Moxie: First Java Performance of Fall 2023

It is the first Saturday of the fall semester, and I am borrowing a denim jacket because it is chilly on the walk to the Java Barn. Students crowd the entrance, dancing and chatting. When I enter the barn, I immediately break out into a sweat. It is packed like sardines in here, making it significantly warmer. The performing artist of the night, a band called Moxie, has already taken the stage, and the surrounding throng of students is going crazy.  

A little bit of background: if you were a student at St. Lawrence University last year, you remember when Neon Trees performed at the intramural field for Springfest. Moxie was the band hired to open for them, following a stunning performance by the student band Group Shower. Their performance in the Spring left many students in awe — some so much so that they openly remarked their preference for Moxie over Neon Trees. Suffice to say, Java made a smart move in hiring them straight away for the first Java show of this semester.   

Moxie is local to Vermont, so they did not have to travel too far to play at SLU. However, Moxie has performed all over the country, including popular venues in Chicago, Minneapolis, Memphis and Washington, D.C. Moxie has been releasing music since 2018. Spotify groups them in with the Indie Pop and Alt Rock genres, and they often appear in Indie mix playlists with similar underground groups.   

Upon first listening impression, the vibe I got from Spotify checked out. They were somewhat electric guitar-heavy, certainly enough to host somewhat more substance and energy than small bands, which err on the pop end of the Indie spectrum. They reminded me of several different bands of the Indie Rock genre, including: Vampire Weekend, Silversun Pickups, Lemon’s and Peach Pit.  

As far as the general collective opinion of those who witnessed Moxie’s second show at SLU, the sheer size and sound of the crowd should be an indication. The day following the show, Moxie posted a short clip on their Instagram of what the inside of the Java Barn looked like from their perspective. Students were dancing vigorously, even with the limited amount of room available to each of them, clapping and taking videos to memorialize the performance. When Java ended, most students seemed to wander away happy, myself included. Moxie rocked, and you should definitely give them a listen when you get a chance.