Since linking up on tour earlier this month, moe. and Gov’t Mule have collaborated regularly onstage, often for a series of Grateful Dead covers. On Friday, the preparation paid off as Phil Lesh joined both Gov’t Mule and moe. at San Francisco’s Warfield Theater. First, Lesh replaced bassist Andy Hess during Gov’t Mule’s set for a ‘Loser’ bookended version of ‘Terrapin Station.’ Next, the bassist returned alongside Warren Haynes for a pair of covers The Dead regularly performed, ‘Turn on Your Lovelight’ and The Band’s ‘The Weight.’ Both Haynes and moe.‘s Al Schnier have collaborated with Lesh in a more formal setting as guitarists in his rotating group of Friends. On Saturday, Chuck Garvey also added some extra zest to Gov’t Mule second encore, joining in on ‘Don’t Let It Bring You Down.’
Tomorrow, Gov’t Mule and moe. will perform at Anaheim, CA’s The Grove, while Lesh will regroup his Friends on Thursday for a performance at San Francisco, CAs Bimbos.