The Deal: The Avett Brothers return for annual New Year’s Eve show in front of sell-out crowd of more than 2,000 fans.
The Good: In summary – Festive hats. Fancy clothes. A solid set by opener Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles providing their own lively music in the same vein as the Avetts. Crowd going crazy. Feet stomping. Band in tuxedos. Massive sing-a-longs. “Paranoia.” Incredible energy. Joined by Paleface and Just About to Burn for two songs. Smiles all around. “Die, die, die.” Scott Avett balancing on the PA, kicking up his feet. People dancing. The intensity of playing kept their guitar tuner busy. Screaming. Head shaking happiness. Two encores. Joined by friends including Langhorne Slim and Paleface for a cover of Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.” Seth Avett – “We’re glad to be home for the holidays” and it showed. The final tune was “Salvation Song” which had the crowd clamoring for more. Scott rolling around on the ground to sing the last few notes. Happy New Year, indeed.
The Bad: They cut “Pretty Girl from Chile” short and continued it after an intermission and the midnight countdown, but kicked it back off in full electric effect which made up for the long delay. A few people were beyond drunk, but it was New Year’s Eve. No complaints.
The Verdict: Probably the best concert I saw all year – relentless from start to finish and unmatched in energy by both the crowd and band.
This article appears in Jan 9-15, 2008.
