The long chain of Phil Lesh birthday celebrations at The Capitol Theatre remained unbroken on Saturday in the late bassist’s absence as Grahame Lesh once again led a lineup of old friends and collaborators including Oteil Burbridge, John Scofield, Eric Krasno, Rick Mitarotonda, John Molo, Jennifer Hartswick, and Natalie Cressman, Jason Crosby, John Medeski, and more.
While opening night of the Unbroken Chain festivities had been significant for its pre-show unveiling of Phil Lesh Lane outside The Cap, a longtime home away from home for Phil, Saturday’s was particularly resonant due to its date—the first “Phil’s birthday show” since Phil left us late last year.
After warming up this particular lineup on Friday, the band was primed, relaxed, and flowing smoothly throughout the show—particularly Burbridge, who brought his arena-sized Dead bassist clout to bear while never losing his loose, fluid presence, virtuosic touch, and Grateful reverence to the legend being celebrated throughout the night. Highlights included a second set-opening “Dark Star” that eventually crashed back in to cap the frame following an other-worldly “The Other One” featuring Burbridge on Phil Lesh’s famed Big Brown bass.
During the encore, pre-recorded audio of Phil’s Donor Rap played through the P.A. before venue owner Peter Shapiro and Phil’s grandson, Levon, came out onstage with a cake for a “Happy Birthday” sing-along to the late legend. The show finally came to an emotional close with “Not Fade Away”.
Below, check out the Saturday night setlist, a gallery of photos via Charlie Francis, and a selection of videos from Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh at The Capitol Theatre on Phil’s birthday.
Tune in via nugs on Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. ET for night three of Unbroken Chain at The Capitol Theatre featuring Grahame Lesh alongside Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell, Steve Molitz, John Molo, and Teresa Williams.
Related: How To Stream Unbroken Chain: A Celebration Of The Life And Music Of Phil Lesh [Update]
Nugs subscribers can tune into complimentary livestreams of the two remaining nights of the run here. Not a nugs subscriber? Start with a seven-day free trial. [Editor’s Note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your nugs subscription or purchasing a download via the links on this page helps support our coverage of the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]
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Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh – “Friend of the Devil”, “Deal” [Pro-Shot] – 3/15/25
Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh – “Franklin’s Tower” [Pro-Shot] – 3/15/25
Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh – “Not Fade Away” – 3/15/25
Setlist: Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh | Capitol Theatre | Port Chest, NY | 3/15/25
Set One: Friend of the Devil, Deal, Althea, Peggy-O > Crazy Fingers, Stella Blue > He’s Gone > Cold Rain and Snow
Set Two: Dark Star > Helo on the Way > Slipknot! [1] > Franklin’s Tower, King Solomon’s Marbles, Scarlet Begonias, Comes a Time > The Other One > Dark Star
Encore: Not Fade Away
Notes: [1] with In Memory of Elizabeth Reed tease
