moe. celebrated the release of their new studio album What Happened to the LA LAs with an intimate show at New York’s Hiro Ballroom last night. The performance was the band’s first and likely only appearance at the ornate, Japanese-themed club, which is scheduled to close this winter.

Before the show, the members of moe. promised to play their new album in its entirely. While the group did perform all the songs off their 10th studio album, the group did not run through the album in a standard fashion. The evening was divided into two parts: an early event for VIP ticket holders and a general admission show. The early part of the event featured an open bar, sushi and a 45-minute acoustic moe. performance.

moe. opened their acoustic set with the fifth song of LA LAs, “Smoke,” before moving a rearranged version of the older number “Lazarus” that has been renamed “The Bones of Lazarus.” moe. then debuted “One Way Traffic,” the only LA LAs song the group had never played live (bassist Robert Derhak wrote the ditty with a Nashville songwriter for a licensing side gig but LA LAs ‘s producer suggested the band include it on their new album). The quintet then closed out the set with “Shake Your Hips,” the LA LAs track “Suck A Lemon” and a 15-minute “Meat.” At times throughout the performance, female aerial acrobatics performed above the crowd on the club’s series of hoops and poles. The band rearranged a few of their newer songs too: Derhak put down his bass and simply sang during “One Way Traffic” and guitarist Chuck Garvey performed “Suck a Lemon” as a solo number.

After a short break, the rest of the audience entered the room and moe. returned around 11:15 for an extended electric set. Opening with another LA LAs track, “Downward Facing Dog,” the band moved back in time to “St. Augustine,” and then offered “Haze,” “Rainshine” and “Paper Dragon.” The set then came to a close with a run from “Puebla” into “Moth.” Derhak paused during a “Moth” rap to thank the audience for their support and marvel at the fact that moe. has been a band for over 20 years. The same aerial acrobatics performed above the crowd at select points throughout the set.

Around 1 AM, the group returned for a two-song encore:
“Chromatic Nightmare,” the only LA LAs song the band had not performed during the night, and “Rebubula.”

What Happened to the LA LAs was released this morning. Please click here for a review of the new album.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist

I (acoustic): Smoke, The Bones Of Lazarus, One Way Traffic (#), Shake Your Hips, Suck A Lemon (*), meat.

II: Downward Facing Dog>St. Augustine, Haze, Rainshine, Paper Dragon. Puebla>Moth

E: Chromatic Nightmare>Rebubula

(#)First time played, original
(*)Chuck solo