Yesterday marked the 22nd anniversary of the death of Jerry Garcia. Jerry’s impact on the music scene as we know it today was profound, with his presence still greatly felt now and for decades to come. In honor of the lost guitarist, yesterday, Gov’t Mule paid tribute by ending their set with five-song medley from the Grateful Dead catalog. The band fronted by Warren Haynes was performing at the Maine State Pier in Portland when they performed this special set along with the funk force that is Galactic. As such, Gov’t Mule’s tribute set saw sit-ins from members of Galactic, including Ben Ellman, Stanton Moore, and Rich Vogel. Such sit-ins were not necessarily out of character, however, as a few days prior, the two bands teamed up for a tribute for Jerry on his birthday on August 1st.

Following Galactic’s own fiery set featuring vocalist Erica Falls, Gov’t Mule took the stage, opening their set with an opening combo of “Railroad Boy” and “Traveling Tune.” Previewing what was to come later in the evening, the band moved through “Slackjaw Jezebel” and moved into “It Hurts Me Too,” inviting out Galactic saxophonist Ben Ellman to join in for the number. As the more traditional Gov’t Mule setlist began to wrap up, a little over halfway through the set, Gov’t Mule started up “Fallen Down.” “Fallen Down” transitioned into a jam based off the Grateful Dead’s “The Other One,” which also saw Galactic drummer Stanton Moore come out to join the band for the jam and for the rest of the set.

“Slackjaw Jezebel”

[Video courtesy of Brosef Wilson]

Now solidly in Grateful Dead territory, Moore stayed on for the rest of the medley, shining during the drum of the jam coming out of “The Other One.” “Drums” came ahead of a glorious segue into “Dark Star,” which also featured Galactic keyboardist Rich Vogel, who would similarly stay on until the last song of the set. By way of a “St. Stephen” jam, Gov’t Mule and friends landed in “Loser” ahead of a heartfelt rendition of “Morning Dew.” Following a short break, Gov’t Mule sans sit-ins finished out their show with a rendition of “Patchwork Quilt.”

“Morning Dew”

 

[Video courtesy of Brosef Wilson]

You can check out photos from last night’s show below, courtesy of Vic Brazen.

Setlist: Gov’t Mule | Maine State Pier | Portland, ME | 8/9/2017

Set One: Railroad Boy > Traveling Tune, Slackjaw Jezebel, It Hurts Me Too (w/ Ben Ellman), Sarah Surrender, Stone Cold Rage, Pressure Under Fire, I’m A Ram, Bad Little Doggie, Mr. High & Mighty, Fallen Down > The Other One Jam (w/ Stanton Moore) > Drums (w/ Stanton Moore) > Dark Star (w/ Stanton Moore & Rich Vogel) > St. Stephen Jam (w/ Stanton Moore & Rich Vogel) > Loser (w/ Stanton Moore & Rich Vogel) > Morning Dew (w/ Stanton Moore & Rich Vogel)

Encore: Patchwork Quilt