Review: Voices and strings carry Avett Brothers show
There wasn’t a fan of the Avett Brothers who went home unhappy Thursday as the popular folk rock band dominated the Orpheum Theatre stage.
It felt at times as if the audience was sitting in on a front porch bluegrass jam and at others like they were part of a movement, reveling in a sea of clapping fans.
See a photo gallery from the show.
Either way, die hards and casual fans alike got an unending string of hits, folky ballads, alt-rock thumpers and even those front porch jams that seemed almost made up on the spot.
The band took the stage under a blanket of warm blue and gold lighting, opening with “The Once And Future Carpenter,” then moved onto the fan favorite “Live And Die,” a slow cooker that nicely loosened things up.
The crowd split its time, sitting as the band plucked its way through talky ballads, then rising to their feet when the pace picked up, singing along as the stage bumped with a thick bass backdrop.
The North Carolina band provided a folksy tour through its 15-year repertoire. Songs such as “Morning Song,” “February Seven” and a mix of new and old hits, 22 in all before the encore, were highlighted by fiddle and harmonica and cello solos sprinkled among the foot-stomping.
Tania Elizabeth’s fiddle overwhelmed the stage on “Bring Your Love To Me” and Scott Avett’s harmonica made the string-rich “Prettiest Thing” so much sweeter.
“The Perfect Space” and “Distraction #74” both eliciting a huge applause, and brought the crowd to its feet. The pace of the night never waned, nor did the enthusiasm of fans, who whooped and hollered in adoration throughout the evening.
The band took a break mid show and a trio on banjo, fiddle and bass performed what seemed like an old-time front porch jam.
As always, the brothers Avett and their entourage were a whirlwind of energy and raw emotion. At times, the songs came off as if they were written in the moment.
The power of the strings – cello, violin and bass – did the acoustics at the Orpheum justice, beautifully filling every corner of the room. The piano and harmonica perfectly complemented the string-heavy ensemble.
But truly, the voices of this incredible band carried the night. Later in the show, the band gathered around a microphone to perform a 1913 gospel hit “In the Garden” that felt like an old time porch singalong.
When the opening guitar chords of “Die Die Die,” rang out, the crowd was giddy with excitement as it seemed the band might play all night. They wouldn’t of course, and in fact were saving hits like “Salina,” which was highlighted by a dramatic cello solo, and “I and Love and You.”
The song was a fitting closer with the crowd singing along to the words “I and love and you” as if to thank the band for an incredible night of music.
See a photo gallery from the show.
About the Author
Thomas Ritchie I love food, cycling, family, music, social media and especially Sioux City. Got an idea for a story - shoot me a note at siouxcitynow1@gmail.com.
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