Article Contributed by Scott Kepnes
Published on 2026-04-09
Mike Gordon Band | Boston, MA | March 27th, 2026 - photos by Scott Kepnes
The Mike Gordon Band delivered a high energy show to a sold-out audience at the Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA Friday, March 27th. The 933-capacity, standing-room-only venue was filled with anticipation, ready to groove with the band.
Renowned Phish bassist/vocalist Mike Gordon was joined by fantastic musicians Xavier Lynn (guitar and vocals), Bob Wagner (guitar and vocals), Robert Walter (keyboards), and John Morgan Kimock (drums).
Adding to the energy and excitement were surprise special guests—longtime Mike Gordon collaborator and bandmate guitarist/vocalist Scott Murawski (Max Creek) and vocalist Kat Wright (Kat Wright Trio, Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band).
The evening included a mix of Mike Gordon, Xavier Lynn, and Bob Wagner originals, as well as tunes by Max Creek and Kat Wright. Covers of The Kinks, Bill Withers, Toots & The Maytals, Howlin’ Wolf, a Phish audience favorite, Aerosmith, and J.J. Cale filled out the setlist.
The band was tight, clearly having fun and communicating well with each other on stage, while also connecting with the audience. The music flowed through elements of funk, rock, jam, blues, soul, country, and reggae. Guitar, keyboard, and bass solos were featured throughout. John Morgan Kimock’s drums and Mike’s bass were locked in, paving the way through extended jams. Mike’s bass playing was creative, melodic, and complementary to his bandmates.
The first set took off with the funky groove of “Tilting” from Mike’s most recent album release Flying Games (2023).
Mike then spoke about the first time playing the Paradise in 1989:
“They were saying… no one’s gonna come, it’s just some weird Frank Zappa band from Vermont… our friends who are fans had Greyhound buses coming from Vermont… it ended up selling out, we never played for this many people before… it was a landmark moment.”
Xavier then took to the mic, showcasing soulful guitar playing with his song “Convince Me,” which made its debut at the first show of this tour. Next came The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” (1964). Bob Wagner then sang his original song “Sad and Lonesome,” the first single released from his upcoming album due June 15, 2026.
To the delight of the audience, Scott Murawski joined the stage and the band busted out the Max Creek song “Jones.” This was followed by “Peel” from Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon’s third album Noon (2020). The set wrapped up with another of Bob’s songs, “Good Night and Good Luck.”
The second set began with Mike graciously addressing the audience, family, and friends who were at the show:
“A special shoutout to my mom and my dad… my friend Joe (Linitz) who wrote the song ‘Round Room’ with me… all my other friends who are here… this is home… thanks for being at the hometown gig.”
Xavier continued on vocals with Bill Withers’ “Kissing My Love” from Still Bill (1972). For his third original of the evening, Bob sang “Universe Is Calling.” With Robert Walter’s keyboard playing adding depth to the sound, the band transitioned nicely into a reggae groove for Toots & The Maytals’ “Pomp and Pride” from Funky Kingston (1973).
Xavier then sang his song “Louisiana Lady,” released as a single in 2024, which surprisingly segued into Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning” (Chess Records, 1956), eventually returning back into “Louisiana Lady.”
The band then tore into the Phish fan favorite “Carini.” The audience enthusiastically sang along. The energy of the evening hit its peak with the lyrics, “Everyone was screaming when they saw the lump!” The jam ensued as the musicians dipped into the cosmos, exploring the space within the room, continuing with “Mull” from Flying Games (2023).
The set concluded perfectly—and fittingly for Boston—with a rocking version of Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” from Toys in the Attic (1975), also recorded by Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon on their second album together, Sixty Six Steps (2005).
As the band returned for an encore, Scott Murawski was back on stage. Mike introduced Kat Wright, who beautifully sang her song “Reminder” from Kat Wright Trio Sessions Vol. 2 (2022). All musicians remained on stage, and the evening concluded with J.J. Cale’s “Call Me the Breeze” from Naturally (1971).
The sound in the venue was excellent. Jim Bergantino of Bergantino Audio Systems works with Mike’s bass tech Ed Grasmeyer to provide Mike with his amplification for the tour. On stage was a Forté HP ULTRA bass amp with a 4x10 and a 2x10 modified Eden cab.
Fans were happy as they left the venue. It was a treat to have all the musicians’ songs featured. We look forward to Mike Gordon returning home again.
Special thanks to Jim Bergantino for his help with the details of Mike’s amp.
