Pop Break Live: All Roads Runaround Tour featuring Blues Traveler, and moe. at The Stone Pony Summer Stage
Words and Photos by Will Marks
Blues Traveler is killing it on the All Roads Runaround Tour.
The Princeton, New Jersey-based band stopped by the Stone Pony in mid-July and played a show that got the whole place grooving. They are on a co-headlining tour with Moe. and support from G. Love and Special Sauce. You can absolutely see the magic on stage when all these old friends come together and jam on some of their favorite songs.
Blues Traveler took the stage for their own set, which was full of classics off their 1994 album, Four, that everyone was loving. Listening to John Popper play the harmonica gives you the sensation as if there is lightning coursing through your veins. His vocals sound fantastic and the band is just as tight as ever. They are an amazing combination of blues, folk, and great experimental jams that give this band a little something for everyone.
After Blues Traveler finished their set, they invited members of Moe out on stage to perform a set of classic covers that got the place dancing and singing along which made for an amazing night. Popper said to the crowd that this formation was still in its early stages and he wasn’t sure how it was going to go but I think everyone in attendance could agree that it was amazing. Some of the highlights were covers of the “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, “Casey Jones” by The Grateful Dead, “Come Together” by The Beatles. It was really something special to see a wide range of talented musicians and old friends jam together.
Setlist:
Sweet Talking Hippie
Things Are Looking Up
When You Fall Down
Run-Around
(Unknown)
Reach Me
Carolina Blues
Jam
But Anyway Stand
Hook
Moe came back to Asbury Park and melted some faces off! It has been some time since the Buffalo-based jam legends have played the Stone Pony, but they came back last night and ripped it up. They are currently touring on their All Roads Runaround Tour with Blues Traveler and G. Love and Special Sauce. Both Moe and Blues Traveler had their own single sets of music and a special third set which was formed of members of both bands.
The combined set which came right after Blues Traveler and before Moe was a great mix of both bands amazing talent. Watching John Popper shred a harmonica to pieces, mixed with Rob Derhak’s bass lines, and Al Schnier on Mandolin was an amazing experience. You can absolutely tell that you are watching a group of old friends have a great time together on stage. It was nothing but big smiles on everyone’s faces especially when G. Love came out for a great sing along of the Grateful Dead’s “Casey Jones” that got the crowd grooving!
After a brief set break Moe came back out for their set which included songs from their thirty-year catalogue. Some of the set’s highlights included a driving version of Downward Facing Dog which also showcased the bands phenomenal lighting rig which lit up the skies of Asbury Park. Some other classics included great versions of Kyle’s Song, Kids, and a killer encore of Wind It Up. Overall it was a great night of music at the Stone Pony with Moe, Blues Traveler, and G Love. Come back and visit again soon!
Setlist:
Tambourine
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Downward Facing Dog
Porn and Candy
Tubing the River Styx
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The Pit
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Montego
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Kyle’s Song
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Kids
Encore:
Wind It Up
