Downtown Mobile host Free New Years Eve Concert
By Trey Merrill
“MoonPie Over Mobile” New Years Eve has its sites set on Third Eye Blind. The kept secret on the Gulf Coast for the past 15 years has been this free New Years Eve bash in Mobile. While the liquor and Southern hospitality flow free in the Port City, it will culminate with a concert by Third Eye Blind, the Red Clay Strays and platinum selling songwriter Levon Gray, who is from Mobile. Fireworks and a laser show will follow. There will also be the dropping of a 600 pound metal MoonPie. This makes for one hell of a street party. The concert is situated in the heart of downtown Mobile and surrounded by some of the best restaurants in the South. In case you’re wondering, there are no bad restaurants in the South.
We stumbled upon the MoonPie New Years Eve celebration by accident two years ago. The headliners back then were Collective Soul and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Both concerts, the proximity to our hotel, the food, drinks and local vibes made for such an excellent experiences we had to try our hand for a third year in a row.
Third Eye Blind is an alternative power-pop band from San Francisco that formed in 1993. They started dominating the airwaves during the late 90’s after their signature hit “Semi-Charmed Life” climbed to number 3 on the Top 100 charts. They’ve released 7 albums and 25 singles. With a rap inspired vocal delivery, the songs have intelligent lyrics and cover such darker themes as drug addiction, suicide and sexual abuse all wrapped up in flowers and sunshine melodies.
Visit Third Eye Blind’s Website
Born and raised in Alabama, the Red Clay Strays crafted their red dirt sounds with a blend of classic country, rockabilly, gospel and soul infused with a modern freshness. For the past five years the band has run up and down roads of the Gulf Coast, tearing up stages and making fans along the way. Their high energy stage shows are as lively and impactful as the songs they deliver. They have a penchant for storytelling and can deliver the softer, belly-rubbin’ ballads with honesty and conviction.
The Red Clay Strays debut album Moment of Truth was released in 2022. Since then they’ve toured heavily and been playing major festivals including the Bristol Rhythm and Rootsl, the Hangout, and the Mile-0 where they’ve won over legions of new followers. They’ve also shared the stage with notables such as Blues Traveler, Drivin’-N-Cryin’, the Steel Woods and many others. After the New Years Eve show the have a three month tour coming up with Elle King.
Visit the Red Stray Clays Website
Levon Gray is a singer and platinum-selling songwriter from Mobile, Alabama, the original home of Mardi Gras. Various musical styles surrounded him including Salsa, Reggae, Blues and Country. His multiethnic background also inspired him to write and perform in a variety of styles as well. Levon was a Music minister for several years before deciding to pursue his own career path. Opening for artists such as Casey, KeKe Wyatt and Tamela Mann, Levon began working on songs for other artists. In 2018, he provided guitar for Lil Baby’s RIAA Certified Gold (mixtape) Street Gossip Project.
While struggling for success in the wake of the pandemic, he began digging inward towards the sounds of Country music. When Levon posted a series of videos on Instagram where he was discovered by Country star Kane Brown. Kane invited Levon to write in Nashville where he was soon signed to Verse 2 Music/Sony. Under Kane his first cut “One Mississippi” reached #1 on both American and Canadian Country charts. He’s currently working with a slew of successful writers and artists as well as on his debut Country project.