Band will perform in Philadelphia & NYC at the end of the year
Renowned quartet Gov’t Mule, who will release their first-ever blues album, Heavy Load Blues, on November 12th, has announced the return of their annual New Year’s run of shows. The three-night stand kicks off on Wednesday, December 29th at The Met in Philadelphia before the band heads to the friendly confines of The Beacon Theatre in New York City, their unofficial home-court venue, with back-to-back shows on Thursday, December 30th and Friday, December 31st as they close out the run and ring in the new year with a very special Black ‘n’ Blue New Year’s Show.
Gov’t Mule – led by GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes – has created highly anticipated traditions for long-time followers and new fans to experience with their one-of-a-kind shows. That is no exception for their annual New Year’s run, the band’s longstanding commitment of bringing together the Mule community to ring in the new year since 2002. Gov’t Mule’s year-end performances are always one of the hottest tickets in town, so be sure to take advantage of the VIP pre-sale packages available Wednesday, October 13th at 10 am ET via Ticketmaster. General on-sale starts Friday, October 15th at 10 am ET for the Philadelphia show and noon ET for the NYC shows.
The announcement of the New Year’s run follows the recent release of Gov’t Mule’s new take on the Junior Wells standard, “Snatch It Back and Hold It,” the second offering from Heavy Load Blues. On the groovy arrangement, the band covered the classic track while sandwiching a spontaneous original jam called “Hold It Back” in the middle of the soulful, stirring interpretation. Heavy Load Blues encompasses an even mix of Haynes’ originals, including first single “Heavy Load,” and revered covers originally made famous by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Ann Peebles, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Tom Waits and the Animals. Though technically considered a studio album, Heavy Load Blues was recorded live in the studio at The Power Station New England on analog tape, utilizing vintage guitars, amps and other equipment to capture an authentic sound. The 13-track album was produced by Haynes alongside engineer and co-producer John Paterno (Michael Landau, Robbie Williams, The Steve Gadd Band).
Gov’t Mule will perform Heavy Load Blues in its entirety for the first time — along with other surprises — on Friday, October 29th at The Tabernacle in Atlanta for the first of two very special Halloween weekend shows. The following night, Saturday, October 30th, will celebrate the return of their annual Mule-O-Ween show with special guests Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) and Paul Riddle (Marshall Tucker Band). Gov’t Mule’s previous Mule-O-Ween performances have included sets honoring Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, and Neil Young. The band will also continue with their 2021 tour dates leading up to the release of Heavy Load Blues offering fans a variety of options to catch the road warriors, including dates on Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour alongside Nelson and The Avett Brothers, headlining shows, and festival appearances.
Coming up later this winter, the band returns to Jewel Paradise Cove Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica for Island Exodus 12, the ultimate “concert-cation” experience from January 16-20, 2022. Hosted by Gov’t Mule, who will perform three full two-set shows, and Warren Haynes, offering his unique, interactive “Q and Play” set, a hybrid concert performance and storytelling session, the multi-day experience will also feature intimate beachfront concerts from Dawes and The War and Treaty, who will perform multiple sets, and special guest Ron Holloway, who will present an extended afternoon “Sax On The Beach” set. Attendees arriving early for Exodus Eve on January 15th will see “RoHo” part of Melvin Seals & JGB + Ron Holloway’s “Legion of Melvin” show.
