Andy Frasco & The U.N. Honors moe. With Cover Debut + Hora At Guest-Filled Northlands Set

Andy Frasco & The U.N. filled in for moe. at the Northlands Music & Arts Festival in Swanzey, New Hampshire on Saturday. moe. canceled their appearances at Northlands and Solshine Reverie after suffering a tragic family loss leading Andy Frasco to fit a pair of tributes to moe. into his band’s set at Northlands.

moe. addressed their time away on social media today and confirmed they will indeed hit the road for their summer tour as currently scheduled on July 4 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. “Hey folks. As you likely know, we’ve had some significant losses in recent weeks, which is why we’ve taken some much needed time away from the road to be with our family,” stated moe. “We just wanted to reach out & let you know that we will be back for our Summer Tour, which starts on the 4th of July in Asbury Park, NJ. Thank you all so much for your continued love & support. We look forward to seeing you all soon.”

Andy Frasco & The U.N. unveiled a faithful rendition of the moe. classic “Happy Hour Hero” to kick off their set at Northlands on Saturday. The band slayed the song with guitarist Shawn Eckels nailing the main riff, saxophonist Ernie Chang playing the horn part featured in the studio version, drummer Andee Avila providing a heavy back beat and Frasco singing from the heart, including a “New Hampshire” lyric alteration. Eckels worked the best of moe. guitarists Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey’s solos into his run of riffs accompanied by Chang as bassist Floyd Kellogg crushed the bass part. “Sing it for moe!,” Andy Frasco exclaimed towards the end of the cover debut.

“We love you moe.!” Frasco stated while The U.N. brought “Happy Hour Hero” to a close. Another tribute came later in the set when Andy Frasco jumped into the crowd and led the audience in the traditional Jewish dance the Hora in honor of moe. “We’re not doing this for me for once, we’re doing this for moe.,” Frasco told festivalgoers before the crowd pulled off the Hora to the tune of the Jewish folk song “Hava Negilah,” the U.N. original “What More Can I Say” and “Birdland” by Weather Report.

Watch footage captured from the back of the stage of the Hora honoring moe.:

The rest of Andy Frasco & The U.N.’s set was a guest-filled affair. Mihali and TAUK‘s Isaac Teel contributed to a “Slam Piece” that featured a cover of Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” within, while Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass added to “Life Is Easy” and Cool Cool Cool joined on No Doubt’s “Spiderwebs.” The Horn Section stuck around for “Shake It” before guitarist Eric Krasno shredded on “Somedays.” Vocalist Kanika Moore was the final guest as she contributed to the pairing of “Love Hard” and “Dancin’ Around My Grave” that ended the frame.

Stream an audience recording of Andy Frasco & The U.N.’s Northlands set taped by Mike D.:

Setlist

Set: Happy Hour Hero * (moe.), Walk A Little Taller, Try Not To Die, Slam Piece + > Times Like These (Foo Fighters) > Slam Piece +, Life Is Easy ^, Spiderwebs # (No Doubt), Shake It @, Somedays %, Mature AF, What More Can I Say, The Fish Song, Drivin’ My Life Away (Eddie Rabbitt), Love Hard “, Dancin’ Around My Grave “

• * – First Time Played (moe.)
• + – with Mihali & Issac (Tauk)
• ^ – with Paul Hoffman
• # – with Cool, Cool, Cool (all)
• @ – with Cool, Cool, Cool horns section
• % – with Eric Krasno
• ” – with Kanika Moore