moe. in Philadelphia at Brooklyn Bowl Philly 3/1/2025
words: Lightwork Exchange photos: Dave Avidan
This past Friday night Moe. returned to Philadelphia for their first headlining gigs since December 31st, 2022. On Saturday, capping off the two-night run at Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia, the band delivered once again. After Friday's performance, expectations were high and loyal Rons were eager for two more sets. The evening was sold out and became a very tough ticket, with many hopeful concert goers searching far and wide in Facebook groups such as "Moe.rons", and the local "Where It's At - Philadelphia Jamily".
Throughout the current Circle of Giants Tour, in support of their new album with the same name, and their 35th anniversary, once lights go down band members have been introduced WWE style as if they are entering a boxing match or WWE event. The announcer asked the Philadelphia crowd "Are you ready to rock and roll?", and as always they replied with enthusiastic applause.
The first set began with two tracks off of their 2003 album, Wormwood. The opening drum notes of Not Coming Down signed blast off and the night officially had begun. Just like the album, the next track was Wormwood, with a seamless segue. Nate Wilson (keys) and Chuck Garvey (guitar) led the Jam with melodic synths and slide guitar solos. "Chuck Side" temporarily became "Chuck Slide". Wormwood took another perfect segue into Fearless, the Pink Floyd cover off of their album, Meddle. The jam peaked having Nate Wilson again lead the way with heavy riffs one could easily headbang to. Even Al Schnier (guitars) was getting into the heavier vibe. It was clear from the start the band was having a great time and completely locked in.
Next was the classic track, Stranger Than Fiction, off of their Tin Cans and Car Tires album. They finally took a break in between songs, which the Philadelphia crowd took as a perfect opportunity to start chanting "Go Birds" until the next song began. The city is still riding high off of The Eagles Super Bowl win over The Kansas City Chiefs. Prestige Worldwide was the next track. This jam featured incredible interplay between Jim Loughlin (percussion), Al, and Chuck. This eventually led into a classic 3 minute Jim xylophone solo, only to be topped off with a ripping Chuck shredfest. The band slowed it down with a Nate Wilson sung Genesis cover, Carpet Crawlers. Following Carpet Crawlers was Four off of No Doy, and Lazarus off of What Happened to the La Las. A common theme throughout, the two songs were segued perfectly almost sounding like one singular track. Before dropping into Lazarus, Four featured a tasty Rob Derhak (Bass) solo.
Set Two, which ultimately became a giant sandwich (cheesesteak?), began with New Hope for the New Year. Likely a nod to the nearby Pennsylvania town of New Hope. New Hope is a hotbed of Ween lore and history. In New Hope, one can find John & Peters, a bar where members of Ween used to host a weekly invitational jam session. New Hope segued right into Ups & Downs, which is off of the new album Circle of Giants. Ups & Downs was followed by another track off of the new album, Yellow Tigers. The catchy hooks and familiar sounds of decades past had the entire Brooklyn Bowl crowd headbanging once again. This is a song that felt like it could fit perfectly in any era of rock & roll. It's one of those songs you feel like you have heard before even the first time listening, and that is said as a compliment. Coming out of Yellow Tigers, the band dropped into one of their oldest songs, Recreational Chemistry. This track is off of their debut album, Headseed. The song overall lasted just under 20 minutes, with the jam weaving in and out of multiple genres and featuring all band members showing off their individual talents, which was another theme of the night. Puebla and Gone were the final two tracks before the band officially topped off the New Hope sandwich and dropped back into the same song the set began with. If you weren't convinced the second set opener was a nod to Ween and the local Philadelphia scene, and still aren't, there's more. The encore featured Al channeling his inner Gener, as the band covered Ween's Freedom of '76. Not to worry .Ron purists, the band concluded the show with the crowd favorite, Captain America.
Overall, the vibes were high, and this was an incredible two-night headlining return to Philadelphia for Moe. The crowd showed their appreciation throughout, and as mentioned before you could tell the band was having an incredible time from the beginning notes. It's truly a beautiful thing to see considering what they have been through over the past few years, with band medical issues to a tragic act of terrorism at their New Years show. The band was completely locked in, jamming most songs into multiple segments, genres, and tempos, and showcasing the best off all the members. Everyone was happy to share the floor with each other. It was very refreshing to see. One could tell this band has been around the block more than once. They are tight, write great songs, and have an infectious stage presence. It was also evident how grateful they were to be playing to the sold out Philadelphia crowd. Please come back to the City of Brotherly love as soon as possible. Until next time, Philadelphia will anxiously await Moe's return to our beautiful city. Maybe a three night Brooklyn Bowl run is in order for the next time around.
Overall, the vibes were high, and this was an incredible two-night headlining return to Philadelphia for Moe. The crowd showed their appreciation throughout, and as mentioned before you could tell the band was having an incredible time from the beginning notes. It's truly a beautiful thing to see considering what they have been through over the past few years, with band medical issues to a tragic act of terrorism at their New Years show. The band was completely locked in, jamming most songs into multiple segments, genres, and tempos, and showcasing the best off all the members. Everyone was happy to share the floor with each other. It was very refreshing to see. One could tell this band has been around the block more than once. They are tight, write great songs, and have an infectious stage presence. It was also evident how grateful they were to be playing to the sold out Philadelphia crowd. Please come back to the City of Brotherly love as soon as possible. Until next time, Philadelphia will anxiously await Moe's return to our beautiful city. Maybe a three night Brooklyn Bowl run is in order for the next time around.
Setlist:
Set I
Not Coming Down
Wormwood
Fearless (Pink Floyd)
Stranger Than Fiction
Prestige Worldwide
Carpet Crawlers (Genesis)
Four
Lazarus
Set II
New Hope for the New Year
Ups and Downs (Rob Derhak)
Yellow Tigers (Ghosts of Jupiter)
Recreational Chemistry
Puebla
Gone
New Hope for the New Year
E:
Freedom of '76 (Ween)
Set I
Not Coming Down
Wormwood
Fearless (Pink Floyd)
Stranger Than Fiction
Prestige Worldwide
Carpet Crawlers (Genesis)
Four
Lazarus
Set II
New Hope for the New Year
Ups and Downs (Rob Derhak)
Yellow Tigers (Ghosts of Jupiter)
Recreational Chemistry
Puebla
Gone
New Hope for the New Year
E:
Freedom of '76 (Ween)
