Avett Brothers Open for Dave Matthews at Time Warner Pavilion

From The Avett Brothers -

We are very excited to announce that we will be joining Dave Matthews Band for eight dates of their Spring 2009 tour! We are honored to be a part of this show, which has been a staple in the world of live music for so many years. Tickets will go on sale January 17, 2009 @ 10AM.

Yes, you read that right The Avett Brothers are opening a live music show, a Dave Matthews Band show in Raleigh. In concept, many would see this as a great pairing, but in reality I think it is a very strange combination. The Avett Brothers can hold their own in almost every size venue in the nation, sans 40,000 seat arenas. But they aren’t at that level yet and won’t be for a couple of years….at least we thought. The Dave Matthews Band, on the other hand, have been at that level for a long time.

This diminishes the band’s pull. I can’t remember the last time that The Avett Brothers opened for another band. At a festival, sure. But, at a proper show with just a few bands. Nope, don’t remember.

I know Dave Matthews is a huge deal to many people and continuously, college freshmen and sophomores, but seriously, why have the Avett Brothers decided to tour with them? Is this a (pre)promotion for their next album that is being produced by Rick Rubin? They just sold out three nights at the Orange Peel and almost every other show in the past year. They wouldn’t seem to need this type of booking with another band.

To me, this is an odd concert but I’m sure it will be very profitable (career-wise) for the Avetts and expose them to another layer of fans that didn’t know them already. The Avetts will play with DMB in Raleigh on April 22nd and also open the Charlotte, NC and Alpharetta, GA shows. I hope the Avetts go far and I believe they will. But, whatever you do Avetts, Please Don’t Drink the Water.

Sincerely,

A Long Time Avett Fan

The Dave Matthews Band
The Avett Brothers
Time Warner Cable Pavilion
Wednesday, April 22

graphic via The Avett Brothers

CarnifeX
12/16 08:29 AM

Does being popular make your music bad or something?

Taylor
12/16 09:24 AM

The Avett’s are great, but the largest show they have ever played was for 7,000 people at Koka Booth (in their native state) this past summer. And you think they can hold their own in almost any size venue in the country sans a 40,000 seat arena?

150
12/16 09:34 AM

I don’t follow the logic that this will “diminish the band’s pull”.

Matt
12/16 10:55 AM

The Avetts have done a marvelous job of charting their course and controlling their musical journey and legacy. I’m gonna trust them—that they know what they’re doing—as opposed to what reads like a disgruntled fan who’s worried about them selling out.

Plus, they seem excited; why can’t you be?

richardfoc
12/16 11:33 AM

And I quote from the story:

“This is an odd concert but I’m sure it will be very profitable for the Avetts and expose them to another layer of fans that didn’t know them already.”

Ding, ding, ding. You can’t keep their light under a bushel. It shines too brightly.

Brandon
12/16 01:44 PM

More cynical spin applied to otherwise progressive and positive news, brought to you courtesy of New Raleigh writers.

May this next platform allow the Avetts to share their profoundly simple songs of life, love, and family with many more listeners. Best wishes!

G
12/16 03:31 PM

“I know Dave Matthews is a huge deal to many people and continuously, college freshman and sophomores…”

I’m sorry, but that’s funny AND true!

Raleigh Grrl
12/16 04:06 PM

Yet another hipster wanting to keep a good thing all to themself!

rj
12/16 04:28 PM

TAB headlined Merle Fest which resulted in a crowd clearly over 7,000 not to mention a crowded energetic stage at Bonnaroo with comparable numbers.

From my perspective, a “more cynical spin applied to otherwise progressive and positive news” is a bit of a stretch here. I would argue this is an honest commentary from a long time fan.

It appears that DMB is making an effort as they travel to put some lesser known bands per region into the spotlight. I certainly applaud them for this, especially for considering TAB - they deserve the opportunity. It is fantastic to see good things happening to those who deserve it!

I do however find it difficult to imagine that I will be staying for the second act.

There are those of us who will always remember seeing TAB with 4 other people but do not mistake that nostalgia with despondence. Its quite the opposite, WE COULD NOT BE ANY MORE PROUD!

richardfoc
12/16 05:02 PM

Dave Matthews has a long history of bringing really good acts on the road with him. Over the years he has had Bela Fleck, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Gomez, Robert Earl Keen, Alejandro Escavedo, Jurassic 5, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Blue Merle, Drive-By Truckers, Galactic, G Love and Special Sauce, Ray LaMontagne and North Mississippi Allstars open for him. You can say what you will about his frat-boy friendly sound but there is no denying his commitment to getting good acts in front of lots of people.

Lisa Jeffries
12/16 10:02 PM

“expose them to another layer of fans that didn’t know them already”

From my branding experience, I’d say that’s 100% the goal.

TAB fan
04/22 12:49 PM

should be a great concert….i’m looking forward to reading the concert reviews…hopefully from an unbiased perspective…TAB RULES!!!!

thirsty
04/22 01:15 PM

Live Nation sucks ass!!!!

$30.50 for the concert (that’s cool)
$7.50 for parking (starting to get annoyed here)
$13.50 for a ticketing fee (what was the 30.50 for? why such an outrageous charge)
$2.00 for charity (WTF….are you freaking serious!!!! they don’t even mention which charity)

i enjoy donating to a good cause but adding $23 in fees is unacceptable. thanks but no thanks…i’ll watch TAB and DMB in other venues for reasonable prices