Some nights just feel bigger than music. Tuesday, September 30 at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock was one of those rare, soul-lifting evenings where grief and joy managed to sit side by side. Where loss could be acknowledged, even embraced, without eclipsing hope. Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, joined by special guests Eggy, delivered a transcendent performance that served as much a celebration of life as it was a concert. For me, it was something more. A moment of light in the heavy shadow left behind after the passing of my mother. It was the first show I’d attended since her funeral services and in many ways, it felt like a continuation of that ceremony. Not a goodbye, but a “thank you” set to music.
I knew something special was in the air before I even got through the doors. On the camel walk from the parking lot, I ran into Jake Brownstein, Eggy’s guitarist, who immediately offered his condolences and pulled me in for a hug. No pretense, no awkwardness. Just pure kindness. And that hit me. Just an hour before playing one of the biggest sets of his career, opening for a lifelong musical hero, Jake still made space to care for someone else’s grief. It’s small gestures like that, quiet human moments, that can anchor a soul adrift. That simple hug set the tone for the night, a feeling that this was more of a gathering of chosen family, sharing space in a room filled with laughter, longing, music, and memory. As the clock struck 8pm, the real magic was just about to begin.
First up was a radiant set from Eggy, the Connecticut-based jam-rock quartet that continues to prove why they’re quickly becoming one of the most beloved names in the modern improvisational scene. Composed of Jake Brownstein (guitar, vocals), Dani Battat (keys, vocals), Mike Goodman (bass, vocals), and Alex Bailey (drums, vocals), Eggy draws from a deep well of influences. Think Phish-like spontaneity, Steely Dan sophistication, and the emotional sincerity of bands like The Band and The Grateful Dead. Steadily building their brand with thoughtful songwriting, telepathic jamming, and collective charisma, despite their relative youth, they have the polish of seasoned musicians with old souls.
They opened with “Smile” from their 2024 album Waiting Game, and indeed, smiles bloomed across the barn almost instantly. “Wayless” took us deeper, and then as if the moment couldn’t get more magical, Bruce Hornsby himself stepped out to join the band on piano for “Whoa There.” The sight of Hornsby laughing and exploring the keys alongside a band that grew up idolizing him was goosebump-worthy.
But the real fireworks came during the title track “Waiting Game,” when Eggy brought out Noisemakers guitarist Gibb Droll and mandolinist John Mailander. What followed was a jam so joyful and unrestrained it felt like a conversation between generations. Jake, Gibb, and John found a shared musical language, falling to their knees in a blissed-out trance as they traded soaring solos. It was a moment of pure, wide-eyed wonder and we were all living in it.
By the time Eggy closed with “Parceled Serotonin,” the energy in the room was euphoric yet tender. It felt like something meaningful had just happened, like doors were opening not just for Eggy’s future, but for everyone who needed a reminder that good things can still happen, even in hard times.
After a short intermission, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers stepped into the spotlight. A musical giant with roots in jazz, classical, folk, and rock, Hornsby first rose to fame in the 1980s and later spent time as a cherished collaborator with the Grateful Dead. His music always evolving and always deeply human, has long walked the line between celebration and reflection.
They opened with “Resting Place,” setting the tone for a set that would embrace all of life’s complexities. As the song grew, Dani Battat re-emerged to join Hornsby on a second keyboard. Jake followed with his guitar, and before long, Eggy’s bassist Mike Goodman was back onstage for “Line in the Dust,” a personal favorite of his, and a perfect fit for the moment.
What happened next with “My Resolve” was nothing short of spiritual. The entire Eggy crew locked in with Hornsby and The Noisemakers like they’d been playing together for decades. You could see it in their eyes. Reverence, gratitude, confidence and focus. These weren’t starstruck musicians. These were peers, stepping into a moment they’d only ever dreamed of. Hornsby, a master at work and ever the generous bandleader, joked about Eggy needing a group hug backstage. You could tell he understood what that moment had meant to them. The camaraderie was real, the music elevated, and the barn itself, nestled in the heart of Woodstock’s hallowed music history, felt alive with spirit.
“Across the River” carried the emotional weight of the evening, feeling like the universe had slipped a small note into my hand that read: “You’re in the right place.” Meanwhile, “Mandolin Rain” brought out the heartstrings with John Mailander’s exquisite playing. Then came “Funhouse,” where the entire barn joined in a shared bliss that blurred the line between performer and audience. The chosen family energy was unmistakable, everyone in the room was part of something bigger.The affection on that stage was real. It was the kind of night where boundaries dissolved, between artist and fan, mentor and mentee, grief and healing. Even in sorrow, joy can find us.
As the evening wore on, Hornsby led the band to the center of the stage, gathering around dulcimers for a rootsy, communal segment featuring “Dreaded Spoon,” “MIA in M.I.A.M.I.,” and “TSA Man.” These songs felt stripped of ego, just a wink from some worldclass musicians telling stories, having fun, and inviting us into their world.
“Over the Rise” and “Great Divide” felt like hymns in their own right, soft prayers for anyone who’s ever carried a quiet ache in their chest. And then came the encore, “Nobody There But Me,” a song Hornsby originally wrote for the great Willie Nelson. It landed with the weight of a benediction. The lights low, the crowd hushed, and every heart in the room stitched just a little tighter together.
As we filed out into the cool Woodstock night, snippets of conversation floated through the air. I overheard a fan say, “That might have been the best show I’ve ever seen.” Maybe they say that every time? Maybe that’s the point. Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers don’t just play shows, they create experiences that land differently each time, depending on what you bring with you.
For two nights in a cozy barn in Bearsville, something bigger than music happened. Bruce Hornsby, ever the generous guide, made space for the next generation to shine. Eggy rose to the occasion with grace and gratitude. And I, someone quietly grieving in the back of the room, walked away with my heart full.
I may not know exactly how to respond when someone says, “Sorry for your loss.” But I do know how it feels when music carries you through it. I brought my baggage. I brought my questions. And I left with something lighter. To see Eggy standing onstage with one of their heros, matching him step for step, felt like watching the next chapter write itself in real time. Their gratitude was palpable. Their performance, undeniable. For anyone still sleeping on them, now is the time to pay attention.
It’s hard to explain how music finds us exactly when we need it most. Sometimes, it’s the words. Other times, it’s just the feeling. A glance from the stage, a chorus sung in unison, or a hug in the parking lot before the first note even sounds. Before the show, I wasn’t sure if I could hold both grief and gratitude at the same time. But as the night unfolded, I realized this collaboritive performance was more of a kind of musical memorial, an unexpected celebration of life, community, and continuity. Not just for my mom, but for Edward “Eggy” Torrence, too, and for anyone going through something heavy, this show was a gentle nudge to keep going. The music won’t take the pain away, but if you’re lucky, it might give you just enough light to take one more step forward.
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers return to the stage with Eggy for their final shared show together on October 4th at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT. If you’re able to, go. You may just witness something that stays with you forever.
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers | September 30, 2025 | Bearsville Theater | Woodstock, NY
Setlist: Resting Place, Stanger on the Mountain, Line in the Dust, My Resolve, Across the River, Mandolin Rain, Funhouse,Tango King, Dreaded Spoon*, MIA in M.I.A.M.I.*, TSA Man*, Over the Rise, Great Divide.
Encore: Nobody There But Me.
*songs performed with a dulcimer.
** Members of Eggy joined the Noisemakers for the first 4 songs and “Funhouse.”
Eggy | September 30, 2025 | Bearsville Theater | Woodstock, NY
Setlist: Smile, Wayless, Whoa There (1), Waiting Game (2), Parceled Serotonin.
[1] w/ Bruce Hornsby on piano.
[2] w/ Gibb Droll on guitar and John Mailander on mandolin.
In memory of Edward “Eggy” Torrence, Susan Radick and to all those we carry with us — may the music never stop.
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