Written and photographed by Stacey Lovett
Festival favorites Gov’t Mule delivered just that vibe this go-round through Austin; having played indoor venues that last couple of times they toured through the area, this open-air show at Stubbs allowed the magic of the Mule to paint the air with their signature notes that craft the higher calling.
Outlaw songstress Nikki Lane opened the show crooning her unapologetic truths as she transcended musical boundaries capturing the attention and admiration of a wider array of fans. Throughout her own journey, she has generated her own revolution, one of self-revolt against the status quo and rose above to lead and heal others with her lyrical elixir. Lane has remained a positive force in music – a true artist lending her craft to the ears & hearts of anyone who needs to hear the bittersweet truths of life, nonetheless sporting her flawless signature vintage fashion while doing it.
On the same side of revolution, cultivating a higher consciousness among the musical collective, Gov’t Mule kicked off the second date of the expansion of their 2019 summer tour with a heat-soaked almost 2-hour jam session right to the end. They proved to “find their way home” in the hearts of Austin as they brought some of their tunes back to their birthplace, a return to the Capitol city where they recorded their most recent album Revolution Come, Revolution Go. As they brought the title track and a little country “Girl with Low Self Esteem” to the set mix – both have seen the light at Arlyn Studios – they elevated the crowd in a collective experience with an expansive mix of tunes spanning their career as well as putting their energy on a handful of covers presenting their signature jam session stylings. The Allman homage was given with “Come and Go Blues” as no show would be complete without one. A heavy emphasis was placed on “Lay Your Burden Down” – one for those who have been on the Mule for a while, a lengthy spiritual for all to rise above and harmonize with the soulful sermon from the stage. Canadian Austinite Gordy Johnson joined the band on strings for the encore lending some Texas blues flair finishing the set out hot as the night air cooled down with “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be” into a little “Mountain Jam.”
The innovation Gov’t Mule has brought to the roots of their sound continues to improvise with the everchanging social terrain while maintaining a cohesiveness of diversity where all come together as one – not just to take it in but to create as a whole. And Austin and the Mule undoubtedly created some beautiful energy together that night.
PHOTO GALLERY
Click to View Full Images
Set List: 1. Railroad Boy; 2. Stone Cold Rage; 3. Thorazine Shuffle; 4. Time to Confess; 5. Birth of the Mule; 6. Million Miles from Yesterday; 7. Revolution Come, Revolution Go; 8. Girl with No Self Esteem; 9. Trane; 10. Eternity’s Breath; 11. Come and Go Blues; 12 World Boss; 13. Lay Your Burden Down; 14. Smokestack Lightning; ENCORE: 15. Things Ain’t What They Used to Be; 16. Mountain Jam
About the Photographer
