Spafford Debuts Steve Miller Band Cover & Continues Belafonte Tradition On Halloween At Sweetwater Music Hall
Watch Spaff’s full Halloween concert including “Fly Like An Eagle” and “Banana Boat (Day-O).”
By Nate Todd Nov 4, 2024 • 3:03 pm PST
Spafford concluded a two-night run at renowned Bay Area venue Sweetwater Music Hall on Thursday. The jam quartet from Arizona premiered Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like An Eagle” and continued their Harry Bellafonte Halloween tradition for their Mill Valley finale.
Spafford — guitarist Brian Moss, drummer Nick Tkachyk, keyboardist Cory Schechtman and Shon Gordon filling in for Jordan Fairless on bass — kicked off the concert with oldie “Space Gadget” ahead of new tune “Neutrino.” Spaff unveiled “Neutrino” near Boston on September 21, as per Spaffnerds, and gave the song’s third overall play in Marin County a thorough exploration.
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The quartet then debuted a cover of the Steve Miller Band classic “Fly Like An Eagle.” Moss handled lead vocals with Schechtman providing the spacey synth stylings of the title track to Steve Miller Band’s 1976 LP. Spaff then delivered a massive, 32-minute “Dirtbath” to wrap the four-song first set.
The four-song second set got underway with a pair of substantial excursions on a cover of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” and original “The Waltz.” In a nod to the Bay Area’s Grateful Dead, Spafford fit “The Other One” within staple original “The Postman” to seal the second set.
Spafford returned to continue their Harry Belafonte Halloween tradition. The band have performed the Calypso king’s “Banana Boat (Day-O)” and “Jump In Line” at Halloween time for over a decade. The band debuted the pair of Belafonte tunes in their native Prescott, Arizona, on October 27, 2012. Spaff continued the tradition with Gordon handling the “Day-O” intro.
Watch Spafford’s full Halloween concert below including the Belafonte encore (259:26):
Official Audio
Spafford’s fall tour continues in Salt Lake City tomorrow (November 5). Scroll down for their itinerary and ticket info.
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Photos
Setlist (via Spaffnerds)
Set 1: Space Gadget, Neutrino > Fly Like An Eagle[1], Dirtbath
Set 2: Tainted Love [2] > The Waltz > The Postman > The Other One [3] > The Postman
Encore: Banana Boat Song [4] > Jump In The Line [5]
Notes:
- [ 1 ]: Steve Miller Band, First time Played
- [ 2 ]: Soft Cell
- [ 3 ]: The Grateful Dead
- [ 4 ]: Harry Belafonte
- [ 5 ]: Harry Belafonte
