On June 10, 2023, music enthusiasts gathered at the iconic Beacon Theatre in New York City for David Bromberg and his Big Band’s final performance in the city. The evening saw a beautiful melange of blues, folk, and Americana, which was uplifted by special guests Jeff Tweedy and John Hiatt.

The show kicked off with a bang as the David Bromberg Band launched into “Sloppy Drunk,” during which Bromberg’s soulful vocals immediately captured the audience’s attention while the band’s tight musicianship maintained it. As the night progressed, the band treated the audience to a mixture of original compositions and beloved cover songs. Highlights included “I’ll Take You Back,” a heartfelt ballad showcasing Bromberg’s emotive storytelling, and “The Holdup,” a deeply rollicking track.

The band’s versatility was on full display as they delved into covers from various artists. They breathed new life into Gary White’s “Nobody’s,” infusing it with their unique flair. A rendition of Bill Browning and His Echo Valley Boys’ “Dark Hollow” transported the audience to a bygone era, while the acapella rendition of the traditional spiritual “Standing in the Need of Prayer” showcased the band’s exceptional harmonies.

The atmosphere reached new heights when acclaimed singer-songwriter and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy joined Bromberg on stage. Together, they mesmerized the crowd with a heartfelt performance of Bob Dylan’s “Wallflower,” followed by Tweedy’s own composition, “Evergreen.” The chemistry between the two artists was palpable, and the audience was treated to a memorable collaboration.

The magic continued as Tweedy remained on stage, teaming up with Bromberg for a captivating rendition of Billy Bragg & Wilco’s “California Stars,” which was composed by folk icon Woody Guthrie. The crowd erupted in applause, appreciating the beautiful synergy between the artists.

The surprises didn’t end there: After Tweedy stepped off stage, fellow acclaimed musician Hiatt replaced him, joining Bromberg on three of his own numbers: “Feels Like Rain,” “Slow Turning,” and “Have a Little Faith in Me.” The audience was left in awe of the collective talent on display as each artist showcased the ambidexterity of their catalogs.

Next, Bromberg took a moment to shine in the spotlight as he treated the audience to a soul-stirring solo acoustic performance of the traditional folk song “Delia’s Gone.” The band returned to the stage and continued to captivate with a mix of classics and hidden gems. Ian Tyson’s “Summer Wages” showcased Bromberg’s ability to interpret poignant lyrics, while Charles Segar’s “Key to the Highway” had the crowd swaying along.

As the evening drew to a close, Bromberg and his band brought the energy back up with Bessie Smith & Her Blue Boys’ “Sharon, Send Me to the ‘Lectric Chair” and the toe-tapping “Diamond Lil,” a Bromberg original that had the audience doing just that. A collective cheer erupted when Bromberg launched into Jerry Jeff Walker’s timeless hit, “Mr. Bojangles,” before The David Bromberg Band closed out the main set with performances of “The New Lee Highway Blues” and “Will Not Be Your Fool.”

For the encore, Bromberg, Tweedy, and Hiatt returned to the stage to perform a sensational rendition of Dr. John’s “Such a Night.” A perfect choice considering the finality of the evening and Dr. John’s legend. For the final song, the three’s musical expressions were balanced, vivid and grateful – just like the crowd they shared it with.

Enjoy a selection of photos from the evening by Bill Kelly below.

David Bromberg Band
Beacon Theatre – New York
June 10, 2023

Set: Sloppy Drunk, I’ll Take You Back, The Holdup (David Bromberg song), Nobody’s (Gary White cover), Dark Hollow (Bill Browning and His Echo Valley Boys cover), Standing in the Need of Prayer ([traditional] cover) (A cappella), Wallflower (Bob Dylan cover) (with Jeff Tweedy), Evergreen (Jeff Tweedy cover) (with Jeff Tweedy), California Stars (Billy Bragg & Wilco cover) (with Jeff Tweedy), Feels Like Rain (John Hiatt cover) (with John Hiatt), Slow Turning (John Hiatt cover) (with John Hiatt), Have a Little Faith in Me (John Hiatt cover) (with John Hiatt), Delia’s Gone ([traditional] cover) (David Bromberg solo acoustic), Summer Wages (Ian Tyson cover), Key to the Highway (Charles Segar cover), Make Me a Pallet on the Floor ([traditional] cover), Sharon, Send Me to the ‘Lectric Chair (Bessie Smith & Her Blue Boys cover), Diamond Lil (David Bromberg song), Mr. Bojangles (Jerry Jeff Walker cover), The New Lee Highway Blues (David Bromberg song), Will Not Be Your Fool

Enc.: Such a Night (Dr. John cover) (With Jeff Tweedy and John Hiatt)