Each Glastonbury I go to, I try and see at least one band that I’ve not heard of before. This year, that honour fell to the Avett Brothers.
Avett Brothers on the Avalon stage at Glastonbury 2010
I’d already eyed them up in the programme after they were described as a “folk rolk band from North Carolina who combine bluegrass, punk and pop, and have become hugely popular and critically acclaimed in the US.” How hadn’t I heard of them? This wasn’t the only recommendation I’d get to go and see them as Greg, a friend of Sunit who I went to Glastonbury with, also gave them a glowing recommendation. It had to be done.
I made by way to the Avalon field after catching half of Ellen and Escapades’ underwhelming set in the Acoustic field. I managed the catch the end of the Wurzels – the MC announced I’d missed a “proper Glastonbury moment”. The Avett Brothers had a tough act to follow.
They didn’t disappoint.
In the hour-ish set that followed, the decent sized crowd were treated to a cracking set of up tempo folksy numbers. The band were very polished. I thought the cellist – who I gather is only part of the ranks when they take to touring – was particularly good.
Two stand out tracks for me were ‘I and Love and You‘, from their recent album of which this is the title track, and ‘Murder in the City’, from Second Gleam, which nearly had me in tears.
I wish I was more familiar with the rest of the material so I could remember what some of the other outstanding tunes were – but at least I’ve got a great excuse (as if I needed one!) to check out the back catalogue and enjoy the songs all over again.
Brad,
I’m still waiting for that Second Glem CD, but have the recent album, Emotionalism and the first Gleam. Yet to catch up though
Well, you’ll have to whack ‘em in the car and subject Mum to ‘em later!
They were my gem too brad. Loved ‘em, they had me dancing around at times, yet close to tears at others. Plus the avalon stage is a gorgeous place to be. One of my all time glasto memories. Well done greg!
Two triumphant moments for the Smiffy – first, discovering the Avett Brothers; and then secondly, passing on his learned recommendation to his favourite folk-fan and banjo-fetishist – namely, me.
They’re my new favourite band so I’m very grateful for the tip-off but hate you for getting to see them live when I didn’t. It’s so unfair. You’re a monster, Smith.
Sorry Cox. We’ll have to keep our collective ears to the ground for their next UK appearance. Or you could fly out to the States where I believe they’re currently touring.
A good excuse to sign up to Songkick, if you haven’t already done so…