This Could Be The Last Time: Phil Lesh Quintet Rolls Out ‘The Wheel’ To Bookend Jam-Filled Capitol Theatre Finale

The Phil Lesh Quintet formation of Grateful Dead bassist’s Phil Lesh & Friends project took the stage at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York on Wednesday for their second of two shows as part of a run honoring Lesh’s upcoming 84th birthday. “The Q” started a concert featuring a setlist straight out of the lineup’s heyday by singing the chorus of “The Wheel” and said farewell by performing the song in its entirety as the encore.

Phil Lesh along with guitarists Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule) and Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic), drummer John Molo (Moonalice) and keyboardist Rob Barraco (Dark Star Orchestra) returned to the famed rock palace last night after launching the celebratory run on Monday night with their first performance since 2021. Lesh turns 84 next week and it’s possible if not likely last night was the final performance for the bassist’s most treasured post-Grateful Dead lineup of musicians.

The unit lit into “Night Of A Thousand Stars,” the evening’s lone offering from The Q’s 2002 studio album, There And Back Again, following the a capella “The Wheel” chorus that opened. Last night’s show was loaded with the exemplary improvisation “The Q” are known for including a +18-minute “New Speedway Boogie” helmed by Barraco in the wake of “Night Of A Thousand Stars.” The Phil Lesh Quintet explored various soundscapes over the course of the lengthy rendition as they changed tempos many times. Phil handled lead vocals on the ensuing one-two punch of “New Potato Caboose” and “Bird Song,” more songs that showed off the ensemble’s outstanding chemistry. The beloved “China Cat Sunflower”/”I Know You Rider” pairing brought the first set to a close.

The Q used a spacey three-minute jam as the launch pad for a cover of Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy” featuring Haynes on lead vocals to kick off Wednesday’s second set. Both Warren and Jimmy Herring took extended solos before the five-piece took “Shakedown Street” deep. Next up was one of Phil’s signature songs, “Unbroken Chain.” Lesh had a tough time with the vocals early on but was supported capably by his bandmates and wound up turning in a powerful version. Then, the Phil Lesh Quintet treated the capacity crowd to 30 magical minutes consisting of an expansive “Dark Star” and another Traffic classic in the Haynes-helmed “Low Spark.”

Up next was a high-octane “Passenger,” a Phil Lesh Quintet staple. Warren Haynes was on fire both vocally and instrumentally throughout last night’s second set including on the version of Van Morrison’s “Into The Mystic” that wrapped the frame. Phil then introduced his bandmates, thanked the crowd and asked fans to consider becoming organ donors one night after a rare Lesh show without a “Donor Rap.” The ensemble delivered an emotional “The Wheel” encore. If the performance winds up being the last concert for The Q, the ensemble went out on a high note.

Watch video from last night’s Phil Lesh Quintet concert at The Capitol Theatre and stream an audience recording taped by Cam Keough below:

Phil Lesh will be back in Port Chester on Wednesday, March 13 with a different Phil Lesh & Friends lineup. Lesh then celebrates his 84th birthday at The Cap on Friday, March 15 before concluding the run on Saturday, March 16.

Setlist

Set One: The Wheel (a capella chorus) > Night Of A Thousand Stars, New Speedway Boogie, Bird Song, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider

Set Two: Jam > Dear Mr. Fantasy, Shakedown Street, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star > The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, Passenger, Into The Mystic

Encore: The Wheel