Photo Credit: Marc Millman

On Monday, March 4, Phil Lesh opened his annual birthday concert series at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. Night one saw on stage assistance from longtime collaborators of the Grateful Dead bassist, such as Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, John Molo, and Rob Barraco. Billed as The “Q,” the evening entertainment was pulled heavily from the Grateful Dead ether, ranging from classic cuts to late-60s favorites and material from Lesh and Friend’s 2002 LP, There and Back Again. Notably, last night’s coming together represented the first time The “Q” had performed since Oct. 13, 2021.  

From the moment the artists emerged on stage, there seemed to be a clear intent for the occasion, which was ultimately harnessed to the initial delivery, the Robert Hunter co-written “Celebration.” With the tone set and intentions actualized, the quintet moved into their follow-up, Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” The initial sampling of Dead material took the setlist’s third slot and arrived in the form of fan favorite, “Mississippi Half-Step.” 

The night’s grouping of musicians stepped back in time a bit further with the arrival of Aoxomoxoa cut, “Doin’ That Rag,” led by Barraco. The ensemble returned to picks from There and Back Again, landing on Haynes-driven “The Real Thing” before turning back to the Dead’s repertoire to close out frame one on “Mason’s Children.”

With the concert’s first half complete, Lesh and his collaborators noodled into the second set. Explorative jams birthed a nonstop sequence, which took the form of sister tunes “Help on the Way” and “Slipknot!” Next, all five players worked through Bob Dylan’s classic “All Along the Watchtower” before a sultry and psychedelic takeover on “Crazy Fingers.” 

Dead-tinged favorites continued to surface, including “Pride of Cucamonga,” Cannon’s Jug Band original turned longtime band staple “Viola Lee Blues,” and high-flying set closer, “Cosmic Charlie.” For the night’s final song, the band wasted no time picking up a cover of Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour.” After closing out night one of Lesh’s 84th birthday celebrations, the artist will take a night off before returning for one final performance with The “Q” on Wednesday, March 6. 

After Lesh performs with The “Q” lineup, the bassist will take a break from the stage, only to return on March 13, 15, and 16 for a final series of concerts alongside his Friends grouping. For more information, visit www.thecapitoltheatre.com. 

Scroll down to view photos courtesy of Marc Millman.

Phil Lesh & The “Q”

The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.

March 4, 2024

Set I: Celebration, Sunshine of Your Love, Mississippi Half-Step, Doin’ That Rag, The Real Thing, Mason’s Children 

Set II: Jam > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > All Along the Watchtower, Crazy Fingers, Pride of Cucamonga, Viola Lee Blues, Cosmic Charlie 

Enc.: In the Midnight Hour

Setlist via setlist.FM