The jam band turned their Madison concert into a creative act of protest, spelling out “F*** TRUMP NO KINGS” through their setlist amid nationwide demonstrations.
Jam band veterans moe. made a bold political statement during their October 18 performance at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin, joining millions of Americans who participated in the “No Kings” protests held in over 2,000 cities across the country.
The group used the first letters of each song in their setlist to spell out a pointed message: “F*** TRUMP NO KINGS.”
The band opened the night with “Stranger Than Fiction” (listed simply as “Fiction” on the setlist), followed by “Tomorrow Is Another Day,” “Recreational Chemistry,” “Ups and Downs,” “Mexico,” and “Prestige Worldwide.” Fans quickly noticed that the initials spelled “F TRUMP,” a clever and subtle critique of President Donald Trump and the political climate that inspired the weekend’s nationwide demonstrations.
After a brief set break, moe. returned to the stage and continued the musical message with “Not Coming Down” and “Opium.” They then wrapped up the phrase “NO KINGS” through a sequence of “Kids,” “It,” “New Hope for the New Year,” “Gone,” and “Silver Sun.”
The creative sequencing turned what could have been an ordinary concert into a powerful act of protest, aligning the band with the broader movement against authoritarianism and the concentration of power.
To close out the evening, moe. performed Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” as their encore — a fitting finale and a tongue-in-cheek nod to corporate greed and the commercialization of art. The cover added another layer of meaning to the night, merging the band’s jam-heavy musicianship with social consciousness.
Fans took to social media to praise the band’s ingenuity and courage, with many noting that moe. has long balanced playful improvisation with political awareness. The Madison show, however, marked one of the band’s most direct statements to date, using their platform to stand in solidarity with protestors across the nation.
By weaving social commentary into their setlist, moe. demonstrated that music can still serve as a voice for dissent — a form of artful resistance in turbulent times. Their message, both literal and lyrical, resonated as a call for unity, awareness, and accountability.
