Avett Brothers
May 16th at the Fillmore, San Francisco

As the concluding notes of “Go to Sleep” faded away and the harsh house lights cruelly bathed a sold-out Fillmore, I could palpably feel the whole crowd exhale. It was the kind of deep, collective breath that is only let out when a large group of people have been enthralled by the same thing. You can feel it at the end of close sporting events, the conclusion of gripping films, and following very special pieces of live performance art.

The group, led by the undeniable energy and spirit of vocalist/banjo player Scott and singer/guitarist Seth Avett, succeeded in captivating the audience by blasting through a 20-song set that spanned most of their nine-year career. Rounded out by bass player Bob Crawford and cellist Joe Kwon (who played on roughly half of the band’s songs), the Avetts kept the audience engaged and participating with passionate, rollicking numbers expertly mixed with pensive ballads. Early in the set, the quartet opted for the direct approach, opening with an as yet-untitled, fast-paced new song, which will be released on their new, Rick Rubin-produced album, I and Love and You, due out on August 11th. From there, they rolled through the sing along-inducing “Die Die Die” and the poignant, Seth Avett-led “Living of Love.” Throughout the show, they were able to strike an effective balance by playing upbeat, energy-sapping songs like “Nothing Short of Thankful” and “Walking for You” directly next to ballads like “When I Drink” and “I and Love and You.” This kept the audience bouncing and enthralled during the fast songs, while allowing them time to rest and not blow their load, so to speak, until the end.

The ability to write and play versatile, powerful songs that can both kick the shit out of you and tug at the heartstrings is the reason why the Avetts have become so popular. Obviously, they are fabulous musicians, but people can go hear fabulous musicians whenever they want. However, people can’t hear great musicians who can write songs that are as fun to dance to with friends as they are to listen to on rainy afternoons by oneself. Last Saturday, the Avetts proved to the unconvinced in the audience (however few) that their music is as engaging and their live show as engrossing as that of any other band in the country/bluegrass genre. – Daniel N. Alvarez

Watch: Avett Brothers perform “For Today” [at youtube.com]

Little Boots
May 18th at Le Poisson Rouge, New York City

It might have been a Monday, but the crowd at Le Poisson Rouge was ready to dance the night away. It’s not like many of us have jobs to be up early for anyway nowadays. And Little Boots, aka British songstress Victoria Hesketh, provided the perfect escapist soundtrack with her feisty brand of electro-pop. Decked out in a gold lamé dress and towering stilettos (how anyone could prance so agilely in those killer heels defies this klutz’s mind), Boots kept the energy high and the beats blasting.

While her debut album Hands isn’t due out stateside until next month, we were treated to an awesome live preview of what is sure to be the best workout album of the summer. Little Boots bopped around the intimate circular stage abounding with flamboyant hand gestures and plenty of sass, as she wispily sung flirtatious come-ons. Her handsome bandmates, meanwhile, manned the drums and synths. Standouts included the ultra-poppy “Meddle” and the brashly infectious “New in Town.” After an hour of non-stop jams, she closed out the night with the anthemic stomper “Stuck on Repeat”, a totally apt title considering the way the rhythms linger in your head. It practically begs for multiple listens. It’s the kind of music that, in a perfect world, a world with any justice at all, would make Little Boots bigger than Britney. After all, it’s equally, if not more, catchy and immaculately produced. Plus it’s sung, not to mention written by an adorable yet sex kitten-y blonde. It’s music that’s as shiny as her dress. And it moves you to move. – Jessica Gentile

Listen: Various Tracks [at myspace.com]

The Dead: May 14th at Shoreline Amphitheatre: SF

The Vaselines: May 11th at Bimbo’s and Destroyer: May 9th at Swedish American Hall, SF

Dengue Fever and the Lost World: May 5th at the Castro Theatre, SF