Back in June, on 2025’s sole Friday the 13th, Josh Ayala, George Smith, and Aaron Jackson took the floor in the bar at The Block & Tackle on Speedway 6 in south Wellfleet. They’ve been playing together for years, this wasn’t them figuring each other out. It was, however, the first time Josh had pulled the three of them together as a three by design. We do not have a recording of the show - who knows if there are fractal 1s and 0s of it on a hard drive somewhere? That may add to its mystique, because we still hold it as one of the best live shows of the 2025 season.
It was early into the summer to remember Bruce Maclean, so Josh had been playing “I Shall Be Released” for him regularly (listen to Josh talk about why at the top of this article ^^). During that inaugural Trio show, as he wrapped the Dylan/Band anthem up, he turned his back to the crowd and gradually worked George & Aaron out of that sweetness and melancholy into a rockin, groove-drenched turn on the Dead’s rearrangement of Henry Whittier’s ‘Lonesome Road Blues’, ‘Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad.’ Could have been the small room, could have been the cathartic release after the heavier tune, could have been the sheer joy of these guys playing out in this iteration for the first time (one of George’s hands doubling up as a bassist), but we’ve been chasing that like a Car Thief chasing that first high from a trip to the Bowie nose candy shoppe (for the Beastie heads).
This past Saturday, 18 Oct 25, saw those same three plus vocalist Melissa Ayala set up shop. Maybe it was the lighting, maybe it was the set list, maybe it was Josh & Melissa, usually standing and radiating a whole other set of energies, sitting for this show, but the air of another kind of performance hung thick, like July humidity. The room was packed, the bar was active, and the audience was deeply invested. Nobody’s asked so nobody’s been told but it looked a lot like this venue was going to be wrestling the champagne problems of feet battling for floor space.
South Wellfleet for the Winter
So the room is strong - we love the atmosphere owners Beth & Patrick create by removing their dinner tables and chairs from the barroom and creating a stage so clearly delineated you could swear mid-song, or 3 cocktails in, there’s a riser. Sidebar: Block & Tackle’s secret weapon is their mixology game - which we’re happy to make a big deal about (who doesn’t want to drink a chipotle-infused vodka?). And Beth says there’ll be some fall additions so be ready to adventure.
When they moved into the building, that corner of the room had booths lining the walls. They got the booths out before long and swapped in the tables and chairs you’ll see when you pop in for lunch or dinner or a game on Sunday. That’s when they began bringing in live music, adding to the Wellfleet scene, and welcoming the crowds it attracts. Heavier in the Holiday-to-Holiday season, natch, Block & Tackle keeps bookings on the calendar year-round.
Aside from their weekly Trivia Night on Thursdays, they’ll add some more karaoke dates and continue to bring in live talent tapping and likely adding to the roster who make regular appearances: The Grab Brothers, Jordan Renzi (is it The Daddys? Is it The Saints? Léo?), J Place & The Rockers, John Robertson, and, of course, Ayala.
As we roll into the shoulder season, the dip in population will have Beth & Patrick being a little more strategic with their bookings - which is why we’re enjoying their move to set up a residency show to create some appointment crowds. Add to that, the swell around Ayala over the last year+ as he’s worked more original songs into his sets, generating crowd favorites and well-attended shows. If Saturday night was an indicator, this could cement Block & Tackle as the past-the-rotary destination for live music junkies this side of Hyannis.
Because Block & Tackle was the birthplace and one of the key incubators for the Trio from the top of the page here, it’s only fitting that they become the Sanctuary (ayoo!) for the Josh Ayala Trio (+1 in their new incarnation, hi Melissa!). And because Ayala can be depended on for his consistent embrace of the flux state on state on stage, you can likely expect any number of modern Cape legends to roll through for a cameo on that first Saturday: thinking about Keb Hutchings-McMahon & Mark Usher & Jordan & Brad Conant.
Bury the Lede
So the recommendation is this: get there early and have dinner - set up at the bar, pro-tip. Brisket, pulled pork, wings, crispy brussels sprouts, the Whydah Maker sandwich or the fried chicken plate are favorites.
As dedicated drinkers, we always recommend trying a couple cocktails over dinner (the aforementioned chipotle-infused vodka when it’s available - Saturday Beth whipped up an on-the-fly tequila concoction that begs for a spot on the marquee - keep an eye out). Handle that business while you have the time so when the plates clear and the band plugs in, you’re ready to plug in with them. By then you’re hopefully a familiar face to the bartenders so they know when it’s 3-deep and your parched. Then settle in, hold fast to your square foot, and dig on the music - you won’t hear the same set twice.
