Photos by Chris Besaw
Review by Kelly Besaw
I cannot think of a better way to kick off the outdoor summer concert season than with the Avett Brothers at Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, NY. It was the perfect way to spend a beautiful Saturday evening, at a gorgeous venue with good live music.
I have seen the Avett Brothers live a few times, but it has been a while. I also listen to their music regularly and had not realized that they have put out twelve studio albums. Then I realized that they have been around for twenty-five years, and I had been listening to them since the early 2000s. I am not sure how it is even possible that it has been twenty-five years. Time Flys!
The Avett Brothers took the stage a little after 8pm and started off the night with “We Are Loved” off their most recent self-titles release and then a total mood shift with “Satan Pulls the Strings” a much more upbeat tune that is reminiscent of a southern revival song. The Avett Brothers Scott and Seth were joined onstage by Bob Crawford (stand-up bass), Joe Kwon (cello), Mike Marsh (drums), Bonnie Avett-Rini (piano), and Tania Elizabeth (violin). I should mention that every single musician onstage sings and plays multiple instruments including everything from a cowbell to a kickdrum and even a kazoo.
With such an extensive catalog to choose from, the Avett Brothers are sure to play something that pleases everyone. They played some songs off their new album, some lesser-known tracks and several of their most loved hits including, “Murder in the City,” “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” and they ended their set with “No Hard Feelings.” After an impressive twenty-three song set, they Avett Brothers returned to the stage for an encore that included “Pretty Girl from Feltre” and “Salvation Song.” They bid the crowd goodnight and fans reluctantly headed toward the exit.
If you have never seen the Avett Brothers live, they take their studio album mixed to a whole different level. Their live sound, the incorporation of so many instruments and voices melding into one, is something you don’t want to miss. They definitely have a vibe. You can feel how they are feeling. When they’re happy, their sound is upbeat and when they are sad, well you get the point. There are a few more opportunities to catch them this summer, so don’t miss out.
Setlist
We are Loved
Satan Pulls the Strings
Morning Song
Ain’t No Man
Go to Sleep
Colorshow
November Blue
Gimmeakiss
Farewell Trion
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)(Billy Joel cover)
Murder in the City
At the Beach
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
Orion’s Belt
Black Mountain Rag (Traditional cover)
Slight Figure of Speech
Ten Thousand Words
Backwards With Time
Die Die Die
Shame
Vanity
Kick Drum Heart
No Hard Feelings
Encore
Pretty Girl From Feltre
Salvation Song
