On Saturday, June 10, Pennsylvania rock outfit Ween brought their unique brand of hard rock to the scenic waterfront at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine. Early on, fans were delighted to hear the high-energy funk anthem “Monique the Freak” for only the second time since their reunion after a four-year hiatus. Soon after, an eager crowd was treated to a slowed down, jazzy version of “Take Me Away,” complete with a walking bassline and an extended talk box intro. Fans were also ecstatic to hear the sultry “Your Party,” as the entire audience sang the chorus in unison.
Gene brought out a megaphone to alter his voice on several occasions, most notably during the trudging, creepy classic “Poop Ship Destroyer.” Fan favorite “Ocean Man” featured Gene Ween on mandolin, accompanying Dean on guitar, and Gene displayed his wide range with the crowd-pleasing “Push Th’ Little Daisies.” Ween surprised the audience with a cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young’s 1970’s protest song, “Ohio,” for the first time, which allowed singer Gene Ween to showcase his impressive vocal range once again.
Nearing the end of their set, they played a nearly ten-minute rendition of the punky “I’ll Be Your Johnny on the Spot” that featured a long, patient jam before eventually dropping back into the last chorus. Ween then ended their set with the ethereal “Demon Sweat” before returning to the stage for a lengthy three-song encore. For their encore, they played their oft-covered hit, “Roses are Free” before the scorching, anthemic “Buckingham Green.” They then performed an extended version of the mellow, titular track from “The Mollusk” before bidding the crowd farewell, until next time.
Setlist (courtesy of Brownbase):
Marble Tulip Juicy Tree, Happy Colored Marbles, Bananas and Blow, Monique the Freak, Never Squeal, Fat Lenny> Cold and Wet, The Stallion pt 1, I Gots a Weasel, Your Party, Poopship Destroyer, Take Me Away, Wayne’s Pet Youngin, Seconds, Ocean Man, Even If You Don’t, I’ll Be Your Jonny on the Spot, I Got to Put the Hammer Down, She Fucks Me, Push th’ Little Daisies, Ohio, Big Jilm, Demon Sweat
Encore: Roses Are Free, Buckingham Green, The Mollusk