Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-04-03
Mike Gordon Band | Brooklyn, NY | March 26, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave
Fans began lining up outside Brooklyn Bowl as early as 4pm, eager to claim a close spot near the stage for the Mike Gordon Band's March 26, 2026 return to the iconic Brooklyn, NY venue. By showtime, the room had the charged feeling of a crowd that knew exactly what they came for, with plenty of anticipation around both Gordon’s solo material and the possibility of Phish favorites surfacing during the night. The band provided just that, and threw in some tasty covers for good measure.
The line up for the evening was slightly different than in the past. The refreshed squad included veterans Robert Walter on organ and synth and John Morgan Kimock on drums. This rounded out with newcomers Xavier Lynn on guitar and vocals, Bob Wagner on guitar and vocals, and Eli Winderman on keys. Gordon led the party on bass. The lineup felt flexible, textured, and fully in command of the room from the start.
Set one opened with “Steps,” from the 2017 release OGOGO, which immediately settled the band into a loose but purposeful groove. “Connected,” from Flying Games, followed with a more fluid and modern feel. This also gave the band room to layer keyboards and rhythmic detail. From there, the set took a sharp turn into “Spanish Moon,” which brought a slinky, greasy Little Feat groove into the room. “Happy Friends” by the Greyboy All-Stars followed, and added another left turn with a West Coast boogaloo bounce. Notably, Walter is a long-time member of the Greyboy All-Stars. Xavier Lynn’s “Grandpa Murray” established a personal and collaborative feel. Jon Cleary’s “Got to Be More Careful” followed and added even more snap and soul before the band landed on “Carini,” the Phish song the crowd had clearly been waiting for. That moment hit hard. The audience response was immediate, and the heavier pulse of the song pushed the room into one of the night’s biggest peaks. They band stepped off stage for a well earned break.
Set two opened with “Fling Your Head,” a newer Gordon original that, as of now, has no solo studio album release. This gave the second set an especially fresh feeling right out of the gate. The Kink's "You Really Got Me” kept the momentum moving with a familiar, classic rock jolt. Bob Wagner’s blues rock driven “Sad and Lonesome” brought a rougher, earthy contrast. Another Phish tune, “Meat,” landed with a tight rhythmic strut that kept the crowd fully engaged. Xavier Lynn’s “Louisiana Lady” added another collaborative dimension to the set and underscored how much this band functions as a shared musical conversation rather than a strictly top down backing unit.
From there, the show returned to Gordon’s solo catalog with “Crazy Sometimes” from OGOGO, a song that carried a playful looseness and gave the band room to stretch without losing shape. The Phish fans in the crowd recognized this tune, as it is one of the few Gordon solo tunes they have covered over the years. “Say Something,” from Overstep, followed with a stronger melodic center and a more grounded, reflective feel. For the encore, Gordon closed the night with “Guilty Pleasures” from Flying Games, which ended the show on a groove that felt both relaxed and quietly triumphant.
What made the night work so well was the balance. The set moved naturally between Gordon originals, band member showcases, covers, and Phish songs without ever feeling scattered. Still, it was impossible to ignore how strongly the crowd responded to the Phish material, especially “Carini,” which felt like one of the clearest emotional surges of the evening. By the end of the night, that early line outside Brooklyn Bowl made perfect sense. This was a crowd that showed up early because it knew there would be something worth getting close to.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Mike Gordon Band
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Date: March 26, 2026
Set One: Steps, Connected, Spanish Moon [1], Happy Friends [2], Grandpa Murray [3], Got to Be More Careful [4], Carini [5]
Set Two: Fling Your Head, You Really Got Me [6], Sad and Lonesome [7], Meat [5], Louisiana Lady [3], Crazy Sometimes, Say Something
Encore: Guilty Pleasures
Notes:
1. Little Feat
2. Greyboy All-stars
3. Xavier Lynn
4. Jon Cleary
5. Phish
6. The Kinks
7. Bob Wagner
