Staff Photo Lauren Husband: The Avett Brothers live at the AMP, Sept. 26 2014.
A beautiful, breezy, almost perfect evening on Friday, Sept. 24, the crowd was already in good spirits for the Avett Brothers performance about to be underway.
People of all ages trickled into the Walmart AMP, generally clad in Chacos, plaid, and sun dresses while giggling, talking, and finding their seats. The more relaxed concert-goers searched for a perfectly groomed patch of grass to lay their blankets, removed their shoes, grabbed some beers, and were set up to enjoy the concert from afar in the general admission grass hills.
Then it was showtime.
Seth Avett walked out confidently to center stage at promptly 8 o’clock, which appeared to be a relief to some of the seemingly seasoned concert-goers — who are not unaccustomed to the headliner beginning much after the stated start time. The crowd cheered as he sliped on his guitar. He nodded in reply, and pushed over his Willy Nelson-esque pigtail braids and straightened his tie — which seems to have become a new staple of concert wardrobes. A hi-hat cymbal stands in front of him.
Staff Photo Lauren Husband
His brother Scott, in his usual denim affair, smiled widely, sliped on his banjo, and walked up to the kick drum to the right of Seth. Joe Kwon and Bob Crawford walked up to their respective cello and bass guitar with their usual quiet humility. Touring member and former Dashboard Confessional drummer, Mike Marsh, positioned himself on the drums while the recently added touring member, Tania Elizabeth, tuned her fiddle next to Kwon.
Seth nods again, the lights turn blue, and Scott strums the first chord of their recent hit, “Live and Die.” The crowd cheered, and it seems as if every single member of the audience knows the entire tune by heart. This is not surprising, as Avett Brothers fans are impressively loyal, and it was not uncommon to hear audience members comparing their “Avett concert quotas” before shows.
The band’s unique style, which has its roots in traditional folk, bluegrass and high energy, unpredictable rock and roll roots could be attributed to their expansive fan base. Really though, it’s probably the band’s ability and apparent need to show their passion for music and community onstage is what keeps Avett fans coming back for more.
Each show is a unique experience, but always embodies the genuine appreciation that the Avett Brothers have to be able to share their music with such passionate and equally genuine crowds.
Staff Photo Lauren Husband
They followed “Live and Die” with “Will You Return,” which was equally well received by the excited audience.
The show consisted of songs from several albums, ranging from their first album “Country Was” in 2002 to their most recently released “Magpie and the Dandelion” from 2013. A few recognizable traditional country and gospel songs were covered mid-set. Most recognizable was “In the Garden,” a traditional gospel song written in 1912, which asserts the traditional southern Christian roots of the brothers, who spent much of their young adulthood in Greenville, N.C. playing punkish rock and roll.
Scott took on lead vocals far more, but during some songs, the two would trade leads or sing harmonies, which has been their trademark for years. It seemed to be an especially energetic night for Scott Avett, who spent much of the song “Kick Drum,” one of their poppier, higher energy songs, literally running back and forth onstage in what seemed to be an attempt to rouse the audience into clapping along with the kick drum. Scott continued his younger brother antics by dragging the older Seth around stage, which perfectly exhibited the reason Avett fans always come back.
Staff Photo Lauren Husband:
They ended their set with one of their biggest hits, “I and Love and You,” which drew a very enthusiastic and well-deserved response. The audience left in high spirits to their very fitting piece “Good Night” and a humble “thank you” from Seth.
