moe. premiered a cover of Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon” on Thursday in Chicago. The debut began the band’s encore for their first of three shows at Thalia Hall.
moe.’s second “pink” cover debut of October following “The Pink Panther Theme” in Buffalo last Saturday comes in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The band is serving as ambassadors for the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign and continued to wear pink clothing/accessories and played some pink instruments in Chicago as they did in Buffalo. Bassist Rob Derhak and guitarist Al Schnier explained moe.’s role in the campaign after a performance of “Crushing” towards the end of last night’s first set as they aim to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
Thursday’s first set was also highlighted by a 30-minute “Happy Hour Hero”/”Waiting For The Punchline” sequence and expansive “Prestige Worldwide” that saw the band explore various soundscapes throughout. “Who You Calling Scared” got last night’s second set underway and was connected to the classic “Y.O.Y.” with a duet from drummer Vinnie Amico and percussionist Jim Loughlin.
moe. jammed “Y.O.Y.” into an adventurous “George” which gave way to “Hector’s Pillow.” The five-piece then took “Moth” deep and followed the ensuing “Nebraska” with the beloved “Recreational Chemistry” to close the set. “Rec Chem” was one of three +20-minute jams delivered by moe. last night.
When the band returned for the encore the stage was bathed in pink lights for their first “Pink Moon.” Derhak handled lead vocals, Schnier played keys and Chuck Garvey utilized an acoustic guitar on the title track from Nick Drake’s 1972 studio album. moe. closed the encore and evening with live staple “Plane Crash.”
Hear an audience recording of last night’s show taped by Michael Frasca below:
Setlist (via moe. FB)
Set One: Happy Hour Hero > Waiting For The Punchline, Prestige Worldwide > Spaz Medicine > (nh) Crushing > (nh) Billy Goat
Set Two: Who You Calling Scared? > Y.O.Y. > George > (nh) Hector’s Pillow > Moth, Nebraska > (nh) Recreational Chemistry
Encore: Pink Moon#, Plane Crash
# – First Time Played (Nick Drake)
