Having seen the Avett Brothers at Austin City Limits earlier in the month, imagine my delight as I was fortunate enough to cover the Brothers Avett once again as their tour made its way to Urbana, IL home to the University of Illinois.
While I enjoyed their set at ACL, I much preferred the rowdier atmosphere of the Canopy Club as the brothers ripped through songs fast and slow, with much of the set list composed of tracks of their newest release, I and Love and You. If you haven’t gotten a copy of yet, shame on you It’s one of the best records to come out in 2009 in my humble opinion. 
The brothers ability to give it all they have night after night deserves the recognition its received plain and simple. In addition to showcasing their versatility with each song, they find themselves with different instruments sometimes sprinting from drums to keys mid song. The energy is always high, providing good reason as to why the Avett Brothers have become what they are today, a band deserving of their very dedicated fan base.
Highlights of the set include the duet with opener Nicole Adkins in “Swept Away,” the solo rendition of “Black, Blue” and the hootin’ and hollerin’ as the bluegrass breakdown of “Laundry Room” brought the evening full circle. Having seen them three times now this year, I can truly say each show is a different experience and I look forward to seeing them again very soon. I only encourage you to see this band now before you start kicking yourself for waiting so long, I know I am.
Set list:
01. And It Spread
02. Shame
03. January Wedding
04. I Killed Sally’s Lover
05. Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise
06. Telling Time
07. The Weight of Lies
08. Slight Figure of Speech
09. Black, Blue
10. The Perfect Space
11. At The Beach
12. Skin and Bones
13. It Goes on and On
14. Famous Flower
15. Die Die Die
16. Please Pardon Yourself
17. Laundry Room
18. Paranoia
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19. Swept Away
20. Ill With Want
21. Talk on Indolence
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