Gov’t Mule celebrated Halloween at Chicago, IL’s Riviera Theatre. As previously reported, the group paid tribute to Jimi Hendrix during the show, focusing on material they have never performed live. Gov’t Mule covers a particular musician or band’s catalog every Halloween but they chose Hendrix this year in order to coincide with what would have been the guitarist’s 70th birthday. The group’s past Halloween shows have paid tribute to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and The Who.

After playing a set of their own material, Gov’t Mule took the stage during their second set while a vintage Hendrix interview was played for the crowd. Then, they launched into “EXP,” the opening track from Axis: Bold as Love and proceeded to offer a mix of tracks from all three of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s studio albums, among other Hendrix classics. As promised, the group debuted a slew of material throughout the night, including “EXP,” “Freedom One Rainy Wish,” “Up From The Skies,” “Crosstown Traffic,” “Bleeding Heart (Peoples, Peoples, Peoples),” “Angel,” “…And The Gods Made Love,” “Castles Made Of Sand, Stone Free,” “Rainy Day, Dream Day/Still Raining, Still Dreaming,” “1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)” and “Bold as Love.” They also offered an instrumental reading of “Machine Gun.”

Area saxophonist Chris Neal, who has performed with Umprey’s McGee also sat in on “Rainy Day, Dream Day/Still Raining, Still Dreaming.” He returned during Gov’t Mule’s encore for “Sco-Mule” and a show-closing “Little Wing” during Mule’s encore. At the start of their encore segment, Mule also riffed on “Happy Birthday” to celebrate Hendrix’s 70th birthday.

Gov’t Mule will perform at Indianapolis, IN’s Murat Theatre this evening. The Lee Boys will open the show.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via Mule.net

Wednesday, October 31, Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL

Set I: Blind Man In The Dark > World Boss > Larger Than Life > Gameface (with Mountain Jam Tease) > Fallen Down > The Other One Jam (with Gimme Shelter Lyrics), Kind Of Bird (with Get Up, Stand Up & The Wind Cries Mary Teases), Captured, Thorazine Shuffle

Set II: EXP* > Are You Experienced?, Freedom One Rainy Wish*, Up From The Skies*, Crosstown Traffic*, Bleeding Heart (Peoples, Peoples, Peoples)*, Angel*, …And The Gods Made Love*, Castles Made Of Sand, Stone Free*( with 3rd Stone From The Sun Tease), Rainy Day, Dream Day/Still Raining, Still Dreaming*^, 1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)* > Machine Gun (Instrumental) > 1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be), Bold As Love*

E: Happy Birthday Jam, Sco-Mule (with Smoke On The Water Tease & Dance To The Music Lyrics)^, Little Wing^

*first time played
^with Chris Neal