Tonight’s Live Nuggets broadcast on Jamfest takes us back to a pivotal night in the jam-band universe: The String Cheese Incident’s explosive May 5, 2000 show at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. A cornerstone performance from SCI’s early years, this night captures the band at the height of their improvisational powers—effortlessly blending bluegrass, rock, jazz, world rhythms, and cosmic jam into a musical adventure that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.
🎶 Set One: Lift-Off with Guest Firepower
The show launches with the majestic “Land’s End” bleeding seamlessly into “Search”, a combo that immediately sets the tone for a night of deep grooves and spiritual exploration. The pace quickens with a swampy “Cottonmouth”, before hitting a major highlight with a jaw-dropping version of “Birdland”—featuring none other than Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. The Weather Report classic becomes a playground of tight rhythmic exchanges and virtuosic solos.
The set rounds out with the dreamlike “Sweet Melinda > Shine”, a jammy yet melodic stretch that shows off SCI’s ability to pivot from folk-rooted storytelling to improvisational peak-jumping within a heartbeat.
🌌 Set Two: Trance, Funk, and Full Throttle Jams
Opening with the hypnotic “Rivertrance”, the second set dives into one of SCI’s signature compositions. Layered with Celtic textures and tribal pulses, it’s a transportive experience built for the dance floor and the mind.
Then comes “Rollover”, which spirals into the unexpected with a stunning performance of “Lost”, now elevated by the soulful saxophone of Karl Denson. The collaboration injects a fiery funk that merges seamlessly with the band’s jam-band DNA.
As the energy builds, “Drifting Away” provides a moment of introspection before launching into the three-punch finale: the rollicking “Restless Wind”, a ferocious “Outside Inside”, and a thunderous return to “Rollover” for a set-closing crescendo.
🎤 Encore: Bend Down Low > Texas
For the encore, SCI brings the vibes full circle with a reggae-laced “Bend Down Low”, giving the crowd one final groove before delivering a definitive version of “Texas”—a barnburner full of intricate picking, runaway solos, and high-octane group chemistry.
🔥 Why You Can’t Miss This Broadcast
This isn’t just a concert—it’s a moment. The May 5, 2000 Saenger Theatre show represents everything that made early SCI so magnetic: fearless improvisation, genre fluidity, and guest sit-ins that elevated the experience to something transcendent. With appearances by Béla Fleck, the Flecktones, and Karl Denson, this night became a defining snapshot of the jam scene at the turn of the millennium.
So, whether you’re a seasoned Cheesehead or just tuning in to see what the jam fuss is all about, tonight’s Live Nuggets on Jamfest is essential listening.
📻 Live Nuggets airs tonight at 9 PM EST exclusively on Jamfest Radio.