WEEKLY ENCORE: Your Must-Read Setlist
Here's a look at this week's top headlines.
Relix Daily
December 20, 2025
December 20, 2025
NEWS
One of Phil Lesh’s longstanding traditions was his annual run of shows at Port Chester, N.Y.’s Capitol Theatre in conjunction with his March 15th birthday. Earlier this year, Lesh’s son Grahame took up the mantle following Phil’s passing. Grahame served as band leader for Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh, in which he honored his father’s legacy over four poignant, elevated evenings with a rotating cast of notable guest players.
FEATURE
Tom Constanten has long embraced and embodied the artistic life. He was still a Las Vegas teenager when his passion for music prompted him to compose a series of classical pieces that were performed by a local orchestra. Then, even as he attended UC Berkeley on a science scholarship, he continued to explore avant garde music, which eventually yielded a European tutelage via Luciano Berio. A bit later, during a stint in the Air Force, he reconnected with former Berkeley roommate Phil Lesh, resulting in both studio appearances (Anthem of the Sun, Aoxomoxoa) and live gigs with the Grateful Dead from 1968 through 1970. He then took on new challenges, helping to develop the play Tarot and produce a film score for The Love Song of Charles Faberman. TC subsequently balanced creative explorations both as acomposer and performer, including his ongoing Dose Hermanos project with Bob Bralove, as well as stints with Jefferson Starship, Henry Kaiser, Jazz Is Dead, Terrapin Flyer and the Live Dead ‘69 ensemble.
What a long strange trip it’s been. Now in softcover.
Six decades of shows, stories, and the faces that made it all happen. This softcover edition of Relix brings together never-before-published photography and moments from the early days to the eternal tour that never truly ends.
FEATURE
Especially for a seasonal album, Jingle All the Way marked an important transitional moment for Béla Fleck & The Flecktones. A mix of vividly re-imagined Christmas classics, inspired instrumental arrangements and top-shelf medleys, the 16-track 2008 set turned out to be the bluegrass-fusion combo’s final LP with saxophonist Jeff Coffin, who spent a portion of that year subbing for LeRoi Moore following an ATV accident and eventually joined Dave Matthews Band on more regular basis after the musician’s passing.
From shakedown to sink side.
The Slowtide x Grateful Dead collection brings bold colors, iconic imagery, and premium quality to your everyday routine. Quick-dry kitchen towels that look stunning hanging by your sink and actually handle the work. From lot life to home life, your space should reflect who you are.
RECAP
Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah celebration continued on Thursday, Dec. 18, as the band presented the fifth performance in their eight-show residency at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. In keeping with the custom of the annual series that began in 2001, the trio delivered a set without any repeats from the first four shows, mining their expansive four-decade discography in the company of a surprise opener, comedy act and encore special guest.
RECAP
On Saturday, Dec. 13, Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam lit up its host’s hometown of Asheville, N.C., with an all-star lineup spanning genres and generations. The revered holiday tradition’s 33rd annual staging marked a triumphant revival, returning to its longtime venue of ExploreAsheville.com Arena after a year away in the wake of Hurricane Helene. With all proceeds once again advancing the missions of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLoved Asheville, the show was supercharged by a spirit of community, bringing more excitement to a night packed with surprises.
NEWS
New Jersey indie-rock band Real Estate and Connecticut jamband Eggy will hit the road together for a four-day run next month. As previously reported, the Hell Froze Over tour will make stops at Pawtucket, R.I.’s The Met on Jan. 7, Albany, N.Y.’s Empire Live on Jan. 8, Port Chester, N.Y.’s Capitol Theatre on Jan. 9 and Portland, Maine’s State Theatre on Jan. 10. Each show will boast a full set from both outfits and the groups promise that they have “plenty of other surprises up our sleeves.”
On rotation in our office and broadcasting to readers worldwide on Spotify. Stay tuned for updates every Friday, and send anything you think we have to hear to [email protected].
RECAP
On Monday evening, the Big Apple’s Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts saw an influx of artists taking part in Jack Antonoff’s 11th annual Talent Show in support of The Ally Coalition, which supports equity for LGBTQ+ youth and their communities. On deck and taking part in the musical aspects of the concert event was year-two participant Phish’s Trey Anastasio, along with other performers, including Florence Welch, Hayley Williams (Paramore), and more.
RECAP
Goose brought their signature event, their 12th annual Goosemas, to a close at Providence, RI’s Amica Mutual Pavilion last night. The theatrical presentation continued the story of Barnaby Glimpse’s Show Upon Time, an original conceptual piece which the band has described as “a surreal, dark carnival narrative set in Lovering’s Hollow in 1734.” The four-person Connecticut outfit used the occasion to both debut a handful of new covers as well as weave a mix of originals into the story-cycle offering, which was brought to life through vivid costumes, puppetry and theatrical production. Sadly, a shooting that left two dead and others injured took place nearby at Brown University in Providence around the time of the show; though unrelated to the concert, the tragic incident cast a shadow over the evening.