LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: G. Love, Jay Psaros Band in Canton, MA (03.19.26)
There’s something about catching G. Love in a stripped-down setting that reminds you why his laid-back blend of blues, hip-hop, and feel-good storytelling has endured for decades. Thursday night at Trillium Brewing Company, that vibe was in full effect, as the brewery kicked off its 13th anniversary celebration with the first show in a newly announced live music series—and they couldn’t have picked a better artist to set the tone.
Before G. Love took the stage, the Jay Psaros Band warmed up the room with a solid opening set. Psaros, who also happens to be curating the anniversary lineup for Trillium’s Canton location, clearly understands the assignment: build a community-driven, good-vibes atmosphere that pairs just as well with live music as it does with a hazy IPA. The crowd, a mix of craft beer regulars and longtime fans, settled in early and stayed locked in.
Trillium itself deserves a nod here. Known for helping define the New England IPA boom, they’ve expanded well beyond beer into canned cocktails, seltzers, and spirits—but this anniversary push into live music feels like a natural next step. The Canton space, already a destination, transformed effortlessly into an intimate concert venue, where you could be sipping a fresh pour one minute and standing just feet away from the performer the next.
Fresh off a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Lemonade with G. Love & Special Sauce, G. Love (Garrett Dutton) seemed relaxed, loose, and genuinely happy to be playing a smaller room. If anything, this show felt like a palate cleanser after that run—less about revisiting a specific era and more about bouncing freely through his catalog.
He opened with “Drinkin’ Wine” and “Early Rising,” immediately locking into that signature groove—part front-porch blues, part hip-hop cadence, all charm. The acoustic format stripped the songs down to their core, but nothing felt lost. If anything, tracks like “Girl at the Laundromat” and “Shooting Hoops” hit with a different kind of intimacy, his rhythmic guitar work and easygoing delivery carrying the room.
There was a noticeable absence of Lemonade material—only a single dip into that album—which might have surprised some fans (myself included, since it’s a personal favorite). But after a full tour centered around it, you got the sense he was intentionally mixing things up, keeping it fresh for himself as much as for the audience.
Mid-set highlights like “Baby’s Got Sauce,” “Cold Beverage,” and “The Juice” reminded everyone why those songs have stuck around for so long. They’re effortlessly fun, undeniably catchy, and built for crowd connection—even in a room that didn’t need much convincing. A cover of Rodeo Clowns (originally by Jack Johnson) fit seamlessly into the set, another nod to G. Love’s wide-ranging influences and longtime collaborations.
As always, it wasn’t just about the music. G. Love’s personality is half the show. Whether it was pausing to sing a quick “Happy Birthday” to someone in the crowd or bringing a young kid—possibly a family member—up to help out on a song late in the set, those small, human moments gave the night its heart. It felt less like a performance and more like a hang.
By the time he closed with “The Juice,” the room was fully bought in—smiles all around, beers raised, and that unmistakable post-show buzz that comes from a night that just felt good from start to finish.
As a kickoff to Trillium’s anniversary live music series, this one set the bar high: intimate, community-driven, and musically on point. And for G. Love, it was another reminder that whether he’s headlining bigger venues or playing a brewery floor, the formula doesn’t change—keep it loose, keep it real, and let the good vibes do the rest.
For those already looking ahead, G. Love will be back in the Boston area soon with a very different kind of show, a double bill alongside Chali 2na at Big Night Live on April 23rd, presented by Seshn Events in support of Freedomgrow.org, which is an all volunteer effort to help cannabis prisoners regain freedom while supporting their sacrifices with commissary money, prison outreach and public education. If last night was any indication, he’s bringing the same spirit, just on a slightly bigger stage.
Photos – G. Love, Jay Psaros Band at Trillium Brewing Company in Canton, MA on March 19th:
