Every year, some of the best bands around play at the Pony. From up-and-comers to seasoned acts, from hard rock to chill folk, our calendar fills up fast and gets updated often. And you never know who’ll drop in unannounced. So take a look at who’s up next, inside at the Stone Pony and outside at the Summer Stage.
AFTERMATH
CLASSIC ROCK TRIBUTE
with special guests
Phil Robinson Band
Fire in the Annex
Back to June
Aftermath returns to the Pony with their explosive classic rock show playing music that
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AFTERMATH
CLASSIC ROCK TRIBUTE
with special guests
Phil Robinson Band
Fire in the Annex
Back to June
Aftermath returns to the Pony with their explosive classic rock show playing music that ruled the rocked the world in the ’70s and ’80s. The band can reach into almost any genre of rock always making for unique and interesting set lists — not your usual top hits only. They focus mainly on upbeat songs to keep you rocking all night!
Aftermath SI is: Mary Rock, Mike & Peter Spatola Anthony Surace, Jeff Derenzo, and Rob Colavito.
The 12th Annual SINDERELLA'S BALL
To Support Joan Dancy & PALS (People With ALS)
Music by Moroccan Sheepherders, The Tones, The Strumberry Pie Trio
Tickets: $30 in advance (plus applicable surcharges), $40 at
Event Details
The 12th Annual SINDERELLA’S BALL
To Support Joan Dancy & PALS (People With ALS)
Music by Moroccan Sheepherders, The Tones, The Strumberry Pie Trio
Tickets: $30 in advance (plus applicable surcharges), $40 at the door
Sinderella’s Ball
Saturday, December 6th
Doors open at 7PM
Tickets:
$30 online
$40 at the door
JESSE MALIN
and special guest
A message from Jesse: "I'm really looking forward to going back to The Stone Pony in December. It's always been one of my favorite places and my
Event Details
JESSE MALIN
and special guest
A message from Jesse: “I’m really looking forward to going back to The Stone Pony in December. It’s always been one of my favorite places and my favorite gigs that we do, especially for the holidays. It’s been so long since we’ve played there and so much has happened. I can’t wait to see you there. Please bring a toy for Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 The NIGHT and Community Karma’s holiday toy drive.”
JESSE MALIN
and special guest
A message from Jesse: "I'm really looking forward to going back to The Stone Pony on December 13. It's always been one of my favorite places and
Event Details
JESSE MALIN
and special guest
A message from Jesse: “I’m really looking forward to going back to The Stone Pony on December 13. It’s always been one of my favorite places and my favorite gigs that we do, especially for the holidays. It’s been so long since we’ve played there and so much has happened. I can’t wait to see you there. Please bring a toy for Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 The NIGHT and Community Karma’s holiday toy drive.”
Hungerthon Benefit Concert
Celebrating WhyHunger's 50th Anniversary
Little Steven and members of The Disciples of Soul & The E Street Band with Marc Ribler and special guests Sameer Gadhia & Eric Cannata from Young The Giant, Amy Helm, Yola, Jim Babjak & Dennis Diken of The Smithereens, The
Little Steven and members of The Disciples of Soul & The E Street Band with Marc Ribler and special guests Sameer Gadhia & Eric Cannata from Young The Giant, Amy Helm, Yola, Jim Babjak & Dennis Diken of The Smithereens, The Dixie Dregs, Garry Tallent, Jimmy Vivino Band with Mark Barden, Steve Chapin & The Original Harry Chapin Band featuring Tom Chapin & Jen Chapin, Randy C Moore, an appearance by Danny Clinch, and many more.
LOW CUT CONNIE
with special guests NOT YER BABY
Piano rock is cool again, thanks to Adam Weiner and company, bringing a nostalgic cool to their very now modern rock 'n' roll.
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LOW CUT CONNIE
with special guests NOT YER BABY
Piano rock is cool again, thanks to Adam Weiner and company, bringing a nostalgic cool to their very now modern rock ‘n’ roll. “I think rock ‘n’ roll exists to be a red-blooded, countercultural medium,” says Weiner, who has performed under the Low Cut Connie moniker for more than a decade. “You’re supposed to get your hair messed up,” he says.
Beginning as an impromptu recording session in 2010, Low Cut Connie gradually evolved into a vehicle for Weiner’s songwriting and onstage persona. The band has earned praise for its high-energy live performances, which Los Angeles Weekly described in 2013 as “unmatched in all of rock right now.” NPR Music described Weiner as “masterfully fluent in the foundational languages of Western pop.” Elton John dedicated a song to Low Cut Connie at a concert in Philadelphia last year and Barack Obama put a Low Cut Connie song on a Spotify playlist 10 years ago.
For years now, Low Cut Connie has built its grassroots coalition of oddballs, underdogs and fun-loving weirdos with songs that celebrate life on the fringes of polite society. The band’s infamously wild, passionate live shows provide a total release of stress, inhibition and shame, working up a primordial rock ‘n’ roll sweat for fans to get blissfully soaked in. Come get the full Connie treatment at the Pony for what’s going to be an unforgettable night in Asbury Park.
The Nerds Annual Holiday Show
It's the most nerdy time of the year as the legendary Nerds return to The Stone Pony for their annual holiday show
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The Nerds Annual Holiday Show
It’s the most nerdy time of the year as the legendary Nerds return to The Stone Pony for their annual holiday show with special guests Illegally Blind.
The Nerds have been rocking their home base of the Jersey Shore for over 30 years! From Carnegie Hall, MTV, Network TV to plaid places far and wide, they’ve rocked them all. Join us for what is always a wild holiday party!
SUNDAY SHOWCASE
featuring NJ's Top New Bands
This is where bands start with an opportunity to be considered for bigger Stone Pony and Asbury Park bookings. Who will be the next rising
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SUNDAY SHOWCASE
featuring NJ’s Top New Bands
This is where bands start with an opportunity to be considered for bigger Stone Pony and Asbury Park bookings. Who will be the next rising stars? Join us for an afternoon with some of NJ’s top new talents featuring:
THE BELLAS
KILOTON
BIG MEN
DIZZY LIZARD
NJ WORKSHOP FOR THE ARTS STUDENTS
HARD TO GET
THE UGLY TRUTH
STAFF INFECTION
Door 1:00 Show 1:15 to 7:00pm
All Ages Event
Sign your band up now for a Showcase! This is the best way to get your band moving on to bigger Pony show and events in Asbury Park!
Send band info to > booking@stoneponyonline.com
Tickets $15. Adv / $20. Door
Emo Night Brooklyn: Christmas Show
21+ admitted
Tickets: $17 & up in advance plus applicable surcharges, $23 at the door
Doors at 9 pm, show time 9:30 pm
Welcome to
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Emo Night Brooklyn: Christmas Show
21+ admitted
Tickets: $17 & up in advance plus applicable surcharges, $23 at the door
Doors at 9 pm, show time 9:30 pm
Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a late night DJ based dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams. We may even invite some of your favorite artists and bands to surprise you and join the party. Get ready to scream your lungs out, mosh, and dance to all your favorite songs with all of your favorite people and experience the awesomeness that is Emo Night Brooklyn.
SLIPPERY WHEN WET NJ
The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
SLIPPERY WHEN WET NJ is a premier Bon Jovi tribute band comprised of seasoned veterans from the New Jersey music scene. Sharing the
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SLIPPERY WHEN WET NJ
The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
SLIPPERY WHEN WET NJ is a premier Bon Jovi tribute band comprised of seasoned veterans from the New Jersey music scene. Sharing the same roots and experiences as Jon Bon Jovi and his band, they bring the electrifying energy and New Jersey attitude of Bon Jovi’s 1986 heyday to every performance. For 23 years, SLIPPERY WHEN WET NJ has honed their show to perfection. Lead singer Mike Parkes resembles a young Jon Bon Jovi in both looks and vocal ability, while Radicci’s guitar solos replicate Richie Sambora’s with stunning accuracy. They are backed by a rock-solid rhythm section featuring Sean Faust on keyboards, Ronnie Parkes on bass, and Ron Lipnicki on drums, creating an authentic and unforgettable Bon Jovi experience.
In its 40th anniversary year, Slippery When Wet (the album) will be played in its entirety during this show along with plenty of Bon Jovi hits and fan favorites in a two-hour show.
Special Guest: Kobi Reese
Door 7:00 Show 7:30 to 11:30
Tickets $20. Adv / $25. Dos
THE E STREET SHUFFLE
with Tom Vincent
The E Street Shuffle — Asbury Park’s ONLY tribute to The Boss — turns the big 2-0 in 2026! And to celebrate, their 20th Anniversary
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THE E STREET SHUFFLE
with Tom Vincent
The E Street Shuffle — Asbury Park’s ONLY tribute to The Boss — turns the big 2-0 in 2026! And to celebrate, their 20th Anniversary Concert will take place at the house that Bruce built — The Stone Pony. In honor of their two decades of rockin’, expect an incredible party featuring special guests, free swag, and a thrilling, one-of-a-kind setlist featuring classics, hits and deep cuts from the first two decades of Bruce Springsteen’s career. Bring your song request signs and get ready for the Shuffle’s biggest show of the year! Shuffle over to the Pony for a BOSS of am ESS Celebration! Tom Vincent opens at 7:30, Show to 11:30
Tickets $20. Adv / $25. Dos
An Evening with
RAILROAD EARTH
25th Anniversary Tour
For more than two decades, Railroad Earth has captivated audiences with gleefully unpredictable live shows and eloquent and elevated studio output. The group introduced its
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An Evening with RAILROAD EARTH
25th Anniversary Tour
For more than two decades, Railroad Earth has captivated audiences with gleefully unpredictable live shows and eloquent and elevated studio output. The group introduced its signature sound on 2001’s The Black Bear Sessions. Between selling out hallowed venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre, they’ve launched the longstanding annual Hangtown Music Festival in California and Hillberry: The Harvest Moon Festival in Arkansas — both running for more than a decade. Sought after by legends, the John Denver estate tapped them to put lyrics penned by the late John Denver to music on the 2019 vinyl EP, Railroad Earth: The John Denver Letters. Beyond tallying tens of millions of streams, the collective have earned widespread critical acclaim from David Fricke of Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Glide Magazine, and NPR who assured, “Well-versed in rambling around, as you might expect from a band named after a Jack Kerouac poem, the New Jersey-built jam-grass engine Railroad Earth has let no moss grow under its rustic wheels.”
Light Of Day WinterFest 26 presents
Celebrating Five Decades of Willie Nile
Willie Nile, Grushecky & The Houserockers, Tangiers Blues Band & Friends, Bobby Mahoney, Milly & more
$32 in advance (plus applicable
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Light Of Day WinterFest 26 presents Celebrating Five Decades of Willie Nile
Willie Nile, Grushecky & The Houserockers, Tangiers Blues Band & Friends, Bobby Mahoney, Milly & more
$32 in advance (plus applicable surcharges), $37 at the door
Light Of Day WinterFest 26 presents
Next Generation
Rockit, Maddie Freeman, Krazyer, Dakota Diehl, Rock’n Music Academy, Lakehouse Music and Octopus School
$17 in advance (plus applicable surcharges), $22 at the door
Event Details
Light Of Day WinterFest 26 presents Next Generation
Rockit, Maddie Freeman, Krazyer, Dakota Diehl, Rock’n Music Academy, Lakehouse Music and Octopus School
$17 in advance (plus applicable surcharges), $22 at the door
Damn the Torpedoes
"The Live Tom Petty Concert Experience"
Damn The Torpedoes is the definitive spot-on Petty Tribute.
Every show is a celebration of everything Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Join us at
Event Details
Damn the Torpedoes
“The Live Tom Petty Concert Experience”
Damn The Torpedoes is the definitive spot-on Petty Tribute.
Every show is a celebration of everything Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Join us at the Pony for a two set show loaded with
Petty hits and fan favorites… a must see show for any Petty fan!
DDT is a great live retrospective of the Petty music catalogue.
THE MOVEMENT - VISIONS TOUR 2026
with special guests Tropidelic
Doors: 6:30 PM
Show: 7:30 PM
The Movement has been winning the hearts and minds of alternative-reggae fans since their inception in Columbia, SC
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THE MOVEMENT – VISIONS TOUR 2026
with special guests Tropidelic
Doors: 6:30 PM
Show: 7:30 PM
The Movement has been winning the hearts and minds of alternative-reggae fans since their inception in Columbia, SC in 2003. Drawing inspiration from Sublime, 311, Slightly Stoopid and John Brown’s Body, they’ve made a name for themselves as reggae shapeshifters with a foundation of heavy drum and bass. Today the band consists of founding member, lead vocalist and guitarist Joshua Swain, bassist Jason Schmidt , drummer Gary Jackson, keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Matt Goodwin, and saxophonist/percussionist Kyle Jerome. Their seventh studio album, Ways Of The World (2019) debuted at #1 in the Billboard Reggae Chart, and remained in the Billboard Reggae Top 10 for more than 40 consecutive weeks. The band’s eighth studio album Always With Me – out July 29, 2022 on the band’s R4RE Records imprint – explores new musical territory while staying true to their champion sound. Featuring collaborations from their influences-turned-peers, Slightly Stoopid, Iration, and Clinton Fearon, and contemporaries HIRIE and Soom T, for The Movement, the only path is forward; pushing the boundaries and the future of reggae.
A musical lighthouse, shining a resilient light for everyone that has had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, Tropidelic has arrived on the national stage. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, a city rich in character and music history, this six-piece performance powerhouse carves their own path with an independent mentality. Front man Roads, explores feelings more than sounds, seeing where the emotional travel can take him, while valuing being comfortable and honest. The past year has included a first pitch at a Cleveland Guardians game followed by a live performance for the entire stadium; an adopted highway in their hometown; producing two of their own festivals (Sunny Days and Everwild Music Festival); tens of millions of streams of Tropidelic’s music; appearances at major US festivals such as Beach Life and Tortuga; tours with The Dirty Heads, Lupe Fiasco, 311, and Michael Franti; and their first performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
EDDIE TESTA BAND with the ASBURY JUKES HORNS
The Stone Pony Anniversary Celebration
ETB returns for the Pony's 51st anniversary celebration! Eddie Testa’s big band features the Asbury Jukes Horns and the
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EDDIE TESTA BAND with the ASBURY JUKES HORNS
The Stone Pony Anniversary Celebration
ETB returns for the Pony’s 51st anniversary celebration! Eddie Testa’s big band features the Asbury Jukes Horns and the Testettes (Sheri Davis, Lori Davis and Katie Stempkowski). Join us for a rock ‘n’ soul party like no other — classic R&B along with some ETB and Jukes fan favorites. Asbury Park’s rising star Jake Thistle (full band) and Joe Rapolla (chair of the Monmouth University Music Dept.) open at 7:20. Doors at 7 pm.
SPLINTERED SUNLIGHT
Grateful Date Night Valentines Show
Splintered Sunlight's Grateful Dead Tribute returns for Grateful Date Night, a special Valentines show. Grab your partner and your dancing shoes for what's going to
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SPLINTERED SUNLIGHT
Grateful Date Night Valentines Show
Splintered Sunlight’s Grateful Dead Tribute returns for Grateful Date Night, a special Valentines show. Grab your partner and your dancing shoes for what’s going to be a memorable night at the Pony. Come see why Splintered has been rocking the Pony for 30 years. Always a great time at the Pony with two sets of Dead tunes you know and love. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Door 7:00, Show 7:30 to 11:30.
The Asbury Park Music Awards make a triumphant return!
Beloved celebration of heralded music scene returns after a seven-year hiatus
The highly revered Asbury Park Music Awards are back, reigniting a long-standing
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The Asbury Park Music Awards make a triumphant return!
Beloved celebration of heralded music scene returns after a seven-year hiatus
The highly revered Asbury Park Music Awards are back, reigniting a long-standing tradition of celebrating the original artists who keep Asbury Park’s legendary music scene alive. The 2025 Awards will take place Fri., Feb. 20 at The Stone Pony.
Now presented by the Asbury Park Music Foundation (APMF), the awards were originally founded in 1993 by Scott Stamper of the iconic venue The Saint and Peter Mantas, entertainment director of the former Langosta Lounge, and ran annually through 2018. Known as “the Heart of the Asbury Music Scene,” The Saint closed in 2022, and Stamper has now passed the torch to APMF with his full support.
The 2025 Asbury Park Music Awards will feature 31 categories, including New Music of the Year, Artist of the Year, Musician of the Year, and several Genre-Based Performer of the Year categories. In addition, four special awards will recognize standout music released during the event’s “gap years” from 2019 through 2024.
Nominations are open through Nov. 16, with finalists selected by a committee of local music community members. In January, a series of showcase events will highlight nominated artists across Asbury Park venues. Final voting will combine input from the judging committee, fans, and fellow musicians, culminating in the announcement of winners at the Feb. 20 awards show.
Produced by the Asbury Park Music Foundation, proceeds from the event will support APMF’s mission to provide life-changing music education to under-resourced youth.
Tickets: $25 in advance plus applicable surcharges, $30 at the door
SUIT & MAI TAI
The Ultimate Yacht Rock Experience
Suit & Mai Tai makes their Stone Pony debut! Join us for a yacht rock party like no other. Ahoy! NJ's premiere yacht
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SUIT & MAI TAI
The Ultimate Yacht Rock Experience
Suit & Mai Tai makes their Stone Pony debut! Join us for a yacht rock party like no other. Ahoy! NJ’s premiere yacht rock show sails into The Stone Pony on Sat., Feb. 21. Suit & Mai Tai brings the smooth sounds of yacht rock to life, then cranks it up with a fresh, unexpected edge. With a large following across New Jersey, this seven-piece band has become a staple at top clubs, outdoor festivals, and exclusive private events. They deliver a high-energy, sonically rich show that turns soft rock nostalgia into a full-on experience. Come aboard landlubbers — it’s time to party in yacht rock style!
Fueled by three powerhouse lead vocalists, flawless harmonies, searing guitar work, blazing horns, and a rhythm section that kicks like thunder, Suit & Mai Tai takes audiences on a journey through the best of the ’70s and ’80s- from Christopher Cross, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Toto, Linda Ronstadt and Steely Dan to Styx, The Eagles, Billy Joel, and many more. Think yacht rock classics with grit, mixing in rock anthems with polish. It’s the perfect blend of velvet with voltage.
Their slogan says it all: “Yacht That Rocks.” This isn’t background music. It’s a full-production, crowd-igniting event designed to keep audiences singing, dancing and coming back for more. If you’re looking for a show that needs to deliver both musical excellence and undeniable entertainment, Suit & Mai Tai is the act that brings smooth to the stage — and rocks the boat while they’re at it. Showtime 8 pm.
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Tomorrow We Die Tour
DMTB is a celebration of the music of the Dave Matthews Band - a time machine to a funky tea party in the
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The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Tomorrow We Die Tour
DMTB is a celebration of the music of the Dave Matthews Band – a time machine to a funky tea party in the ’90s, a boisterous era of tape trading, sing-alongs, and exploration into a new sonic landscape spearheaded by complex guitar riffs, soaring violin melodies, smooth sax lines, and explorative-explosive drumming.
Dedicated to recreating that moment in musical history, the DMTB has been honing their craft for over 20 years. Since 2004, the band’s ruthless touring schedule has been unparalleled, playing over 2000 shows in 46 states and 10 countries. The Buffalo, N.Y. based band has successfully paid tribute to the Dave Matthews Band, with heartfelt recreation of DMB’s musical spirit.
The DMTB aims to transport the listener back in time. The band takes inspiration from the classic DMB sound, with immense respect for the original quintet. While including material from the bands later and current catalogs, the goal is to create a well rounded and authentic tribute with attention to details and love for the music they play so honestly. Join us at the Pony for a night of DMB hits and fan favorites!
Door 7:00, Showtime 8:00 – Two set show!
Tickets $22. Adv / $25. Door
Last Dinosaurs
Wellness 10 Year Anniversary Tour
plus elmjack
A decade after their beloved sophomore album Wellness lit up dance floors around the world, Last Dinosaurs are bringing it back to
Event Details
Last Dinosaurs
Wellness 10 Year Anniversary Tour
plus elmjack
A decade after their beloved sophomore album Wellness lit up dance floors around the world, Last Dinosaurs are bringing it back to life – performing the record in full across the U.S. this February and March. Expect wall-to-wall energy, nostalgia, and every shimmering groove that made Wellness a fan favorite. From “Apollo” to “Wurl,” this is your chance to celebrate ten years of pure indie euphoria.
HUNTER HAYES
The Evergreen Tour
with BLÜ EYES
Grammy-nominated, multi-instrumentalist and multi-platinum-selling artist, Hunter Hayes is an embodiment of a musician that embraces evolution and redefines boundaries. Bursting onto the scene with his
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HUNTER HAYES
The Evergreen Tour
with BLÜ EYES
Grammy-nominated, multi-instrumentalist and multi-platinum-selling artist, Hunter Hayes is an embodiment of a musician that embraces evolution and redefines boundaries. Bursting onto the scene with his platinum-certified debut album, Hayes has charted a unique course through the genre-bending path he was destined to explore.
The Louisiana native has amassed over 2 billion on-demand global streams since his debut, with six singles achieving gold and platinum certification. His electrifying on-stage performances have not only stolen the hearts of fans, but have also earned him spots on tours with superstars like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, and resulted in his own sold-out headlining shows across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia.
With more than 50 award nominations and wins, including five Grammy nominations, Hayes’ journey is just getting started.
SILVERSUN PICKUPS
Tenterhooks Tour
Silversun Pickups’ sixth album Physical Thrills came together as a serendipitous accident during a dark time. The LA band began 2020 by touring in support of their record released
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SILVERSUN PICKUPS
Tenterhooks Tour
Silversun Pickups’ sixth album Physical Thrills came together as a serendipitous accident during a dark time. The LA band began 2020 by touring in support of their record released the previous year, Widow’s Weeds. But the pandemic halted those plans, with the members including guitarist and singer Brian Aubert, bassist Nikki Monninger, drummer Christopher Guanlao, and keyboardist Joe Lester, finding themselves stuck at home. In that resting period, Aubert wasn’t focused on Silversun Pickups; instead, he channeled his energy into taking care of his son, Nico, while his wife Tracy worked.
But as much as his focus initially shifted from the band, he couldn’t escape the new melodies germinating in his head. “I would sneak off and start writing these songs, and I didn’t know what they’re for because I didn’t really think about Silversun on any level. I was just doing it to keep myself calm and keep myself company,” says Aubert. The songs were so different from what he’d previously written for Silversun Pickups that he initially thought he was writing a musical. There were “dream shanties,” gentler vocals, horror-inspired sounds, and other exciting new elements coming to mind.
The band finally was able to gather in person for a live-streamed acoustic performance on Halloween for The Dark Zone Network’s virtual music festival Queen Mary, and it was there that Aubert revealed the new material to his bandmates. They readily embraced the new direction—and so did producer Butch Vig. The band reunited with Vig, who first worked with Silversun Pickups on Widow’s Weeds, recording the record at the famed producer and Garbage member’s home.
When Aubert first reached out to Vig, he wasn’t sure if the band was making an EP or a full record; Widow’s Weeds was still fresh for Silversun Pickups. But once Aubert made plans to visit Vig and play him what he had, the music began pouring out. He immediately began recording with Vig, later having the rest of the band join.
Once the band began working on Physical Thrills together, they made some of Silversun Pickups’ most stunning songs yet. The record doesn’t depart drastically from the sound the band’s fans know and love, but rather enhances it with previously-unexplored fixtures at play.
Physical Thrills was colored by the pandemic, but isn’t meant to be solemn; instead, Aubert explores his own comfort in the temporary, newfound isolation. There’s a juxtaposition of playfulness with angst from having so much time to process untapped emotions. That’s something that comes through in the album’s instrumentation, too, with wide-ranging sounds that transform according to the weight of the lyrics.
There are tracks with shoegaze-infused distorted synths and guitar, like opener “Stillness (Way Beyond)”; bouncy, pop-tinged danceable tunes (“Empty Nest,” “Hereafter (Way After)”); pared-down ballads (“Alone On A Hill”); and a collection of “dream shanties,” as Aubert refers to them.
The titles of those shanties call back to “Dream At Tempo 119” off the band’s 2006 debut record, Carnavas, tying the band’s beginnings with the current, evolved iteration of Silversun Pickups. But, this time, the instrumentation matches the lyrics. Aubert forgoes the heavy guitars to instead create magical lullabies: “Dream At Tempo 050,” “Dream At Tempo 310,” and “Dream At Tempo 150.” Each carries a secret code in the title with numbers personal to Aubert.
With such an exploratory record, the band members felt free to traverse new ground. Guanlao, who usually shies away from fills on drums, took inspiration from The Beatles documentary Get Back, throwing some into Physical Thrills, influenced by Ringo Starr’s work on Let It Be. Whereas for Monninger, this record allowed her to showcase her vocals at the forefront more than in previous work. Joe also took a larger role in composition on this record, writing the piano part for “We Won’t Come Out,” which became the backbone for the song.
The making of Physical Thrills also allowed for whimsical moments, including Aubert creating a distinct tapping noise by incorporating the sound of drumsticks hitting Vig’s Grammy in “Hidden Moon,” and playfully pelting balloons at Monninger while she played “Hereafter (Way After)” on bass to create less tension.
While this record features such an eclectic mix of melodies, each song is interconnected with each other, meant to be experienced as a whole body of work. “All of our records are designed for people who want to listen to them all the way through and hopefully stick around with it,” says Aubert. “After a while, maybe you’ll catch on to the little things—not just the [pattern of] the dream songs, but maybe you’ll hear that, and you’ll hear a melody from the first song in the last song. There are crossover things happening.”
Lester says, “Physical Thrills is exactly the record that we wanted to make, which I’m really stoked about because sometimes you look back and think, ‘Well, that’s maybe not exactly how we would have done it’ when you go back and listen to it years later.’ But I feel really proud of this one. I think the songs that Nikki sings on are like the best ones we’ve done for her to sing on. The lyrics are better than they’ve ever been.”
Monninger adds, “We’ve been together for twenty-two years; it’s really interesting that we still love doing this. We know that we’re fortunate to still be together after all these years, seeking out the silver lining. I feel like we still have many more things to say, and we’re so happy with how this album turned out.”
The band have reunited with producer Butch Vig and are currently working on the follow-up to Physical Thrills, which is out now via their label, New Machine Recordings. Physical Thrills is available for purchase on all formats.
TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS
Wild America Tour 2026
with special guest Lucero
on The Stone Pony Summer Stage
The Turnpike Troubadours have never followed any script. Breakthrough albums have been followed by breakups. Triumphant reunions have
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TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS
Wild America Tour 2026
with special guest Lucero
on The Stone Pony Summer Stage
The Turnpike Troubadours have never followed any script. Breakthrough albums have been followed by breakups. Triumphant reunions have overcome insurmountable odds. And live shows have been thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Now, just two years since their comeback album, A Cat in the Rain, the Tahlequah, Oklahoma, band delivers yet another helping of the unexpected: the surprise release of The Price of Admission, the group’s most vibrant, piercing album since 2010’s career-defining Diamonds & Gasoline.
Reteaming with Grammy-winning producer Shooter Jennings, who oversaw A Cat in the Rain, the Turnpike Troubadours crafted and recorded 11 new songs for The Price of Admission, reminding fans and peers alike just how it’s done. how it’s done. Songwriter and front man Evan Felker rises to the occasion, cementing his status as country-rock’s version of Bruce Springsteen. He writes and sings openly and poetically about his sobriety, about loss, and about lighting out in search of something, anything, to fill the void.
For Felker, it’s his band of brothers in Turnpike Troubadours: fiddler Kyle Nix, multi-instrumentalist Hank Early, guitarist Ryan Engleman, bassist RC Edwards, and drummer Gabe Pearson. All of them are at the top of their games on The Price of Admission, refusing to hold on too tightly and letting the music guide them.
Tickets for many upcoming shows are available in advance through Ticketmaster. For certain shows, tickets are available only at the box office. Shows are all ages, unless otherwise noted.
Box Office Hours: Thursday to Sunday, noon-5 pm and during show hours.