Photo: Marc Millman

On Thursday, May 1, Tedeschi Trucks Band participated in their initial festival commitment during Sun, Sand, and Soul weekend at the Seascape Golf Course in Miramar Beach, Fla. The band’s set produced nods to blues greats on select covers, intermixed with a rousing selection of originals and an extraordinary two-song sit-in from fellow festival participant Bonnie Raitt. On night two of the event, Raitt returned the favor, welcoming the pair on select numbers.

Susan Tedeschi’s admiration for Raitt is well-recorded, considering their musical ties and past collaborations, including performing live in 2016 at the Holland International Blues Festival and performing BB King’s “Never Make Your Money Too Soon” and John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” both songs reemerged as covers during their latest festival weekend. Notably, the Raitt-recorded and beloved “I Can’t Make You Love Me” has been part of TTB’s live arsenal since 2022 and has been performed 49 times, another node of overlap and musical appreciation for the 2024 Kennedy Center honoree. 

Before bringing out their guest, TTB introduced their audience to a new number. The band debuted an original number, “Crazy Cryin.” Watch a fan-shot video below.

The husband and wife duo led the band through “Anyhow” and “Do I Look Worried” before positioning the first cover of the night in slot four, Chuck Willis’ “I Feel So Bad.” Next, they referred to their latest studio output on the title track, “I Am the Moon,” ahead of Derek & The Dominos’ “Keep Growing.”

Tedeschi referenced her solo material by sliding into the title track from her 1998-released second studio LP, Just Won’t Burn. Then the band returned to I Am the Moon, on “Pasaquan.” As if alluding to their pent-up excitement, knowing Raitt was at the ready, TTB covered the blues classic “Let the Good Times Roll.” 

Following “Bound for Glory,” Raitt took the stage, assisting her hosts on Sleepy John Estes’ “Leaving Trunk,” a live staple for TTB, and followed by referencing a long-loved cover of Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Volunteered Slavery.” After thanking their guest, the band sans added aid, returned to form, covering Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” for the first time this year. 

Before closing their night one festival set, TTB pulled out fan favorite, “Made Up Mind.” They ultimately returned for the night’s encore, a take on The Coasters’ “Let’s Go Get Stoned.” 

On Friday, May 2, Raitt returned the favor, inviting Tedeschi to the festival stage during her premiere set to revisit Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery.” Trucks joined the leading ladies for a follow-up on King’s “Never Make Your Move Too Soon.” Just when the crowd thought the sit-ins were over, the husband and wife, as well as member of their band, Gabe Dixon arrived for a final collaborative ode to the blues on The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ “I Believe I’m in Love With You.”