Steel Train debuted a line-up during three sold out performances over the holiday weekend. Joining guitarist Jack Antonoff, keyboardist Scott Irby-Ranniar, and bassist Evan Winiker were drummer John Shiffman, guitarist/vibraphone player Daniel Silbert, and multi-instrumentalist Angel Deradoorian. In addition to a headlining gig at Hoboken, NJs Maxwells on December 28, the band opened for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT on December 29 and for AOD in Boston on the 30th. At the Higher Ground show, Potter and the Nocturnals brought out the entire group for their two song encore of ‘Piss on Your Hand’ and ‘Every Mile.’
Peter Prince & Moon Boot Lover also maintained an AOD/Nocturnals nexus, in opening for the Assembly at the Paradise on the 29th and Potters band on New Years Eve at Higher Ground. During their Paradise performance, MBL welcomed AOD drummer and former Moot Boot member Andy Herrick to the stage along with Nate Wilson for ‘Blood Undercover.’ The AOD keyboardist remained, while longtime area guitarist Johnny Trama also stepped in for ‘Ali.’ On the next night, Moon Boot Lover invited Nocturnals guitarist Scott Tournet to join in during ‘Crying Won’t Help and the Nocturnals reciprocated by bringing Prince and MBL drummer Eric Imbrosciano out for the version of ‘Sex Machine’ that began shortly after the midnight countdown.