MOON TAXI SHINE BRIGHT AT MHOW

Rock ‘n’ roll has angst, anger, sex, drugs – you know, all the clichés you’ve heard of the years. It also has unbridled joy and enthusiasm, two things that are never in short supply at Moon Taxi show. That pretty much sums up what lead guitarist and singer, Trevor Terndrup and the band brought to the Music Hall of Williamsburg for the second of their two night New York stand.

Moon Taxi

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Terndrup looks like he’s having the time of his life out there, almost always beaming from ear-to-ear, even as he’s bending over backwards during a wicked guitar lick. The band stepped in southern rock roots continues to develop a radio friendly sound fueled by guitar riffs that don’t quite get into “Oh look at me” solos but seem to linger well after each song is over.

Moon Taxi

MT

The band began back in the high school days of Terndrup and bassist Tommy Putnam and the interplay between the two is evident of a lifelong friendship. The two craft songs that lift up the audience. That audience is singing along, slapping their hands on the stage and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. And occasionally exchanging high fives and fist bumps with Terndrup and Putnam.

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Moon Taxi

The band played a mix of all their hits, ranging from the bopping sing-along ‘Morocco’ to their stand out closer, ‘All Day All Night’. And along the way they brought out surprises for the crowd like a mythical cover of The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’ that highlighted Terndrups sticky guitar fingers, as well as some wild help on saxophone from Leo Pelligrino, of the viral video subway sensation Too Many Zoo during ‘Make Your Mind Up’.

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Moon Taxi’s stage setup is always one to behold because besides the amazing music, you’ll be treated to one of the best light setups on tour these days. I’m not sure on this, but it felt like the stage at the Music Hall might’ve actually been too small to accommodate all the lights they usually bring on tour with them. Regardless, there was more than enough luminesce coming out of their lights and instruments to make them, and their fans shine all night long.