Surviving veterans of the Allman Brothers Band on Tuesday made their glorious return to New York City to begin a two-night stand as The Brothers—five years after their only prior show under that banner served as many music fans’ last taste of live music before the COVID-19 pandemic. [Order your Wednesday night livestream here].
The Brothers—comprised of the band’s sole surviving original member, drummer Jaimoe, in addition to veteran members Warren Haynes (guitars), Derek Trucks (guitars), Oteil Burbridge (bass), and Marc Quiñones (percussion)—were joined, as advertised, by Joe Russo (drums), Reese Wynans (keys), Isaac Eady (drums), and special guest Chuck Leavell (keys), whose appearances faithfully proved to be highlights throughout Tuesday night.
Much has changed in the five years since The Brothers celebrated 50 years of the ABB in March of 2020 (in addition to a pandemic). In terms of the ABB family, we lost Dickey Betts last year, but the band’s storied legacy lives on through its disciples, kin, and devoted fans.
Sticking to tradition, The Brothers opened set one with a blazing “Statesboro Blues”, Warren manning lead vocals as he would throughout most of the night. Derek cut in to take the first of many fiery solos of the night before moving into Muddy Waters’ “Trouble No More”, an Allman Brothers Band live staple since the group’s earliest moments.
The Brothers – “Statesboro Blues” [Pro-Shot] – 4/15/25
Derek donned his slide for a ripping “No One to Run With” as memorial tribute filled the two screens flanking the stage. A slideshow of former members and family—including Dickey Betts, Duane and Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Berry Oakley, Allen Woody, Kofi Burbridge, and even Phil Lesh, to name a few—loomed larger than life while their music played.
“Hot’lanta” was the show’s first of four instrumentals and set the tone for extended jams ahead. Warren took the wheel to cruise through “Midnight Rider” before embracing the darkness of “Black Hearted Woman”. After another furious solo from Derek Trucks, the three drummers onstage—Jaimoe, Russo, and Quiñone—collaborated on a percussive breakdown until Derek and Warren jumped back in to finish out the tune.
The Brothers – “Midnight Rider” – 4/15/25
[Video: sgibson818]
Between songs, Warren welcomed Chuck Leavell to the stage to assist with “Blue Sky”. Leavell would remain onstage for the remainder of the first set, adding his one-of-a-kind presence and ability on “Gambler’s Roll” (off 1990’s Seven Turns album), tumbling into a piano-laden run through Brothers & Sisters‘ “Come and Go Blues”, and getting lost in the Louisiana bayou during a swampy cover of Dr. John’s “I Walk on Guilded Splinters”. Derek Trucks ripped another signature solo here on his cherry red Gibson SG, bringing cheers in the garden to a fever pitch. The second instrumental of the night closed out the first frame as Jaimoe headed to halftime early and Issac Eady subbed in to hammer out fan-favorite “Jessica”. Appropriately, Chuck Leavell manned the piano during the two songs from Brothers and Sisters, on which his work was prominently featured for the first time back in 1973.
The Brothers w/ Chuck Leavell – “Blue Sky” – 4/15/25
[Video: RhymanTube]
After set break, the Brothers returned to stage to deliver a more jam-oriented second set as a monumental “Mountain Jam” broke the ice. Two blues covers with long resumés in the ABB canon followed as Warren filled the void of Gregg’s vocals during a cover of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday”, then accelerated the tempo for Willie Cobb’s “You Don’t Love Me”.
Jaimoe came back to the stage and the classics flowed ad infinitum from there. A soul-stirring “Dreams” eventually crawled out of bed for the fourth and final instrumental of the night, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, as Reese Wynans summoned a swirling organ solo and a barefooted Oteil hunkered down for an ecstatic call-and-response collaboration with Warren.
Chuck Leavell then emerged once again to settle into Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” before returning to the ABB archive for a rowdy “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More”, its New York-appropriate “running after a subway train” line earning a round of cheers from the crowd, The Brothers concluded the second set by reprising the “Mountain Jam” that had served as the set’s launchpad.
The Brothers w/ Chuck Leavell – “Aint Wastin’ Time No More” > “Mountain Jam” Reprise – 4/15/25
[Video: RhymanTube]
Still unfinished, the veteran band of musicians known collectively as The Brothers punctuated their first night back at MSG with a scorching “Whipping Post” encore. The last was certainly not least as The Brothers bent notes and warped perspectives to execute an absolute masterpiece.
Since the New York Knicks graciously lent their home court for this altruistic purpose before their upcoming playoff run, another night awaits for The Brothers and their lucky fans at MSG. Mid-week doldrums? Not here. See you tonight.
Limited tickets for The Brothers’ second and final MSG show tonight, Wednesday, April 16th, are still on sale here. Order your pay-per-view livestream of tonight’s show shot by EMMY-winning 7 Cinematics in 4K UHD here.
Below, view the setlist from night one of The Brothers at MSG as well as a full audience audio recording and a selection of photos via Rich Fury/MSG Entertainment.
Setlist: The Brothers | Madison Square Garden | New York, NY | 4/15/25
Set One: Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell), Trouble No More (Muddy Waters), No One to Run With, Hot ‘Lanta, Midnight Rider, Black Hearted Woman, Blue Sky [1], Gambler’s Roll [1], Come and Go Blues, I Walk on Guilded Splinters (Dr. John) [1], Jessica [1]
Set Two: Mountain Jam, Call It Stormy Monday but Tuesday Is Just as Bad (T-Bone Walker), You Don’t Love Me (Willie Cobbs), Dreams, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Into the Mystic (Van Morrison) [1], Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More [1] > Mountain Jam (Reprise)
Encore: Whipping Post
Notes: Band lineup featured The Brothers—Jaimoe (drums), Warren Haynes (guitars, vocals), Derek Trucks (guitars), Oteil Burbridge (bass), and Marc Quiñones (percussion)—along with Joe Russo (drums), Reese Wynans (keys), Isaac Eady (drums). All songs by the Allman Brothers Band except where otherwise noted; [1] with Chuck Leavell.
The Brothers – Madison Square Garden – 4/15/25 – Full-Show Audio
