Article and Photos by: Jolene Roderick

CHARLOTTE, NC — Three and a half decades into their career, jam band stalwarts moe. still know how to throw down, and their stop at Charlotte’s Neighborhood Theatre on March 7th was no exception. As part of their 35th anniversary tour, the band delivered an electrifying two-set performance that was equal parts nostalgia and improvisational fireworks—made all the more special by a unique collaboration with a devoted fan.

The first set kicked off with the always-welcome “Head,” setting the tone for a night of deep cuts and fluid transitions. “Bullet” and “Bat Country” kept the energy high before the band treated fans to “In Stride,” one of several selections from their latest album, Circle of Giants. New material continued to shine with “Living Again” and “Queen of Everything” making their way into the mix. By the time the set came full circle with a reprise of “Head,” the crowd was fully locked in.

Set two was a rollercoaster of genre-hopping bliss. “Blue Jeans Pizza” was served up fresh, followed by “Johnny Lineup,” which saw guitarist Chuck Garvey absolutely rip through a bluesy breakdown. A Pink Floyd cover, “Interstellar Overdrive,” sent the room into a psychedelic frenzy before launching into the eerie intro of “Tubing the River Styx” and its thunderous counterpart, “The Pit.” Another highlight from Circle of Giants came with the performance of the album’s title track, “Giants,” further proving that moe. is still evolving and pushing their sound forward. But it was the one-two punch of “Happy Hour Hero” and “32 Things” that left fans euphoric, with the latter closing out the set in triumphant fashion.

For the encore, moe. reached into their bag of classic rock covers and pulled out Deep Purple’s “Space Truckin’,” a fist-pumping finale that sent the Charlotte faithful home buzzing.

What made this show even more memorable was the setlist itself, curated by longtime fan Mike Wright—fondly known as ‘Farmer Mike’—who won the opportunity to write the setlist as part of moe.’s annual Rock the Pink fundraiser. By chance, the show also marked his 100th moe. concert, making the night even more special. Wright, who has been following the band for years, was given the rare chance to collaborate with guitarist Al Schnier to craft the night’s song selection—an opportunity he didn’t take lightly.

“I was able to write the entire setlist a few days before the show,” Wright shared. “Al gave me some guidance and a long list of songs to choose from. The main goal was to have no repeats from the previous five shows. We made a few adjustments the morning of the Charlotte gig to fine-tune the segues.”

“I’m so thankful for Al and moe. for giving me the opportunity to collab with them on the show. The entire experience really was amazing—I think anybody who truly appreciates music has always dreamed of writing a setlist with their favorite band, and I am one of the very few people who can say that they had the opportunity to do that.”

moe.’s Rock the Pink initiative is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a cause close to the band’s heart, raising awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. For those looking to contribute, donations can be made through moe.’s official store, with proceeds directly benefiting the fight against breast cancer.

moe.’s 35th anniversary tour is a testament to their enduring magic—blending classic jam sensibilities with fan engagement in ways that few bands can pull off. From an audience-crafted setlist to the powerful cause behind Rock the Pink, their Charlotte show wasn’t just another gig—it was a communal celebration of music, memory, and meaning. And for one dedicated fan, it was the culmination of a hundred shows’ worth of love for the band that continues to redefine the jam scene.