The Stars Align During Two-Night Benefit for Jesse Malin at The Beacon: Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Steven Van Zandt and More

Photo by Vivian Wang

The stars aligned at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 1, and Monday, Dec. 2, as musicians gathered to honor A Benefit for Jesse Malin. The concerts, which served as comeback appearances for the musician, who suffered a spinal stroke in May 2023, showcased his renewed strength and stalwart New York status, exhibited through a pulse of original music, covers, and special guest arrivals, often nodding toward Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin, a tribute LP of Malin’s music. 

Night one began with a fully-fledged return from Malin, who stepped out and treated the packed house to a plethora of originals, pulling from his 2007 contribution, Glitter in the Gutter, and later, touching on New York Before the War (2015) and Sunset Kids (2019) as well as 2021’s Sad and Beautiful World. Mixed with originals was a cover of The Pogues’ “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,” which was separated by “Argentina” before the surprise arrival of Steven Van Zandt on “Turn Up the Mains.” 

A highlight of night one had to be the aptly placed “Aftermath,” performed solo by Malin in striking fashion, and in consideration of his health struggles, before the backing band returned to assist the lead with a final offering of songs [from the host and his band], including a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Sway.” 

Next, admirers showed up, paying tribute to Malin. Dinosaur Jr.’s J. Mascis played his band’s co-release with the subject, delivering “Brooklyn” before Danny Clinch’s arrival. The photographer and musician added his thing to “Almost Grown,” a tune he recorded with Malin, and Daniel Donato as a contribution to the Silver Patron Saints. Paul Garisto, the drummer in Malin’s band, and backbeat in Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Schrager lent their collective prowess on “All Bets Are Off” prior to Jakob Dylan’s lead on “Don’t Let Them Take You Down.” 

Guests continued to pay tribute to Malin, with Butch Walker handling “In the Modern World,” Counting Crows’ taking on the fittingly-titled “A Long December,” and Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello’s team-up on the Stones’ “Wild Horses.” Malin returned to the stage to help cap the night with “Green Pastured” featuring Diane Gentille. Swapping guest roles, Catherine Popper took the stage next, to assist Malin with “You Know It’s Day When Atheists Start to Pray.” Ultimately, Malin, Williams, and Costello took vocal duties on The Clash’s aptly titled “Rudie Can’t Fail,” with help from Walker, Clinch, and Danny Sage. 

Night two continued the same celebratory feel as the Sunday concert, with a nearly identical set from Malin and covers from his guests. Despite some cross-over, the latter portion of the event boasted an appearance from actor Matt Dillon, who introduced Mascis–again performing “Brooklyn.” Singer-songwriter Willie Nile served as a new addition to the concert format. Upon his arrival, he treated the audience to Malin’s “All the Way from Moscow.” 

The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson performed “Riding on the Subway,” followed by night one returners Dylan, Counting Crows, and Williams. Williams traded tunes from night one to two, this time performing her number, which felt like a nod toward Malin’s enduring experience, on “New York Comeback.” 

Introductions brought comedian and former SNL cast member Fred Armisen to the stage to clear the way for The Hold Steady, who went on to perform “Death Star.” In time, Clinch arrived, leading the way through “Almost Grown” before Walker gave a similar treatment to “In the Modern World.” After guest slots, Malin returned for a final series of songs to mark the official conclusion of his Beacon comeback, conjuring “Greener Pastures” once more before a cover of The Ramones’ “Rock & Roll Radio” with added help from Walker, Rickie Lee Jones, Adam Weiner, Eugene Hütz, Nile, Clinch, and Don Dilego. 

Capturing his experience, Malin wrote on his official Instagram account after the first night on the Beacon stage, “It felt so good to be home again on the stage last night with my band and with my people. Thank you to everyone who played and everyone who bought a ticket. I have the best fans in the world. I am truly blessed. Let’s do it again tonight! Thank you for all the PMA and love.”

All in all, the concerts served as a testament to Malin’s artistic spirit while capturing the prestige and appreciation of fellow musicians who turned up and paid tribute to a New York favorite. 

With Malin’s Beacon shows complete, he will stay off the road until May 1, 2025, when he takes his Benefit Show across the pond to London’s Islington Assembly Hall. Tickets are sold out. For more information on Malin, visit his official website.