Kicking off his March tour, Mike Gordon Band assembled at Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Friday, March 13, debuting originals and covers, as well as paying tribute to the music recorded at Bearsville.
Gordon, bassist for Phish, is joined this tour by drummer John Kimock, Robert Walter on keys and organ, and Xavier Lynn and Bob Wagner both on guitar. Later this month, he’ll welcome former Dopapod keyboardist Eli Winderman for a few dual-keyboard gigs. The everyday lineup debuted last May in New Orleans for a single show, making this tour an introduction of some new faces to the sold out crowd.
Opening with “Tilting” off 2023’s Flying Games, Gordon noted a few songs later that “Tilting” originated from a jam while practicing at Marco Benevento’s nearby house. A surprise cover followed in a slow groove version of The Kinks “You Really Got Me,” giving the crowd an early jolt of energy. Fellow Burlington musician Bob Wagner sang lead on “Sad and Lonesome,” off his upcoming debut solo album I’ve Been Down, following in the footsteps of former MGB guitarist Scott Murawski who would bring a Max Creek song or two into the band’s repertoire.
“Connected,” also off Flying Games, followed with Gordon then welcoming Benevento to the stage for a trio of tunes – “Peel,” “Spanish Moon” and “Mull.” On “Peel,” Wagner took some liberties early while Mike took the jam down to the ground before building it up again through a mildly Dead-esque jam before finding footing again. Benevento stuck around for Little Feat’s “Spanish Moon” with Wagner on vocals, as well as “Mull” closing the set.
A more confident and louder sounding Mike began the second set with “Fling Your Head,” debuted by Phish just this past January in Mexico. “Convince Me” has all the markings of a country rocker, somewhere in the Sturgill Simpson genus of the genre, and a highlight among the debuts this evening. “Meat” went through many cycles and returns, Gordon playing around with effects and the crowd eating it up happily.
Mike made note of his love for The Greyboy Allstars, bringing a heavy bass groove to open “Happy Friends” and funk throughout, a song that hopefully stays in regular rotation. Another of Wagner’s originals, “Universe is Calling,” had a slow groove, while “Pomps and Pride” by Toots and the Maytals was a deep cut reggae cover, repeating a tenor of “Come down off your pomps and pride.” “Guilty Pleasures” brought back the setlist to familiarity with the crowd, not before the surprising appearance of “Carini” arrived, jammy and fluid in its own right.
For an encore, Mike noted this would be a “When in Rome song, just this once,” and dove into “The Shape I’m In,” which was recorded at Bearsville Studios in May & June 1970, Wagner singing lead on the vocals with Lynn and Gordon carrying the melody a treat, if even for just a supposed one-time performance.
Setlist via Phish.net
Mike Gordon – Bearsville Theater, Woodstock – Friday, March 13, 2026
Set 1: Tilting, You Really Got Me [1], Sad and Lonesome[1], Connected, Peel [2], Spanish Moon[2], Mull[2]
Set 2: Fling Your Head[1], Convince Me[1], Meat, Happy Friends[1], Universe is Calling[1], Pomps and Pride[1], Guilty Pleasures, Carini
Encore: The Shape I’m In[1]
[1] Mike Gordon debut.
[2] Marco Benevento on keys.
This show featured the Mike Gordon debuts of You Really Got Me, Sad and Lonesome, Fling Your Head, Convince Me, Happy Friends, Universe is Calling, Pomps & Pride, and The Shape I’m In. Peel through Spanish Moon featured Marco Benevento on keys.
photos by Nick Soto
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