Gov’t Mule Kick Off Long-Delayed New Year’s Run with Special Guests

Photo by David Sullenger via Gov’t Mule’s Facebook page

Govt’ Mule kicked off their long-delayed New Year’s run at Philadelphia’s The Met last night. The show was originally slated to take place in December of 2021, but was postponed due to COVID-related concerns. It was rescheduled for April 2022 and then December of 2022, though both of those shows were eventually postponed due to a mix of health issues. 

The performance commenced with Gov’t Mule’s eponymous track “Mule” and, at the end of the first set, Fab Faux guitarist and longtime Mule New Year’s run collaborator Jimmy Vivino and SNL band drummer Shawn Pelton emerged for Bobby “Blue” Bland’s 

“Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” and The Allman Brothers’ “Mountain Jam.” 

Then, at the end of the quartet’s second set, the guests returned for Jeff Beck’s “Freeway Jam” and two more songs associated with the Allmans, “Dreams” and Warren Haynes’ signature “Soulshine.”

Vivino and Pelton also emerged for Mule’s encore, which consisted of the group’s first take on the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter classic “Loser” of the year and Tom Waits’ “Goin’ Out West.”

Gov’t Mule’s New Year’s run continues at the Beacon Theatre this evening. For more not he group, please order the December issue of Relix.