Soulive Welcomes Brandon "Taz" Niederauer, Plays Beatles Set At Bowlive 2022 Night 1 [Photos/Videos]

Soulive returned to the stage at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Thursday to kick off the three-night 2022 edition of Bowlive, the trio’s longstanding annual residency at the beloved concert venue/restaurant/bowling alley, with a special appearance by Brandon “Taz” Niederauer and a full Rubber Soulive set.

Bowlive shows have always taken on an added layer of significance for Soulive and the Brooklyn crowd. These days, with so many other musical irons in the fire for the band’s three members, Bowlive runs are often among the only shows on the official Soulive calendar. On Thursday, guitarist Eric Krasno, drummer Alan Evans, and keyboardist/organist Neal Evans looked visibly excited as they bounded into the world of Soulive for the first time this year, each alternating between playing their heart out and grinning at the joy and musicianship on display next to them.

Even after two long years away, Krasno’s melodic mastery on six strings, Al’s fluid touch behind the kit, and Neal’s brilliant multitasking as organist (with his right hand) and bassist (with his left) instantly wove together like no time had passed. This was peak Soulive, right out of the box, no assembly required.

The first set came to a close with a customary guest, guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, a longtime Bowlive contributor who has grown from fast-playing kid to world-renowned musician over the course of residency’s lifespan.

With Taz providing counterpoint to Kraz on a second guitar, the quartet turned in thrilling readings of “Manic Depression” (Jimi Hendrix) and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” (Allman Brothers Band), the latter a subtle nod to the early days of Bowlive when the series overlapped with the ABB’s annual residencies at the Beacon Theatre uptown.

As promised ahead of the show, Soulive returned for set two with a full crop of songs by The Beatles as rendered on the trio’s beloved 2010 collection, Rubber Soulive. After winding instrumental renditions of “Drive My Car”, “Revolution”, “In My Live”, “Eleanor Rigby”, and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, Taz once again emerged from behind the curtain to lend a hand on a climactic Soulive “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. With time for one more, Al, Neal, Kraz and Taz returned to the stage to round out the night with “Get Back”.

Check out a gallery of photos from the show below via Andrew Blackstein. Scroll down to view a selection of fan-shot videos from the performance

Soulive’s 2022 Bowlive run in celebration of Brooklyn Bowl‘s 13th anniversary continues on Friday, July 8th and Saturday, July 9th with special guest George Porter Jr. (The Meters). Tickets are still available here.

Soulive ft. Brandon “Taz” Niederauer – “Manic Depression” (Jimi Hendrix) – Brooklyn Bowl – 7/7/22