The Soulshine benefit concert at Madison Square Garden on November 24, 2024, wasn’t just a show; it was a four-and-a-half-hour masterclass in community and collaboration. The benefit was named after the Warren Haynes composition “Soulshine,” as Haynes is an Asheville, NC native whose family still lives in the area. The evening carried the DNA of Warren Haynes’ annual Christmas Jam but amplified for the scale of Madison Square Garden. The production moved with impressive speed, alternating between full-band sets and intimate acoustic interludes to keep the energy high. Large screens displayed footage from the hurricane-impacted zones, a sobering reminder of why the sold-out crowd was there. The benefit was named after the Warren Haynes composition “Soulshine,” as Haynes is an Asheville, NC native whose family still lives in the area. The concert took place immediately following Dave Matthews Band’s two-night stand at Madison Square Garden on November 22 and 23. The initial roster of performers also included Warren Haynes Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, and Goose, along with guest artists Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Organized by Warren Haynes and Dave Matthews to aid hurricane relief for Western North Carolina and Florida, the event raised over $4.5 million, proving that the jam band scene has a heart as big as its setlists.
Performance Highlights
1. The Opening Duet – The night fittingly began with the namesake song, “Soulshine.” Warren Haynes and Dave Matthews stood alone on stage for an acoustic rendition that set a soulful, communal tone. It was a rare, stripped-back moment before the evening’s electric fireworks began.
2. Goose’s MSG Debut – For Goose, this was a career milestone. They treated their first-ever Garden performance with the intensity it deserved.
3. The highlight was a cover of Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is,” featuring Dave Matthews on vocals and guitar.
4. The Guest List: They also welcomed Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi for a blistering cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Baby Don’t You Do It,” signaling early on that tonight was all about the “sit-in.”
The Warren Haynes Band & The Allman Legacy
As an Asheville native, Haynes was the emotional anchor of the night. His set leaned heavily into his blues-rock roots:
“Whipping Post”: Reunited with former Allman Brothers bandmate Derek Trucks and drummer Joe Russo, Haynes delivered a version of this classic that many fans called the high point of the night.
“Shakedown Street”: A funk-heavy Grateful Dead cover featuring Russo on double drums that turned the Garden into a massive dance floor.
Soulful Roots with Nathaniel Rateliff
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats brought a different texture—pure R&B and vintage soul. The emotional peak of their set was a collaboration with the legendary Mavis Staples on the song “Friendship.” At 85, Staples’ presence felt like a blessing over the entire room.
Dave Matthews Band & The Grand Finale
DMB capped the night with a set that felt more like a victory lap.
“The Weight”: They opened their set by inviting Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi, and Nathaniel Rateliff to share verses on the Band’s classic anthem.
Trey & Dave: In a nod to their long history, Trey joined Dave for an acoustic “Waste” (Phish) and a soaring “Lie in Our Graves.”
The Closer: The night ended with a “stage-full” rendition of “Come Together” by The Beatles. Seeing nearly 20 of the world’s best musicians—from Trombone Shorty to the members of Goose—sharing one stage was a visual and sonic symbol of the night’s purpose.
