Words and Photos by Dan Rozman

The Avett Brothers came back to Wolf Trap’s Filene Center for the first of two sold-out nights on Friday, May 30, and put on the kind of show that reminds you why people keep coming back to see them. The skies opened up around 7 PM, making everyone nervous, but the rain stopped just before the band took the stage.

Scott Avett and Seth Avett opened with “Laundry Room” and had the whole place standing up right away. Most people inside the pavilion stayed on their feet for the entire show, which doesn’t always happen at Wolf Trap. The crowd knew the words to almost everything, both the hits and the deep cuts that only real fans usually recognize. Songs like “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” and “I and Love and You” had people getting emotional while still singing every line.

Things got rowdy during “Die Die Die” and “Ain’t No Man.” All seven members of the band looked like they were having a blast up there, and you could see why these guys have been doing this for so long. The banjo solo on “Black Mountain Rag” was truly impressive, showcasing how they can seamlessly transition from folk to rock to bluegrass without missing a beat. When Scott played an acoustic version of “Murder in the City,” it felt like the whole venue joined in for the chorus.

The funniest moment of the night came when the band stopped mid-show to ask for parenting advice. They wanted to know if Family Guy was okay for a 10-year-old to watch. It was random and silly, but that’s exactly what made the concert feel different from other shows. They’re not trying to be cool rock stars; they’re just regular guys whose lyrics talk about real life and who happen to be great musicians. The crowd was a multigenerational mix of hardcore and new fans. Young kids were sitting next to their parents and grandparents.  Hardcore fans who have seen them live dozens of times were enjoying the show next to people who just knew a few songs, and everyone was singing along and having a good time together.

Wolf Trap is a great place to see a band like The Avett Brothers. The wooden stage gives the sound a nice warm feel, and all the trees around make it feel cozy, even at a sold-out show with thousands of people there. You can sit under the covered part or spread out on the lawn under the stars. A lot of people brought blankets and food, which is one of the things that makes Wolf Trap so unique.

What came through was how much Scott and Seth enjoy playing music together. After 20 years of touring, they could probably just “phone it in”, but they were clearly having as much fun as everyone watching. The entire band works so well together on stage, trading instruments and harmonies like they can read each other’s minds.

The encore of “Pretty Girl From Matthews” and “Life” sent everyone home happy. Walking back to the parking lot, conversations buzzed with excitement—many were already making plans to return for Saturday’s show with its completely different setlist, while others discussed which city they’d chase the Avett Brothers to next. That’s the mark of a band doing something right.

Friday setlist:
Laundry Room
Go to Sleep
Country Kid
The Traveling Song
Distraction #74
Will You Return?
All My Mistakes
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
Farewell Trion
The Ballad of Love and Hate
Murder in the City
Die Die Die
Salina
I and Love and You
Black Mountain Rag ([traditional] cover) (Instrumental with electric guitar)
Love of a Girl
No Hard Feelings
Ten Thousand Words
Untitled #4
Paranoia in B-Flat Major
Bleeding White
May It Last
Ain’t No Man

Encore:
Pretty Girl From Matthews
Life

Saturday setlist:

Pretty Girl From Feltre
Talk on Indolence
Down With the Shine
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
November Blue
Gimmeakiss
Forever Now
Pretty Girl From Chile
I Wish I Was
Backwards With Time
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) (Billy Joel cover)
Live and Die
Morning Song
Satan Pulls the Strings
No Hard Feelings
Mama, I Don’t Believe
Groundhog (The Doc Watson Family cover)
As Good as I Once Was (Toby Keith cover)
Cheap Coffee
Ain’t No Man
Vanity
Kick Drum Heart
Who Will I Hold

Encore:
Murder in the City
The Perfect Space