On Wednesday evening, Ghost Light, the new project featuring Tom Hamilton, Holly Bowling, Steve Lyons, Raina Mullen, and Scotty Zwang, made their highly anticipated East Coast debut at Brooklyn Bowl with support from Colorado jam quartet Magic Beans. Hamilton, in particular, is no stranger to the Brooklyn, NY venue, having played there dozens of times with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and other acts. That comfort with the room coupled with the excitement each of the players clearly feels toward this new project was readily apparent throughout the show.
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Hamilton & Holly Bowling Talk New Band, Ghost Light, & The Grateful Dead
Ghost Light’s two-set headlining show was excitedly received by a particularly eager Wednesday crowd, as the band worked through various composed pieces (both instrumental and with vocals) as well as deep, exploratory stretches of improv. They even threw in a cover of The Grateful Dead‘s “Jack Straw” as the encore for good measure. Watch the cover below:
Ghost Light – “Jack Straw” (Grateful Dead cover)
[Video: Stand For Jam]
While Hamilton (lead guitar) predominantly led the charge, each of the band’s talented members had their moments to shine. Both Bowling (keys) and Mullen (rhythm guitar) offered multiple “wow” moments, and the rock-solid rhythm section of Zwang (drums) and Lyons (bass) provided a sturdy foundation all evening.
From here, Ghost Light begins an East Coast run that will last through next weekend before heading back out on the road again in May. They will also perform at large-scale festivals like LOCKN’, The Peach Music Festival, and more this summer. You can a list of Ghost Light’s upcoming April and May dates below. For a full list of upcoming Ghost Light tour dates, head to the band’s website. Below, you can see a gallery of photos from Ghost Light’s Brooklyn Bowl show with Magic Beans via photographer Andrew O’Brien.
Setlist: Ghost Light | Brooklyn Bowl | Brooklyn NY | 4/11/18
Set 1: untitled d-riff, Simple Gift of Man *, Streets of Brooklyn
Set2: If You Want It (title unconfirmed) > Sway > ** Lead Weight > Bullseye Blues
E: Jack Straw ***
* Ghost Light Debut (Brothers Past)
** Ghost Light Debut (Rolling Stones)
*** Ghost Light Debut (Grateful Dead)
