Photos by Dino Perrucci

The indie rock, jazz and jamband communities collided during The Allman Brothers Band’s performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre last night. Near the end of the group’s first set, Soulgrass saxophonist Bill Evans emerged for the ABB’s arrangement of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” To the surprise of almost everyone in attendance, later in the night Wilco guitarist and noted improviser Nels Cline also took the stage for the
Allman classic “Dreams.” Evans then returned and joined
Cline and The Allman Brothers for “Spanish Keys” and “Mountain Jam.”

Though Cline has spent the past eight years performing in rock, folk and indie circles as a member of Wilco, he has deep roots in the improvisational world and cites the Dead and The Allman Brothers Band as early influences. Last year, Cline also used Duane Allman’s classic goldtop Les Paul during a few Wilco performances and worked with Warren Haynes on a Tommy Bolin tribute album.

The Allman Brothers Band will return to the Beacon this evening.

Here’s a look at last night’s setist via The Allman Brothers Band’s homepage

Friday, March 16, Beacon Theatre, New York, NY

Set I:

Done Somebody Wrong
Leave My Blues at Home
Come and Go Blues
Worried Down with the Blues
Bag End
Blind Willie McTell
Revival
Hot ‘Lanta >
All Along the Watchtower (w/ Bill Evans)>
Hot ‘Lanta

Set II:

Acoustic
Working Class Hero
All My Friends
The Needle and the Damage Done

Electric
Melissa
Rocking Horse
Dreams (w/ Nels Cline) >
Spanish Keys (w/Nels Cline and Bill Evans) >
Mountain Jam (w/ Nels Cline and Bill Evans) >
Bass & Drums >
Mountain Jam

E:You Don’t Love Me