July 22, 2025 – The Wellmont, Montclair NJ
Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry
The Wellmont Theater, an intimate venue in my hometown of Montclair NJ, held around 2,000 fans in a buzzing, packed house. Known for its vintage charm and sometimes uneven acoustics, the venue still delivered a nostalgic setting perfectly suited for these ’90s-era rock acts.
Spin Doctors kicked the evening off as Chris Barron and crew came out swinging—tight, groovy, and energetic. Tracks like “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” still clicked with the crowd. The band were promoting their new album, “Face Full of Cake”, which remained the backdrop of their set on a large screen throughout their performance, they still leaned effectively into their blues‑inflected jams, which have long been underrated outside their hits-heavy reputation. Chris was engaging with the crowd and had fans involved in many sing and repeats, or echo-me moments. Chris was supported by bassist Jack Daley (of Lenny Kravitz fame) who adds a new groovy vibe to the baselines. Jack is a great new addition as the funk style of his prior bands music plays real well with the Spin Doctors vibe. They were joined by Eric Schenkman on guitar and Aaron Comess on drums.
The audience spanned generations—from longtime Gen‑Xers who grew up with both bands, to younger fans discovering the bands anew. Parents even brough their kids to the show, probably to show them the bands they play and sing along to in their living rooms back home on the daily.
The Gin Blossoms hit the stage next and opened with their hit “Follow you Down”. I’ve seen them before and they never disappoint. When they later launched into “Hey Jealousy” and “Allison Road,” the room lit up—a collective, nostalgic sing‑along which rattled the walls of the old theatre. The Gin Blossoms delivered a masterclass in ’90s alternative rock. The group performed with surprising energy and polish—full of sing‑along anthems and crisp vocals.
The pace between Spin Doctors and Gin Blossoms was efficient, the flow felt right—a fast‑paced opener, then a headliner that anchored the evening emotionally.
The Wellmont’s intimate scale suited the bands, but as I’ve reviewed before, the acoustics can at times feel uneven. Additionally the noise from back‑bar areas occasionally filtered through during quieter passages—it’s a quirk long noted by reviewers (including myself) but on this night, the energy of both bands helped offset any minor sound issues.
It was a trip down memory lane, topped with genuine musicianship. This show felt like stepping back with some modern polish. If you cherish early ’90s alternative pop-rock and appreciate relational, sing-along energy, it was a night worth showing up for. Both bands still bring it—and the Wellmont delivered a great setting.
For more info please visit http://www.ginblossoms.com http://www.spindoctors.net