Joe P Brings Hometown Rock Energy to Wonder Bar
Joe P live at Wonder Bar, for North to Shore 2026
As part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, Wonder Bar welcomed hometown favorite Joe P (@joepthehyena) back to Asbury Park for a sold-out headline show on Friday night. It was one of those classic Jersey summer evenings — hot, humid, and the kind of weather where everyone in the room was drenched in sweat before the headliner even took the stage. Of course, that only added to the atmosphere. Packed wall-to-wall with fans, the energy inside the legendary venue was electric from start to finish, making it one of the most memorable shows I've been to in a long time!
Opening the night was South Carolina singer-songwriter Sam Burchfield, who delivered a captivating solo acoustic performance. While he typically tours with a full band, Burchfield embraced a one-man-band setup, playing guitar while operating a kick drum trigger with one foot and a tambourine pedal with the other.
It's a difficult performance style, but he handled it with ease. His warm, heartfelt songwriting and soulful vocals reminded me of a blend of Noah Kahan and Hozier, while his easygoing personality made him instantly likable. He was the perfect artist to ease the crowd into what would become an unforgettable night.
Joe P took the stage backed by his longtime band, featuring Santo Rizzolo on drums, Tony Yebra on bass — who also serves as Joe's longtime videographer and creative director — and James Waltsak on guitar. Together, they delivered the kind of tight, high-energy rock, yet lyrically poetic performance that has become synonymous with Joe P's live shows.
After spending much of the past year performing solo shows— and following the cancellation of several tour dates due to a family emergency that Joe shared with fans on social media — it was refreshing to see him back with a full band. There was a noticeable sense of appreciation throughout the room, and Joe looked genuinely happy to be back doing what he does best.
Midway through the set, the band stepped aside to give Joe the stage for an intimate acoustic segment. Stripping things down to just his guitar, he performed fan favorites like "Glass House," a beautiful rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Going to California," and "Nothing at All." It was a welcome change of pace that highlighted the strength of his songwriting before the full band returned to close out the evening with renewed intensity.
Another standout element of the night was Matt Bodner's lighting design. The upgraded production transformed the Wonder Bar's intimate stage into something that felt much larger, adding another layer of excitement to an already outstanding performance.
I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing Joe P live — I'm pretty sure this was my seventh time. Having followed his career since the Deal Casino days, it's been incredible watching his evolution as both a songwriter and performer. Each tour showcases another step forward while never losing the authenticity that connected with fans from the beginning. Seeing that journey continue in front of a packed hometown crowd made this performance feel especially rewarding, and if Friday night was any indication, Joe P is only getting started.
Joe P
