By Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker and Dan Rozman
The historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC hosted Railroad Earth on January 3rd for the final night of their four-show New Year’s run. The performance marked an important moment in the band’s 25th anniversary tour. It was many fans first chance to see how George Guthrie and Andrew Ryan fit into the group’s established sound.
Built in 1922, The Lincoln became the beating heart of U Street’s “Black Broadway,” hosting Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and countless other legends before falling into disrepair. It was restored in the 1990s. Sound engineer Joel Rose did exceptional work making the room’s acoustics shine, bringing out the clarity in each instrument without losing the warmth.
The seven-piece lineup gave it their all. Todd Sheaffer‘s vocals and acoustic guitar work set the foundation. Tim Carbone‘s violin added emotional depth, especially during the longer jams where he stretched melodies across the room. John Skehan jumped between mandolin and piano, adding texture throughout. Carey Harmon didn’t just keep time on drums but shaped the songs with precise fills and dynamic shifts. Matt Slocum‘s keyboards colored the spaces between instruments. Guthrie’s banjo brought brightness to the traditional bluegrass moments, while Ryan’s bass lines gave the jamming sections their anchor.
The setlist ran deep. “The Hunting Song” clocked in at nearly thirteen minutes early in the show, setting the tone for a night of extended exploration. “Grandfather Mountain” got people on their feet. The crowd sang along throughout the night, fully locked in with the band. The seventeen-minute “Head” became a centerpiece, building slowly before exploding into a full-band jam.
Lighting director Alex Anderson created a visual landscape that evolved with the music. Moving backdrops and carefully timed effects added dimension without becoming a distraction. Online several fans called it one of the most impressive light shows they’d seen from the band.
“Captain Nowhere” stretched across twelve minutes in the second set, giving each member space to explore. Then came “Elko,” and everyone knew what was coming. When Sheaffer sang “Need a card, I need a card, hit me lord, not too hard, oh mama, I need a winning hand,” playing cards flooded through the air and onto the stage. The hobo participation has become as much a part of the song as the lyrics themselves.
The encore brought “Keep Your Eyes Open,” a new track that hints at where the band is heading on their next album. After a quarter century together, they’re still writing and evolving.
Alex Leary recorded the entire show, and it’s streaming at archive.org/details/rre2026-01-03.vwmule. The tour continues with stops throughout the Northeast, South, and Midwest through May. Based on the The Lincoln concert, these shows should not be missed.
