Man, I can only hope…HOPE…that when I’m in my mid-forties I’ll have the same amount of energy as the Beastie Boys do. Mike D, Ad Rock, and MCA tore up the peaceful Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing tonight under a almost full moon and too a near packed…pier? Hmmm…still seems like more of a parking lot to me.

Regardless, the Beasties covered all of the bases tonight, mixing in old favorites, little rare nuggets, and tasty & juicy instrumentals. Joined by Mix Master Mike on the wheels of steel (a ha! learned that phrase in Newark this weekend…thank you Crazy Legs & the Rock Steady Crew) and a keyboardist and a percussionist, who apparently never met a timbali he didn’t like, the Beasties proved that they still have it as they bounced around the stage and through the snazzy looking light designs in three piece, black suits, looking like the funky Resevoir Dogs who didn’t make the cut. No doubt MCA would be Mr. Tan, Ad Rock would be Mr. Turquoise, and Mike D would of course be Mr. Aqua Velvet.

Highlights included re-worked versions of “Root Down,” “Sureshot,” and “Brass Monkey.” While the instrumentals failed to match the energy of their hip hop tunes, the music never wavered and neither did the crowd’s attention.

The Beasties are playing an all instrumental show tomorrow (Thursday) night in Atlantic City then it’s off to Virgin Fest in Baltimore, where they share the bill with other professional rock musicians like the Police, Smashing Pumpkins, and 311.

On a mildly-related note, Rustic Overtones, a legendary band from the Northeast have reunited for the summer. Rustic signed record deals with Arista and Tommy Boy before calling it quits in 2002. Members of the band went on to play in Paranoid Social Club, As Fast As, Ray LaMontagne, Soulive, and Lettuce among others. Check out the band at www.myspace.com/rusticovertones.

Goodnight, moon.

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1. Ike is at World Cafe Live on Thursday
2. Pardon Me? I thought this was a rock show?
3. Tonight at the World Cafe Live
4. Got an Unused XPN Festival Ticket? Trade It for Free!
5. Rustic Overtones at World Cafe TONIGHT…