KCRW Sessions w/ Moby – He ROCKED the party

Our KCRW Sessions show with Moby couldn't have been more different than the first (with Sia). There were moments when the Malibu Performing Arts center was an all-out rave – definitely something this pristine venue/recording studio by the sea has never seen before.

For the first two tracks, opener "Lift Me Up" and "Go," one of his first hits, the audience tapped toes, bobbed heads and threw a few fists, all while seated. When "bodyrock" started it took about 3 seconds for everyone to get on their feet. I've never seen anything like it. A handful made the move and the rest followed so quickly it was like a wave.

At the end of the first set, it seemed no one wanted to stop the dance party for the interview, hosted by Nic. But as soon as they started chatting, everyone realized what a special experience it was. They were essentially seeing what happens on Morning Becomes Eclectic live before their very eyes.

Moby is incredibly candid – we learned the album he was listening to when he got to "second base" (the first Aerosmith record), his first musical moment (listening to “Proud Mary” in the car at age 3), and his awkward teenage years that led him -- and a bunch of other guys with no friends -- to form a hard core band. That hard core side of him did come out a bit tonight in a cover of Joy Division's “New Dawn Fades.”

At the beginning of the second set he warned things would get experimental. He did a reworked version of "Porcelain" and his incredible singer Laura sang a gospel tune. Harmonica is not something you expect to hear at a Moby show but deep into the second set, he started messing around with some blues guitar licks and daring his harmonica player (and guitarist) to match the riffs. It was pretty awesome.

That’s what is so great about these Sessions shows – you are fully aware that you are witnessing something truly unique that won't be repeated. Moby seemed to be having as much fun as the audience and didn’t hold back – as a singer, performer, bass player, drummer OR playing bongos. He put on a SHOW, with an incredible band behind him of course. They seemed just as excited as the audience to be there.

"We Are All Made of Stars" and the sing along to "Natural Blues" were big second set highlights.  For the encore he went straight up raver with "Next is the E," and closing with “Honey.” On one side of the venue, people were just going insane – dancing wildly, all with huge smiles on their faces. Not a soul left that venue unsatisfied.

The first set and interview are already available for viewing HERE and will be followed by the second set this afternoon.  Set list is below.

RR  

KCRW Sessions with MOBY
At the Malibu Performing Arts Center

SET LIST
(electronic)
lift me up
go
bodyrock
disco lies
the stars

interview

(band set)
great escape
porcelain
extreme ways
i like it
we are all made of stars
run on
when it’s cold
natural blues
new dawn fades

(encore)
next is the e
honey