Andy Frasco & The U.N. are no strangers to the rock and roll lifestyle. Continuing a ferocious touring schedule that hasn’t skipped a beat in 15 years, these feel-good curators just kicked off their Days Like These Fall Tour, which features special guests Little Stranger and Paul McDonald on select dates.

From its members to its song topics to its overall energy, every component of this band exudes easy-going (A)-FUN. Frasco and company lit the match on the tour on Friday night at Austin, TX’s The Mohawk, a venue twice the size of Antone’s Nightclub, where they played on their last visit to the Texas capital.

The intimate, rock-cuddled outdoor venue—a crucial pillar of the Red River Cultural District in the Live Music Capital of the World—buzzed with Friday night energy as the room began to fill out. Philly-born Charleston residents Kevin Shields and John Shields, better known as Little Stranger, launched the night with their melodically infectious, genre-busting, hip-hop-infused tunes.

After Little Stranger finished riling up the crowd, Andy Frasco (vocals, keys), Shawn Eckels (guitar), Ernie Chang (Saxophone), Chris Lorentz (bass guitar), and Andee Avila (drums) appeared from side stage. Welcome to Texas, partners.

The night delivered a choice array of unreleased tunes, classic joints, and a prime Talking Heads cover/remix. The party-rockers opened with “High On Our Own Supply” with their characteristically vivacious energy. The band transitioned immediately into maximalist hard rock favorite “The Walk” with Frasco orchestrating the crowd to get low, back up, and waste no time shaking off those cobwebs. The song also featured a sit-in from Spoonfed Tribe‘s Matt and Chad Cocuzza.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. ft. Matt Cocuzza, Chad Cocuzza – “The Walk” (Drum Solo) – 10/20/22

[Video: Sydney Paschall]

The sweet, soulful “Love, Come Down” off 2019’s Change of Pace added some light to the atmosphere before Mary Jane hijacked the band’s attention for unreleased stoner ode “I Miss Getting High” and Wash, Rinse, Repeat toke-up track “Puff Break”. The U.N. shifted to harder rock and loose-cannon blues levels next with “Let’s Talk About It (Sex & Drugs)” before switching things up completely up with “What More Can I Say”.

This is when the fiasco went full Frasco. The leader of the attraction dismounted the tage, parted the crowd like Moses at the Red Sea, and did some “soul train in this motherf—er” with a dude who was “tripping his d— off” before converting the vibe into a straight-up Funktowny Horah for the requisite Frasco dance party.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. – Andy In The Crowd – 10/20/22

[Video: Sydney Paschall]

The band moved forward on a note of heartfelt authenticity with “Change of Pace” and “None of Those Things”, the latter of which featured sit-ins from Little Stranger, a little weirdness involving a “Dolly Parton-off,” and even a little saliva-swapping. A pleasant surprise came next by way of a Talking Heads “Life During Wartime” cover complete with David Byrne dance moves and added hip-hop flows by Little Stranger.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. ft. Little Stranger – “Life During Wartime” (Talking Heads) – 10/20/22

[Video: Sydney Paschall]

The night continued coasting with “Into the Blue” and “Dancin’ Around My Grave” before Andy’s lifelong best friend, Dolav Cohen, joined the group on stage for a toast to life, love, and the pursuit of passion. The lighthearted and whimsical “Dream” came before “Struggle”, which once again featured Matt and Chad Cocuzza on some unwavering added percussion. After closing their set with the title track from 2020’s Keep On Keepin’ On, Andy Frasco & The U.N. once again welcomed Little Stranger to the stage to seal the deal with an encore rendition of their new collaboration, “Oh, What A Life“.

What a life it is on Frasco tour… It is safe to say that Andy Frasco is a rare species, a fervor-filled frontman, a moving motivational speaker, a fun-time curator, and a rally pal for anyone who needs it. Catch Andy Frasco & The U.N.’s remaining fall tour dates, buy merchandise, and stream their music to make your life a little more cheerful today. For a full list of dates and more info, head here.