New York, NY

Going to an Avett Brothers show is a bit like being let in on the best-kept secret that live music has going for it right now: a band whose fans follow it all over the country—and occasionally out to sea. Self-proclaimed “Avett-heads” braved seasickness and the interesting smells that the Hudson River has to offer in order to enjoy the Brothers play as part of the Rocks Off concert series in New York. The band was just coming off a two-week West Coast tour, as well as a weekend spent in the mud at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, but still managed to pull out all the stops and play a show that probably resounded back to Manhattan.

Openers Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is also a family act: Reverend Peyton on guitar, accompanied by his wife, “Washboard” Breezy and his brother Jayme. The cruise marked their New York City debut, but after their performance it would be safe to say that they’d be welcomed back anytime. Although hailing from Indiana, the music sounds as though it’s straight out of the bayou, and the Reverend himself imbues the show with a larger-than-life presence and a voice that could bring down any revival tent. By the time they had finished, the boat was circling the Statue of Liberty, and it was obvious that people were torn between taking pictures and claiming a spot on the front lines for the main attraction. In the end, most opted for the latter.

Taking the stage, brothers Scott and Seth Avett, along with Bob Crawford on upright bass, began in a fairly subdued wat with “The Lowering,” a song from their most recent album. For a band that can so easily set a crowd on fire, they are just as skilled at quieting a room, which of course makes it all the wilder when things pick up. The Avetts perform not-quite-traditional bluegrass with a fervor and intensity that is reminiscent of the very best punk bands, back when punk meant something, and it’s a testament to just how good they are that the age range at their shows is anywhere from seven to 70, and everybody knows the words. Older songs such as “At the Beach” and “Swept Away” were intermingled with songs that have only recently entered the repertoire, including a foot-stomper called “Living of Love” (of course, the fact that this song isn’t on an album doesn’t deter Avett-heads, who already know the words backwards and forwards.)

At one point in the evening, Seth remarked that this was their first mobile house party – or home party, as Scott was quick to correct. It’s hard not to smile when the trio trades off lyrics at a lightening pace during the last few moments of “Distraction #74,” or to get a little melancholy when Scott sings about a mysterious love that never was to be on the bittersweet “Famous Flower of Manhattan.” The roof was nearly blown off the boat when the crowd screamed right along with the brothers during what can only be described as the ultimate audience interaction song. Known as the “Traveling Song,” it has been in the brothers’ live act for years, and everyone who knows the Avetts knows just when to scream. As the boat began docking, the band ended things with the title track of “Four Thieves Gone,” once again bringing a rowdy crowd to complete silence as Crawford played a quiet bass line under Scott and Seth’s lilting harmonies, which blend in that pitch-perfect way that only ever happens with siblings. Jenny Mandeville

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