I have been asked on several occasions, what type of music do the Avett Brothers play? At first the baffling part is ‘how haven’t people heard of them’? They have a solid catalog that spans years, continually sell out live shows, and have played at the Grammys… with Bob Dylan. Then I remember, that aside, the Avett Brothers still take a grassroots approach to the music scene. This is how they manage to have legions of fans that are committed to and adore them, some from the early days in North Carolina, others who are just tuning in. Regardless, I move onto a much more difficult task – describing their sound. I would say the basis is American Folk. It only makes sense; there is a banjo, some acoustic guitars, an upright bass and a rustic Appalachian look that would make Pete Seeger proud. Then you quickly realize this band is SO much more.

It’s a collision of down home folk and rock and roll, sprinkled with bluegrass pickin’, the heartache of country, poetic lyrics the seemingly speak to you, the precision of classical training and just enough Buddy Holly-esque punk to keep you on your feet all night. The harmonies blend as the timber of only brothers could. Oh and did I mention Joe Kwon, you know the dude who rages on a cello? Kwon, along with Bob Crawford and brothers Scott and Seth Avett have been exploring and exploding musical boundaries for over a decade.

On Thursday the boys brought their sound to headline the main stage at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA. The band played songs from some of their earliest albums right up to the most recent “Another Is Waiting” off their Magpie and the Dandelion album. For over two hours the Avett Brothers played through crowd favorites such as “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promises”,” Talk of Indolence”, “Slight Figure of Speech”, “Salina”, and “Kick Drum Heart”. From the opening drum lick to the last note in the three song encore the energy was high and non-stop. The Avetts give every ounce to their audience and the crowd gives it right back. The only fault I can find with an Avett Brothers’ show is the fact they have to end.

So thank you Avett Brothers… ‘I & Love & You’, too.