Warren Haynes returned to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on Friday night for a show that was equal parts Southern rock revival and soulful exploration, delighting fans with a mix of Warren Haynes Band originals, Gov’t Mule classics, and deep-cut covers. The evening was highlighted by a special appearance from funk legend George Porter Jr., bringing an extra layer of groove to an already stacked band comprised of Matt Slocum on keyboard, Terence Higgins on drums, Kevin Scott on bass, and Greg Osby on saxophone.
Following an opening set from Pete Francis, WHB kicked off its first set with the driving “Tear Me Down”, a Gov’t Mule staple that set the tone for an energetic first frame. Haynes and his band immediately launched into another Mule favorite, “Banks of the Deep End”, weaving gritty blues-rock with Haynes’ soulful vocal delivery. The band’s tight interplay was on full display during “Spots of Time”, with Haynes’ guitar work acting as the guiding force.
Warren’s deep well of influences shone throughout the first set, from the funky, feel-good groove of Little Milton’s “That’s What Love Will Make You Do” to the introspective balladry of his original tunes like “Lies, Lies, Lies” and “Till The Sun Comes Shining Through”. The set reached a climactic peak with “Thorazine Shuffle” and was capped off by a thundering “Man in Motion”.
The second set took the energy even higher with “Go Down Swinging”, and from there, the band dove headfirst into a two-song stretch featuring the iconic George Porter Jr. of The Meters. The legendary bassist joined the Warren Haynes Band for a funk-laden jam on “Just Kissed My Baby” and “Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley”, two tracks that allowed both Haynes and Porter to showcase their improvisational chops while keeping the crowd on its feet. Haynes’ slide guitar danced around Porter’s deep-pocket basslines, creating a palpable connection between two masters of their craft.
The tribute to Haynes’ musical roots continued with a moving rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Black Peter” and a blistering take on The Allman Brothers Band’s “Instrumental Illness”, paying homage to his time with the ABB, the Dead’s extended family, and his continuing legacy as a torchbearer of the jam scene.
As the show neared its close, the band took a playful turn with a cover of Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic”, adding a jazzy flair to the evening’s proceedings before returning to Haynes’ original catalog with a standout performance of “Invisible”.
For the encore, Haynes brought the night to an emotional close with “This Life As We Know It”, the lead single from his forthcoming Warren Haynes Band album Million Voices Whisper. The song’s uplifting message of resilience and renewal was the perfect capstone to the evening, as Haynes sang, “Ain’t it good to be alive / And to know that we survived.”
But Haynes wasn’t done yet. The night ended on an especially high note with “Soulshine”, the Allman Brothers classic and longtime Haynes signature about finding light in dark times.
As Warren Haynes prepares for the release of Million Voices Whisper on Novembers 1st, Friday night’s show at the Capitol Theatre served as a powerful reminder of why he remains one of the most dynamic and versatile artists on the scene today. From gut-wrenching ballads to explosive jams, Haynes and his band left it all on the stage, delivering a night of music that will not fade away any time soon.
Click below to view fan-shot videos and a gallery of photos from Warren Haynes Band at The Capitol Theatre courtesy of photographer David Gray, and pre-order/pre-save Million Voices Whisper here.
The Million Voices Whisper Tour concluded in Boston on Saturday night. Next Haynes will head to L.A.’s Kia Forum on October 17th for Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson [get tickets]. For a full list of upcoming performances and ticketing details, visit Haynes’ website.
Warren Haynes Band With George Porter Jr. – “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley” – 10/11/24
[Video: Matt Frazier (mfrazier55)]
Setlist: Warren Haynes Band | Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY | 10/11/24
Set One: WHB Intro > Tear Me Down (Gov’t Mule), Banks of the Deep End (Gov’t Mule), Spots of Time, That’s What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton), Lies Lies Lies, Till The Sun Comes Shining Through, Thorazine Shuffle (Gov’t Mule), Man in Motion
Set Two: Go Down Swinging, Just Kissed My Baby (The Meters) [w/ George Porter Jr.], Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley (Lee Dorsey) [w/ George Porter Jr.], Black Peter (Grateful Dead), Instrumental Illness (The Allman Brothers Band), Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan), Invisible
Encore: This Life As We Know It, Soulshine (The Allman Brothers Band)
