As part of New Jersey’s expansive North 2 Shore festival, jam-band stalwarts moe. descended upon the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in Red Bank, N.J., on Saturday night, fresh off festival appearances at Northlands and All Good. The show was a highly anticipated stop on their tour supporting their new album, Circle of Giants, and the quintet proved they’re still at the peak of their powers, delivering a performance packed with beloved classics alongside newer releases.
The band’s consistent, dynamic sound is built upon the formidable talents of its members: Rob Derhak (bass/vocals), Chuck Garvey (guitar/vocals), Al Schnier (guitar/vocals), Jim Loughlin (vibraphone/percussion/acoustic guitar), Vinnie Amico (drums), and Nate Wilson (keys/vocals). Their distinct styles weave together to create moe.’s signature sonic tapestry, with grooves forming the bedrock for their intricate jams.
The night kicked off with palpable energy as “Yellow Tiger,” the opening track from Circle of Giants, roared to life, setting a dynamic tone for the evening. The band then expertly wove in a fan favorite, “Living Again,” whose signature spacey transition flowed seamlessly into the driving rhythm of “Bullet.” Their tight interplay was evident during “Calyphornia” and the intricate musicianship of “Head.” The first set culminated in a captivating pairing of Dither’s “Faker” into “The Road,” showcasing moe.’s renowned improvisational prowess and leaving the audience buzzing from this solid run of classic moe. jams.
After a brief intermission, the second set exploded with the undeniably funky “Timmy Tucker,” a classic that always ignites a crowd. The band then delved into the more intricate grooves of “Mar De Ma,” from their No Guts, No Glory album, before returning to the Nate Wilson–penned “Giants” from the new release. The undisputed highlight of the evening was the absolutely monstrous set-closing jam: “Big World” → “Ricky Marten” → “George.” This extended exploration, built on a foundation of classic moe. tracks, was a testament to the band’s legendary live performances, with each member contributing to a swirling vortex of sound.
For the encore, moe. offered up “Letter Home,” a fitting and heartfelt closer for an East Coast show, leaving the Red Bank faithful with a warm glow. From the focused intensity on the musicians’ faces to the ecstatic energy of the crowd, the visual narrative of the night told the story of a truly epic evening filled with both exciting new music and cherished classics. moe. continues to evolve and impress, and their performance in Red Bank was a powerful reminder of why they remain a cornerstone of the live-music scene.
