The Tabernacle played host to Warren Haynes and the Gov’t Mule bunch during their tour stop in Atlanta. Known simply as “Mule” to their fans who packed the house with an eclectic crowd. Their music is popular for all along the lifespan, as evidenced from a fair share of millennials to a healthy dose of middle-aged adults and quite a few cool grandparents. With the house packed to capacity, the show started at 8:15 in the evening.
Haynes and the rest entered the stage to a hyped up crowd and purple strobe lights shining down upon them. They started with a cover of ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid”, setting the mood for a set that would prove be a gnarly night of musical enjoyment. Warren Haynes showed off his mastery of his Gibson Les Paul on “Doing it to Death”, which included an off the cuff mid-song jam sesh that lasted a good time, but kept the audience entertained all the while. They transitioned swiftly, but smoothly into high gear with “Soulshine”.
This was met with rousing approval and a crowd sing-along, with flashing technicolor lighting shining on both the band and the venue upper deck for full effect. Government Mule, as their name might suggest, don’t just play empty notes without a statement.
Photos by Andres Alvarado
While performing Steppenwolf’s 1968 pro-weed anthem “Don’t step on the grass, Sam”, they’re joined on stage by a pretend protester holding up signs of “Don’t be such an ass, Sam” and “Please give up. You’ve already lost the fight. Alright?” - A stark reminder of the government’s unwelcome involvement in the marijuana legalization struggle.
The rest of the nineteen track set included many favorites like Elton John’s “Have Mercy on the Criminal” and Mule originals “Bad Little Doggie”, “Mr. High and Mighty” and “Lola Leave Your Light On”, which concluded the pre-encore show. With the attendees yearning for more, the boys returned for a three song encore.
The show came to its official end with a rendition of Mule’s “Endless Parade” and Roy Hawkins’ “The Thrill is Gone”.
Gov’t Mule is the ultimate southern rock jam band. Their covers are made their own and their originals are classics. The band signed off amongst the overwhelming applause of their loving fans, leaving them all with the feeling Mule ruled the night in Atlanta.
No comments