If you were lucky enough to attend the Fare Thee Well Dead shows in summer of 2015, you were treated to the first listen of specially commissioned music from Neal Casal with a band named Circles Around the Sun during the set breaks. The instrumental grooves are rooted in the Grateful Dead, but are fully their own.

Circles Around the Sun made their debut performance at LOCKN’ this summer to rave reviews. Neal and the crew are back for a three-gig tour that included this show in D.C., the Brooklyn Bowl and the final show tonight in Stroudsburg, PA.

The recording here is of the band’s second ever performance. By the sound of the jams it sounds like these guys have been touring all year. The songs are extended and the jams are sublime. Neal Casal is on fire. I could (and will be listening) to this recording all day.

Thanks to Alex Leary for the great recording and Neil M for upping it to YouTube.

Set One
Scarlotta’s Magnolias
Saturday’s Children
Gilbert’s Groove

Set Two
Farewell Franklin’s
Space Wheel

Neal Casal – guitar
Adam MacDougall – keys
Mark Levy – drums
Dan Horne – bass