Avett Brothers w/ Shovels & Rope
Time Warner Cable Arena
Dec. 31, 2013
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- The Avett Brothers
As the Avett Brothers walked on to the darkened stage at Time Warner Cable Arena on Dec. 31, Seth Avett made his way forward, stopped and simply looked around. Soaking in the moment of finally performing in Charlotte’s largest venue, filled with people cheering for their hometown band, you can only imagine what thoughts were going through his, or any of the band member’s, mind.
The last time the band played a New Year’s Eve show in Charlotte, it was for 2,000 people in 2008. The last time the band played in Charlotte, in 2011, it was at the smaller Bojangles Coliseum. Even they were a long road away from the band’s humble beginnings.
As the first notes of “Open Ended Life” were struck and the arena erupted, the Avetts began to sing, dance and stomp their way through a handful of songs with energy I hadn’t seen from the band in years. With time, they had toned down much of the stomping, screaming and jumping around that they used to do.
While Scott Avett stomped on his kick drum, cellist Joe Kwon shredded through his bow. Seth was all smiles as bassist Bob Crawford remained his usually more-reserved self. Tania Elizabeth, a founding member of the Duhks who is featured on the Avetts’ latest album, Magpie and the Dandelion, was also adding a bit more country/bluegrass vibe to the songs. The energy coming from the stage told the crowd, “this is a celebration” and “this isn’t the same band you heard the last time.”
If only it had lasted that way through the midnight hour.
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- The Avett Brothers perform near a disco ball that crashed through the stage before the band’s performance began.
That’s not to say it got “bad,” but adrenaline wears off and the energy tends to settle a bit as time goes on. Though appreciative of the applause, the Avetts didn’t address the crowd much. They didn’t even address the nearly six-foot diameter disco ball that crashed through the stage after opener Shovels & Rope left the stage (thankfully no one was hurt, and the shining globe sat front and left-center for the duration of the show.)
While portions of the show felt flat, it was only in comparison to the opening salvo. Overall, the performance was consistent and solid and the group provided plenty of stellar moments.
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- Scott Avett
Scott Avett walked alone to the end of a long ramp to sing “Murder in the City.” It was followed by Seth, alone, performing “The Ballad of Love and Hate.” The Avetts’ father, Jim, and sister, Bonnie, joined Seth, Scott and Bob Crawford at the ramp for a sparse, church-like rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross.”
As the clock wound toward midnight, an energetic “Kick Drum Heart” led way to a few-minute break before the group returned to welcome in the New Year. That’s when things really fell apart. While Seth noted that they’d be counting down, it was difficult to follow the series of numbers, symbols and hand gestures being flashed on a large screen behind the stage.
Before anyone in the quiet arena knew it, the hands were signaling 3, 2, 1 and it was midnight. Scott grabbed the microphone and said, “That’s it! Happy New Year!” No countdown with the crowd. No big buildup. It was all more of a – “Whoops, there it went!” As people cheered and the band launched into “Auld Lang Syne,” white, gold and silver balloons poured down from the rafters.
The band played a few more songs, including “Talk on Indolence” from the band’s 2006 album Four Thieves Gone before closing with the appropriate “I and Love and You” and “Life.” A brief encore included a cover of John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and the return of Bonnie and Jim for a set-closing a capella rendition of “Goodnite Sweet Heart Goodnite.”
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- Shovels and Rope
In combination with a one-hour set by Shovels & Rope (to our readers – no sign of Townes Van Zandt), the night provided a night full of strong folk-infused performances. The Avetts, through a set touching on old and new songs alike, displayed their talents while providing a bit of a map showing how far they’ve come since the early days.
- Photo by Jeff Hahne
- Scott and Seth Avett
Setlist
Open-Ended Life
Live and Die
The Fall
Down with the Shine
Shame
Paranoia in Bb Major
Morning Song
Pretty Girl from Cedar Lane
Another Is Waiting
Pretty Girl from Chile
The Clearness Is Gone
Murder in the City
The Ballad of Love and Hate
Salina
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
Laundry Room
Old Joe Clark
The Old Rugged Cross
Through My Prayers
Vanity
Kick Drum Heart
Auld Lang Syne
Talk on Indolence
I and Love and You
Life
Encore
Go to Sleep
Thank God I’m a Country Boy
Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite
This article appears in Jan 1-7, 2014.
I did like the show, but my wife and I did note that they didn’t interact much with the crowd. Not even mention the giant ball that was protruding from the stage. Still a big fan, but was expecting a little more “hey, we’re home!”
I agree. I couldn’t help but feel that something was off that night. Joe Kwon tweeted a setlist that did not match with what they played that night, so something unusual was going on.
Having first seen the Avetts back in 2006 at intimate club and free, in the park, type shows, it saddens me to say that perhaps we are seeing a band that has “jumped the shark”. Set lists have been fairly predictable the last few years with the exception of last year’s NYE show in Greensboro, which was truly stellar. Was looking forward to seeing a true hometown show but the energy and passion appeared to be lacking. I fully understand that they can’t be the same band they were 8 years ago but still…7 people in the band (compared to the original 3), Rick Rubin production of albums, disco balls symbolically crashing, fans rushing the stage, drunk 50 yr old yuppies to the front, drunk 20 something girls screaming the schrillest screams to the back of us and a pair of brothers on stage that seem like they may have become a bit too accustom to the love…it all reminds me too much of the last days of the Grateful Dead. While it is a bit unfair to judge a band by personal discretions, it is impossible for me to seperate Seth’s affair with his songs. “I’m yours, that’s it, forever” at the end of “Ballad of Love and Hate” rings a tad false, eh Seth? Normally I would never tie personal and professional so closely for a band but when you build your reputation, in part, on your wholesomeness, you get what you get. Guess I’ll have to leave the Avett shows to all the bandwagoners, as it just doesn’t ring true to me anymore.