Full Shows Audio & Recap Video: moe. Returns Following Rob Derhak Cancer Battle

moe. didn’t waste time returning to form following a five-month hiatus, as they played a pair of exceptional shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York this past weekend. The five-piece wasn’t expecting to take a break, but bassist Rob Derhak was diagnosed with cancer and needed to time to undergo treatment and recover. Derhak – who has been declared cancer-free – and his mates filled each concert with one fan favorite after another as well as a handful of new songs that contain the band’s signature sound.

There were so many emotional moments over the course of the two-show run. moe. kicked off their first show back with a fantastic “Rebubula” after Derhak gave a speech, which was greeted by an indescribable roar from the capacity crowd. Other emotion-filled moments from Friday included impresario Peter Shapiro awarding Rob a medal, The Cap unveiling a banner which read “welcome back, rob.,” Derhak beginning “Captain America” where least expected, a spine-tingling “Wind It Up” encore. Watch a recap video documenting the memorable evening:

Head here for a full review and stream T.J. Samulis’ recording:

If Friday was all about emotion, Saturday was all about ass-kicking. Derhak, guitarists Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey, drummer Vinnie Amico and percussionist Jim Loughlin delivered an all-killer, no-filler concert featuring a setlist out of moe.ron’s dreams. moe. opened with “Okayalright” as a montage in honor of Rob was displayed on the walls of the historic venue. Other standout moments included a 20+ minute “Recreational Chemistry,” a goose-bump inducing “St. Augustine” and one of the more ridiculous second sets in the band’s 25+-year career with the debut of Garvey’s outstanding original “New Hope For The New Year” and a wild “Yodelittle” > “George” > “Yodelittle” > “Buster” closing sequence. Here’s J. Cable’s recording:

Setlists

Friday, February 2

Set One: Rebubula > Akimbo, 32 Things, What Can I Say (new Al original), Spine Of A Dog > Plane Crash

Set Two: Silver Sun, LL3 (new Rob original), Moth > Captain America > Hector’s Pillow > Moth > meat. > Moth

Encore: Wind It Up

Saturday, February 3

Set One: Okayalright > Not Coming Down > Wormwood > St. Augustine, I Can Never*, All Roads, Opium**, Recreational Chemistry

Set Two: Brent Black, Mexico, Timmy Tucker, New Hope For The New Year***, Yodelittle > George > Yodelittle > Buster

Encore: Nebraska, Annihilation Blues

* new Jim song live debut, ** Dark Star (Grateful Dead) tease *** new Chuck song live debut