Photo by Chris Paul

From my perch on the 3rd floor at the House of Blues Boston the lights went out and the crowd answered with the all familiar cheer of anticipation. Through the dark five glowing white figures emerged from the dark corner of the stage. They took their spots and started prepping for their last show of the year. When the lights came up on moe. the audience cheered the band as they revealed themselves. The year-long theme of wearing suits to celebrate 20 years of playing together was capped off with a set of matching white suits, with spit-polished shined white shoes. (Picture John Lennon from Magical Mystery Tour) With an explosion of white confetti the band launched into a high energy show that had the audience dancing along all night.

“Akimbo” was a great start to the ride that would be the New Year’s show. The jams were soaring from the start and the crowd was ready to go. “Paper Dragon” had a heavier feel to It, contrasting with the band’s white suits and the smoke free House of Blues. This song felt like it had an old soul. I closed my eyes and couldn’t help but feel that “Paper Dragon” would be more at home in a hot steamy bar somewhere down south. You’d listen to it with a cold bottle of beer dripping in your hand. Coming out of the weight of “Paper Dragon” with the “Faker” into the road was a great call. You could see the shape that the set was taking. By the time they got to “Water” we were flying along. Guitarists Chuck Garvey and Al Schnier were like one player as they carried this tune. They traded licks seamlessly. When playing together (same rhythm, different notes) it felt like moe.’s nod to the Allman Brothers’ “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Closing out the first set was “Happy Hour Hero.” It was just ass-kicking with no prisoners taken. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band trickled in to join in this climax to a great set. I was sorry that I had missed the Dirty Dozen’s own opening set.

Set two opened with a groovy “Puebla” into “Lazarus.” “Nebraska” came next and was the highlight for me. I love the energy of the song. Again the Dirty Dozen Brass Band jumped in and took it to their own place. It definitely felt like they were racing the clock to midnight as they came to the end of the song. There was a countdown timer projected on the drop behind the musicians for the entire second set. It worked out as the final chords of the song hit right as the counter reached zero, ringing in the New Year. Just after midnight the band was joined on stage by a collection of their kids for a great cover of Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration.” Looking around the stage it was fun to watch the young drummer more than holding his own. The new horn section: sax, trombone, and 2 trumpets were all business with their licks. The trio of girls singing along (complete with one standing on a milk crate to reach the shared mic) was, like us, watching their brother/friend sitting on stool spinning around playing the tambourine with a drum stick. Again, I’m new to the band, but that moment gave me a little glimpse into what the moe. family has grown into over the last 20 years. “Wind it Up” into “George” had some spacey moments that were a little too far out there for me, but they finished liked they started; blowing the roof off. moe. encored with a kicking version of “Down Boy” and a “Rebubula” that left the crowd wanting more.

I had a great time at the show. I liked looking at the crowd down on the floor. Their night was a high energy, close contact, no rest for the weary, boatload of fun night. I had fun up on the 3rd floor, but was a little envious of the younger, 20 something crowd. They are just starting out seeing shows. I thought back to my 20s on the floor, in the crowd, loving every minute of the show, going home and crashing until noon the next day. At 40 I don’t have that in me like I did then. I miss it, a little, but then again I’m still going to the shows just with a little more comfort.

I’ve only seen moe. a few times and am looking forward to seeing them more and more. Their easygoing stage presence is deceptive given the power of their performance. The music explodes off the stage and fills the room with joy. moe. closed out 2010 and kicked off what looks like a great 2011 in Boston: Umphrey’s McGee, Tea Leaf Green, Furthur, Grace Potter, and the Dispatch reunion all have me looking forward to some great shows. Hope to see you out there.