Folk-rockers The Avett Brothers returned to Beak and Skiff in LaFayette on Friday, June 6, for the first night of a two-night run at the picturesque apple orchard.
Formed in 2000 in Concord, NC, brothers Seth and Scott Avett have become favorites on the folk-rock circuit. Now in their 25th year, the band has shown no signs of stopping. They released their 11th studio album last year and have a full sleight of summer tour dates spanning the country. The brothers are joined by Bob Crawford (bass), Joe Kwon (cello), Tania Elizabeth (violin), Mike Marsh (percussion), as well as their sister, Bonnie Avett-Rini (piano).
The rain soaked concert field did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance Friday. Fortunately, the day’s heavy rain showers gave way by by mid afternoon, allowing for the show to go-off without any disruption.
Anna Tivel delighted the early arriving concert goers, delivering a 40-minute set of solo, acoustic folk rock tracks. The heralded songwriter quickly grabbed the audience’s attention, as the standing area around the stage gave their undivided attention to Tivel. “You’re amazing”, an audience member shouted early in the set.
After a brief layover, The Avett Brothers immediately got the party started. Taking the stage armed with kazoos, the band launched in to “The D Bag Rag”, a fun and silly upbeat instrumental, which had the audience dancing along and stomping their feet. As the song concluded, the band tossed their kazoos in to the crowd and moved quickly in to “Live and Die”.
To witness the Avett Brothers in concert, is to experience a uniquely crafted musical performance. Each night delivers a freshly curated setlist which showcases the band’s diverse musical talents and spans their catalog. The band weaves the audience between upbeat and raucous numbers, to ballads with delicate and soulful harmonies.
The evening brimmed with nostalgia, as brothers Seth and Scott would at times break away from the backing of the full band to perform tracks solo or as a trio, harkening back to their earliest of days as a band. Seth delivered a solo and intimate rendition of “Ballad of Love and Hate”, while Scott would deliver his rendition of “Murder in the City”. Early in the set, the brothers called attention to two separate young children in the audience, each holding signs declaring this their first concert. This led to banter between songs of each member’s first concert. Following a family concert to see Tom T. Hall, the siblings credited their first shows as Soundgarden (Seth), Van Halen (Scott), and Def. Leppard (Bonnie).
In all, the band performed 24 songs over a two-hour set. The night ended with the beautiful “Swept Away”. As audience members exited the venue, conversations could be overheard of predictions for what might be in store for night two.
While Saturday night’s show at Beak and Skiff is sold out, the band returns to New York State in August, with shows in Chautauqua (August 1), Brookville (August 3), and Port Chester (August 8).
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