Gov’t Mule with Bill Evans and Brad Whitford. Photo by Dino Perrucci.

Gov’t Mule kicked off its annual New Year’s shows at New York’s Beacon Theater last night. As he has done on many special occasions, longtime Allman Brothers Band Tour Mystic Kirk West introduced the band at the top of its first set. Gov’t Mule’s first set also included a lengthy segue that moved from “Railroad Boy” into “Trane,” “Eternity’s Breath,” a jam based around “St. Stephen” and “Train Kept A Rollin.‘” Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford—who has collaborated with the members of Gov’t Mule at Christmas Jam and in Boston over the years—emerged for the latter song as well as a set-closing “Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home.”

The group’s second set featured several additional guests. Saxophonist Bill Evans emerged three songs into the group’s set for Traffic’s “Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” and “Devil Likes It Slow.” Soon after, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo—who is in town for his band’s own performances at City Winery—sat in on “Jesus Gonna Be Here” and “Presence Of The Lord.” The show came to a close with cover of Little Feat’s “Spanish Moon” that featured both Whitford and Evans. Gov’t Mule will return to the Beacon tonight for a three-set show that will include several fan requests.