Sunday, July 10, 2016

The Avett Brothers at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, Toledo, Ohio 7/9/16


     I love the Avett Brothers. This was the fifth time seeing them live over the years. I was attending the show with my son Sam Teller, another big fan of the band. We were looking forward to hearing the new material from the album True Sadness released in 2016.
VENUE: This was my first time at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater. Quite the nice set-up with the stage in a clamshell backdrop and the seating fanning out from there. There were fold-up chairs down front and stands with backs further on back. We were lucky enough to be in the center of the third row, right in front of the stage.
MERCH: The band had a large selection of shirts, posters, and other items available for sale.

     
The band came on stage at approximately 8:20 am with the full band launching into "D Bag Rag" with Scott Avett (above) and Seth Avett with kazoos. At the end of the opener, the brothers threw their kazoos into the audience with Scott's landing right in my hand! I have caught set lists, guitar picks, and drum sticks, but never a kazoo!

     Seth Avett (above) and the band then followed with one terrific song after another in a thirty song set. Early highlights were "Satan Pulls the Strings", "Down With the Shine", and "Ain't No Man". Although much of the new material has a different sound or feel to it, it sounds great with the older material. 
                                      
                            Bob Crawford on bass and violin provided his usual solid backing.

Joe Kwon adds so much to the sound of the Avett Brothers 
with his cello playing and background vocals.

The interplay of Scott and Seth is such a huge part of the sound and live performance of the band.

Second half highlights included "Head Full of Doubt", "I and Love and You", and "No Hard Feelings". Overall, an amazing selection of songs. And to top off the night, when the band was throwing their setlist into the audience, Scott Avett threw his right to me! Awesome!
Here are some additional pictures.

Joe Kwon on cello.

Another good one of Scott and Seth.

Seth Avett

The Avett Brothers

I loved this show. It was definitely a five out of five starts! And thanks Scott Avett for the kazoo and the set list! Can't wait to see you guys again!