Gov’t Mule and Larkin Poe, image via YouTube
Two weeks into their Spring Tour, Gov’t Mule are still serving up fiery performances and nightly surprises. On Monday, the Warren Haynes-fronted Southern rock quartet rolled into Chesterfield, Mo.’s The Factory STL for the sixth of seven split bills with Americana sister act Larkin Poe, and in keeping with the series so far, the bands met for a collaborative tribute to a shared influence during Mule’s set.
Gov’t Mule launched their 4/20 show with a fitting cover of Steppenwolf’s “Don’t Step on the Grass, Sam,” which hammered home the message by having an actor costumed as Uncle Sae toting a sign that read “Don’t be such an ass, Sam.” 1968 weed rocker frequently figured into Mule’s setlists from 1994 to 2020, but Monday’s returm was its first appearance the first night of their 2024 New Year’s Eve run.
The quartet of Haynes, keyboardist Danny Louis, bassist Kevin Scott and drummer Terence Higgins (filling in temporarily for co-founder Matt Abts) moved on to old favorites like “Rocking Horse” and “Stoop So Low,” then called up Larkin Poe’s Megan and Rebecca Lovell for an expansive 11-minute rendition of Jerry Garcia’s “Sugaree.” In keeping with their arrangement for Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” Lead Belly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” and The Allman Brothers Band’s “Blue Sky” earlier in the shared run, Megan added lap steel and Rebecca added guitar, while both sisters joined in backing vocals.
Gov’t Mule wrapped up their performance on Monday with Jeff Beck’s “Highway Jam” and the reliable closer of “Thorazine Shuffle,” then returned for an encore merging “Soulshine” and “Tupelo Honey.” The band will stop by Nashville’s The Pinnacle tonight for its last shared stage with Larkin Poe, then go its own way for five more Southeast shows through May 1. Find tickets and more information at mule.net/tour.
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