By the time Better Than Ezra hit the stage on the 90s Cruise 2026, the crowd was warmed up and ready for another hit of mid-90s alt-rock comfort. Unlike some acts that either coast on autopilot or try too hard to reinvent themselves, Better Than Ezra landed comfortably in the middle: tight, professional, self-aware, and clearly enjoying the ride.
The set opened with a brief Intro, building anticipation before sliding into “Good.” There’s no easing into a show when you start with your biggest radio staple, and the gamble paid off. The moment those opening chords hit, the deck lit up. Voices carried across the ship, drinks were raised, and the band locked into a confident groove. Kevin Griffin’s vocals were steady and clean, not trying to replicate 1995 note-for-note but delivering the song with seasoned ease.
“Rosealia” followed, bringing a slightly deeper cut energy that rewarded longtime fans. It felt purposeful — a nod to those who’ve stuck around beyond the singles. The band sounded tight, with Michael Jerome’s drumming especially crisp and propulsive.
“Rewind” and “The Great Unknown” continued the early momentum. Better Than Ezra has always had a knack for mid-tempo hooks that stick without overwhelming, and this stretch highlighted that strength. The performance never felt rushed. They took their time with transitions, letting each song breathe without dragging.
One of the early highlights came with “A Lifetime.” The emotional weight of that track still lands, and live, it felt particularly resonant in the cruise setting — surrounded by longtime fans revisiting a decade that shaped them. Griffin leaned into the chorus without overselling it, and the crowd responded with a unified singalong.
“King of New Orleans” brought the tempo back up, injecting a bit of grit into the set. The guitars had bite, and the rhythm section kept everything tight and driving. It was a reminder that Better Than Ezra isn’t just radio polish; there’s muscle under those melodies.
The first real curveball came with a spirited cover of “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes. It was a smart choice — recognizable, energetic, and built for audience participation. The crowd jumped in immediately, and the band played it straight but punchy, treating it less like a novelty and more like a tribute.
They settled back into their catalog with “Extra Ordinary” and “At the Stars,” both delivered cleanly and without fuss. “At the Stars” in particular felt warm and melodic under the open night sky, the harmonies carrying nicely over the deck.
“Live A Little” kept things upbeat, setting up one of the more unexpected moments of the night: a cover of INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart.” Rather than try to outdo Michael Hutchence’s iconic delivery, Griffin approached it with restraint. It wasn’t transformative, but it was respectful and well executed — another example of the band understanding the crowd and the moment.
The emotional center of the set arguably came with “Desperately Wanting.” If “Good” was the loudest singalong, this was the most heartfelt. The chorus rang out across the deck with real conviction. It’s one of those songs that feels permanently attached to a time and place, and hearing it live reminded everyone why.
Then things got playful.
The band launched into “Laid,” the James cover that’s become something of a live staple for them. It was cheeky, loud, and fun — a well-placed jolt of energy. Without much pause, they transitioned into a snippet of “Juicy.” The unexpected hip-hop nod brought laughs and cheers, showing a sense of humor that kept the set from feeling too earnest.
That looseness carried into a raucous cover of “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger. It was one of the most energetic moments of the night, with the crowd shouting every word. The song’s jittery angst translated surprisingly well into the cruise atmosphere, giving the set a brief shot of chaotic fun.
They closed with “In the Blood,” extending it to feature a drum solo by Michael Jerome. The solo wasn’t indulgent — it was tight, rhythmic, and added a dynamic finish to the evening. As the final chords rang out, the band looked genuinely satisfied, and the crowd responded with sustained applause.
Better Than Ezra’s 90s Cruise 2026 set wasn’t revolutionary, and it didn’t try to be. What it offered instead was something arguably more valuable in this setting: consistency. The band knows its strengths — melodic alt-rock hooks, smart pacing, and crowd-friendly covers — and they leaned into them without overthinking it.
There were no awkward detours, no ego-driven indulgences, and no obvious phoning it in. Just a well-structured, professionally delivered set that balanced hits, deep cuts, and well-chosen covers.
On a cruise built around revisiting the 90s, Better Than Ezra delivered exactly what the audience wanted — and did it with enough polish and personality to keep it from feeling routine.
Setlist:
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Intro
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Good
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Rosealia
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Rewind
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The Great Unknown
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A Lifetime
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King of New Orleans
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Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes cover)
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Extra Ordinary
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At the Stars
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Live A Little
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Never Tear Us Apart (INXS cover)
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Desperately Wanting
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Laid
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Juicy
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Flagpole Sitta (Harvey Danger cover)
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In the Blood (with drum solo by Michael Jerome)
The Videos
00:00 – Intro
00:56 – Good
04:44 – Rosealia
11:10 – Rewind
14:25 – The Great Unknown
20:40 – A Lifetime
24:14 – King of New Orleans
30:47 – Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes Cover)
34:12 – Extra Ordinary
40:44 – At the Stars
45:16 – Live A Little
49:35 – Never Tear Us Apart (INXS Cover)
53:26 – Desperately Wanting
01:04:27 – Laid
01:06:51 – Juicy
01:13:56 – Flagpole Sitta (Harvey Danger Cover)
01:17:52 – In the Blood (with Drum Solo by Michael Jerome)