Photo: Paul Citone

On October 18, moe. rolled into Madison, Wis., for a performance at the Barrymore. Prior to the onset of the live show, Saturday afternoon saw massive turn outs from coast to coast, folks of all ages united in solidarity for the second annual No Kings protest, in opposition of Donald Trump’s unconstitutional remarks on a third term and other extensions of leadership. The day’s theme was set by the majority, a tonal match that was also excavated by the band and turned over as a setlist acrostic. 

moe. entered the night with a classic, “Stranger than Fiction” which was knocked down to a simplified “Fiction” for the purposes of the setlist. Building toward the intended message, the group pulled in “Tomorrow is Another Day,” “Recreational Chemistry,” “Ups & Downs” [which originally appeared on Rob Derhak’s pandemic era solo LP], “Mexico” and “Prestige Worldwide,” to complete the first part of the message, while observing the first letter of each song. Keen listeners pieced together the letters to reveal solidarity with the protesters and democracy seekers.

What started during the first set rolled into the second with the concoction of the latter half of their note to fans, which came together as: “Not Coming Down,” into “Opium,” followed by “Kids,” “It,” “New Hope,” “Gone” and “Silver Sun.” When combined the totality of their two set construction read: “F TRUMP NO KINGS.” While the encore didn’t exactly hit on a continued message, the group sensed an opportunity to spark Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar,” in recognition of a job well done. 

Saturday’s use of a setlist to convey a statement built off the band’s previous performance in 2019, when they positioned the first letter of each song titles to convey: “TRUMP IS A LYING ASS.” Read more.

moe.

The Barrymore – Madison, Wis. 

October 18, 2025

Set I:

Fiction 

Tomorrow is Another Day 

Ups & Downs 

Mexico 

Presitge 

Set II:

NCD > 

Opium 

Kids 

It

New Hope

Gone 

Silver Sun 

Enc.: Have a Cigar