Tucked away in Boston’s North End on a brisk Sunday afternoon, City Winery was cooking up two unforgettable sold-out performances starring the legendary Micky Dolenz. A part of the first beloved all-American boyband, The Monkees, Dolenz is known for his magnetic energy and joyous charm. Hundreds of fans spilled into the venue, stopping at the merchandise table lined with signed CDs and drumheads. One fan sported printed leggings with images from the show and a beanie in honor of Monkees member Mike Nesmith’s signature look. The buzz of anticipation filled the room as everyone chatted about their excitement for the show.

Soon enough, Dolenz himself emerged on stage to deafening cheers. His smile lit up the room as he announced that his sister, Gemma 'Coco' Dolenz, would start the show. She serenaded the audience with her smooth and swinging vocals, joining her brother on stage as a backup singer when he returned. Together, they dove into the powerful track “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” setting the euphoric tone for the night.

He paused between each song to share behind-the-scenes moments, using the setlist as a storytelling device. Dolenz guided the audience on a journey through his musical past, infusing energy into the venue with every anecdote. Following Boston x Following Backstage curated our favorite moments he shared about his career and the songs he played after the story:

• "Last Train to Clarksville" by The Monkees - Dolenz recalls driving around with Monkees costar Davy Jones, trying to hear their song on the radio for the first time. Just when he was about to turn the ignition, "Last Train to Clarksville" came on.
• "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles - The time Dolenz met The Beatles while they were recording Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, how he is still good friends with Paul McCartney, and how he swears he remembers John Lennon lovingly greeting him as "Monkee man," adding in his impression of Lennon's accent in his retelling.
• "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix - How Jimi Hendrix became the first opening act for The Monkees after Dolenz saw his incredible performance, which included playing guitar with his teeth.
• "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry - The song that "got him the gig" at The Monkees audition against 400 aspiring actors and musicians.

Each memory invited the fans into his world, fostering an intimate personal connection with everyone in the room. His sense of humor and perfectly timed jokes were impossible to recreate perfectly through the written word. A particular moment that garnered many laughs was when he shared how Monkee's bassist Peter Tork discovered kale in the 60s before anyone else, also having some at his house in the Hollywood Hills.

In the holiday spirit, Dolenz and his band played a Spanish Christmas carol once featured on the show. They gathered around a small light-up candle, performing a cappella to a hushed room captivated by their stage presence. With moments like Dolenz and his sister sharing a tambourine solo, clips from the show playing on screens around the venue, and fans dancing in the audience, the energy held high the rest of the night. Dolenz created an unforgettable and addictive experience for every fan. Seeing him perform at such a high caliber, coupled with the plethora of moments where he pulled back the curtain on his life, put into perspective his iconic career. If you haven't already, make sure to catch Dolenz live before his tour ends in May. Buy tickets here.