Something about the first show of the year always carries extra excitement, and Stage AE felt wide awake as Dexter and The Moonrocks rolled into the Burgh on their Welcome to the Donkey Flats tour. The band has spent the last few years building a devoted following through raw emotion, fuzzy guitar tones, and songs that feel pulled straight from late night thoughts. This tour supports their EP Donkey Flats, released last year, which pushed their sound further while staying rooted in honest songwriting. Fans packed in early, eager to shake off the quiet of winter and step back into a room bursting with good vibes, better music, and a shared hatred of Cheez-It.
High June opened the evening with a set that felt loose and heartfelt in the best way. Their songs carried a warm blend of melody and grit, with a dash of spunk. They played with easy chemistry, never rushing but never losing momentum. Their sound weaved its way all through the room, encouraging everyone to let loose and experience the music to its fullest.
Cigarettes at Sunset followed with a performance that leaned deeper into atmosphere and emotion, letting it all loose for their first Pittsburgh show. Their music unfolded slowly at times, letting lyrics and texture do the heavy lifting. But the soft moments grew into louder waves that filled the room and drew constant cheers from the floor, and even a few bouts of “Fuck Cheez-It” chants in support of Dexter and the Moonrocks’ ongoing feud. The band showed strong control over pacing, keeping the set engaging without overpowering the space.
Dexter and The Moonrocks hit the stage to a roar that made it clear how ready the crowd was, especially after having to wait a few extra weeks when the show originally planned for December got rescheduled. Last at Stage AE back in 2024, fans were positively rabid for more space grunge shenanigans. The band locked in quickly, jumping straight into “Where I Steer” with guitars ringing out full and clear while the rhythm section kept everything grounded. There was an immediate sense of connection between the band and the crowd, as if everyone knew they were about to share something personal. James Tuffs stood front and center, delivering vocals with a mix of grit and vulnerability that immediately grabbed attention. Ryan Anderson brought sharp guitar lines that cut through the room with purpose and emotion, while Ty Anderson held everything together on bass, giving the songs a steady pulse that grounded the sound. Ryan Fox drove the set forward with tight drumming that added urgency without crowding the melodies. Together, they moved as one, locked in and fully present.
The heart of the set lived in the music, especially tracks pulled from Donkey Flats which landed with even more impact live. The songs carry a raw honesty that felt amplified by the crowd singing along to every familiar line. “All Your Friends Still Scare Me” had a perfect balance of calm reflectiveness and upbeat flair. “Wet” was so soulful and just dripping with emotion. The new jams fit well mixed in with old favourites, keeping the flow natural and emotionally charged. Fuzzy guitar tones rang out while lyrics about distance, doubt, and hope hit close to home. A few covers added an extra dose of excitement, especially Green Day’s “Basket Case,” which had everyone singing along. A new song, “Flavorless,” which was anything but, was also played for one of the first times.
It wouldn’t be a Dexter and The Moonrocks show without snacks. Their feud with Cheez-It has definitely left a square-shaped hole in hearts, as evident by constant chants of “Fuck Cheez-It,” but Lays satisfied the salty mid-show craving, with plenty of bags tossed out so no one would be hungry. The final song “Ritalin” landed with heavy emotion and an addictively catchy chorus, pushing to one last collective release, to the point where someone even tossed their own meds up on stage. (Don’t worry, the bottle had no pills, just bracelets!) When the lights came up, people lingered, smiling and talking as if they were not quite ready to return to the real world. It was the perfect way to kick off the year at Stage AE, and a reminder of how powerful this scene can feel when everything clicks at once.
January 9th, 2026
