_Photo: Dino Perrucci_

Gov’t Mule kicked off their New Year’s run last night at the Beacon Theatre in New York and welcomed out a pair of legendary drummers as well as backup singers as they ready for a New Year’s Eve show with singer Myles Kennedy. In the first set, the band welcomed out The Better Half singers for a pair of tunes including “Bird on a Wire” and the closing “The Letter.”

Set two got started with some Mule material including the newer “Broke Down on the Brazos” before the band welcomed out Free/Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke for a pair of Free tunes in “Mr. Big” and “The Hunter.” After Kirke exited, allowing for Matt Abts return, the band finished the set with takes on “Gameface,” “Thorazine Shuffle” and “Funny Little Tragedy.”

In the encore, drummer Carmine Appice replace Matt Abts for a pair of Mule debuts in Rod Stewart’s “Hot Legs” and “Stay With Me.” Appice joined Rod Stewart’s backing band in 1977 and co-wrote songs such as “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Young Turks,” among others. Appice played drums on four of Stewart’s records including his 1978 effort Blondes Have More Fun.

Mule returns to the stage tonight at the Beacon for an AC/DC-themed show with singer Myles Kennedy.

Here’s a look at the setlist from last night as it appears in our Box Scores section:

Gov’t Mule
Beacon Theatre New York, NY

Set I: World Boss > Whisper In Your Soul, Stoop So Low (Outro 2), Forsaken Savior > Stratus, The Joker, Bird On A Wire* > The Letter*

Set II: Done Got Wise, Broke Down On The Brazos > Tributary Jam, Mr. Big^, The Hunter^ > Good Morning Little Schoolgirl^ > The Hunter^, Gameface (with Birdland & Mountain Jam Teases), Thorazine Shuffle > Funny Little Tragedy (with Message In A Bottle lyrics) > Thorazine Shuffle Reprise

Enc: Hot Legs^^, Stay With Me^^^

Notes:
*with The Better Half Singers (Machan Taylor& Mini Carlsson)
^with Simon Kirke & without Matt Abts
^^First time played, with Carmine Appice & without Matt Abts ^^^with Carmine Appice & without Matt Abts

Source: www.mule.net