On Sunday, October 22nd, New York’s High Time returned to Brooklyn Bowl to open their highly anticipated fall residency. The transcendent celebration of the Grateful Dead's early catalog featured a guest appearance by Ira Kaplan, co-founder of indie rock band Yo La Tengo on guitar.
The five-piece High Time Adam Kriney (drums/vocals), Michael O’Neill (rhythm guitar/vocals), and Kevin Uehlinger (keys/vocals), alongside Pete Tonti (lead guitar/vocals) and James Preston (bass/vocals) kept the Grateful Dead's Sunday-show tradition alive with a two-set performance that featured a mesmerizing live liquid light show by Macrodose, transporting the audience on a psychedelic journey through some of the Grateful Dead's earliest experimental songs.
Ira Kaplan, guitarist and co-founder from indie rock darlings Yo La Tengo, joined the band on stage to close out the night. Kaplan lent his distinctive guitar stylings and vocals to close the second set, joining the band for Dead tunes in New Speedway Boogie, The Other One, and Turn on Your Lovelight. With Kaplan, the band also performed the Yo La Tengo instrumental Spec Bebop from their seminal album “I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One.” The electrifying collaboration ignited the crowd and marked the second time Kaplan has joined High Time for a performance.
Speaking on the evening, High Time founding member Michael O’Neill said, “Jamming with Ira was truly special and reflects our ethos with High Time - that you don’t have to be a hippie or a head to appreciate the Grateful Dead. As kids of the 90’s, we absorbed a spectrum of musical influences, and we let all of them come through in our jams. Embracing that exploration in music captures the true spirit of what it’s all about.”
Since their founding in 2017, High Time has garnered a devoted following for their transformative interpretations of the Grateful Dead's early underground performances. Their audacious approach to the Dead's expansive, experimental jams has captivated music enthusiasts and Deadheads alike.
For more information about High Time and their upcoming performances, visit www.hightimedeadband.com.
High Time October 22, 2023, Brooklyn Bowl Setlist:
Set One: Viola Lee Blues, Truckin > Nobody’s Fault But Mine Jam > Eyes of the World , Brown Eyed Women, Cumberland Blues, Sugaree, Playin’ in the Band
Set Two: Morning Dew, New New Minglewood Blues, The Golden Road > Golden Jam > New Potato Caboose, Scarlet Begonias, Dark Star Jam1 > New Speedway Boogie2 > The Other One1> Spec Bebop3 > New Speedway Boogie2 > Turn on Your Lovelight1
Encore: Bertha
1 - featuring Ira Kaplan on guitar
2 - featuring Ira Kaplan on vocals and guitar
3 - Yo La Tengo original featuring Ira Kaplan on guitar
Upcoming High Time Shows :
Fri, Nov 17 @ Salty's Beach Bar, Lake Como, NJ, presented by Scenic
Sat, Nov 18 @ Space Ballroom, Hamden, CT, presented by Premier Concerts & Maniac
Sun, Nov 19 @ Brooklyn Bowl, presented by Relix
Sat, Dec 16 @ Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, presented by Dave Kiss
Sun, Dec 17 @ Brooklyn Bowl, presented by Relix
