West Springfield, MA – New England’s largest fair isn’t just about fried dough, Cream Puffs, and Ferris wheels. The Big E has long doubled as one of the region’s premier concert venues, booking heavyweights across genres. This year, the Arena lit up with a powerhouse double bill: JJ Grey & Mofro bringing swamp-soul grit, and Gov’t Mule, led by the legendary Warren Haynes, delivering a barn-burning set that reminded everyone why they’re one of the great live bands of our time.
Music has always been central to The Big E’s identity. The fair has hosted an eclectic mix of legends over the years — a tradition that makes nights like this feel larger than life.Some of the Arenas Top 10 Performers include the names of Stevie Nicks, Reba McEntire, KISS, Destiny’s Child, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
That top tier tradition continues in 2025, with a lineup featuring Busta Rhymes & Rick Ross, TLC with Big Boi, The Avett Brothers, Foreigner, The Kid LAROI, and ZZ Top. Meanwhile, the Court of Honor Stage — free with fair admission — keeps music alive all day with acts like Tonic, Sister Hazel, The Stylistics, and The Marshall Tucker Band.
Full gallery of photos of JJ Grey and Mofro by Joel Shover Photography are here.
The festivities kicked of with one of my favorite artists JJ Grey. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, JJ Grey has spent decades perfecting a sound steeped in gospel, funk, and swamp rock. With his band Mofro, Grey sings like a man conjuring spirits — raw, heartfelt, and unafraid to get dirty. Songs from Olustee, his latest album, blended seamlessly with fan favorites, turning his opening set into a swamp-soul revival that felt both deeply personal and joyously communal.
Then came The Mule. Founded in 1994, Gov’t Mule was originally a side project for Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes. Three decades later, they’re a headlining institution. At The Big E, they delivered a sprawling, two-hour journey through blues, rock, and improvisational fire.
Highlights included the haunting Railroad Boy, the soulful I Shall Return, and an electric Slackjaw Jezebel. When Haynes invited JJ
Warren later stretched Fallen Down into a cosmic jam that detoured through the Grateful Dead’s The Other One, the Arena erupted. The closing medley of Mule / I’ve Been Working / Mule was pure thunder.
And then came the encore: Soulshine. Written by Haynes and immortalized by the Allman Brothers, the song has become a hymn for fans everywhere. Under the Big E’s September night sky, Warren’s voice carried like a sermon, reminding everyone that sometimes all we need is a little light — and a little love — to keep going. It was the perfect benediction, the kind only “Uncle Warren” can deliver.
Haynes’ résumé speaks for itself. As a key force behind the Allman Brothers Band revival, the founder of Gov’t Mule, and a prolific solo artist, he has carved out a career that straddles tradition and innovation. Known for his soulful vocals, lyrical guitar solos, and songwriting chops, he’s played with everyone from Phil Lesh & Friends to The Dead to Dave Matthews. At The Big E, his decades of experience and passion radiated through every note.
The Big E crowd may have come for the rides and the food, but they left talking about the music. JJ Grey brought the soul, Gov’t Mule brought the thunder, and Warren Haynes gave us the love we needed with Soulshine. At a fairground that’s seen its share of legends, this night may have been one for the record books.
Go See Live Music….
Till The Next Show… Joel
Full gallery of photos of Gov’t Mule by Joel Shover Photography are here.
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