RECAP: 10,000 Maniacs @ The Egg, 5/31/2025

Words and Photo by Timothy Reidy.

On a rainy bus from Maine, 10,000 Maniacs made it to the Egg, and seven musicians made it on stage. The 2/3-filled Hart Theatre was appreciative, and the show ended in a dancing frenzy.

The band, being NY-based, talked about former jaunts in Albany, including 288 Lark and QE2, which was one of the reasons I took on this trip on the Plaza. Most of the band is from Western NY, but are appreciative of the whole state, UAlbany, and the Egg

If you went to the show, you would have found that the band gave you what you wanted. They seemed to play most of their hits. The band has a long career, and most of the original members are still on stage.

The show started off slow, but did tighten up as they went along. I wanted to hear more punch out of the mix, but the songs were well played. The band started out with familiar tunes from the second song on, and the band seemed to get tighter as they went along. A fake birthday song by Natalie Merchant was played by the boys, and songs like “Hey Jack Kerouac” and “Candy Everybody Wants” kept the set familiar. The band had a three-song encore, including “Peace Train.” Many of the crowd got up during the final songs and danced.

All in all, a good show for the Egg.