For Albany, moe. isn’t just a touring act passing through. This is a band the city has embraced so fully that it declared February 24th “moe. Day” and even named a portion of North Pearl Street in their honor. That shared history was palpable from the first note to the final bow at the Palace Theatre on Saturday, December 27, 2025 as the veteran jam band returned to the historic room to close out their 35th anniversary tour. But the night carried an even deeper resonance. It doubled as a celebratory retirement sendoff for legendary Capital Region concert promoter Greg Bell, a tireless champion who helped put moe. on the map—quite literally—long before the band became a national institution. Feeling less like a concert and more like a living scrapbook, the evening was filled with memories, gratitude, and the unmistakable hum of a community that has grown together for decades. For a band and a city so deeply intertwined, it was a fittingly powerful way to turn the page on the end of an era.

Fare Thee Well: moe helped concert promoter Greg Bell retire in style on 12/27/25.

The festivities began well before the Palace doors opened. Down the street at The Hollow, The Laura Leigh Band and Glass Pony kicked off the pre-show party in dramatic fashion. Two of the most promising up-and-coming acts in the area, Greg Bell has been booking them since the beginning and it just felt right they took part in this special evening too.

Glass Pony and The Laura Leigh Band kicked off the moe. pre-show party at The Hollow on 12/27/25.

Setting a communal tone that felt more like a family reunion than a typical concert night, by the time fans filtered into the Palace around 7 p.m., the buzz downtown was unmistakable. Greeted by the venue’s grand marquee outside, there was a digital display thanking Bell for his years of dedication to the scene. All indications were there. This night was going to be one for the books.

The Palace Theatre marquee on 12/27/25: “Thank You, Greg Bell!”

Opening honors inside the theatre went to Eastbound Jesus who delivered a muscular, roots-driven set of ‘Northern rock.’ Crafting a unique blend of country, bluegrass and folk, these working-class heroes were hand-picked for this gig. EBJ share a rich history with Bell. Not only did he manage them, they are also responsible for creating the long-running festival known as Eastbound Throwdown together. Clearly aware of the occasion’s significance, the band played their hearts out as the room slowly filled in. Saving something special for last, Eastbound Jesus would unveil their spirited original “Grapplin’ Greg” in honor of Bell, complete with a playful Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets tease that brought knowing smiles to longtime locals and scene veterans alike. It was an early reminder that this night was as much about gratitude as it was about music. After a brief break in the action, it was officially time for the main event.

Opening for moe., Eastbound Jesus performed “Grapplin’ Greg” in honor of Bell on 12/27/25.

When moe. finally took the stage, it marked their first appearance at the Palace Theatre since 2023 and a triumphant return to a venue intertwined with their Albany story dating back to 1996. Formed in 1990 at the University at Buffalo, moe. has spent the last three and a half decades carving out a singular place in the jam band universe. Headlining countless festivals from Bonnaroo to the Adirondack Independence, they’ve shared stages with members of the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers Band and created fan-favorite gatherings like moe.down and snoe.down. Through it all, their fiercely loyal “Famoe.ly” has remained the backbone. The past several years have added even more gravity to that journey. The band rebounded from bassist Rob Derhak’s cancer battle only to be sidelined by the pandemic, followed by co-founder Chuck Garvey’s near-fatal stroke. Against all odds, Garvey returned stronger than ever, and in 2025 moe. released Circle of Giants on ATO Records.

Celebrating 35 years, moe. played their final show of the year at the Palace Theatre on 12/27/25.

With keyboardist Nate Wilson now officially in the fold, moe. arrived at the Palace in a reflective yet celebratory mood and it showed from the opening notes. Saturday’s performance unfolded across two sets that felt carefully curated yet joyfully loose. Set one opened with a trio of originals. “All Roads Lead to Home,” “Bat Country,” and “Crab Eyes” immediately established a sense of warmth and purpose. Beaming with smiles, bassist Rob Derhak appeared to be in a particularly good mood early, which is always a good sign and always infectious.

moe. bassist Rob Derhak was all smiles in Albany on 12/27/25.

The band leaned into Wilson’s influence next with a fluid take on “In Stride,” before reviving the long-shelved “She Sends Me,” performed earlier this year for the first time in 12 years. The moment was capped with a reverent and beautifully executed cover of the Allman Brothers Band’s “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” a nod to the musical lineage that has always informed moe.’s improvisational ethos. Rather than closing on a cover, the band pivoted seamlessly into “Four,” bringing the set full circle with confidence and restraint.

Guitarist Al Schnier performing with moe. in Albany on 12/27/25.

The second set was pure moe. muscle and flow. Wasting no time diving deep, opening with a sprawling “Moth” that threaded its way through “Billy Goat,” “3-Eyed Serpent,” and “Brent Black,” before looping back into “Moth” to close the frame for an instant classic non-stop sequence. Patient, exploratory, and brimming with the kind of musical conversation that only comes from decades of shared language, this was the kind of stuff that has kept fans coming back again and again for all these years.

Chuck Garvey returned to the Palace on 12/27/25 after suffering a life-threatening stroke 4 years ago.

Then came the moment that turned a great show into an unforgettable one. After a brief break, guitarist Al Schnier returned to the stage for what are affectionately known as “Al.nouncements,” and invited Greg Bell out to address the crowd. Bell spoke humbly about this being his final “big” show, before moe. surprised him with a retirement cake and then balloons, each emblazoned with his face and the words “End of an Era.” It truly felt like we were witnessing one.

moe. surprised promoter Greg Bell with a special retirement cake in Albany on 12/27/25.

In Bell’s honor and as a nod to his lifelong love of the Grateful Dead, moe. delivered a scorching, soulful rendition of Bob Weir’s “Cassidy,” before closing the night and their calendar year with the aptly chosen “Downward Facing Dog.”

moe. closed out their 35th year with “Downward Facing Dog” at the Palace Theatre on 12/27/25.

While Bell’s time on the big stage may have ended, the celebration was far from over. Just a few blocks away at Ophelia’s, the Hilltop after-party raged well past 2 a.m. Emotions ran especially high when the man of the hour himself joined Hilltop onstage to sing lead vocals on “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad,” providing a bittersweet, joy-soaked finale to a triumphant last stand. It was special moment and everyone there knew it.

After the party at the Palace, Greg Bell joined Hilltop at Ophelia’s for a cover of “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad.” 12/27/25.

From the band to the fans, from the city to the promoter who helped build its musical backbone, December 27, 2025, was about gratitude as much as it was about music. From all of us at NYS Music, congratulations on your first retirement, Greg Bell. Our utmost appreciation for the countless shows, memories, opportunities, and moments you’ve brought to the Capital Region. Fare thee well and thank you for a real good time.