Avett Brothers
Vintage Motor Club, Concord
April 13, 2013

It was supposed to just be the brothers, Scott and Seth, but when it's for a good cause, there's strength in numbers. The Avett Brothers performed as a full band in concert on Saturday night at Concord's Vintage Motor Club to benefit Safe Alliance of Cabarrus County.

The intensity which has helped propel the band from NoDa clubs to some of the biggest stages in the country was displayed in full force as the band rumbled and rolled through an hour-and-15-minute, sweat-dripping set featuring fan favorites and traditional tunes.

Starting off with "Laundry Room" from I and Love and You, the group performed more like they were in someone's living room instead of a large revamped warehouse space in front of a few hundred people.

The band slowed it down for a cover of Buck Owens' "Reno Lament," and reworked traditional songs including "Shady Grove" and "Coo Coo Song" while bringing the crowd to its feet for "Distraction #74" and the raucous "Talk on Indolence." "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" found Scott, Seth and bassist Bob Crawford around a single microphone accompanied only by Seth's guitar.

What started out with attendees sitting around round tables like a wedding reception, quickly turned into a party with people dancing in the aisles and at the sides of the stage. Running over the scheduled one-hour set time, the band members performed a two-song encore before they were out the door and on their way to Tortuga Music Festival in Florida for a concert the following day.

Before the show, the Avett Brothers discussed the importance of giving back to the community where they grew up. Safe Alliance provides services to those victimized by sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence.

"We've talked for a couple of years about doing something for the hometown, and for something that doesn't get a lot of publicity," Seth Avett, whose wife, Susan, is a victim advocate for Safe Alliance, said.

"We originally thought we would play this differently, but then we realized we have to be honest with what we do," Scott Avett said. "Some songs of ours are more message heavy and if you have a song that resonates a positive message, there's a reason to do it here."

"We are thrilled that they have taken their time out," Karen Parker, chief advancement officer for Safe Alliance, said before the performance. "They are such great role models to be here and help us raise awareness."

Setlist
Laundry Room
Live and Die
Go to Sleep
Salvation Song
Living of Love
Reno Lament (Buck Owens cover)
February Seven
Distraction #74
Old Joe Clark
Shady Grove
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Coo Coo Song
Life

Encore
Talk on Indolence
If It's the Beaches