The Tedeschi Trucks Band brought its rock and roll orchestra to Berkeley, CA’s storied Greek Theatre for a midweek outdoor romp that had the fans feeling the blues and the love Tuesday night.
As is often the case, guitarists Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks served as the focus of the loyal TTB fanbase’s love and adoration. Tedeschi’s vocals are as emotive and stirring as her playing, and when she combines those two elements, there are few in the business better than her.
Her husband and six-string co-conspirator Derek Trucks is, himself, a slide guitar prodigy turned adult virtuoso. Trucks has been dropping jaws and blowing minds with his innate talents since his pre-teen years. His 15-year stint in the Allman Brothers Band as its slide guitar player next to Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule) honed him into one of the finest to ever utilize the style—more than living up to the standards set by his uncle, ABB co-founding drummer Butch Trucks. This marriage of Trucks and Tedeschi in soulful harmony was made in blues heaven, and any stage the pair steps on is elevated by their power and presence.
Joining the first family of blues guitar in the front line of melody makers is keyboardist and vocalist Gabe Dixon, and the horn section of Kebbi Williams on saxophone, Ephraim Owens on trumpet, and Elizabeth Lea on trombone. Backed by a trio of powerhouse vocalists acting as the TTB choir are Mike Mattison, Mark Rivers, and Alecia Chakour, who give the band a remarkable range of singers on hand to give every song a flavor all its own. Making all this possible is the rock-solid foundation laid down by the rhythm section of drummers Isaac Eady and Tyler Greenwell, joined by bassist Brandon Boone.
After a warm welcome from San Francisco legend, hippie elder statesman, and Woodstock MC Wavy Gravy, Tedeschi—sans guitar—stretched her vocals on a rip-roaring rendition of The Box Tops‘ classic “The Letter”, which set the tone for the evening. There are many nights when TTB would use this as a set closer, or at the very least a delirious mid-show plateau, and yet here the band was opening with it. A wild sax solo from Williams and incredible work as always by Trucks, who was in mid-show form from his opening notes.
Tedeschi Trucks Band — Greek Theatre — Berkeley, CA — 8/12/25 — Preview
The bulk of the show was the usual Tedeshi Trucks mix of originals like “Laugh About It”, “I Am the Moon”, and “Do I Look Worried” next to covers that range from the obvious, from the likes of The Allman Brothers, Derek & The Dominoes, and the Grateful Dead to more far ranging choices.
In fact, one of the show’s biggest highlights was a methodical take on Prince’s “1999”. TTB slowed down the groove for a towering blues guitar showcase from the fretboard queen herself. Vocalist Mike Mattis poured every ounce of his heart and soul into his turn at lead, and it proved to be a benchmark for the rest of the show to try and match.
The way the Tedeshi Trucks Band, without fail, finds places to feature every player on the stage is impressive, but what’s always even more so is how regularly these moments become show highlights. People expect—demand even—sheer excellence from both Tedeschi and Trucks, understandably. It’s nearly to the point where every note must be soaked in blues energy, but when trombonist Elizabeth Lea drops a heart-wrenching slow jam, it still seems unexpected.
Tedeschi Trucks Band — “Midnight In Harlem” — 8/12/25
[Video: bobxlove]
After taking a quick encore break to compose themselves, the Tredeschi Trucks Band members came back out with a trio of fretboard fire-fueled jawdroppers. First up, the band’s always-welcome take on John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery”, which perfectly flowed into a riveting “Sugaree” Grateful Dead cover, with Tedeschi singing from somewhere, somehow deeper within herself than the rest of the evening.
Either of those two songs, or certainly the pair together, would be enough of an encore to please even the biggest TTB fan. But, for its sign-off to the San Francisco Bay Area, Tedeschi Trucks Band beckoned the crowd, “Let’s Go Get Stoned” with a classic cover by The Coasters, played in the style of Joe Cocker and dripping with inky, concentrated blues power mixed with an almost gospel air. Susan Tedeschi, all smiles, quipped as the song’s final chords echoed out and the audience favored the band with a standing ovation, “I’m looking forward to getting stoned with you” before leading the band off stage.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s amiable ability to perform without ego and share the spotlight runs through every show. No matter how big the band gets, everyone gets a chance in the spotlight, and it’s justified all the way down the line. The care and precision shown off stage and on pays off big when anyone or all of them have their number called. We, the music fans of the world, are lucky to be here in an era when such incredible music is being made and luckier still to be getting nights of sound and merriment like the one the Tedeschi Trucks Band hosted at The Greek Theatre.
Catch the Tedeschi Trucks Band on the Live in 25 tour across the country. Find tickets and tour dates here.
Setlist: Tedeschi Trucks Band | William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre | Berkeley, CA | 8/12/25
Set: The Letter (The Box Tops), Laugh About It, I Am the Moon, Little By Little (Junior Wells), Do I Look Worried, 1999 (Prince), I Want More, Come and Go Blues (Allman Brothers Band), Future Soul, Keep On Growing (Derek & The Dominos), Devil Be Gone, Midnight In Harlem, The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James & His Broom Dusters), Made Up Mind
Encore: Angel From Montgomery (John Prine) > Sugaree (Grateful Dead), Let’s Go Get Stoned (The Coasters)
