I really can’t think of a better way to end FloydFest7 than with a festival closing performance by the Avett Brothers.  The band has earned it, their fans have earned it.  Over the last four years FloydFest and the Avett Brothers have in many ways grown up together. 

FloydFest has established itself as one of the best festival experiences around (and you can still get up close and personal with every act!) and the Avetts have done nothing but leave everything they have on the stage at every show (and don’t think folks are taking notice).  In case you haven’t heard they’ve just signed with American/Columbia Records and Rick Rubin is producing their next album! 

The “family affair” comes to a close with all the brothers and sisters gathered at Hill Holler for the Avett Brothers.

[photo print by Hevenerlee]

————

A friend told me just before the Avetts took the stage that the crowd that had stuck around to the very end for the final show of the weekend was one of the largest she had ever seen at the Hill Holler Stage.  As I’ve said before in these very pages, the Avetts have one of the fastest growing, most loyal fan bases I’ve ever seen. 

Hell just a little over two years ago I was seeing these guys at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV with 150 people.  I helped book a show at the Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton, WV, which seats under 200, on the eve of FloydFest 2006 (where Bob broke the neck off his bass while playing on stage).  And now it’s 2008 and they’re capping off FloydFest.  That’s the reward for pouring your heart into something every night, every mile, every show, every song.

The sun was beating down in the late Sunday afternoon as the Brothers took the stage.  If the Avetts were going to soak themselves in sweat and song it only seemed appropriate that we should be a part of that as well.  And let me say this right now so it’s set in stone:

Song for song, start to finish, and all points in between, this was hands down the best Avett Brothers show I’ve ever heard.  The sound was perfect, the band hit every note, and the crowd knew every word.  When the Avetts rocked, the crowd rocked with them and when they played soft, sweet, and low a hush fell across the hill.

As for highlights, I’m going to say the whole set was a highlight.  But if I had to pick out my favorite performances in an afternoon of favorites, then here goes:

• The show opening “Gimme A Kiss” with Scott on drums

• “Denouncing November Blue”

• One of the best versions of “Pretty Girl at the Airport” I’ve ever heard

• The still yet-to-be released songs “Tin Man” and “Laundry Room” which I enjoy more and more each time I hear them.

• Paleface and Mo joining the band for versions of “The Fall” and “Go to Sleep”

• The entire crowd singing “La La, La La La La” from the time the band left the stage at the end of their set until they returned for their encore.  An amazing moment.

• Tearing it down and closing it out with a dust-cloud inducing version of “Talk on Indolence”

Thanks fellas.  We’ll see you down the road.  Thanks as well to FloydFest.  We’ll see you next year!

The Avett Brothers’s latest release The Second Gleam is now available in stores on CD and vinyl or online at the usual digital outlets.  The Avett Brothers will be in Charlottesville on September 20 as they open for the Drive By Truckers at the Charlottesville Pavilion.  Tickets are currently on sale here.  [The full set list from the Avett Brothers at FloydFest included below]

[photos by Hevenerlee]

Avett Brothers/FloydFest/07.27.08

Gimme A Kiss
Tear Down the House
Distraction #74
Left on Laura/Left on Lisa
And It Spread
Denouncing November Blue
Weight of Lies
At the Beach
Tin Man
Pretty Girl at the Airport
Paranoia in B Flat Major
Laundry Room
Salina
The Fall*
Go to Sleep*

Encore:

St. Joseph’s
Talk on Indolence

*w/Paleface & Mo

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