After four years, Guster made a return to the Beacon Theatre in New York City on Saturday, November 25. Billed as “A Night of Music & Comedy,” opening the show was comedian Chris Fleming who indeed provided the “Comedy” aspect of the night, followed by a whopping 24-song set by Guster.
Prior to their New York City show, Guster finished a series of early Fall Tour dates and the guys have been on “Dad duty” as Lead Singer Ryan Miller said from the stage, while adding it was “nice to get a chance to be a rock star for one night again.”
Full disclosure, this was my first Guster show, I knew nothing of the band other than the name, didn’t know any of their songs or hits for that matter. Musically, they were great, very tight on stage, all rotating instruments in a very impressive way, at times a full drum kit along with a full percussion station, bass and guitar players constantly switching, as pretty much every single band member sitting down at the keyboard for a song.
The crowd was really interesting as well, a mix of old and young, couples and even parents with their little kids, all singing along to pretty much every single song. Also admirable, was everyone stood up the minute the show started as if they knew what was coming. The band announced a new album that’s done and coming out in 2024, and even played a new track from it “Black Balloon”.
In order to keep things fresh, which as a first-time Guster concert attendee I appreciated, they broke the setup and mid-set embarked on a “Campfire” set, only two mics, seated at the lip of the stage they did six acoustic songs, all of which were fantastic, as the entire crowd sat down and sang along in true campfire style. Complete with a cardboard cutout of a little campfire and lighting to match.
Guster – Beacon Theatre – Saturday, November 25, 2023
Setlist: Diane, The Captain, Center of Attention, Mind Kontrol, Backyard, What You Call Love, Black Balloon, Communication (improv jam), Gangway, Manifest Destiny, Airport Song, Empire State, I Spy, Satellite, The Beginning of the End, Stay With Me Jesus, Happier, Amsterdam, Don’t Go, Come Downstairs and Say Hello, Do You Love Me, Mona Lisa, Terrified, Barrel of a Gun
I’ve known Willie Nile for almost 10 years now, been to countless shows, I’ve shot a dozen music videos for him, and consider him a friend. I was thrilled when he asked me to come shoot his show at City Winery New York on Wednesday, November 22.
Booked as a Career Retrospective, Willie was going to play one song from each of his 16 albums, from his first self-titled from 1980 to his latest The Day The Earth Stood Still from 2021.
Nile’s current band consists of long-time rockers such as Jonny Pisano on Bass, Jimmy K. Bones on lead Guitar, Rob Clores on Keys, and Jon Weber on Drums. For the show at the Winery, he included special guest James Maddock who opened the show and also joined the band on a number of songs as backing vocals and on electric guitar.
Playing to a sold-out crowd, the band hammered through the 18-song setlist, with the various album covers displayed on screens as Willie went one by one and gave a little background on the album and the song before playing it. Willie who turned 75 this year, looking younger than ever, vibrant and full of life and energy, was a sight to behold, a true Rock n’ Roll icon.
Opening the show with a 30-minute solo acoustic set was fantastic singer-songwriter James Maddock whose latest album “Night Works” came out earlier this year, his set included mostly material off that album along with a few old hits. James is currently on tour in Europe until the end of the year but currently resides in Brooklyn, so he’s often playing shows in the New York area and comes highly recommended. Make sure to add him to your radar for 2024.
Willie Nile – City Winery New York – November 22, 2023
Setlist: Vagabond Moon, Golden Down, Places I Have Never Been, Hard Times in America, Across the River, Cell Phones Ringing (In the Pockets of the Dead), You Gotta Be a Buddha (In a Place Like This), Streets of New York, American Ride, Forever Wild, Blowin’ in the Wind (Bob Dylan cover), Children of Paradise, House of a Thousand Guitars, Run Free, One Guitar, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Heaven Help the Lonely, A Hard Day’s Night (The Beatles cover)
The sounds of rock nostalgia echoed through out the historic Landmark Theater in Syracuse on Sunday, as Bush brought their “No Where To Go But Everywhere” tour to the historic theater. Bad Wolves and Eva Under Fire opened the concert.
It can be hard to fathom that Bush have been staples in the music industry for nearly 30 years. Led by frontman and heart throb Gavin Rossdale, the multiplatinum selling rockers recently released Loaded; The Greatest Hits 1994-2023, a retrospective chronicle of the band’s discography. Though many of the faces in the band have changed since 1994, they are still led by Gavin Rossdale (vocals, guitar). The remainder of the band consists of Chris Traynor (guitars), Corey Britz (bass guitar), and Nik Hughes (percussion).
The evening kicked off with a high octane set by Eva Under Fire. Led by vocalist Eva Marie, the Detroit natives took the early arriving crowd on a fast paced musical journey. Vocalist Eva Marie took immediate command of the crowd’s attention as she strutted along the platforms that adorned the front of the stage. Midway through their set, the band embraced their role as the opening act, delivering a clever take on Journey’s “Separate Ways.” Eva Marie engaged with the audience at every opportunity, at one point taking the cellphone of a fan (who was attempting to take a mid-set selfie) and sand into the phone as she danced about the stage.
Up next were hard rockers, Bad Wolves. Singer Daniel Laskiewicz crept through the shadows of the stage while performing tracks form the bands four album discography. They would close their set with a cover of the Cranberries hit “Zombie” which saw those in attendance rise to their feet and sing along.
After a dramatic introduction which saw strobe lights dance about the stage in perfect synchrony to drum beats, Gavin Rossdale and his bandmates took to the stage. They wasted no time getting the greatest hits party started, kicking off the evening with their 1994 breakthrough hit, “Everything Zen”. From the familiar opening guitar riff, fans pushed to the front of the stage to catch a closer glimpse of the stars. The band kept the momentum going early, with the intense rocker “Machine Head” and their 1997 hit “Greedy Fly”.
In between songs, Rossdale spoke about the experiences that led him to writing the songs, and encouraged the fans in attendance to reflect back on what the songs meant to them; on the memories of where they were and who they were with when they first heard them. Perhaps the most heartfelt story told by Rossdale was before performing the band’s 2000 hit “Letting the Cables Sleep”, a song written about when Rossdale learned a close friend of his had HIV.
Through out the evening, Rossdale and his bandmates wove through the many eras of the band’s music, with newer tracks like “Flowers On A Grave” and “More Than Machines” proving to be just as strong as the band’s earlier hits. The band would close out the evening with two of their more familiar tracks, a solo rendition of “Glycerine” followed by “Come Down”. Both songs had fans bellowing out the familiar choruses in the theater and as they their way into the streets following the concert.
The John Scofield Trio, featuring Vicente Archer & Bill Stewart, began their residency at The Blue Note in NYC on Tuesday, November 21.
A three-time Grammy winner, Scofield has recently released Uncle John’s Band (ECM), featuring Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart tackling material from Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man” to Neil Young’s “Old Man”, Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere” and Miles Davis classic “Budo.”
While there has been a John Scofield Trio at play since the late 70’s, remaining his undisputed favorite format for live performance, this newest incarnation has Scofield on guitar, bassist Vicente Archer, and drummer Bill Stewart, sailing through tightly knit sets that typify the musical diversity that has colored Scofield’s long career.
There are two shows a night during this current John Scofield Trio residency at The Blue Note NYC, through November 26. Tickets and more info can be found here.
On Saturday, November 19, Eggy delivered an electric performance to a euphoric, sold out crowd at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. Before the show started, fans lined up braving the cold in anticipation as attendee hopefuls threw the classic sole finger in the air aiming for a miracle.Â
Hailing from Woodbridge, CT, Eggy have previously played the infamous venue opening for The Kitchen Dwellers in April early this year. They now return as headliners, accompanied by the indispensable Stolen Gin as the opening act. Currently in the middle of their fall east coast leg of the tour, Eggy has risen to prominence in the last few years, playing all around the country in over 40 states since 2019.
The night commenced to an ominous atmospheric ambience, a prelude to the energy that would soon surge through the venue. The band consists of Jake Brownstein on guitar and vocals, Dani Battat on keys and vocals, Mike Goodman on Bass and vocals, and Alex Bailey on drums and vocals. If live music is akin to flying and landing an airplane, this quartet of close knit friends from high school proves worthy pilots. The chemistry between the group resonated resoundingly through the capped out venue, as they guided the audience through an extraordinary musical experience.
Eggy’s sound, a fusion of catchy hooks, melodic interludes and psychedelic jams showcased their ability to carve out a distinct niche in a crowded field of emerging artists. A true highlight of the night was when guitarist Jake Brownstein was concluding a high energy jam, turned his instrument horizontal and pointed it at his bandmate on the keys. As the momentum came to a conclusion, and the final note hit, his guitar turned imaginary gun fired at Dani knocking him to the ground. After a long pause, crawling back up, he grabbed the mic and said, “Missed me” to which the audience roared in laughter.
For New York fans who missed this show and want to catch the next one, they are returning to Brooklyn Bowl early next year on April 24th, 2024! Tickets are on sale now.
Eggy – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg – Saturday, November 17. 2023
Setlist: 12 Pounds of Pain > Come Up Slow, One Stop Shop, A Moments Notice, Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me) > All Wheels Turnin’, Sweat Equity, Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, Time Escaping, Smile Encore: Wayless
Dave Matthews Band recently closed their summer tour, and for a group that’s pretty much been on tour nonstop for the last 20-plus years, they immediately announced their Fall Tour. A very short one that is, with only eight East Coast dates, kicking it off earlier this month on November 7 in Savannah, GA.
As they made their way up the East Coast, the run of shows would come to a close at Madison Square Garden for two sold-out shows.
Highlights from Friday night included guest appearances by Susan Tedeschi on “The Weight”, being joined by Derek Trucks on “All Along The Watchtower” and “Lie In Our Graves”, plus bass from James Genus on “#41”, and trombone and vocals from Trombone Shorty on “Come Together” and trumpet from Jon Faddis on “Jimi Thing” and “Brick House”.
Dave Matthews Band – Madison Square Garden – Friday, November 17
Setlist: Virginia In The Rain, Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back), Straight Shot, Madman’s Eyes, The Best Of Whats Around, She, Walk Around The Moon, The Weight*, All Along The Watchtower*+, Lie In Our Graves+, Spaceman, #41~, Come Together^, Jimi Thing^$, Brick House^$, Warehouse$, Cry Freedom, Pig, So Damn Lucky Encore: Just Breathe#, Pantala Naga Pampa, Rapunzel
* Susan Tedeschi + Derek Trucks ~ James Genus ^ Trombone Shorty $ Jon Faddis # Dave Solo
Saturday night featured a return appearance from Trombone Shorty on “Smooth Rider” and “Crush”, as well as Cory Wong joining for the last five songs of the set – “Tripping Billies,” “So Much To Say,” “Anyone Seen The Bridge,” “Too Much,” and “Ants Marching”
Dave Matthews Band – Madison Square Garden – Friday, November 18
Setlist: Spoon, You Never Know, Monsters, Hunger For The Great Light, Grey Street, American Baby Intro, Break Free, You Might Die Trying, Captain*, Sledgehammer, Smooth Rider+, Crush+, Rooftop, Fool In The Rain, Tripping Billies~, So Much To Say~, Anyone Seen The Bridge~ , Too Much~, Ants Marching~ +
Encore: Baby Blue#, The Last Stop
* Mark Whitfield + Trombone Shorty ~ Cory Wong # Dave Solo
It’s been five months since Half Moon Run were in New York for their album release show on the Rooftop of the Live Nation headquarters. On Friday, November 17, they returned with the purpose of conquering Brooklyn, headlining The Music Hall of Williamsburg, along with support by Le Ren.
Fresh off a Tour of Europe that ended in October, this current tour started in the US in late October and will be running into their home country of Canada until the end of the year.
Half Moon Run hit the stage around 9pm to a very packed and crowded room. Music Hall of Williamsburg is a very small and intimate room, it allows for a great concert experience both in sound and lighting and overall atmosphere. The band got a massive Brooklyn cheer as they hit the stage and wasted no time by starting off the night with their hit song “You Can Let Go”. the Power Trio of Devon Portielje, Conner Molander, and Dylan Phillips captivated the audience with their skill of rotating instrument changes between them, all pretty much-playing everything on stage at one point or another in the show.
The energy at the show was great, the band leaned heavily on songs from the new release Salt as well as the debut album Dark Eyes. The highlight other than the very strong opening was the Encore which consisted of unforgettable performances of “Favourite Boy,” “Fire Escape,” and the finale “Full Circle” which is always amazing to see live.
Here’s hoping they come back to our area in 2024 and play a much bigger venue next time.
Half Moon Run – The Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn – November 17, 2023
Setlist: You Can Let Go, Hotel in Memphis, Everyone’s Moving Out East, Narrow Margins, 9beat, Razorblade, Heartbeat, Gigafire / New Truth, Call Me in the Afternoon, Grow into Love, Alco, Devil May Care, Goodbye Cali,Drug You, Can’t Figure Out What’s Going On, She Wants to Know, Favourite Boy, Fire Escape, Full Circle
Each Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from The Grandstand Jockey’s, Sime Gezus, and Josh Morris.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
The Grandstand Jockeys – “Gun”
The Grandstand Jockeys are from Waterford, New York, combining hard-edge rock with pop sensibilities. Their newest EP &$how is out now. “Gun” from the EP will be played on EQXposure.
Sime Gesuz -“What’s Your Problem”
“I’m laid-back, the quieter dude in the room, just chilling,” said Simon Grimes. Since 2004, Grimes has produced and rhymed under the name Sime Gezus. He hosts a weekly radio show on WSPN College-based 91.1 FM to promote local and underground hip-hop. “What’s Your Problem” is out now.
Josh Morris – “Ready For Your Love”
Hailing from NYC, Josh Morris has cultivated an identity all his own while taking inspiration from artists such as The 1975, Jeff Buckley, and Pearl Jam. Concealed underneath his playful lyrics are conversations we should all be engaging in. The music itself is consistently supported by thoughtfully executed production and laser-focused performances. His first single “Ready For Your Love” is out now.
Crossing the train tracks that led up to the concert venue, a stranger stopped me and asked, “Is this the way Heaven?” “No,” I said. “Basilica Hudson.” While my Field of Dreams film reference was undoubtedly missed on the man, music fans could have sworn they were in heaven on Wednesday night, November 8th, when legendary UK space rockers Spiritualized made their spectacular debut in Hudson, NY. Delivering a spellbinding tour-de-force performance that will be remembered for years to come, it was the kind of show that cracked you open, rearranged your insides, and sent you home wanting to be a more productive person.
Making a rare stateside appearance with only six East Coast dates, fans from all over made it a priority to be there. The unique venue known as Basilica Hudson provided the perfect launching pad for such a formidable occasion. Located in the industrial section of town, Basilica Hudson is actually an old, refurbished glue factory that was originally built in the 1880’s. Now a multi-purpose, energy efficient arts center along the city’s “South Bay” riverfront, many consider the spot to be a crown jewel of Hudson Valley concert halls. On this night it would also serve as our Space Station for the highly anticipated sold-out show that was presented by Chosen Family.
The Spaceman Cometh: Jason Pierce AKA J. Spaceman performing with Spiritualized on 11/8/23.
With the stage set against a starfield backdrop, things lifted off shortly after 8pm. The current Spiritualized juggernaut includes 9 band members spearheaded by our flight commander for the evening, Jason Pierce, better known by some as J. Spaceman. A revered songwriter with an almost cult-like following, it’s been no secret Pierce has been battling a number of health issues in recent years. Clinically pronounced dead twice at one point, indeed every show he plays these days is something of a miracle. Performing seated and wearing his trademark sunglasses, the veteran rocker who turns 58 this month, was showered with adoration and encouragement as the countdown to ignition finally commenced.
Spiritualized performed to a sold out crowd at Basilica Hudson on 11/8/2023.
Like most Spiritualized shows in recent years, “Hey Jane” was selected as the opening number. Blasting off with some infectious high-octane psych-rock, the tone was set for the transformative journey ahead. Sounding massive from the very start, “She Kissed Me (It Felt Like a Hit) kept the raw rock energy going as the room had now filled to capacity. Then hitting the rewind button and taking us back to where it all started, next was a song from the bands debut album, “Shine a Light,” from 1992’s Lazer Guided Melodies. Making this one count, the momentum really started building here, as sprawling layers of sonic distortion and cascading crescendos reached a new level intensity, matching the equally intense, pulsating light show. And just when you thought you couldn’t take it anymore, our captain gently brought us back down, effortlessly guiding the band into the chilled-out hypnotic groove of “I’m Coming Home Again” that conjured up some heavy Velvet Underground vibes.
“If you want a rocket ship, I would be a rocket ship for you” – Lyrics from “Always Together With You”
A beautiful rendition of “A Perfect Miracle” proved to be an early highlight of the set, while “Always Together With You” took on an infectious astral-pop quality that saw Pierce’s lyrics playing up the bands outer space imagery. Cloaked in white robes, the minimal 3-girl gospel choir sounded beautiful together, adding intricate layers of harmony and filling in the space with “ohhhs” and “ahhhs” that contributed a great deal to the overall sound. Up next came a trio of songs from the album many, including Pierce himself, thought might be the bands last; 2018’s And Nothing Hurt. Flowing beautifully from fan favorite “I’m Your Man” into the hard charging “The Morning After,” and then capping it off with “Here it Comes (The Road) Let’s Go,” which from my perspective, received some of the loudest cheers of the evening.
“Labored over these words too long and nothing to behold / Wanted it to be special for you, but it’s just a song” – Jason Pierce
The next portion of the night featured material from Spiritualized’s most recent release Everything Was Beautiful. Starting the sequence off with “Best Thing You Never Had (The D Song),” things got a little weird when suddenly a man jumped over the barricade and onto the stage. Basking in the spotlight for a moment, it was unclear if this was part of the act. As the band played on with perplexed looks of plausible concern, it soon became obvious that it was just some inebriated dude looking for attention. Then attempting to stage dive his way out of the awkward situation, fans in the front made zero attempt to catch him. The resulting splat that followed was amusing to some, but a complete mental distraction for others. To their credit, Spiritualized never missed a single note. If nothing else, the incident seemed to be an ice breaker, for as serious as this performance was, fans realized it was okay to let their hair down a bit as it was still a rock n’ roll show.
Idiot bastard, son of a gun Heaven is easy, your living is done Take it down easy, won’t know what you’ve done And we’re gone.
-Lyrics from The A Song (Laid in Your Arms)
Resetting the coordinates now, the deliberately hypnotic buildup of “Let It Bleed (For Iggy) produced massive moments of introspection and then euphoria, while the hard charging angst of “The A Song (Laid in Your Arms)” furthered the momentum into another deafening climax where Pierce seemingly confronts his demons while pondering over his lasting legacy. Looking even deeper within, Pierce confessed he’s “Damaged” while lamenting the lines “I wanna just close my mind / Feel like I’m floating on a ship out of time.” Soaring forward with cathartic, blissed-out beauty, “Soul on Fire” achieved an almost orchestral peak, despite there being no string or horn section. While the crowd sang along to its repeating chorus, the magnitude of the moment was enough to make the hair on your neck stand up. Acknowledging his struggles with addiction once more, “Sail on Through” would bring the main portion of the show to a jaw-dropping close.
Spiritualized performing in Hudson, NY on 11/8/23.
So long you pretty thing, God save your little soul The music that you played so hard ain’t on your radio And all your dreams and diamond rings and all that rock and roll can bring you Sail on, so long.
-Jason Pierce
After a few moments of silence off stage, Spiritualized would sail on with a passionate rendition of their psychedelic space pop manifesto “So Long You Pretty Thing.” The final song of the night was also the loudest. Encoring with the lone track from the bands 1997 undisputed masterpiece Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating in Space, “Come Together” nearly blew the roof of Basilica Hudson and put an emphatic stamp on a life-affirming performance that simply shook the audience to the core. Standing up and facing them for the first time all night, Pierce would humbly take a bow and gracefully exit to a chorus of both cheers and tears. Mesmerizing and beautiful, heart wrenching, vulnerable and honest, it was the rare type of performance that satisfied all of your senses and filled you with hope. The type of show that made you feel lucky to be alive and grateful for the struggle. A little piece of Heaven right there there in Hudson, NY.
Spiritualized | November 8,2023 | Basilica Hudson | Hudson, NY
Setlist: Hey Jane, She Kissed Me (It Felt Like a Hit), Shine A Light, I’m Coming Home Again, A Perfect Miracle, Always Together With You, I’m Your Man, The Morning After, Here it Comes (The Road) Let’s Go, Best Thing You Never Had (The D Song), Let It Bleed (For Iggy), The A Song (Laid in Your Arms), Damaged, Soul on Fire, Sail on Through
In an exhilarating double-header on November 12th, the vibrant pop trio AJR surprised their New York City fanbase with an extraordinary day of music. The city that shaped their artistic journey witnessed a surprise daytime performance at Madison Square Park, paving the way for an epic night at Irving Plaza to commemorate the release of their latest album, “The Maybe Man.”
From the heart of Chelsea to the iconic Irving Plaza stage, the Met brothers, Adam, Jack, and Ryan, guided their audience through a musical odyssey, unveiling both the fresh creations from their new album and the cherished classics. The unexpected nature of these events added an extra layer of thrill, transforming an ordinary Friday into an extraordinary experience for fans who found themselves captivated by AJR’s distinctive soundscapes and infectious energy.
Hailing from the bustling streets of Chelsea in New York City, AJR is a dynamic pop trio comprised of brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met. Their musical journey began in the living room of their city apartment, where they cultivated a distinctive sound that defies easy categorization, blending pop, indie, and electronic elements. Influenced by the diverse energy of NYC, their breakout single “I’m Ready” showcased their knack for catchy hooks and innovative sampling.
With hits like “Weak” and “Burn the House Down,” AJR has captivated a dedicated fanbase, exploring themes of self-discovery and modern life complexities through their music. Natives of Chelsea, the trio’s artistic DNA is deeply rooted in the city’s diversity and constant buzz, shaping their evolution into one of the most exciting and innovative acts in contemporary music. From the urban landscapes of Chelsea to the global stage, AJR’s journey reflects the enduring spirit of creativity inspired by the heartbeat of New York City.
“The Maybe Man” stands as the latest sonic adventure from the chart-topping trio, AJR. Released on November 10, 2023, this marks their fifth studio album and a notable transition as it becomes the first under their newly inked deal with Mercury Records. The anticipation for the album began to build during their 2022 world tour, where the sneak peek of the unreleased track “I Won’t” served as the catalyst. Fans eagerly speculated on the album’s title, unraveling the mystery on November 12, 2022, as “TMM” was revealed, prompting imaginative guesses like “The Music Men” and “Ten Meter Men.”
Building up to the release, the band strategically dropped singles, including the emotionally charged “God Is Really Real,” a poignant tribute to their father, Gary. The animated teaser video released on August 28, 2023, featuring Jack Met’s journey through various landscapes, culminated in the revelation of the album’s title track, “Maybe Man.” The tour announcement on November 8, which includes 2 shows at Madison Square Garden in April 2024, further underscores the grandeur surrounding this remarkable album release, inviting fans to immerse themselves in the magic of AJR’s musical universe.
The Irving Plaza show itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, pranks, and heartwarming moments that left fans buzzing with excitement. Jack kicked things off with a resolution to be more positive towards Ryan during this album cycle, but true to form, couldn’t resist poking fun at him after the first song, “Maybe Man”. Ryan, on the other hand, shared a humorous anecdote about a dozing-off 10 year old fan during “100 Bad Days,” emphasizing the cyclical enthusiasm whenever eye contact was made.
The band playfully teased the young fan chasing Ryan’s approval and pretended to entertain on fan song requests like “Thirsty” and an impromptu tattoo-drawing session. Jack continued the brotherly teasing, asserting that a young fan was seeking Ryan’s approval, deeming it underrated. Fan interactions included an acapella rendition of “Thirsty” by their photographer Austin, responding to a fan’s sign, and collaboratively drawing a fan’s next tattoo, with Jack humorously criticizing Adam’s addition.
“Steve’s Going to London” became a heartwarming sing-along, and the brothers shared a poignant moment, expressing gratitude for their late father, Gary, whose favorite thing surpassed even pastrami sandwiches (#2) and his sons (#3) — the fans. A Gary chant echoed through the crowd, and Jack revealed their dad heard the new album before his passing.
Drumming up nostalgia, Jack joined in on the drums for “Don’t Throw Out My Legos,” and a production breakdown preceded the track. “Inertia” got its inspiration from a friend’s inertia-laden job at a bank, adding a humorous touch to the performance. The show concluded with a faux farewell, leading into the encore with “Weak” and “2085,” leaving the audience on a high note and cementing AJR’s reputation for unforgettable live performances.
In tandem with the recent album promotion, AJR is making a stop at Rough Trade Records in NYC for an in-store record signing for “The Maybe Man”.
Be sure to also catch the band on their first arena tour this spring when they bring their incredible energy to the stage at Madison Square Garden!
Setlist: Maybe Man, Touchy Feely Fool, Burn the House Down, Sober Up, Yes I’m a Mess, The Dumb Song, 100 Bad Days, DJ is Crying for Help, World’s Smallest Violin, I Won’t, The Good Part, Inertia, Don’t Throw Out My Legos, Steve’s Going to London, Bang Encore: 2085, Weak
