Show Review: Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers in Northampton, MA

Peter Wolf and The Midnight Travelers at The Academy Of Music in Northampton, MA

Former J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf put on a dynamic two-hour performance at The Academy Of Music Theatre in Northampton, Massachusetts on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Wolf’s five-piece backing band, The Midnight Travelers, consists of some stellar virtuoso musicians, including two masters of the telecaster Duke Levine and Kevin Barry on guitar, Tom West on Hammond B3 organ / keyboards, Marty Ballou on bass, and Mark Teixeira on drums.

As the extended version of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s cover of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” ushered in the band, they took their respective places on the back line. The song wound down, the lights dimmed, a drum beat thumped, and the band kicked in groove to “Jus’ Can’t Stop Me,” as Peter Wolf made a grand entrance, clad in black with a leopard skin jacket, to rousing appreciative applause. At 80 years old, Wolf is still quite wiry and agile, a man in constant motion – traversing the stage, side shuffling, playing air guitar, doing his classic hand roll gesture, crouching down to sing, even dropping down on his knees and laying down on the stage (and effortlessly got back up) during certain songs, along with playing harmonica (“Long Way Back Again”), tambourine (“Come As You Are”), and shakers (“Love’s Not Easily Had”). He was in strong singing voice, maintained great stage patter, and periodically went into his trademark rapid-fire, rhythmic rambling (that he was known for during his days with the J. Geils Band). He knew how to work the room and make the crowd feel welcome and part of the show. Four songs in, he instructed the lights to be turned up, “Let me see the house! We got a full house tonight! It’s so nice to be here, and so nice to see you all!”

No giant background screen or flashy light show was needed, as Wolf and his band let the music speak for itself and move and groove those attending the spectacular show with just the right mix of songs from his J. Geils Band days, his solo material, his early days with his first band The Hallucinations, and choice covers for a night or R&B, soul, blues, and roots rock. Guitarists Levin and Barry were wonders to witness, putting their telecasters to task with dueling solos on “Homework,” and many moments when they received spontaneous audience applause for their impressive, dexterous guitar work, like during Levin’s tasty blues solo on John Lee Hooker’s “Serves You Right to Suffer,” and Barry playing a such a fiery solo on Bob Dylan’s “Going, Going, Gone” that Wolf waved his jacket at him to cool him down. Barry only gave the telecaster a break once when he played lap steel on “Waiting on the Moon.” Tom West also had some rootsy B3 solos on “I Need You Tonight,” “Peace of Mind,” and “Give It To Me,” as well as a spectacular solo piece during Wolf’s band intros, where each member was given a chance to show their adept talents on their respective instruments.

After a string of high energy J. Geils Band songs, Wolf thanked the fans for their “many, many, many” years of dedication and support, and gave gratitude to the tech crew and everyone involved in the show, including a shout out to Front-of-House soundman John Farrell, who did an incredible job making sure the mix was just right all night. Just when you thought it was over, as the band gathered together in a group bow, Wolf grabbed the mic and declared, “We can’t leave yet! We’ve got to do one more! ” and launched into one of his signature rambles before the final number, The J. Geils Band’s “I Must’ve Got Lost” which toward the end, he segued into the famous line from the classic soul song “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson. As the lights came up, the applause and cheers continued, and Wolf remained on stage, waving to the crowd and soaking in the joy before exiting stage left as Bill Doggett’s “Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2)” played over the PA. Wolf proved that he is still a master showman, and can still “Blow your face off” with a powerful performance, especially backed by these talented musicians.

More information at: https://peterwolf.com/

SETLIST:

Jus’ Can’t Stop Me (The J. Geils Band song)

I Don’t Wanna Know (David Johnston cover)

Come as You Are

Long Way Back Again

Homework (Al Perkins cover)

Hard Drivin’ Man (The J. Geils Band song)

Growin’ Pain

I Need You Tonight

Nothin’ but the Wheel (Patty Loveless cover)

Cry One More Time