moe. @ Lakewood Theater

Ah, the annual moe. Texas run. It’s always one of the best musical weekends of the year, and it usually hits its apex at Dallas’ famed Lakewood Theater – a favorite venue of band members and moe.rons alike. This year was no different: Dallas got the best show of the run. After seeing a Houston show that was fantastic in terms of playing but disappointing in terms of song selection, I was confident that Friday’s show would combine the incredible musicianship of the night before with a much better setlist and the fact it was Rob’s birthday to form a night of epic proportions. I was not disappointed. Check out my review and video alongside Hash Browns’ pics after the jump.

Words and video by Zach "Bacon" Vernon

Photos by Anna "Hash Browns" Vernon

Though the show wasn’t sold out (and the balcony was closed), the floor was nearly 70% full by the time the show began. We ended up about ten people back, Al.side. “Seat of My Pants” started the night off right, immediately engaging the crowd with its crazy-high calypso energy and alternating metal-tinged jams. A heavy version of “Sensory Deprivation Bank” kept the crowd moving, and its precision diminuendo led into a well-placed “It.”

After this fantastic start, Al addressed the crowd – specifically the guy who had a sign at the Houston show that read “Anything > Brent Black > Anything.” Having satisfied the request for “Brent Black” the night before, Al acknowledged the other part of the sign, mentioning “the guy with the sign requesting ‘Anything’,” and saying the band would play “Strychnine Waltz” – which turned out to be a pleasant jig-like rarity that features some great xylophone work by Jim Loughlin.

The jig theme continued with the eargasm that is “New York City.” The tune highlighted a fact that is demonstrated every time moe. performs – the interplay between Al and Chuck forms the best 2-guitar attack in the jam world. With many two-guitar bands, the two guitarists know the same song… these two guitarists know each other. A piss-n-beer break was necessary after the bladder-shaking dance-bortion that I executed during “NYC,” so I missed most of “Wind it Up.” Luckily we made it back down just as “You can call me Al” was starting. The song’s subject pulled off guitar, keys, vocals, and trumpet with a proficiency that would make Paul Simon smile.

The Al theme continued with his tale of a misbegotten but enjoyable third-world birthday – “Mexico.” During the “cop-said-something-I-didn’t-understand” portion, Rob touched off an only in Texas sing-n-clap-along by quoting “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” and an excellent Al-led jam closed out one of the best sets I’ve seen all year. We spent setbreak on the patio: recapping the fantastic set, admiring the backside of a 2-dollar bill, and listening to a passable reggae band that was performing next door.

“Faker” began the second set. The song’s lyrics kinda bum me out due to the self-reflection they bring on, but “Kyle’s Song” ensured a quick turnaway from any sort of depressive spiral. It led into a solid “Threw it All Away.” After the song, Chuck brought out some birthday cake that Rob grubbed on prior to the next song, “Hi and Lo.”

“Hi and Lo” led into the completion of “Faker.” During this song, we made it up to the closed off balcony to capture some photos and videos from a different angle. I managed to get “She” on video; check it out below:

“She” led into the finish of “Kyle’s Song” and a stellar “Plane Crash” closed out the set. We missed a chunk of the first tune in the encore, a bustout cover of Little Feat's “Willin’,” since we were in the middle of getting kicked off the balcony during the song, but we made it to decent spot before "St. Augustine.” Though not a song I usually think of as a show closer, this was a goddamn perfect choice to cap off a night that catered to the favorite songs of me and my showmate Blair P. God is good indeed.

The Lakewood has been hosting fewer concerts in recent years - something I had erroneously chalked up to other venues’ superiority. After last Friday’s moe. show, I’ve reversed my opinion of its importance to the Dallas music scene. It is absolutely the best room in town for jambands, given its welcoming vibe, trippy décor, stellar acoustics, and space for an expansive lighting rig. Our photographer remarked that it was the nicest crowd she’s ever shot in, a reflection of the friendliness of both moe.rons and Lakewood employees. Though I have only listened to the Austin show, I can still confidently call this the show of the run. And I love having moe. play other cities in Texas buuuutt… 3 nights at the Lakewood would be a freakin’ dream come true.

Setlist
Set I: Seat Of My Pants> Sensory Deprivation Bank> It, Strychnine Waltz> New York City, Wind it up> You Can Call Me Al, Mexico
Set II: Faker> Kyle's Song> Threw It All Away, Hi and Lo> Faker, She> Kyle's Song, Plane Crash
Encore: Willin'> St. Augustine