Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-10-12
Before a single note rang out at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday, October 8, Jamie Hathaway of Make-A-Wish took the stage with kind words about the cause he represented. "Nothing brings more hope and joy than great music," Hathaway told the crowd. The Wish Benefit Tour, presented by Fiddlehead Brewing Company, paired bassist Oteil Burbridge with the organ trio LaMP, featuring drummer Russ Lawton, guitarist Scott Metzger, and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, for the first time ever. The four-show run had already raised more than $250,000 for Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York along with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island, the chapters that grant wishes for children facing critical illnesses across the Northeast. The Brooklyn date was the third of those four stops.
"Some Days," the lead single from LaMP's 2020 self-titled debut, launched the festivities. Paczkowski meshed the Hammond B3 with clavinet as the trio settled into the room. "Pork 'n Slaw," a Metzger original and a fixture of LaMP's live shows, followed as a quick hit, and Metzger dove into sweet jazz guitar riffs throughout. Burbridge joined the trio on stage for this tune. "Hit Return" followed, another cut from the 2020 record. Paczkowski dialed up the funk on the clav as Lawton delivered a driving beat. Metzger teased "Dixie" as the four musicians dropped into a lull before elevating back into a tight blues-rock stomp.
The band pivoted into "Out of Curiosity," another track from the debut, and Burbridge found a funky foothold during the instrumental. A breezy sequence brought the energy down momentarily, but the breather gave Metzger a base to shine on jazz guitar, while Paczkowski added a gospel flair on the organ. The Wood Brothers' "When I Was Young," from 2011's Smoke Ring Halo, began with Burbridge hammering the bass. Metzger sang the blues-rock number, and Burbridge came to life as Lawton tied these talented musicians together.
Bob Marley's "Natural Mystic" followed with Burbridge on vocals. The quartet magically turned into a melodic reggae outfit and delivered a slow, patient groove. Afterward, Paczkowski introduced the band. "Run for the Roses," the title track of Jerry Garcia's 1982 solo album and the first of two Jerry Garcia Band favorites on the night, came next. Burbridge took the lead vocal while Metzger leaned into the blues-rock side of the song, and "Run for the Roses" closed out a banging first set.
Set two opened with a slow-simmer, bluesy take on Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin'," a jazz composition LaMP recorded for the trio's debut album. Lawton showed off his tremendous skills with shifting timings on the kit, and Paczkowski played the organ like a mad scientist. "Cosmo," the opening track from 2025's One Of Us, picked up the pace with funky highlights on the clavinet. Burbridge masterfully bridged Metzger and Paczkowski. Metzger's jazz guitar was cleverly outstanding, a side of his playing not often heard in his better-known gig with Joe Russo's Almost Dead. Lawton added elevated percussion and put on a clinic.
The laid-back "Backfire," another One Of Us track, brought a rolling melody with samples woven over the top, and Metzger found a sick pocket. "Q Division," a deep cut from the 2020 debut, followed with more clav and organ working in tandem. Lawton crushed the hi-hat, which added a touch of delicacy.
"Ulterior Motives," a third One Of Us selection, continued the smooth jazz vibes with a funky edge. Burbridge harmonized well with Metzger and made his presence known. The second Jerry Garcia Band favorite arrived with "Midnight Moonlight." Burbridge sang the Peter Rowan song, best known from Old & In the Way, and was all smiles as he gently thumped the bassline.
Metzger announced his bandmates again and reminded the crowd that the tour had raised more than $250,000 for Make-A-Wish. He then took a seat as the band eased into the Grateful Dead's tender "Standing on the Moon." Burbridge stepped up to the mic once more during the euphonious ballad. The last song of the set was The Band's "Ophelia." Metzger sang the classic rock tune and ripped on blues guitar while Paczkowski continued his stellar vintage mix of organ and clav. Metzger threw in one last "Dixie" tease for good measure.
The quartet returned to the stage for an encore of K.C. Douglas' "Mercury Blues," which ended the show on a high note.
Check out more photos from the show. Also, view the original Wish Benefit Tour announcement for more details about the cause behind the run.
LaMP will head south next as a trio on the band's fall tour, with stops at The Broadberry in Richmond, VA (October 13), Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC (October 15), Revival in Asheville, NC (October 16), Eastside Bowl in Nashville, TN (October 17), Vinyl in Atlanta, GA (October 18), Live Wire Athens in Athens, GA (October 21), and Charleston Pour House in Charleston, SC (October 22), before wrapping up with a late-night set at Hulaween in Live Oak, FL (October 23). Visit their tour page for more details about these dates.
Band: LaMP with Oteil Burbridge
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
Date: October 8, 2026
Set One: Some Days, Pork 'n Slaw, Hit Return [1], Out of Curiosity, When I Was Young [2], Natural Mystic [3], Run for the Roses [4]
Set Two: Ramblin' [5], Cosmo, Backfire, Q Division, Ulterior Motives, Midnight Moonlight [6], Standing on the Moon [7], Ophelia [8]
Encore: Mercury Blues [9]
Notes:
[1] "Dixie" tease
[2] The Wood Brothers cover
[3] Bob Marley & The Wailers cover
[4] Jerry Garcia cover (Garcia/Hunter)
[5] Ornette Coleman cover
[6] Old & In the Way cover (written by Peter Rowan)
[7] Grateful Dead cover (Garcia/Hunter)
[8] The Band cover (written by Robbie Robertson), "Dixie" tease
[9] K.C. Douglas cover
