When moe. and Yonder Mountain String Band decided to team up for a special three show run, the bands could not have picked a more perfect venue for their traveling circus than Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. The unique concert site is a colorful circus tent erected at the bottom of a ski slope, welcome the two groups’ fans with style. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, area residents and fans from across the country to dance the night away to a fun fusion of bluegrass and jam.

In the middle of their busiest run of the year, moe. came in with a full head off steam from a series of well received shows across the Midwest. With a set list that showcased the band’s diversity, moe. once again showed why they are one of the most reliably entertaining bands on the scene. You can never be sure what kind of show you’ll get, but you can rest assured you will leave fully entertained.

Guitarist Chuck Garvey had a wonderful evening, with some stellar glass slide work on a dark and bluesy “White Lightning Turpentine” and a rousing vocal lead on fan favorite “Bullet.” Six string slinger Al Schnier was all over the place musically, with rocking takes on the best/worst birthday song ever, “Mexico,” and wicked solos and some spider monkey like stage climbing antics to fire up the crowd.

Bassist Rob Derhak served as a sonic and visual center to the evenings fun and games. Grinning his mile wide grin he held down the bit time end admirably, funkily slapping his bass with precision and force in perfect balance.  His ability to explore is granted by his excellent rhythm section partners, percussionist Jim Loughlin and drummer Vinnie Amico.

With his impressive mallet work on the marimba and xylophone allowing him to be a more melodic force, Amico shouldered the responsibility of holding down the pocket.  Though he was tasked with the sacred task if keeping the beat alive, Amico still found time to provide copious fills and flourishes throughout the night.  A trancey-dancey “Yodelittle” showed the band at its best, with everyone taking a moment to make the song their own before passing the lead baton.

With a double bill of bands that have a history of collaborations it was no surprise when the two newest members of Yonder, Allie Kral and Jake Jolliff were brought out for a wild and looping take on “32 Things.” Jolliff showed the picking skills that made him a welcome addition to Yonder, while Kral continued her never ending game of musical cat and mouse with her friend Schnier.

After playing an entire Pink Floyd set a few weeks ago, moe. has been peppering choice Floyd covers to their sets, and brought the house down with their choice of encore, “Have A Cigar.” While Garvey showed an impeccable ability to mimic David Gilmour, Schnier had a bit of fun with the lyrics, changing the famous question posed in the tube to ask “Which ones moe.?”

After two hours of blowing minds and entertains the crowd of all ages those in attendance might now have known which one was moe., but there were a fully aware of what the band was capable of, and sorely sad when the lights came up.

Starting the evening off with a bang, Yonder Mountain String Band have become favorites of the area fans, having played packed shows under the Big Top in the past. Greeted by resounding cheers from the already-full house, Yonder brought the audience to their feet with crackling renditions of some of their newest tunes alongside cherished classics.

Banjo plucker Dave Johnston led the band through a loose, funky version of recent release title song “Black Sheep.” Not to be outdone bassist Ben Kaufmann brought a vital energy  to his rendition of “Criminal,” emoting through his vocals with a the passion he could muster.

As always, guitarist Adam Aijala was a study of contrasts, with his serene demeanor disguising the intensity of his concentration. Allie Kral’s aching, soaring bouts of fiddling fury alternately drew cheers and looks of astonishment from the appreciative audience.

Chuck Garvey came out to add a jazzy tone and a smiling counterpoint to Aijala’s straight sound on “Remind Me” as well, during Yonder’s set.  When the two bands decide to see how much fun they can have sharing the stage, the real winners are the fans, and those lucky enough to be under the Big Top got to see a high wire act unlike any other.  The worlds of jam and bluegrass aren’t that far apart, and moe. and Yonder bridge that gap beautifully.

Check out full setlists and a gallery by Rex Thomson, below.

Setlist: Yonder Mountain String Band at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI – 8/31/16

Set: Southern Flavor, Criminal, Black Sheep, All Aboard, New Dusty Miller, All Aboard, Night Out, Sister Golden Hair, Remind Me*, Around You, My Gal

* = w/ Chuck Garvey

Setlist: moe. at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI – 8/31/16

Set: The Road, Assfinger > Kyle’s Song > Mexico, Same Old Story, Understand, White Lightning Turpentine, Yodelittle > Opium, Silver Sun, 32 Things*

Encore: Have A Cigar, Bear Song

* = w/ Allie Kral, Jake Jolliff