When relying on third-party APIs for all back-end functionality, using AngularJS from the MEAN stack is essential. This allows for the creation of a client-side application that may fulfill all necessary requirements.
To run this application, it must be hosted on a server. If a web server is unavailable but a general 'compute' server is accessible, Node.js can be utilized to serve the application. Alternatively, there are other web servers that could be used.
AngularJS can directly run on top of Node.js; however, Express.js can act as a middleware layer facilitating communication between the two components or providing additional functionality if required. It is worth noting that Express only functions with Node.js, so alternative technologies would need to be considered if a different web server is chosen.
If data persistence is needed for information retrieved from the API, MongoDB can be utilized for storage purposes. Though based on the provided information, data persistence might not be necessary at this time, it should still be kept in mind.
In summary, for an API-powered application, focusing primarily on the front-end is recommended. Utilizing AngularJS within a site and ensuring it has a platform for operation should suffice for the project's needs.