By David Menconi for the Raleigh News & Observer’s On the Beat blog:
Friday night at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre was a regular screamfest with the Avetts in town, and it was all good. Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile opened with a lively 45 minutes, highlighted by an excellent cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” (complete with cello solo). Too bad so much of the late-arriving crowd missed her set.
This was the Avetts’ first headlining show in the Triangle in more than two years, and they drew a sizable crowd that was ready to explode from the get-go. Still, it seemed to take about a half-hour for everyone to get truly warmed up. After they went roaring into the rapid-fire cadence of “Distraction #74” about a half-hour in, everything clicked right into place. The rest of the show was pretty much lights out.
Avett Brothers songs are all sharp angles, full of unexpected twists and turns. They bounded about the stage with manic energy, especially cellist Joe Kwon (who would be worth having onstage just for the visual effect of his moves, let alone his playing).