Avett Brothers @ Smith Opera House

A pretty straightforward way to turn your regular superfans into rabid superfans is to be sure and mix it up night after night. That's the only way I can explain the Avett Brothers' maniacal fanbase. I mean sure they are a great band, write great songs, and put on great live shows, but so do a lot of bands, and they aren't blessed with the fans that the Avetts are blessed with. I don't know why, but I continue to be mystified by this. When we headed out a few hours before doors opened for an early dinner and drinks and there were already a good 30 people standing out in the sub-freezing temperatures waiting to get in I was a little surprised. As a person who owns most of their albums, follow them on twitter and facebook, and have seen them live 4 times, it's a little odd knowing that I hardly even register as a casual Avett Brothers fan.

The last time I caught a non-festival Avett show was two summers ago at Water Street. It was barely even half full and tickets were a reasonable 20 or so dollars. This time they were playing the more sizable Smith Opera House in Geneva, easily sold it out, and were charging twice as much. Impressive.

The show wasn't any better or worse. Tough to think they could put on a bad show, not sure any combination of their songs would be disappointing and they're not taking any bold risks that might fall flat. Quality songs and their raucously energetic live re-imaginations is a (seemingly) simple formula for success. Still, as I looked around the room during the show, I felt like I was on the outside looking in. Oh, that's the lyric we cheer for? Sing along to this part? Hands in the air now?

And like I said earlier, what keeps em coming back is the simple fact that the set list varies every night. Bands like Wilco and My Morning Jacket put on fairly incredible live shows, though they won't really mix it up from show to show for a whole tour, maybe even a whole year or more. The Avett Brothers throw in songs spanning their career, and don't shy away from that rare unrecorded nugget that some fan who's seen 100 shows has never seen. I don't think I will ever be able to fully appreciate the nuances of their live experience, but I enjoyed it all the same.

I was equally excited for the opener Jessica Lea Mayfield who has eluded me a couple of times. Unfortunately she continued this trend when she canceled last minute to appear on Letterman the next night. Lame excuse! Her brother's band, David Mayfield Parade, performed in her stead. I had been made aware of Avett fans general dislike for Jessica prior to the show and there was an audible relief when the announcement was made. I'm not sure I have ever seen a crowd take to a relatively unknown (I think?) opener so quickly and so exuberantly before. Also unusual for an opener, because the show was GA they were playing to a full house for their whole set. They had the crowd up and dancing midway into the hour long set and practically calling for an encore by the end. David's mannerisms, humor, and appearance all reminded me a bit of both Zach Galiafanakis and Reverend Peyton. They played a blend of old time country, folksy pop, and all out rock. Personally I thought they were pretty good, but nothing worth seeking out, but I think the majority of the crowd felt much differently. Very well-received set.

If you want to know what the "real" fans thought (and see the set list), check it out here:
http://www.theavettbrothers.com/us/forums/geneva-ny-smith-opera-house-2202011

Catching up: August and September

A quick rundown of some stuff from late summer, boiled down to one (mostly run-on)sentence recaps.

Newport Folk Fest
It was one of the most stacked lineups in recent memory for the fest, celebrating its 50th year, with a great mix of old and new (take a listen over at npr.)

The zoom on my camera broke that week so video offerings are limited.

Ben Kweller: They were missing their bassist, but it didn't bother me one bit, quite enjoyable set.

Avett Brothers: They continued to impress in advance of their fantastic new album from the big stage, and then gave a select few (not I unfortunately) a treat from atop the Fort Adams. (They perform about 3:30 into the coverage)


Del McCoury Band: Surprisingly and a tad disappointingly, the only bluegrass heard all weekend, here mixing it up with a some sousaphone from Preservation Hall Jazz Band.


David Rawlings Machine/Gillian Welch: Gillian Welch, as expected, was phenomenal on Saturday with her husband David Rawlings, and then he, with Gillian at his side, equaled and then surpassed her set on Sunday. Together, they were the hands-down highlight of the weekend.



Iron & Wine: Never met a Sam Beam song I didn't instantly fall in love with, remarkable.

So much more to get excited about from the weekend, but let's leave it at that for now. Hope to make it again next year.

Phish @ Darien Lake
I've been to all four of Phish's Darien visits, and this was probably the worst, which isn't saying much since the first three were some of the best shows I have ever seen. (Saved by a late but GREAT GREAT Antelope, and this Drowned wasn't too shabby either)


Felice Brothers @ German House
The German House seems to suck the energy out of a show, maybe it would be different if it were packed, still they are a ton of fun to see live, with a tad too much tossing water into the crowd. (insert Gallagher joke here)

Akron/Family, Slaraffenland @ Mohawk Place
(It's official, I drank the kool-aid and it tastes like Akron/Family... LOVE LOVE LOVE) As much as I enjoyed Slaraffenland's rhythmic pop tapestries in their opening set, they didn't do too much (or not nearly as much as Megafaun previously I should say) to add the Akron's set and were somewhat underutilized (considering their multi-instrumental prowess I wondered why they were only used as a horn section.)



David Grisman Quintet @ Water Street Music Hall
Man, I haven't seen Grisman in ages, I think I figured it's been about 8 years, and the man's still got it.

Avett Brothers @ Water Street Music Hall

Determined not to miss yet another chance to see the Avett Brothers, I jumped off the jazz train just as it was picking up a full head of steam, and switched gears entirely with some hard-rockin' bluegrass. Hard rockin'? Yep, not to mention head bangin', floor shakin', roof rattlin', knee bucklin' and smile inducin'. They raced through a fairly quick 80 minute or so set. The quality was high and consistent, and my dogs were screaming, so the brevity was excused.

These brothers plus 2 aren't the greatest musicians technically that you will see (if they are they don't show it), there is a rough and tumble rawness to their playing. But, they write some of the finest tunes being written today, and play them with reckless abandon, much to the delight of the rowdy crowd.

Coming from the throngs of dedicated jazz heads, hushed with their attentive but critical ear, this crowd was a full 180, with the only thing connecting the two a voracious appetite for live music. I had no idea Avett Brothers had such a rabid following. With their individually numbered Team Avett shirts, Avett Nation banner hanging high, floorboard-buckling jump dancing, and singing every word to every song at the top of their lungs (with the exception of most of the few new numbers played), this crowd was extremely into the band... and young as hell. I don't claim to know what the kids are into these days, but I had no idea it would be this.

Local americana rock act Auld Lang Syne opened things up. They had me at hello, and kind of lost me by good-bye. Seemed like they were doing something different with an accordian and french horn meeting up with the usual guitars and drums, but it ended up sounding like many other things I have heard and generally been indifferent to.

Also made it to Abilene before the show for the Hypnotic Clambake clambake. Wonder how many times someone's thought to pair those two things together? The burgers were cold but the music was hot (these guys know how to include an accordian into the mix), great start to the evening and Abilene continues to be one of the best spots for a beer and free music in the city. Don't shy away from the Porkslap Pale Ale...