Lettuce is currently touring Europe in support of their latest album, Cook, set for release on December 3rd. As I just moved to Berlin with my family, this also marked my first night out to see some much-needed live music. What better way to start this new adventure off than with some familiar and new menu selections from Chefs Shmeeans, Deitch, Jesus, Hall, Benny, and Zoid at Berlin’s Lido? As ever, their musical alchemy delivered some delectable Lettuce dishes for this newly minted Berlin Boy, bringing a little taste of home to my new digs, if you dig.

The pre-shift meeting must have been a good one, because getting the night started with some Herbie Hancock can never be a bad thing. I’ll always take some street strollin’, pimp struttin’, stare you down tough-ass Herbie-scribed funk. And “Spider” did just that, warming up the room rather quickly.

Benny and Zoid are a constant force that never lets up. Whether it’s providing some woodwind and brass flourishes on a number or taking things over with a monster lead, these two bring it night in and night out. And their *wine game* is always on point—like a funky Albariño, if you will.

Related: Lettuce Launches ‘Lettuce Crush’ Wine Collab With Aquila Cellars

“The Dump” was an early example of this, and an OG version of “Squadlive” was a later representation in the second set, the latter giving feels of G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band, Now, that might sound sound corny, but don’t be sleepin’ on that shit; that was one tight band, and its various members have resumes much more credible than the one you just had ChatGPT create for you.

Jesus paid respects to a forefather with some solid Bootsy-esque bass fills on “Reunion”, allowing the song to open up into a jazz-funk explosion that brought the first seating to a proper close.

After a mid-shift meeting and table reset for the second and final seating of the night, the band opened up with a very familiar Shmeeans riff, eventually leading into the full-band onslaught that the soy-infused “Yakitori” delivers.

“Larimar” gave us that Jesus and Deitch power-packed “meat and potatoes” combo, which is about as greasy and buttery as it’s ever been. Perfectly cooked too. No A1 needed over here. Jesus just holds down that low-end so masterfully, while Deitch keeps the groove steady and tight. These cats just never miss.

Then it was time for a little tapas as “Shmink Dabby” exhibited some Latin flair with Benny and Zoid taking the lead in the front section. As the horns take a step back in the middle section, Shmeeans channels his inner Santana. Absolutely killer. Shmeeans has become the musical leader of the band over the last few years, in my humble opinion. He can take the lead, but is so adept at providing the rhythm that allows everyone in the band to take the spotlight and shine in their respective ways.

Nigel Hall is the pâtissier of this group. His vocals are like dessert, which can essentially be served at any time throughout the meal. Who cares? It’s dessert, am I right or am I right? Honestly, his voice is as strong as I have ever heard from him going back almost 15 years. He is sounding clean, soulful, and as silky smooth as, dare I say… chocolate mousse.

The Berlin diners bore witness to all of this with Lettuce’s take on Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. Hall also shined on the band’s take on the Keni Burke classic R&B and soul number “Rising To The Top” (the latter from their forthcoming Cook album). The sustain in his vocals at certain points was extremely powerful, simply masterful.

Lettuce is a group of Head Chef’s that all come together to bring a myriad of flavors to their ultra special elixir of music: ’70s funk, old-school hip-hop, jazz, Latin, D.C. go-go, and even some Middle Eastern spices all seasoned with a pinch and dab of psychedelia. Are we ready for the next seating? Yes, Chefs!

Lettuce – “Matador” – 9/23/25

[Video: MrUMOLA]

Setlist: Lettuce | Lido | Berlin, Germany | 9/23/25
Set 1: Spider, The Dump, Royal Highness, Love Is Too Strong, Hawks Claw, Reunion Remix
Set 2: Yakitori, Larimar, Shmink Dabby, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Squadlive, Rising To The Top
Encore: Matador