Everclear Brings a Night of 90s Nostalgia to Starland Ballroom
There was a different kind of energy in the parking lot outside Starland Ballroom on Friday night. Fans were tailgating before the show, sharing drinks and stories while waiting for a night that promised a trip back in time. The crowd inside was unmistakably multigenerational. Many of the adults who grew up with Everclear’s music in the ’90s had brought their kids along to experience the songs that soundtracked their own youth.
Even before the first band took the stage, the nostalgia was already in the air. The Starland Ballroom crowd erupted every time the familiar IHOP sign appeared on the venue’s screens, a small but very Jersey moment that somehow added to the charm of the night. Between the yacht rock playing over the speakers, the venue’s wood paneling, and the leather-clad Jersey rock fans sporting mullets that weren’t a trendy revival but rather a commitment to a hairstyle they never abandoned, it felt like stepping into a time capsule.
For a moment, it felt like being back in my grandparents’ basement, getting ready to pop an Everclear CD into the stereo for the first time and being transported straight to the shores of “Santa Monica.” The music carried with it memories of summers in the ’90s, first crushes, holding hands for the first time at the state fair, and all the little moments that shaped a generation. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a room full of people reconnecting with a piece of their past
BIOLACED
The night kicked off with Roxbury, New Jersey’s own Biolaced, a hard rock band that brought a ’90s-inspired edge with a modern twist. Their sound was a natural fit for the evening, setting the stage with the same gritty energy that defined much of the era Everclear emerged from. The band is gearing up to release a new album next week, and their performance made it clear they are a local act worth keeping an eye on.
RAHWAY
Next up was another New Jersey favorite, Rahway, an eclectic and high-energy group that immediately grabbed the room’s attention. Frontmanned by a vocalist with a bright red mohawk, the band brought plenty of attitude as the members threw themselves into the performance, their long hair flying as they played. Adding another unique element to the set, an ASL interpreter joined them on stage, helping make the performance accessible to more fans. Between songs, the band kept the crowd engaged by shouting, “Who wants some free shit?” before launching merchandise into the audience — a move that had fans cheering every time.
EVERCLEAR
When Everclear finally took the stage, the crowd’s excitement was immediate. The band wasted no time diving straight into the hits, opening with “So Much for the Afterglow,” the title track from their 1997 album. The song hit like a rush of sunshine and nostalgia, instantly transporting the audience back to the late ’90s. They followed with “Everything to Everyone,” another track from So Much for the Afterglow, before frontman Art Alexakis shouted to the crowd, “Can I get a fuck yeah? Now, can I get a New Jersey fuck yeah?”
The third song of the night, and my last moment in the photo pit, was “Heroin Girl” from Everclear’s 1995 album Sparkle and Fade. With its sharper punk influence and instantly recognizable opening guitar riff, it was impossible not to get swept up in the moment. For a brief second, I forgot I was there to photograph the show and found myself wanting to jump along with everyone else before remembering I had a camera in my hands and a job to do.
The rest of the night focused heavily on material from Everclear’s first three albums, giving fans exactly what they came for while also allowing room for extended guitar solos and stories behind some of the band’s most beloved songs.
One of the most memorable moments came before “Strawberry” from Sparkle and Fade. Alexakis shared that the song wasn’t originally planned for the album but came to him during recording after he began having nightmares about relapsing. He told the audience he has now been clean and sober for 37 years and dedicated the song to everyone in the crowd who was also on that journey.
Alexakis also opened up about his battle with multiple sclerosis, sharing that he was diagnosed 10 years ago. He spoke about the challenges of continuing to perform while managing the disease, telling the audience, “Give it up for the people who try to do the fucking things you do every day but it’s fucking hard.” Watching him command the stage with the same intensity he brought decades ago made the moment especially powerful. Continuing to perform at this level while facing those challenges is something truly admirable.
The band also performed their cover of “Brown Eyed Girl,” a song Alexakis said has been a lifelong inspiration. He shared memories of singing it to his mother while it played on the radio during car rides and later singing it to a girlfriend in the ’80s, who told him he should be writing and performing his own songs. That moment helped push him toward the path that eventually led to Everclear.
Of course, the song everyone was waiting for came at the end. Everclear closed the night with “Santa Monica,” the track that defined a generation and brought that wave of nostalgia full circle. The entire room sang along, transforming the Starland Ballroom into a place where thousands of memories collided. It was a reminder of just how powerful music can be decades after it first enters our lives.
After the final song, while the road crew began breaking down the stage, Alexakis stayed behind to hand out guitar picks and set lists. He eventually came down from the stage and walked along the barricade, taking photos and talking with fans. He even came around the barricade to spend some extra time with a young fan in a wheelchair and take a photo. It was a moment that captured the genuine connection he still has with the people who have supported him throughout his career.
After decades of success, countless radio hits, and a catalog of songs that continue to resonate, Art Alexakis still carries himself with the accessibility and sincerity of someone who understands what the music means to the people listening. On Friday night at Starland Ballroom, Everclear didn’t just play the songs; they brought an entire era back to life.