[Punch Brothers at Canopy Club in Urbana, Illinois on 9/9/08]
Apologies for the delay, it took hours to upload videos to YouTube. But, it was well worth it. Click the link for some fantastic photos, a review, and videos with incredible sound!
[all photos taken by our new OverUC staff member, talented photographer Steve Goodwine!]
I wish every concert could be like last night’s.
From the first note of “Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground,” it was clear — nothing at Canopy has ever sounded this good. And, unfortunately for us, it’s likely that nothing else will. Singing through two microphones set in the center of the stage, mandolinist Chris Thile and the four other members of Punch Brothers put on a show that was beyond impressive. Beyond phenomenal. Beyond…well, most adjectives.
If I use the word “fabulous” to describe an episode of Gossip Girl and the phrase “fucking awesome” to explain how good Chicken Tikka Masala is at Bombay Grill, it seems inconsequential to use the same descriptor for Punch Brothers. So, as rom-com as it sounds, we’ll go with this one: magical.
Playing the four movements of “The Blind Leading The Blind” in three different pieces, the masterpiece was stunning, leaving the audience so absorbed in the songs that you could both feel and hear feet tapping among the white folded chairs. Thile’s prodigy-like skill may have been noticeable during his tenure with trio Nickel Creek, but this time, surrounded by band members who are also incredibly talented, it’s jaw-droppingly obvious.
When I was younger, an orchestra I was in played a three-movement piece for the entire junior high. When the crowd began to lazily clap during the first pause, our conductor (and mildly psychotic teacher) dropped her arms and proceeded to lecture — well, scream at — the kids for not knowing that you wait until the piece is completely through to applaud. Considering that on Tuesday night I was seated about 20 feet from where I once got peed on at a show by someone in the crowd (you go to Canopy as much as I do and I guess it’s bound to happen), my crowd expectations are usually low, but I was pleasantly surprised that the audience was not only energetic when necessary, but didn’t make a sound nor a peep at each break.
Thile seemed impressed with the audience too, as our tiny, timid claps after solos grew into uproarious cheers by the last song, “Breakman’s Blues,” which was followed by a Radiohead cover encore. We were given a show to remember, but it’s too bad Chris, a die-hard Cubbies fan, was rewarded with a last-minute loss as he watched the game in the Void Room among college students waiting to enter Piano Man, clueless of who they were rooting for a win with.
It was then that we chatted up Punch’s violinist Gabe Witcher, a cute, hilarious bearded fellow who let us in on the band members’ nicknames. Besides Gabbers, his personal code name, there’s Critter and Pickles, but the best by far had to be Chris’ alternate monicker:
Speedhole.
Speedhole! Gabbers, understandably, wouldn’t spill the beans. But, I’ll leave you with the pondering thought of what on earth that could possibly mean…
Video:
Punch Brothers playing “The Eleventh Hour” at Canopy Club on 9/9/08:
Punch Brothers playing “Heart In A Cage” at Canopy Club on 9/9/08:
Live Vicariously:
reportedly,
speedhole refers to the holes in the Wegen TF (thile’s mandolin pick of choice) which thile insists increase the pick’s aerodynamics and his picking speed.
while there may be other more scientifically valid explanations for thile’s nickname, the band has officially denied the use of speed enhancing drugs.
it may also be worth noting that speedhole is only thile’s public moniker. apparently the band has overdubbed thile with a secret nickname that has not been shared onstage at any point (though its existence was mentioned at the birchmere).
The Eleventh Reel. One of my personal favorites. Wish I could have been there to see the Bros play CU! I’m sure they were magical. Good thing you got a good seat…the better to enjoy their magic and virtuousity.
good photos! i wish i could have gone.
what radiohead song was it, by the way?
that Strokes cover blew my mind….
They played Radiohead’s “The Morning Bell.” It was incredible–Chris must really like that song–you can find him playing it on Youtube with Bela Fleck (among other performances).
btw, it was good meeting you after the show, Over UC editor.
that’s a great choice, now i’m more sad that i missed it.