Warren Haynes Says Big 2025 In Store For Gov’t Mule

While guitarist Warren Haynes devoted the bulk of this year to performing with his Warren Haynes Band project, Gov’t Mule will be back toward the forefront of his efforts in 2025. Haynes revealed some of what the band is planning in a recent interview.

The Asheville, North Carolina native released a new solo album, Million Voices Whisper, last Friday. Warren Haynes spoke with Billboard about the LP, the effect of Hurricane Helene on his home state, the final The Allman Brothers Band concert, Mule’s “big 2025” and several other topics.

Asheville and the surrounding area were left devastated by Hurricane Helene. Warren Haynes and the WHB will perform at “Soulshine,” a benefit concert that will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 24 to aid hurricane relief efforts. Dave Matthews Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Goose are also aboard as are special guests Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

The guitarist told Billboard that while his family in the Asheville area is safe, his brother’s record store was one of many local businesses left in tatters. “It was terrible to watch. I was on tour and was watching CNN and saw them panning the River Arts District, which is where my brother’s store is; they panned as far as the building next door to it, and it was underwater. I was like, ‘Sh-t my brother’s store is right there,’ but at that time I couldn’t reach anybody, and they couldn’t reach me,” Haynes explained. “But I was lucky enough to be able to talk to them in the beginning, and he assured me that everybody was okay. After that it was just really frustrating not knowing and watching the news and hoping. Now I just want to do whatever I can to help everybody.”

Fellow “Soulshine” participant Derek Trucks, Haynes’ longtime ABB bandmate, contributed to four tracks on Million Voices Whisper. One of the cuts, “Real Real Love,” developed from lyrics written by Gregg Allman before he passed in 2017. The others — “These Changes,” “Hall of Future Saints” and “Back Where I Started” — were penned during a writing session held at Derek Trucks’ farm.

“It was great, the first time the two of us had collaborated in the studio like that in a long time,” stated Haynes of recording with Derek Trucks. He’s also open to more from the pair. “There’s definitely talk about it. We’ll see where it all goes. I think I can speak for both of us when I say we really enjoy it when it happens, and writing for those three days and then being together in the studio for my record was a blast. There’s just something uncanny about the way the two of us work together. It’s comes about very easily,” Haynes added.

Gov’t Mule started 2024 with their annual destination event in Jamaica, a February tour and a pair of spring festival appearances. While the quartet has been on hiatus since, they will present a two-city, three-show Celebrating 30 Years Of The Mule New Year's Run to end 2024.

Billboard reports Haynes is “leaning into a big 2025 with Gov’t Mule” starting with January’s Island Exodus 2025 in Jamaica. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the band’s self-titled debut studio album. Mule will honor the occasion by unearthing previously unreleased material from the band’s vault and by playing “a bunch of cool, special shows.”

Stay tuned for future announcements from Warren Haynes and the Gov’t Mule camp. Head to Billboard to read the full interview with Warren Haynes.