Dopapod Says Farewell For Now With Marathon New Year’s Eve Concert In Columbus

Dopapod went out on a high note before beginning an indefinite hiatus. The quartet celebrated New Year’s Eve at Columbus’ Woodlands Tavern with over four hours of music spread among three sets and two encores.

Dopapod — guitarist Rob Compa, keyboardist Eli Winderman, bassist Chuck Jones and drummer Neal “Fro” Evans — announced their decision to take a break at the end of 2024 back in June. The group embarked on the Best Friends Tour this past fall and closed out their latest era as well as the trek with a five-night New Year’s Eve run.

The four-piece delivered a six-song first set featuring original material from throughout their career to get the New Year’s Eve concert underway. “Mucho” opened and was followed by fellow staple “Braindead” and the recently debuted “Clouds.” Next came a standalone “Off The Cuff” ahead of a “Give It A Name” featuring a “Best Friends” tease. The set-closing “Blast” saw former LD Luke Stratton light the band.

Dopapod broke out “Confabulation” to start their second set on the 31st. The song from the 2017 LP MEGAGEM had previously been shelved since that year. The band then covered the “Donkey Kong Country Theme” before linking a run of fan-favorites “Nuggy Jawson,” “Numbers Need Humans” and “Vol. 3 #86” to form the remainder of the frame.

Luke Stratton took the stage at the beginning of the third set and led the crowd in a round of “For They’re Some Jolly Good Fellows.” The band members then returned as the clock approached midnight. Dopapod went with “Bats In A Cave” to close 2024 and welcomed 2025 with the traditional “Auld Lang Syne.” From there, the quartet offered a complete cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” after several fake outs over the previous few evenings and earlier that night.

Compa starred on the ensuing “Starfish,” while Winderman was showcased on the instrumental “Bubble Brain.” Oldie “French Bowling” followed ahead of the beginning of “Onionhead,” which closed the set. Dopapod resumed “Onionhead” to kick off an extended encore that also included “Zonk,” a double-time second take on “Mucho,” unfinished “Indian Grits” and the beloved “FABA.”

The evening wasn’t done yet as Dopapod was accompanied by friends and crew members for a “Best Friends” second encore. Luke Stratton and others got the crowd geared up while the quartet ended the night with the fitting song that celebrated their brotherhood.

Watch a livestream replay of Dopapod’s New Year’s Eve concert below:

Setlist & Photos