On an incredible late-summer night in Clarkston, north of Detroit, the spirit of the legendary Allman Brothers Band lived on through the music of two of its key former members, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. Touring together for the first time as co-headliners with their ace solo projects, The Tedeschi Trucks Band and Gov't Mule treated the jam-loving crowd to a night of hits, fan favorites, deep cuts, collaborations, and notable covers. Beginning with a short opening set from newcomer Nolan Taylor, the evening was elevated right away with Gov't Mule's opening number at just ten minutes after 7pm, an a cappella rendition of Son House's "Grinning in Your Face," a favorite of Haynes and local legend Jack White alike, followed by an extended run through their signature original, "Mule." After a few more signature originals, Mule began weaving in cover songs and quotes from tracks by other artists, including bits of The Allman Brothers Band's "Mountain Jam" and a bit of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" at the end of "Game Face" and a rousing take on Al Green's "I'm a Ram." Currently featuring only one founding member, bandleader Warren Haynes led this version of Mule through excellent performances of fan favorites like "Banks of the Deep End," "Sco-Mule," and "Rocking Horse" and jammed with members of The Tedeschi Trucks Band on "Dreaming Out Loud."
With the tour itself clearly an excuse for collaboration throughout the night, it was no surprise that Derek Trucks joined the band for a soulful run through The Allman Bros.' classic "Desdemona" or that Susan Tedeschi would grace the audience with a beautiful take on the lead vocals for Mule's closing number, "Soulshine," another Allman Bros. staple. As three Allman songs had already appeared prior to the headliner even taking the stage, it was clear both bands continue to revere and celebrate the musical and historical significance of the rock and roll hall band that helped these players get their start and a foothold in the industry.
Just after sunset, Tedeschi Trucks Band took the stage to enthusiastic applause from their many faithful fans and followers and to many who were seeing the band for the first time. Groups with this level of talent that also work outside the mainstream of rock music are probably always performing to people who have seen them 100 times and people seeing them for the first time every time they play. TTB's 12 members occupy every square foot of the stage, many alternating between multiple instruments during or between each song, and their professional delivery and road-tested groove was a perfect fit at Pine Knob. Drawing on tracks mostly from the middle of their catalog, TTB blended swampy southern rock with classic soul and plenty of psychedelic spice as they jammed on "Anyhow," "Soul Sweet Song," "Midnight in Harlem," and the rocking "Made Up Mind," their best-received original song of the night. Running strong for over 20 years now, the co-band leader spouses (Tedeschi and Trucks) made the vibe almost familial among the many Mule and Allman fans in the crowd. Like any great jam band, plenty of choice cover songs were also featured, including the Sleepy Jon Estes classic "Leaving Trunk" and a bit of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter's "Sugaree" as part of their own "Angel from Montgomery."
Without leaving the stage for an encore break, TTB put the exclamation point on the evening by inviting Warren Haynes back to the stage for an amazing performance of the Allman Brothers staple "Whipping Post," and then additional members of Gov't Mule joined in for the last song of the night, a loud and spirited take on Joe Cocker and Leon Russell's arrangement of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends," made famous at Woodstock and in the opening and closing credits of The Wonder Years. These final songs together were played for over 20 minutes and were the most engaging songs of the entire night with everyone on stage and in the audience singing along. While this particular show was the last of the bands' shared summer tour, there's a delightful comfort in knowing they would pack up and move on to the next city to do it all again a day or two later and that there's a good chance they'll both be back to continue to spread the gospel of rock and to carry on the legacy of The Allman Brothers again very soon.
Tedeschi Trucks Band (Clarkston, MI 9/10/25) set list:
Anyhow
Devil Be Gone
Who Am I
Soul Sweet Song
Leaving Trunk (Sleepy John Estes)
Volunteered Slavery (Rahsann Roland Kirk)
Future Soul
Angel from Montgomery/Sugaree (Jerry Garcia)
Do I Look Worried?
Midnight in Harlem
Made Up Mind
Whipping Post (Allman Bros. Band) (w/Warren Haynes)
With a Little Help from My Friends (The Beatles) (w/Gov't Mule)
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Grinning in Your Face (Son House)
Mule
Same As It Ever Was
Banks of the Deep End
Game Face/Mountain Jam (Allman Bros. Band)/Norwegian Wood (Beatles)
Sco-Mule
Dreaming Out Loud (w/members of TTB)
I'm a Ram (Al Green)
Desdemona (Allman Bros. Band) (w/Derek Trucks)
Rocking Horse
Soulshine (Allman Bros. Band) (w/Susan Tedeschi)
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