Minneapolis

Mike Gordon Band @ Fine Line Music Cafe, November 16

Words and Images: Joe Ringus

It’s not often a member of Phish graces Minnesota with their presence. Despite the infrequency of band member’s visits, the state’s fans always show their appreciation when one of these performances occurs. This past Tuesday night, the Fine Line Music Cafe in Downtown Minneapolis played host to bassist Mike Gordon and his band as they made a mid-week stop in the bitter north. Fans responded by nearly packing the 769-capacity venue.

The MGB’s first set opened up with the sizzling first track from Moss, Can’t Stand Still, and never let up. Early on, Gordon invited the crowd to make music with him by handing his kaossilator effects pedal to the folks in the front row to pass around. Between lasers and the stage lights, Mike Gordon and company made the most of playing the small bar.

The jams were thick during the second set which included an Alanis Morissette cover, a segue sandwich of J.J. Cale’s Ain’t Love Funny with drummer Todd Isler’s original Kryermaten as well as a staple of the Phish repertoire – a cover of Son Seals’ Funky Bitch. Mike and his band even treated fans to their version of Sailin’ Shoes by Little Feat.

Set One
: Can’t Stand Still, Sound, Suskind Hotel, Be Good And You’ll Be Lonely, Middle Of The Road, Walls Of Time, Radar Blip > Dig Further Down

Set Two
: Idea, Lit O Bit, Hand In My Pocket, Ain’t Love Funny > Kryermaten > Ain’t Love Funny > The Field > Kryermaten > Ain’t Love Funny, Funky Bitch, Pretend, Somaila, Jones, Sailin’ Shoes, Hap Nappy > Rock Me Baby

Encore
: Sugar Shack

[Setlist via Mike-Gordon.com]

Before the night was finally over, the group encored with Mike’s lone track from Joy, Sugar Shack, which sent the fans into the cold Minnesota night with huge smiles on their faces.

READ ON for the rest of Joe’s fantastic MGB photos…