Mobile
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist / News Live review: The Avett Brothers
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 9:33 AM
The Avett Brothers w/ Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Bojangles Coliseum
April 9, 2011
The Deal: The Avett Brothers return home for a sold-out concert, first Charlotte date since 2009, bringing Grace Potter along for the ride.
The Good: As her band slowly started the first rumbles of "Hot Summer Night," Grace Potter's long legs transported her to the front of the stage where she unleashed a soulful, rock howl. Dancing like Tina Turner, whipping her hair around and singing like a siren, Potter unleashed the bluesy rock goddess inside of her through a blistering 55-minute set. From "Ah Mary" and "Apologies" to a cover of "Elvis Presley Blues," Potter and her band appeared to enjoy every moment on stage.
She showcased the rock as much as the mellow and silenced the crowd with the a capella intro to "Nothing But the Water." Her set wrapped with her latest single, "Paris" followed by "Medicine," which included a full-band drum solo. The band's energy was overwhelming and if it weren't for a hometown crowd, I'd worry that the Avetts would have been overwhelmed by it.
With the crowd heated up, it didn't take long for the Avett Brothers to take the stage to thunderous applause. Setting the tone for the night, Scott and Seth Avett along with Bob Crawford stood around a single microphone to sing John Denver's "It's Good to Be Back Home." From there, the band launched into "Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise" from its latest album, I and Love and You.
The night was filled with excitement — from the crowd and the band. Seth told the packed arena, "We can't begin to tell you how excited we are to be here." The band's two-hour, 22 song set, plus two-song encore, included something from every facet of the band's career — from the latest and earliest albums to the brothers' The Gleam II EP.
Bob Crawford was given a moment to shine by taking the stage solo for a rendition of "Letter to a Pretty Girl," which was followed by the two Avetts standing alone for "Tear Down the House."
The Elton John-esque "Kickdrum Heart" slid right into "Colorshow" just as the crowd never stopped showing its appreciation. Seth acknowledged all of the family and friends in attendance, also paying tribute to a local singer songwriter telling the crowd, "If you don't know a David Childers song, do yourself a favor..."
With a triangle of 15 beaded chandeliers hanging above the crowd, and four more over the band, the group tried its best to create a more intimate setting for its music. Scott performed "Murder in the City" solo, changing up a few lines to include his wife and daughter.
An extended instrumental jam led into "I and Love and You," which was dedicated to "a pretty girl from wherever we are." On cue, the crowd held up three fingers to help Scott sing along to the chorus. The crowd and band showed each other love all night and this was the right way to cap it off and show it back.
After telling the crowd, "we don't want to leave either!" The Avetts kicked off its two-song encore with the hyper "Talk on Indolence," before wrapping up with "Laundry Room." Seth told the crowd, "Thank you so much. We love you, Charlotte. We'll see you soon! Goodnight."
The Bad: It may have been where I was standing in the arena, but to me, the sound was a bit washed out, to no fault of the Avetts. Acoustic music shouldn't so sound distant and cloudy.
The Verdict: It may have taken them a long time to get back, but it was clear that Charlotte has plenty of love for The Avett Brothers.
Grace Potter setlist
Hot Summer Night
Ah Mary
Goodbye Kiss
Apologies
Only Love
Elvis Presley Blues
Nothing But the Water I
Nothing But the Water II
Big White Gate
Paris (Ooh La La)
Medicine
Avett Brothers setlist
It's Good to be Back Home
Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise
The Fall
Die Die Die
Shame
Distraction 74
Go to Sleep
January Wedding
Scared to Die
Hard Worker
Letter to a Pretty Girl (Bob Solo)
Tear Down the House
Kickdrum Heart
Colorshow
Paranoia
Spanish Pipedream
Pretend Love
Murder
And It Spread
Pretty Girl from Cedar Lane
Instrumental Jam
I and Love and You
Encore
Talk on Indolence
Laundry Room
Speaking of...
Latest in Vibes
-
Chvrches ups the energy
Oct 17, 2018 -
Florence & The Machine offer a vocal showcase in Charlotte area
Oct 4, 2018 -
Bill Murray, Jan Vogler and Friends entertain with wit, classic arts
Oct 2, 2018 - More »
More by Jeff Hahne
-
Chvrches ups the energy
Oct 17, 2018 -
Florence & The Machine offer a vocal showcase in Charlotte area
Oct 4, 2018 -
Bill Murray, Jan Vogler and Friends entertain with wit, classic arts
Oct 2, 2018 - More »
-
Live review: Fiona Apple, The Fillmore (9/26/2012) 16
Fans ate it up, but it was a trainwreck of tragic and frustrating proportions.
-
Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
