Tedeschi Trucks with Lukas Nelson at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA on Wed. September 2 2026
Lukas Nelson opened the show with an hour-long set of upbeat songs that blended traditional classic country, acoustic folk, and blues-rock. His backing band consisted of key “Promise of the Real” players – bassist Corey McCormick (who played a variety of basses during the night) and talented percussionist Tato Melgar – along with multi-instrumentalist Jake Simpson (on fiddle, acoustic guitar, backing vocals), Dakota Holden (pedal steel and acoustic guitar), Eli Kleiner (piano, keyboards, backing vocals), and Maxwell Flanders on drums; this touring lineup is often referred to by fans as Nelson’s “Shadow Band.” During his spirited performance, Nelson’s dynamic vocal power, vibrato, and emotion were on display, as well as his skillful guitar playing. He switched between four different guitars, and played some fiery and soulful guitar solos – at times melodic, at times raw and expressive – often dueling with Simpson going back and forth in a guitar-fiddle showdown on some songs.
Kleiner played a beautiful piano intro to “Just Outside of Austin,” and an impressive honky-tonk solo on the classic country style tinged “Carolina.” Nelson’s cover of J.J. Cale’s “Magnolia” was a fitting and well-executed choice, but it was his spot-on faithful rendition of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” that brought the crowd to their feet and dancing in their seats. On “Die Alone,” the band revved up the energy with McCormick playing a meaty bass solo, which led into an all-out jam that had him, Nelson, and Simpson jumping together and ending the song with a final leap-in-the-air finish. Their final number gave Nelson one last vocal/guitar showcase, where he played a tasty Robbie Robertson style solo, ramped up the intensity by belting out the song while pulling the microphone stand down and back, before letting out a primal scream that segued into a scorching guitar solo to end the night on a high note with the audience cheering their approval. Nelson shouted, “Thank you. Ya’ll get ready for Tedeschi Trucks!” before walking off, after setting the right mood and vibe for what was to come. https://lukasnelson.com/
Now, before I begin, let me just say that I never got a chance to see the Allman Brothers Band (which is one of the regrets in my concert going experience), but after seeing The Tedeschi Trucks Band at Tanglewood last night, I feel like I have seen the next best thing. If I had to describe the evening’s musical performance in one word, it would be a resounding “Wow,” as it was awe-inspiring and transcendent. My mind was blown numerous times, by both Susan Tedeschi’s potent, soulful, and emotional vocal power and skillful blues guitar solos, and by the sheer guitar majesty of Derek Trucks, arguably one of the best (if not THE best) jam-band guitarist of all time, who played with great dexterity – running up and down the guitar neck flawlessly in his finger style playing technique – and other times making his Gibson SG gently weep, cry out, and downright wail with searing notes and solo expressions that pierced the very marrow of bone.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band is a sprawling twelve-piece duodecet consisting of some top notch musicians with husband-and-wife duo Susan Tedeschi (lead vocals, guitar) and Derek Trucks (slide and electric guitar) at the helm, and joined by Mike Mattison (guitar, and some lead and backing vocals), Gabe Dixon (keyboards, some lead and backing vocals), Brandon Boone (bass), Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell and Isaac Eady (drums, percussion), Mark Rivers and Alecia Chakour (harmony vocals, some lead vocals), and horn section players: Kebbi Williams (saxophone, flute), Emmanuel Echem (Trumpet), and Elizabeth Lea (Trombone). The entire event was a full band endeavor, with each member getting moments to spotlight their talent.
The background projection screens displaying a kaleidoscope of psychedelic images meant to enhance the show were not even needed, as this juggernaut ensemble weaved a tapestry of tunes (a rich, mixed bag of Southern blues-rock, soul, and jazz-infused Jam-band music) that amazed, transfixed, and delighted those gathered inside the shed and out on the lawn, who were there to witness the splendor and grandeur of the night’s musical extravaganza. The sheer power and prowess of Tedeschi’s vocals (in league with Bonnie Raitt) is enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck and cut it off. From the opening number “Crazy Cryin’,” it was apparent that this was going to be a special night to remember. After a string of songs that showcased both Tedeschi’s vocals (with “Hero” in particular having her hit some high intensity notes that I swear are still resounding over the ether of Tanglewood) and Trucks’ stellar guitar solos (each one just as effective as the last), Tedeschi addressed the crowd, “Good evening, everybody. This is my first time at Tanglewood. Thank you so much for having us.” Afterward, Mattison took center stage for lead vocals on the eloquent “Emmaline,” which ended with the band doing an impressive live fade out.
It is hard to believe that so many memorable performances and highlights could be included in one night. Besides the TTB’s originals and selections from their latest release Future Soul, which kept the rapt audience spellbound, their interpretations of choice covers were a sight and sound to behold. An epic reimaging of CSNY’s “Ohio” (which resonates as relevant today as it did back when it was first conceived) began with a steady hypnotic marching drumbeat, morphed into an explosive and expressive Jimi Hendrix/Neil Young/Cream-era Eric Clapton style guitar centerpiece with a bit of Hendrix’s “Machine Gun” thrown in, and ended with a drum and sax solo (with Kebbi Williams adding jazz accents to the varied rhythms along with the duo drummers). A tribute to Dolly Parton, the most poignant moment of the night, had Tedeschi, Dixon, and Chakour alone on stage singing Parton’s “Wildflowers” in sublime three-part harmony [I am getting goosebumps as I am writing this]. Trucks was in his element with The Allman Brothers “Come and Go Blues” and “Dreams” (which also gave stalwart bassist Boone a chance to shine), displaying his adept volume-control technique and later ripping into a piercing solo in the final movement of the song. Dixon channeled Dylan for a rendition of “Tangled Up in Blue,” with Mattison and Tedeschi taking turns on (the many) verses as well, while Trucks played slide guitar and Echem provided a trumpet solo. Chakour took lead vocals on Ben E. King’s “It Ain’t Fair” in a high register so powerful, she received spontaneous applause throughout her stunning performance. While Chakour walked off to rousing applause, Tedeschi wielded a Sunburst Les Paul for the extended “Dreams,” which led into “I Want More,” and ended with “Beck’s Bolero,” (an homage to legendary innovative guitarist Jeff Beck), after which the band exited stage left to uproarious applause.
The crowd called out for more, and the band returned to the stage to oblige, delivering a stirring version of (Berkshire resident and annual Tanglewood summer artist) James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” with Tedeschi sharing the lead vocals with Mark Rivers, who breathed new life into Taylor’s classic tune. Lukas Nelson came back to join the band for the final two encores: CSNY’s “Helpless” (an apt tune for our trouble times), and “Space Captain,” where guest organist Mitch Chakour (father of TTB vocalist Alecia Chakour, veteran musician, and former Joe Cocker musical director) played a murky, bluesy B3 solo. Judging from the vibe, the smiles, and the overall jubilant atmosphere, I wasn’t the only one in attendance who was simply mesmerized by this musical performance. I highly encourage you to go see this band, for you truly have to see them live in order to fully comprehend and feel the full TTB experience. As the Jimi Hendrix lyric states, “Have you ever been experienced? Well, I have.” https://tedeschitrucksband.com/
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND SETLIST:
Crazy Cryin’
Little by Little (Junior Wells cover)
Who Am I
Hero
Emmaline
They Don’t Shine
Ohio (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover)
Let Me Get By
Wildflowers (Dolly Parton cover)
Soul Sweet Song
Come and Go Blues (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
Just Won’t Burn
Tangled Up in Blue (Bob Dylan cover)
Anyhow
It Ain’t Fair (Ben E. King cover) (>)
Dreams (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
I Want More
Beck’s Bolero (Jeff Beck cover)
ENCORES:
Fire and Rain (James Taylor cover)
Helpless (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover)
Space Captain (Matthew Moore cover)
LUKAS NELSON SETLIST
Fool Me Once
Guitar Blues
The Last Wild River
Pretty Much
Just Outside of Austin
Magnolia (J.J. Cale cover)
Set Me Down on a Cloud
American Girl (Tom Petty cover)
Ladder of Love
Carolina
Die Alone
Find Yourself