Moonalice @ Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, CA, USA, 04/20/2025

The traditional 4/20 Gathering of the Tribe. Last year, I didn't make it to a single Moonalice concert, quite a contrast to 2023 when I caught as many as five of their live shows and yet not once managed to see all ten members together on stage. Someone was always out, sick, pregnant, or otherwise unavailable. This time, everyone was present, including Jason Crosby on keys, all three T Sisters, and both Chambers, father and son. By the way, Lester just turned 85! There was an even older person in the audience, as Wavy Gravy came to see the band.

The concert opened with Moonalice's early hit It's 4:20 Somewhere, keeping the vibe going with Let's Go Get Stoned, and circling back later with Am I High?, which flowed into a fantastic version of Eight Miles High. Great first set! And the second one turned out to be even better, starting with Allen Toussaint's Yes We Can Can. Erika played guitar and sang lead vocals on a new solid tune Me and My Family, followed by Lester’s powerful rendition of the Chambers Brothers classic Love, Peace & Happiness. Later in the set, a stretch of highlights began with the very emotional Blink of an Eye, followed by Bob Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind. Tell Me It's Okay featured some fantastic jamming by Barry and Pete before transitioning into Turn On Your Love Light. The encore brought another Chambers Brothers hit, Time Has Come Today. Truly an awesome concert!

The band had announced before the concert that every attendee would receive a bundle of 19 posters. Turned out to be 23, and three more were available for purchase during the show.

Set 1 (4:18 PM — 5:11 PM): It's 4:20 Somewhere, Let's Go Get Stoned, American Dream Rag, Arms Reach Out, Love Turns Into Silver Then to Gold, It's Been a Change, Am I High?, Eight Miles High, Can You Feel It?, You're All I Need to Get By

Set 2 (5:48 PM — 7:15 PM): Yes We Can Can, Me and My Family, Love Peace & Happiness, What's So Funny 'Bout Love Peace & Understanding, Toys in the Attic, Blink of an Eye, Blowin' in the Wind, Happy Here Now, Old & Proud, Tell Me It's Okay, Turn On Your Love Light

Encore (7:16 PM — 7:25 PM): Time Has Come Today

( Few more pix... )

Oban 15YO tasting notes

Oban 15YO Cask Strength OB 70cl 55.3% ABV
Matured in refill casks for over 10 years, then finished in ex-Oloroso and Palo Cortado sherry casks from Andalusia
United States Exclusive
Time code L4283CM003



Color: amber.
Nose: fresh and baked apples, dark chocolate, buckwheat, charred wood, meadow herbs, beeswax, dried mushrooms, Sicilian oranges, apricots, lemon zest, lacquer, almonds, salted caramel, jasmine, muesli, dates, caraway, and ground pepper. Wonderfully complex and fruit-forward.
Palate: apples, chocolate, honey, pears, lemons, a touch of pepper, salted caramel, cherries, tannic oak, melon, herbal notes, and tobacco. Somewhat sweet but well balanced, not overly complex, yet delightfully smooth.
Finish: apples, chocolate, pepper, licorice, cocoa, oak, plums, lemons, and melon. More sweetness and spice come forward.
Score: 8 ¾. Better than good. +2+2+1.

Conclusion: over four years in sherry casks! A very enjoyable Oban, the best I've tasted so far. Gorgeous presentation too. 88/100. This was my 875th single malt, by the way.