LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, JJ Grey & Mofro, Dumpstaphunk in Boston, MA (07.20.25)
On a humid Saturday night in Boston, the MGM Music Hall at Fenway transformed into a swirling, sweat-soaked celebration of New Orleans soul, Florida swamp rock, and funk grooves deep enough to move tectonic plates. While the artist’s unusual choice to make the event fully seated kept the crowd more restrained than usual, the triple bill of Dumpstaphunk, JJ Grey & Mofro, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue left no groove unturned in their efforts to get fans out of their chairs and onto their feet.
Opening the night was New Orleans’ own Dumpstaphunk, who came out swinging with their signature blend of gritty funk and socially conscious rock. But this wasn’t quite the same Dumpstaphunk of years past. A new addition—a powerhouse female vocalist clad in dazzling 70s funk regalia—added a fresh spark to the band’s already dynamic sound. She belted with gospel heat and swagger, injecting a layer of soulful femininity into the band’s swampy rhythm section that felt both unexpected and perfectly at home. Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck) joined on sax, trading searing lines with the band’s horn section and lending an extra jolt of jazz fire. Tony Hall on bass is always a highlight, as he brings so much joy, heart, and soul from his many years of experience in other outfits (look up his long list of impressive stints over the years). The band closed their set with a surprise cover of “Fire and Brimstone”—a Trombone Shorty original—which felt like a nod to the musical camaraderie of the night and set the tone for what was to come.
Next up, JJ Grey took the stage with Mofro, delivering a tightly honed set that felt as much like a spiritual sermon as a rock concert. Dressed down and grinning ear-to-ear, Grey exuded the kind of relaxed confidence that comes from decades on the road and a deep connection to his roots. His storytelling—always a key ingredient of the Mofro experience—was rich and heartfelt, weaving tales of love, struggle, family, and redemption between songs that hit with bluesy warmth and Southern grit. The band was dialed in, from the horn stabs to the slide guitar licks, and while they didn’t quite blow the roof off the place, they did something arguably harder: they made that MGM theater feel like a front-porch gathering on a hot night in Florida. The audience, still mostly seated, swayed and nodded along, absorbing every word.
By the time Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue hit the stage, the air was thick with anticipation—and funk. Dressed sharp and exuding boundless energy, Shorty wasted no time launching into an explosive set that defied the very idea of a “seated show.” With his signature mix of trombone mastery, soulful vocals, and pure frontman charisma, he acted as bandleader, hype man, and dance machine all in one. Coffin returned to the stage, this time locking horns—literally—with Shorty and the Orleans Avenue brass for dueling solos and tight horn huddles that brought the crowd to life. Shorty is never one to play it safe—he danced, sang, ran across the stage, and constantly worked to pull the audience out of their seats and into the celebration. Highlights included the classic “When the Saints Go Marching In” and a fun call and response number featuring New Orleans’ most popular phrase “Who Dat?!” Despite the awkward layout of the venue for such a kinetic performer, he made the most of every square inch of the stage—and a good portion of the aisles.
Fans in New Orleans gear were out in force, waving their arms, shouting back lyrics, and lending the night the unmistakable spirit of the Big Easy. While many in the crowd remained seated, the ones on their feet danced with the fervor of a second line rolling through Treme.
Even with the odd choice to keep the main floor seated, the performers pushed hard to make it feel like a proper funk-soul revival. Each act brought something unique to the table: Dumpstaphunk offered a reimagined take on their classic sound; JJ Grey delivered soulful authenticity and rich storytelling; and Trombone Shorty brought it home with a firestarter set of New Orleans showmanship that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most exciting live performers out there today.
If the artists had opted for a GA floor and allowed the crowd to let loose a bit more, this show might’ve reached true transcendence. But in the end, spirit triumphed over seats—and the soul of New Orleans rang loud in Boston.
Photos – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, JJ Grey & Mofro, Dumpstaphunk at MGM Music Hall in Boston, MA on July 20th:
