I saw moe at the Buckhead Theater on Saturday night. Thus ending a 15-year hiatus from hearing the band in any way, shape, or form. And I am so glad I went. They blew my mind.
As I listened to moe rock the Buckhead Theater I was struck by the amount of Frank Zappa and Allman Brothers I detected in their music. While they’re completely original as a band, it’s clear that Zappa and the Allman Brothers inform their sensibilities. Zappa was most evident in the intricate arrangements, the many moments of musical absurdity, and the incredible level of virtuosity demonstrated by each member of the band. I felt the Allman Brothers coming through in the guitar heavy music, the epic jams, and the laid back and unpretentious nature of the songs and lyrics.
While there’s no need to compare and rank bands, I left Saturday night feeling like moe will be a better match for me than Phish moving forward. Their joy for making music, their engagement with the crowd, and their high level of musicianship remain a winning combo.