Mike and the Moonpies have come a long way since their days as a bar band bringing the dancers to the floor at Austin’s White Horse Saloon. The group has found its footing outside the dance halls and honky tonks of Texas, catching the attention and devotion of a legion of fans thirsty for real-deal country music. This may be part of the moment in time when more down-to-earth artists like Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers have stirred up interest from country music lovers sick of Nashville’s skinny jeans and bro’d out douchebaggery, or it could just be that Mike and the Moonpies are a kick-ass band who put on a helluva live show. Whatever it is helped the band draw a sold-out crowd to Portland, Oregon’s Polaris Hall on Thursday, October 12th.
Following a soulful and rocking opening set from the swaggering Alabama artist Taylor Hunnicutt and her band, the Moonpies hit the stage and ripped right into “Paycheck to Paycheck.” The pretty road song “Beaches of Biloxi” came next before the harmony-driven country rock of “El Camino.” “Steak Night at the Prairie Rose” was a proper barroom anthem and marked the first of several tunes that got the crowd singing along like they were at a Garth Brooks concert. With their fans nicely loosened up, Mike Harmeier took a moment to share the news that the Moonpies would be releasing a new album in early 2024 before playing “Anywhere But Here,” a twangy number that brought to mind early 90s country. Another fast-paced twanger, “Rainy Day,” saw the band unloading serious guitar chops and then cutting loose with their country cover of fellow Austin band Fastball’s 90s hit “The Way,” complete with shimmering pedal steel playing to round it out.
At some point around this time, Harmeier declared “let’s honky tonk a bit” and the band took that as a cue to launch into the lively tune “Bottom of the Pile” only to follow it up with “Smooth Shot of Whiskey,” played as a sad country duet with steel player Zachary Moulton. “Road Crew” also showcased the band’s proficient guitar prowess, with bassist Omar Oyoque keeping them and the audience energized as he stayed in the groove and waved his rock and roll locks to the rhythm. One of the strengths of the Moonpies is their ability to serve as an amalgamation of all the best artists and eras in country music without ever sounding derivative. This might be why their brand of country feels so familiar and has garnered a fervent following. The twinkly ode to questionable choices “You Look Good in Neon” had all the makings of an Alan Jackson tune, while “Mockingbird” felt like a nod to early Steve Earle, and another new tune felt like Harmeier was directly channeling Willie Nelson in his guitar playing and vocals.
Though they were far from their usual haunts in the Lone Star State, Mike and the Moonpies brought the energy of a lively honky tonk to Portland as they had the crowd hootin’ and dancing throughout their set. It’s no surprise that the band just released a live album since the stage is where they thrive. Their full package of impressive guitar chops, clever lyricism, infectious songs, and real country sound with a rock and roll backbone was on full display as they delivered a searing reminder of what makes them one of the best damn touring acts around.
