Rooters rockers Dispatch released Yellowjacket, their ninth studio album, in June via Bomber Records/AWAL Recordings. The dynamic duo of jam bands are on tour in support of the album, and they recently performed live at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap.
Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show!
The following article is adapted from a press release.
On July 5 at Wolf Trap, Dispatch spotlighted their new album, Yellowjacket, but also gave a lot of love to their robust back catalog, particularly Bang Bang, the band’s 1997 sophomore record.
Dispatch’s Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan make it clear that they are producing protest music for today’s world:
“For us, this album is a way to acknowledge what our culture is facing and the effects of the abuse of power,” said Stokes. “In this album, you’ll find the effects war has on family in ‘Johnny Whoops,’ the complexity and brilliance of Emily Dickinson’s words in ‘Trinket (ft. John Butler),’ and we pay homage to the great activists of our time alongside Ani DiFranco on “Everyone’s In the Street,” as a reminder of how crucial it is to not sit back idly. But mostly, our goal with this album is for listeners to enjoy the tunes in whatever way, hopefully at times collectively, and in community.”
At Wolf Trap, Dispatch enlisted a slew of openers including John Butler, G. Love and Special Sauce, and Donovan Frankenreiter. And so when the band performed “Trinket” live early in the set, they were joined by John Butler on stage!
Watch the official lyric video for “Trinket” by Dispatch featuring John Butler on YouTube:
Butler returned at the end of the show for an encore performance of “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan, where he, G. Love, and Donavon all joined Dispatch for a big jam on the cover tune.
Earlier in the evening, John Butler played a short set of crowd pleasing favorites, mixing a few selections from his solo career with tunes by the John Butler Trio. Continue scrolling for some photos of John in concert!
Here are some photographs of Dispatch performing live at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap on July 5, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photographs of John Butler opening Dispatch at The Filene Center at Wolf Trap on July 5, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
