Photo Credit: Dino Perrucci

On March 13, Phil Lesh & Friends returned to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. The show functioned as a continuation of the frontman’s 84th birthday celebration, stemming from a two-night stint that began last weekend, March 4, with his “Q” lineup, who notably played their first show since 2021 on that night. 

Last night’s show featured a variety of seasoned jam veterans and Phil collaborators, including Eric Krasno, Jason Crosby, Amy Helm, Karl Denson, Grahame Lesh, and John Molo. These performers collectively delivered choice Grateful Dead material, which, of course, touched on their namesake’s storied history with the San Francisco favorites. 

The Wednesday night stand got underway with “West L.A. Fadeaway,” which brought nuggets of instrumentation, allowing the Friends lineup to flex their heightened skills. From the traditional “Peggy-O” to the Jerry Garcia-penned “Deal,” energy built with each pull from the cannon, skyrocketing excitement on humdingers “Tennessee Jed” and its follow-up, “China Cat Sunflower,” sans sister tune, “I Know You Rider,” which would arrive in the latter set. 

Prior to the launch of last night’s set break, the band softened things up on “Ripple.” After resting their bones, the band returned, starting the second frame on “St. Stephen” and its follow-up, “Playing in the Band.” “Stella Blue” represented one of the night’s most passionate moments, with the collective of artists tapping into the emotive range that Garcia/Robert Hunter created.

“Terrapin Station” was another noteworthy moment as the band ebbed and flowed through the staple track. As mentioned, “I Know You Rider” appeared later in the night, before the band turned to “Shakedown Street” as the closing number, before the night’s encore, “Attics of My Life.” The aforementioned number felt like a symbolic pick and served as a bust out for Phil & Friends, who last played the contemplative song on Oct. 20, 2021. 

photo credit: Dean Budnick

Scroll down to view last night’s setlist.

Phil Lesh & Friends 

The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.

March 13, 2024

Set I: West L.A. Fadeaway, Peggy-O, Deal, Tennessee Jed, China Cat Sunflower, Ripple 

Set II: St. Stephen, Playing in the Band, Stella Blue, Terrapin Station, I Know You Rider, Shakedown Street

Enc.: Attics of My Life

Setlist via setlist.FM.