LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Bill Murray & his Blood Brothers in Boston, MA (01.22.25)
On a cold January night in Boston, comedic legend, the one and only, Bill Murray came to town. Notable for his often dead pan delivery and classic movie roles in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, What About Bob, and Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the crowd this night was made up of a good mix of blues music fans and those wishing to grab some phone videos of the legend in the flesh. Not to perform in a play, not for standup or a benefit – but with his traveling blues rock band.
Made up of well seasoned guitar duo Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, as well as Jimmy Vivino (band leader from Late Night with Conan O’Brien) – Murray has been jamming with these guys since his appearance at The Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas back in 2022. I think everyone expected “Nick The Lounge Singer”, but instead we got to bear witness to a man with a late career resurgence, leaning heavy on some slick Americana and classic rock covers. Seeming to have fun and not take himself too seriously, Bill Murray & his Blood Brothers delivered a loose-limbed, soul-soaked celebration of American music, turning the Boston House of Blues into a communal jukebox where blues, rock, R&B, and pop classics bumped shoulders like old friends at a corner bar.
The evening began with an unintentionally perfect joke. Saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter opened the night (a player from Murray’s Blood Brothers band), though the schedule hilariously billed him as “John Carpenter,” briefly raising hopes that the legendary horror director might score the apocalypse on tenor sax. Instead, Jimmy Carpenter warmed the room with gritty, street-level blues phrasing that set the tone for what followed. It was intimate, human, and refreshingly unpolished.
When the Blood Brothers took the stage with Murray in tow, the vibe shifted into something closer to a late-night jam session than a traditional concert. They opened with “Tell the Truth” by Derek and the Dominos, immediately establishing the band’s deep respect for the blues-rock canon. Murray greeted the crowd with a smile, as he began the night towards the back of the stage behind the conga drums, letting the band do the heavy lifting while he guided the mood. Covers of Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia’s “In My Soul” and “Tooth and Nail” hit with real grit, while “Werewolves of London” brought a room-wide grin that never quite left, really leaning into the vocals in a wildly over the top way, as only Bill could.
The setlist wandered freely and joyfully. Bill came up front and center for the more popular songs and seemed to lay back, getting into his bongo drums bliss, occasionally taking a seat to bask in the glory of the whole scene. Jimmy Vivino was even highlight of the night, trading funky guitar solos with keyboard jams, penned on the song. I actually worked with Late Night with Conan O’Brien back in the year 2000 (yes, like in the old bit “In the year two thousaaaand”) and Jimmy was the most apt crew member in the office to hang with the interns – very personable guy. But I digress.
“Big Ole Brew” brought a country-fried bounce, “Tired of Waiting for You” snapped with garage-rock urgency, and “Little Red Corvette” landed as a surprisingly effective slow-burn groove rather than a pop singalong. “Shotgun” injected pure Motown electricity, while “867-5309 (Jenny)” drew laughter, cheers, and a few shouted phone numbers from the crowd. That one was certainly a highlight for me as Murray made sure he was front and center, belting that one out as wild and silly as he could muster.
“Like a Rolling Stone” followed, sprawling and loose, putting his best “Dylan” foot forward with reckless abandon, arms mostly down with clenched fists. I believe he was having as much fun on stage as the audience was, basking in the absurdity of it all. The band closed with Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With,” a fitting finale that felt less like a curtain call and more like a communal toast.
The night was filled with mugging to the crowd, playing the songs as big and goofy as he could muster. Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers delivered exactly what the night promised: not perfection, not polish, but personality, joy, and a deep love for the songs that shaped them. It was blues, rock, soul, and humor tangled together, the kind of show that leaves you smiling on the way out, humming songs you didn’t expect to hear, and grateful you said yes to something a little out of the ordinary.
Photos – Bill Murray & his Blood Brothers at House of Blues in Boston, MA on January 22nd:
