jason Isbell and the 400 Unithas announced the upcoming release of their eighth album, Weathervanes, along with a brand new North American tour.
Written and produced by Isbell, Weathervanes features 13 brand new tracks. “Death Wish,” the debut release from the collection, is available now. Weathervanes is a collection of grown-up songs: Songs about adult love, about change, about the danger of nostalgia and the interrogation of myths, about cruelty and regret and redemption. Some will make you cry alone in your car and others will make you sing along with thousands of strangers in a big summer pavilion, united in the great miracle of being alive. Isbell is a storyteller at the peak of his craft, observing his fellow wanderers, looking inside and trying to understand, reducing a universe to four minutes.
“There is something about boundaries on this record,” said Isbell. “As you mature, you still attempt to keep the ability to love somebody fully and completely while you’re growing into an adult and learning how to love yourself.”
Jason Isbell
Weathervanes was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio and features Jason Isbell’s Grammy-winning band, The 400 Unit. Special guests include GRAMMY winner Amanda Shires and harmonicist Mickey Raphael, with background vocals on “If You Insist“ by renowned producer and engineer Sylvia Massy & Ian RickardandStrings on “Death Wish” by Morgan O’Shaughnessey.
Also announced today, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will be hitting the road throughout the summer, including a show at Artpark Mainstage Theater in Lewiston on August 5.
In the midst of intimate “Special Solo Performance” dates that kicked off in Portland, Maine the day before Valentine’s Day, Brandi Carlile performed back-to-back sold out shows this past week at The Capitol Theatre (affectionately known as “The Cap”) located in the center of downtown Port Chester. I was one of 1,800 lucky participants to attend Friday night’s show on February 17, to witness her multi-genre talents, including folk rock, alternative country and Americana, firsthand.
To say Carlile has been busy lately is an understatement. She played Madison Square Garden this past October, was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in December and just won her eighth and ninth Grammy Awards (out of 25 total nominations and seven from 2022 alone) for “Broken Horses” (Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song) at the 65th award ceremony in Los Angeles earlier this month, a night on which she also executed a fierce version of said song.
At 6:30 pm sharp, doors to the historic venue constructed in 1926 opened to adoring Carlile fans that had been patiently waiting in a short line, but that could not wait any longer. However, with the show still nearly two hours away, most fans who had arrived early to the village known as the “Gateway to New England” were seen congregating at nearby restaurants. Not only to pass the time, but to escape the frigid temperatures that had dropped by more than 30 degrees from earlier the same afternoon, my wife and I opted for authentic Mexican cuisine right next door to The Cap, enjoying margaritas as Brandi Carlile tunes played over El Tio’s speakers.
Suddenly, as show time neared, throngs of patrons hurriedly began to file through the maze of security fencing outside of the main entrance and into the warm confines of the theatre’s lobby. Many fans headed straight for the merch table to purchase a t-shirt, hoodie or poster commemorating Carlile’s brief two-night residency, while others grabbed a drink before heading to their seat in the orchestra or upper balcony.
Running slightly behind schedule, the moment finally arrived as Carlile took the stage at 8:25 pm, from which she would not depart until more than two hours later. With more than two decades of singer-songwriter experience under her belt, the rural girl from Ravensdale, Washington was about to give her fans a career-spanning glimpse at her discography, performing at least one song from each of her seven studio albums. Sharply dressed as always, tonight in an arctic blue blazer and matching turtleneck with lime green slacks, Carlile “took it all in” for several moments as the crowd erupted before her.
Excitedly, Carlile addressed her adoring fans, “Yes! I knew the crowd was going to be like this! I did this solo tour to recover my artist’s self after the Grammys, which I will never stop being grateful for, or terrified by. But I knew that I was going to need these concerts so that I could come back into myself and come face to face with my lyrics and do something that really scares me, which this does.” Then, as guitar tech Claire Murphy handed Carlile a well-worn, vintage Gibson acoustic (one of four she would play in addition to two custom Collings), the festivities were officially underway.
The first of 20 offerings that Carlile bestowed upon the packed house was her very first song (“Follow”) from her very first self-titled release in 2005. Although the audience would be seated for majority of the show, they rose to their feet triumphantly at the conclusion of each and every song, beginning with this one. On an evening filled with deep cut tracks, the next song (the aforementioned “Broken Horses”) from her most recent studio album (2021’s In These Silent Days) would not be one of them. During the introduction to “Mama Werewolf,” another song from her seventh album, Carlile playfully addressed her two young daughters seated stage left in VIP boxes above. After the third song had ended, and it was now time to head back up the aisle with my camera to a standing room only perch at the rear of the house, I glanced at the beaming faces of fans as I strolled by. The next two songs presented by Carlile were “The Things I Regret” (The Firewatcher’s Daughter, 2015), and speaking of deep cuts, “I Will,” the seventh track from her third studio album (Give Up the Ghost) released in 2009.
Taking a seat at the piano for the first time of the night, which she taught herself to play (along with guitar) after dropping out of high school to pursue her dream of a career in music, Carlile introduced her next song by revealing “I don’t know any other way to do [“The Eye”] without the twins (songwriting brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth who also reside in the band’s family as bass and guitar players, respectively) and a three-part harmony. Without them, the only thing that I can think to do, is to do it different.” During the course of the next twenty minutes, Carlile beautifully delivered the title track from 2007’s The Story and “The Mother” (By the Way, I Forgive You, 2018), sandwiched by the first of the night’s four covers, Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” “The Mother” followed, also taken from her sixth studio album released in 2018, before Carlile was joined by wife Catherine for a glorious coupling of fan favorites comprising “I Belong to You” and “You and Me on the Rock.”
Before commencing their final song together, Tracy Chapman’s “The Promise,” Carlile imparted a humorous tale about a recent time when she and Catherine performed the same song during a vow renewal at Ellen DeGeneres’ house (which really looks more like a castle): “Just when I thought the ceremony was at the lesbian tipping point, we were at a campfire a half an hour later with Melissa Etheridge playing to all of us. I was like what the hell, this is amazing! The sun was setting. We drank non-alcoholic beer. A perfect lesbian moment [Catherine adds]. And I was like, I know how we can top this. Right now, we can sing Tracy Chapman. So, we did. We’re going to repeat that moment for you right now.”
As the set rolled on, the crowd continued to display its deep appreciation for Brandy Carlile, vigorously clapping in unison during the chorus to “Raise Hell” (the lone tune performed from Bear Creek) and then cheering wildly for the night’s third cover, Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend.” What followed next was the ‘wipe the tears from your eyes’ moment of the show when Carlile moved to the edge of the stage apron to perform an off-microphone, six-minute version of “Cannonball” (The Story, 2007) – a song that was not played the night before – with every audience member remaining dead silent to ensure Carlile’s voice could be heard throughout the entire venue.
As if we had not already witnessed greatness, the final quintet of songs showcased Carlile’s unreal vocal chops as she took to the piano again for a string of recent hits consisting of “Letter to the Past,” “Right on Time,” “The Joke” (with Carlile back on guitar) and “Party of One.” And on a night where love filled the air, the final number (Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”) of the epic show was a fitting nod to Carlile’s close friend and folk icon.
The final stop on Carlile’s intimate solo tour will be at the Durham Performing Arts Center in North Carolina this upcoming Wednesday, February 22. For those of you who missed her Port Chester shows, you will get another chance when she returns this summer touring in support of P!NK at Citi Field in Queens on August 3.
Brandi Carlile Setlist: Follow > Broken Horses > Mama Werewolf > The Things I Regret > I Will > The Eye > The Story > Mad World (Tears for Fears cover) > The Mother > I Belong to You > You and Me on the Rock > The Promise (Tracy Chapman cover) > Raise Hell > Call Your Girlfriend (Robyn cover) > Cannonball > Letter to the Past > Right on Time > The Joke > Party of One > A Case of You (Joni Mitchell cover)
Bob Weir & Wolf Bros took over The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester for a four-night residency, part of a 2023 winter tour. Joining Bob on stage: bassist Don Was, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, drummer Jay Lane, pedal steel guitarist Barry Sless with strings and horns supplied by The Wolfpack (Alex Kelly, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling and Sheldon Brown.)
The four nights presented a wide variety of music. Each having its own groove. Covers where distributted throughout the shows, including songs from Bob Dylan (When I Paint My Masterpiece, All Along the Watchtower), Johnny Cash (Big River), and The Beatles (Tomorrow Never Knows, Dear Prudence.)
The shows held over February 7- 11 were broken up into two night groupings with the middle night at The Capitol occupied by Long Island Medium Theresa Caputo. Whether she was booked to conjure up additional “Dead” spirits could not be confirmed. But the following Friday and Saturday shows where packed to the rafters.
Of course, a four-night stint like this has its fair share of Weir solo, Ratdog, and Grateful Dead tunes. If the stage was not filled enough, Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach of Goose as well as Kenny Brooks, Dred Scott, and Sasha Dobson joined in to close out the final night.
The tour heads into March, including a stop in Atlanta for three nights with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Bob Weir & Wolf Bros – The Capitol Theater, February 7, 8, 10, 11 Setlists:
February 7 Set 1 – Cassidy, My Brother Esau, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Catfish John, Tennessee Jed, Black-Throated Wind, Lost Sailor, Saint of Circumstance Set 2 – Mama Tried, China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider, He’s Gone, Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad, I Need a Miracle, All Along the Watchtower, Stella Blue, Sugar Magnolia
February 8 Set 1 – Greatest Story Ever Told, Iko Iko, Only a River, Friend of the Devil, Althea, Come Together, Weather Report Suite, Let It Grow Set 2 – Ramble On Rose, Truckin’, Looks Like Rain, Playing in the Band, Uncle John’s Band, Supplication, Morning Dew Encore: Black Muddy River
February 10 Set 1 – The Music Never Stopped, Easy Answers, Loser, Big River, She Knows What I’m Thinkin’, Deal, Candyman, Bird Song Set 2– Fever, Ashes and Glass, Don’t Let Go, Dark Star, Shakedown Street, The Wheel, Tomorrow Never Knows, Days Between, Not Fade Away Encore: Ripple
February 11 Set 1 – Jack Straw, Minglewood Blues, She Belongs to Me, Brown-Eyed Women, Loose Lucy, Two Djinn, Corrina, New Speedway Boogie Set 2 – Peggy-O, Me and My Uncle, Scarlet Begonias, Estimated Prophet, Franklin’s Tower, The Other One, Dear Prudence, Lady With a Fan, Terrapin Station, Terrapin Transit, At a Siding, Terrapin Flyer Encore Brokedown Palace, One More Saturday Night
On April 16, Garcia’s in Port Chester will celebrate the life of music legend, Michael Winters with a tribute concert.
Winters, the former Operations & House Manager of The Capitol Theatre and a crucial figure of the New York live music scene, passed away 5 years ago on July 1, 2018. To commemorate his life and legacy, this tribute concert will be held on Sunday, April 16 at 4:20PM, on a day before what would have been his 57th birthday.
Friends and staff of The Capitol Theatre have organized the event to celebrate the life of Mike rather than his departure. Mike, who was often referred to as “the heart and soul of The Cap,” had an invaluable impact on the theater, where he is credited with helping to name the lobby bar Garcia’s, before retiring after five years. Before his time at The Capitol Theatre, Mike and his brother, Brad, were partners in Manny’s Car Wash, a renowned blues club in Manhattan.
Mike’s love for music began at the age of 12 when his brother and sister took him to see Frank Zappa on Halloween. His passion for music continued to be fueled by bands like the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band. The tribute concert, named “With the Gold of Sunshine” after his favorite Grateful Dead song, “Ripple,” will feature performances by local Grateful Dead-inspired bands Grateful BRO and Dead Meat. The proceeds from the event will be donated to Songcatchers, a charity dedicated to fostering the next generation of music fans by providing affordable music education.
Songcatchers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided accessible, affordable, and high-quality music education and experiences to children and families for over 40 years. Programs bring music into children’s lives, fostering a lifelong appreciation of the arts. Leadership development is a hallmark of all Songcatchers programs; youth serve as aides, instructors and counselors, and are mentored by professional musicians and music educators. The goal of “Reaching for Peace Through Music” is realized with the belief that all children deserve the chance to learn music and to see the beauty of each other through the arts.
“When Mike worked at the Cap, everyone was so kind, they were a tight knit crew and became the original Capitol Family. After his passing, they have continued to make me feel like part of the Cap Fam.” said his wife, Lara Winters. “It truly means the world to me that he had such a positive impact on the many he touched and that his memory will be honored with love in a meaningful way.”
Join friends, staff and family for an evening of music, friendship, and giving back to the music community as we celebrate the life of Michael Winters. The event will also feature a charity auction and raffle including a collection of music memorabilia. Friends are encouraged to bring a photograph of Mike for the memorial display board.
Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade announced that they will be reuniting after 20 years for the massive Summer of Green Tour 2023. The tour will stop at Buffalo, Port Chester, Westbury and more than 30 other stops.
Les Claypool.
After a 20-year hiatus, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade has announced its long-awaited return. Formed in the summer of 2000 by Claypool, the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade debuted at the Mountain Aire Festival, and has since gone on multiple celebrated US tours. The band released two live albums in 2001, as well as a studio album Purple Onion in 2002, with their sound being described by Claypool as a “kind of a King Crimson meets Pink Floyd meets Frank Zappa type thing.” The live band features Les Claypool (bass), Sean Lennon (guitar), Harry Waters (keys), Paulo Baldi (drums), Mike Dillon (percussion), and Skerik (horns).
The last time the group performed was at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida on May 10, 2003. Claypool has performed in groups like Primus, and he has had a number of wildly successful and influential albums. His unique voice and thumping bass lines are favorites among funk connoisseurs and jam banders alike. “Let’s put it this way … I think, with Primus and without, I’ve played every music festival in the last ten years, except Lilith Fair,” he says. “You could say I’m the guy who doesn’t fit in anywhere, but a little bit everywhere.”
In addition to this new tour, Claypool has had a busy year of touring. He traveled the country with Primus for the band’s wildly popular ‘A Tribute To Kings’ Tour, performed with Bastard Jazz on NYE and throughout winter 2022, and appeared alongside Ween at Comedy Central’s South Park: 25th Anniversary Concert” at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Select June performances will include a co-headlining set with Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew’s ‘Remain In Light’ Tour, which will see the Talking Heads members performing music from a monumental moment in the band’s discography. The tour will feature several festival appearances, including the Summer Camp Music Festival, the Mountain Music Festival, the Riverbend Music Festival, and the Peach Music Festival.
The new tour with his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade will have 41 dates, with a show on May 30 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, a show on June 23 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, and a show on June 24 in Westbury at NYCB Theatre [In The Round]. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
LES CLAYPOOL’S FEARLESS FLYING FROG BRIGADE – The Summer of Green Tour 2023 Wednesday, May 17th – Stateline, NV – TBA venue ^ Friday, May 19th – Napa, CA – Blue Note Summer Sessions at TBA venue ^ Saturday, May, 20th – Santa Cruz, CA – Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium ^ Sunday, May 21st – San Diego, CA – Observatory North ^ Tuesday, May 23rd – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA venue ^ Wednesday, May 24th – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom ^ Friday, May 26th – Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC Saturday, May 27th – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival Sunday, May 28th – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater ~ Tuesday, May 30th – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom ~ Wednesday, May 31st – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! ~ Friday, June 2nd – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre ~ Saturday, June 3rd – Oak Hill, WV – Mountain Music Festival Sunday, June 4th – Chattanooga, TN – TBA venue Tuesday, June 6th – Richmond, VA – Brown’s Island * Wednesday, June 7th – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Memorial Auditorium * Friday, June 9th – Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit * Saturday, June 10th – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern * Sunday, June 11th – Columbia, SC – Township Auditorium * Tuesday, June 13th – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park * Wednesday, June 14th – Austin, TX – The Moody Amphitheater * Friday, June 16th – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall Lawn * Saturday, June 17th – New Orleans, LA – Mardi Gras World * Monday, June 19th – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre * Tuesday, June 20th – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino * Thursday, June 22nd – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric % Friday, June 23rd – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre ~ Saturday, June 24th – Westbury, NY – NYCB Theatre [In The Round] ~ Monday, June 26th – Northampton, MA – The Pines Theater ~ Wednesday, June 28th – Portland, ME – State Theatre # Thursday, June 29th – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway # Saturday, July 1st – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival Sunday, July 2nd – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed [Indoor] # Monday, July 3rd – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre # Friday, July 7th – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater + Saturday, July 8th – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park Live + Sunday, July 9th – Forest Grove, OR – Grand Lodge + Tuesday, July 11th – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live + Thursday, July 13th – San Luis Obispo, CA – Madonna Inn + Friday, July 14th – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern + Saturday, July 15th – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren +
* Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew Remain In Light ^ Fishbone ~ Neal Francis # Budos Band + Moon Duo % W.I.T.C.H.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) have wrapped up a weekend that saw the Grateful Dead tribute act celebrate 10 years as a band with a 4 night run, including one at the Brooklyn Bowl & three nights at The Capitol Theatre. Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir even made a surprise guest appearance at the Brooklyn Bowl show.
The first night at The Capitol Theatre run on Friday, January 27, started off with a jam > “Scarlet Begonias”. The first set featured “Six Days on The Road”, “Hell in a Bucket”, “The Eleven”, & concluded with a thorough jammed out “I Know You Rider”.
The second set featured a funky “Cats Under The Stars”, “Feel Like a Stranger”, and dead head favorite “Franklin’s Tower”. The second set was concluded with “Days Between” which was rather slow and somber but well executed. The band encored with “Not Fade Away” & “In the Meantime” a Spacehog cover that left some of the audience a bit confused, but thoroughly delighted nonetheless.
Check out the setlists and videos from JRAD’s 10 years anniversary run below.
Thursday, January 26 – Brooklyn Bowl
Set 1: Tennessee Jed > Till the Morning Comes > Jack Straw* > The Music Never Stopped* > Let It Grow Set 2: Shakedown Street > Truckin’ > Viola Lee Blues > Althea > Ten Years Gone > The Other One > How Many More Times > Breathe > Terrapin Station Encore: Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues * with Bob Weir
Friday, January 27 – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester
Set 1: Jam > Scarlet Begonias > Six Days On The Road > Hell in a Bucket > Black Peter > The Eleven > I Know You Rider Set 2: Man Smart, Woman Smarter > Cats Under the Stars > Feel Like a Stranger > Franklin’s Tower > Throwing Stones > Days Between Encore: Not Fade Away > In the Meantime
Saturday, January 28 – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester
Set 1: Foolish Heart > Slipknot! > Casey Jones > Cumberland Blues > My Brother Esau > Box of Rain > Playing in the Band Set 2: Rubin and Cherise > Hard to Handle > Eyes of the World > Brown-Eyed Women > Estimated Prophet > Ramble On Rose > Good Lovin’ > Touch of Grey Encore: Deal
Sunday, January 29 – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester
Set 1: Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance > St. Stephen > Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line > Dire Wolf > Uncle John’s Band > King Solomon’s Marbles > Uncle John’s Band > It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry > Wharf Rat > Jack-A-Roe Set 2: Fire on the Mountain > Samson and Delilah > Mission in the Rain > Dancing in the Street > New Speedway Boogie > Dancing in the Street > West L.A. Fadeaway > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad Encore: Bertha
Where does the time go? A lot can happen over the course of 25 years, but for a rock band, sticking together that long isn’t typically one of them. From the beginning, however, Umphrey’s McGee has never been a typical band.
Often considered “too heavy for the hippies,” or “too jammy for the metal heads,” UM has emphatically made a career out of bridging those two musical scenes together; a theme that would unveil itself throughout the final night of their silver anniversary run through New York. Playing their 2,644th show on January 21, 2023 at the Capitol Theatre, exactly 25 years after their first known performance, appreciative fans from all over the country made their way to “the original rock palace” to commemorate this milestone birthday bash.
Consisting of Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinniger on guitars, Ryan Stasik on bass, percussionist Andy Farag and drummer Kris Myers, improv-heavy prog rockers Umphrey’s McGee have come a long way since forming as students at the University of Notre Dame and the road to this historic night at the Cap hasn’t always been an easy one. Sticking together through untold sacrifice, overcoming tragedy and navigating through an ever-changing musical landscape, Umphrey’s McGee has remained one of the most colorful, innovative, and hardest working live acts in the business for a quarter century now.
After kicking off their birthday weekend with an intimate sold-out show in Williamsburg and then wow’ing The Cap crowd on night one in Port Chester with a plethora of heavy fan favorites like “Front Porch”, “JaJunk” “Higgins,” and an acoustic debut cover of “Helplessly Hoping” in memory of the late David Crosby, when the band members took the stage on Saturday night, you could just feel that something special was about to go down.
Starting the party with a bang, “Bridgeless” had the hyped crowd with their ‘horns up’ and dancing shoes on from the get-go. The band would leave the song unfinished and throw fans their first surprise of the night, shifting gears into “13 Days,” a song which had not been played since before the Covid-19 pandemic. From something old to something new, up next was a song dedicated to UM crew member Rachel who is moving on after sixteen years with band. “Escape Goat,” from the band’s most recent album Asking for a Friend would stretch out for nearly 19 minutes. Revisiting their roots some more, “White Man’s Moccasins” followed suit before Umphrey’s McGee jammed even longer on another new song, the tongue-in-cheek titled “Unevolved.” Played for only the second time since debuting last November, this version clocked in at well over 20 minutes and sent fans to intermission with plenty to smile about and discuss.
Prior to the start of Set Two, Capitol Theatre owner Peter Shapiro would lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” while presenting the band with a cake. In return Umphrey’s McGee then launched into an equally ‘sweet’ rendition of “Wappy Sprayberry” to get things going strong. ”Pure Saturation” came next and provided lighting director Ben Factor a prime opportunity to dazzle the audience with his impressive skills and tasteful color palettes. Following it up with another surprise was “Dear Lord.” An emotional nod to the bands earliest days, the rarely played song was first performed back in January of 1998. Another deep cut was next in the form of “The Other Side of Things,” which has only been play five times this century!
Jake Cinniger would join in on percussion with Andy Farag in a duel with drummer Kris Myers before bassist (and best T-Shirt of the night winner) Ryan Stasik would take over with his distinct riffage of the heavy hitting “Puppet String.” Another tip of the cap to the band’s early history was up next with the UM classic “Divisions” which was also played at their very first show.
Umphrey’s would then unplug for some candid banter as Brendan Bayliss took an opportunity to give proper shout-outs to his bandmates, the crew and the fans for making the last 25 years possible. Claiming he didn’t prepare a speech, so if he was speaking from the heart, it would have probably come out sounding offensive. “And if I did offend you,” Bayliss hypothetically joked, “go fuck yourself.” He then invited out special guest and frequent collaborator Jenifer Hartswick for an acoustic anything-but ‘Hartliss’ rendition of the rarely played “Bullhead City.”
Hartswick would stick around and play trumpet on yet another bust-out, “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” an instrumental which has only been played 11 times ever. As if that wasn’t special enough, the roof would nearly come off the place next when Hartswick lead the entire theatre in a cathartic sing-along of the Queen and David Bowie’s classic “Under Pressure,” fading out of the set with everyone snapping their fingers in unison. A very neat moment to be a part of.
Now past the witching hour, Umphrey’s McGee returned to the stage one last time, soaking in the cheers with huge smiles before keyboardist Joel Cummins would lead fans into the “Den.” Finally the show would come to it’s high-octane conclusion the same way it began, returning to “Bridgeless” to complete one hell of a celebratory jam-sandwich. Genuinely thanking everyone for “letting them do what they do” for the last 25 years, Bayliss would confirm they’ll “keep doing it as long as you keep coming out.” The band then convened in the middle of stage for a group hug and bow, which received a well-deserved standing and sustained ovation.
Tying the bow on an epic birthday run through New York, Umphrey’s McGee honored their past with a carefully mapped out, career spanning setlist while simultaneously showcasing a glimpse of the greatness yet to come. Combined with an unmatched dedication to their fans and their craft, an astonishing improvisational and technical ability, and a mesmerizing light show, the future for this timeless band is looking bigger and brighter than ever. With the UMXXV Tour officially off and rolling and a number of major festival dates already announced for later this summer, the Umphrey’s McGee train shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | 1/20/2023 | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY
SetOne: Small Strides, Conduit > Day Nurse[1], FF-> Mail Package[2], It’s Not Your Fault > JaJunk[3] SetTwo: Front Porch > Resolution > Front Porch, The Linear > 2nd Self, Higgins Encore: Helplessly Hoping[4], The Weight Around[5] > The Floor: [1] with Workin’ Day and Night (Michael Jackson) teases [2] with Miss Tinkle’s Overture tease [3] with Top Gun Anthem (Harold Faltermeyer) tease [4] debut, Crosby, Stills, & Nash; just Brendan and Jake on acoustics and vocals, along with Joel on vocals [5] with Brendan on acoustic
Helplessly Hoping played in remembrance of David Crosby, with “Closing Time” (Semisonic) quote from Brendan just before
Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | 1/21/2023 | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY
Set 1: Bridgeless > 13 Days, Escape Goat-> White Man’s Moccasins > Unevolved
Set 2: Wappy Sprayberry > Pure Saturation > Dear Lord > The Other Side of Things > Drums[1], Puppet String, Jam[2] > Divisions, Bullhead City[3], 1000 Places to See Before You Die[4], Under Pressure[5]
Encore: Den > Bridgeless
Footnotes: [1] with Jake on percussion [2] just Jake [3] with Jennifer Hartswick on vocals, and Brendan and Jake on acoustics [4] with Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet [5] with Jennifer Hartswick on vocals Show Notes: Before set two, venue owner Pete Shapiro and radio personality Gary Dell’Abate presented the band with a cake and led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” for the band
Phil Lesh & Friends have announced that they will be performing at The Capitol Theatre to ring in Lesh’s 83rd birthday and celebrate his 100th show at the theatre, since reopening in 2012.
Phil Lesh announced on his Instagram account the set of dates at the theatre, from March 15, 17, 18, and 19. He will be celebrating his 83 birthday on March 15, and also on one of the dates he will be celebrating his 100th show at the venue.
At the shows there will be special guests, composed of industry heavy-hitters and former colleagues of the bandleader. Topping the lineup is Goose’s Rick Mitarontonda, followed by Medeski Martin & Wood mainstay John Medeski. Violinist Katy Jacoby will perform alongside them, as well as Lesh’s son and Midnight North guitarist/vocalist Grahame Lesh.
Other guests include songstress Nicki Bluhm, as well as the beloved members of the Trey Anastasio Band’s horn section: James Casey, Natalie Cressman and Jennifer Hartswick. Percussionist John Molo will also be performing each night.
Lesh announced on his 82nd birthday his Phil-O-Ween run, which occurred last October at The Capitol Theatre. He continues the tradition of having birthday shows at his favored venue. Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting on Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. to learn more, go here.
