Gov’t Mule with Big Sugar at Massey Hall

Where’s my Mule? Back in Canada! Toronto to be exact, for the first show of a four stop Canadian fall tour. It is the band’s first date in Toronto since 2016 and fans welcomed them loudly at the iconic Massey Hall.

Gov’t Mule’s relationship with Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson was rekindled tonight as Warren Haynes took the stage during the opening act adding some incendiary guitar licks to a dub reggae infused set.  Warren also joined in on Nashville Grass, Big Sugar’s tribute to Gov’t Mule bassist Allen Woody. A beautiful moment demonstrating the love and respect these musicians have for one another.

The Mule kicked off their set with Thorazine Shuffle to the delight of the crowd. Their setlist was a blend of classics going back to their first album as well as tracks from some more recent albums Heavy Load Blues and Peace…Like A River.

Gordie Johnson stepped in later for a cover of Jeff Beck’s Freeway Jam. The biggest question of the night was “which band will play I’m A Ram?”. Both bands played it! Warren and Gordie going head to head once again. Time was maximized two-fold since there was no set break and the concert ran past the normal curfew of 11pm. The final encore was a cover of Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released and may have been a slight nod to Robbie Robertson. A fitting close to the evening