Avett's New "Aggressive" Approach Merely Hinted

Rumors of a new "aggressive" Avett Brothers were greatly exaggerated.

Last night at the intimate Sunset Cove amphitheater under unexpected clear skies, The Avett Brothers opened their 2012 tour in one of the few outdoor arenas the boys will being seeing during the next several months. 

A new album, under the long-distance tutelage of Music Buddha Rick Rubin, is due at any minute, but no date has been set.  The new songs, in particular "The Once and Future Carpenter,"  adds to the boys' quality repertoire.  

However, there seems little evidence of a harder sound from Rubin's influence other than a heavier bass and lower harmonies on some of the new songs.  The Brothers have successfully melded folk, pop punk and Americana into an entertaining formula and, at last night's show, the band displayed why their are becoming a touring favorite.  There was plenty of energy (almost to the point of perkiness) and communal sing alongs for the faithful.

But a My Morning Jacket or R.E.M-shift along the rock slide rule is not in the making.  Maybe the album is different. 

Still, a good time was had by all.  They are nice boys and are quite likable.  

Eddie Vedder Brings His Uke To Florida

Once Eddie Vedder gets off this Hawaiian outcropping, he will be hitting the road this spring for a solo tour with his trusty ukulele.  Avoiding the clubs and the arenas, the laser-eyed Vedder will be playing the pricier "performing arts centers."  


Eddie will hit Florida in May after the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  Closer to home, Vedder and his uke will be playing the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets go sale this Friday, February 3rd, for a cool $80 a head. 


April 11 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
April 13 - Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theater
April 16 - Albuquerque, NM @ Kiva Audotorium
April 19 - Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theater
April 22 - Houston, TX @ Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
April 25 - San Antonio, TX @ Lila Cockrell Theatre
April 27 - Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
April 30 - Dallas, TX @ The Music Hall at Fair Park
May 3 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
May 8 - Jacksonville, FL @ Moran Theater
May 10 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
May 13 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts
May 16 - Orlando, FL @ Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

Miami Finds Its Grassroots and a Growing Music Festival

For the 6 million-plus folks living in South Florida, finding a music festival to call one's own has been a losing proposition.  The ill-fated Langerado bounced around to several locations before succumbing to the Great Recession. Repeated attempts to bring Langerado back have languished. 


However, a new festival is making a strong bid to correct all that.  The Virginia Key Grassroots Festival features an eclectic, foot-stomping lineup for February 9th through the 12th on Virginia Key in south Miami.  Music varies from roots rock, bluegrass, hip hop, blues, zydeco, funk, world and just about everything in between.  Headliners include: Chaka Khan, The Del McCoury Band, Arrested Development, Fishbone, Jim Lauderdale, Beausoleil and Donna the Buffalo.  


The festival location, on an island in Biscayne Bay, is damn near perfect for its beauty.  The festival will also feature camping on site for those wishing for the true grungy festival experience. 


For the denizens at After Hours headquarters, Del McCoury really caught our eye along with the scheduled Saturday performance of the sacred steel aficionados The Lee Boys.  Several years ago, The Lee Boys filled in for Robert Randolph at Langerado and blew the flaps off the tent. 


Four-day tickets will set you back set you back a Benjamin while single-day tickets run $30 to $35.  

Black Keys, Radiohead To Headline Coachella

Stellar lineup for the just-leaked Coachella lineup. In addition to Radiohead and Black Keys, Bon Iver, St. Vincent, Mazzy Star, Jimmy Cliff, Cat Power, Shins, and Feist round out what looks to be a terrific festival.