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Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious "Genius Grant", Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as "that rare being: an all-round musician," and hailed by NPR as a "genre-defying musical genius." Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener "one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty" (New York Times).
Over the last year, Thile has been touring with Nickel Creek in support of the critically acclaimed 2023 release Celebrants, and captivating audiences with a playfully ambitious biographical composition entitled ATTENTION! (a narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra).
The wide-ranging program of Thile's 2025-2026 solo performances will feature selections from his acclaimed solo recordings of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas - including the upcoming second volume out this autumn - alongside his signature mix of classical, folk and improvisational brilliance.
Chris is an amazing artist and performer. He related so well connected with the entire population at University of Florida Auditorium. His selections covered all genre at least four standing O's.
Chris and his mandolin both sound better in person than on cd. He was open and funny. Music was amazing. I'd go again in a heart beat. One thing though.... there is more mando music ( BACH) than singing. If you don't like long instrumental periods you may get the slightest bit bored for a few minutes. He played for 2 hrs. straight. a super good value for the money!
He began to play without saying a word. The first piece was slow and deliberate. After 10 minutes, you check your watch and think "I hope this picks up.". Then he provides an overview of the evening and begins to play again. You check your watch and an hour has gone and you don't know where it went. Then he finishes up and you think it was a short concert. You check the time. He has been on stage for well over two hours without a break, but that can't be. The night flew by. He has a very dry sense of humor that I found quite enjoyable. But, the obvious highlight of the evening is his mastery of the instrument. When he is really rolling, he looks like he is off his meds, but he never misses a beat. Just amazing.
A singular talent. Really values crowd support. Not sure if his playing or singing is more impressive.
Chris Thile definitely did not disappoint. Great presence, funny, and excellent level of musicianship. Best mandolinist on the planet.
Imagine watching ballet done on a tightrope above the grand canyon with no net. That was what it was like watching Chris Thile play 2 hours nonstop with just him, his voice and mandolin. Unparalleled artistry. This must have been what it was like to watch Pagannini back in the day
What a great show! LOVE Chris Thile!! It was just the right mix of Bach in "Bachtober" & other "stuff" as Thile put it! I could've listened to at least 2 hours more!! Please come back to Cbus soon!
All I can say is if Chris Thile is performing anywhere in a 3 hour radius of your home, you're a fool if you don't go see him. It doesn't matter what kind of music you're into. This man is a consummate performer and is one of the rare talents of a generation.
Just brilliant! Amazing technique and versatility!
Chris Thile showed an extraordinary range of talent in Monday night's concert, playing a wide range of music, as well as singing and dancing his way into the hearts of those attending. In his Bach, he showed an excellent feel for interpretation of these pieces originally written for solo violin, making them sound as if Bach had intended them to be played on mandolin.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Chris Thile live 6 times in various capacities and each experience continues to be inspiring. The level of musical mastery is something in and of itself, but add to that phenomenal and innovative songwriting, excellent set list choice and the charm of Chris himself (that just won't quit!) and it quickly becomes one of the best shows you'll ever see in your entire lifetime. I would never miss a Chris Thile show.
What a great concert! Chris Thile has such style and personality! He effectively combined his own compositions with Bach for a very successful solo concert. The Great Southern was the perfect venue for mandolin on Columbus Day.
I love Chris Thile, but in this concert I couldn't really hear him over the piano. It was almost like the two were in competition. Both played great, and their reputation preceeds them ... but this combo just didn't quite do it for me. I believe i would have rather of heard Chris "or" Brad ... but not the two together. Or ... turn the volume down on the piano some, so the two compliment each not, not seemingly compete with each other. I imagine I was the only one that felt like that, so this is just my .02
My wife and I are fans of Chris Thile. You would expect at a concert of his he would play some of his famous songs. Nope. Basically it was a hour and half jazz jam session. Didn't recognize any of the songs. Too bad. He has a great voice and clearly can play the mandolin. But if you are expecting to hear known works of his... don't bother. In addition the ad states solo performance. There was none of that. Duets with Brad Mehldua. Both are talented. Best piece was when the played an Irish tune.
If they play anywhere near you, go!!! For now, the only way to hear them together is to see them in person. I imagine they'll record together at some point, though. In play, each listens very attentively to the other, and the communication between them on mandolin and piano is perfectly nuanced. Their play is fun-loving, graceful, compelling, and intellectually gratifying. Added bonus: if you like Chet Baker's singing, you'll like Chris Thile's as well.
True talent but terrible crowd. Who doesn't want to move even a little to his fast paced playing?? I was given death stares for swaying and singing along with the Bob Dylan cover. Oh well, I didn't realize who serious the crowd was. Chris Thile was amazing though! I just wish I could have expressed myself better by being "allowed" to dance a little in my own space!
This was a loose, highly improvisatory set featuring seamless interplay between Chris Thile on mandolin and Brad Mehldau on piano. I have never seen Thile accompanied by a piano, which lent great dynamics and color to the arrangements. As is often the case with any Chris Thile-led enterprise, the set list featured a smart selection of songs from contemporary artists, some of whom I had expected (Radiohead, Gillian Welch), and some I hadn't (Elliott Smith, Fiona Apple). Also, there was a jazz standard in "I Cover the Waterfront," and I believe a snippet of Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin High" (Though I am not sure about that). There was not a lot of stage banter, and in fact, the normally talkative Thile remarked that this was the least he has ever spoken on stage. As such, large portions of the set list are unknown to me. Although most folks probably don't come to see Chris Thile sing, his vocals were outstanding. He does not have the distinct timbre of a great bluegrass singer such as Ralph Stanley or Bill Monroe, but he does possess impressive range His playful and intelligent vocal phrasing on Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" was a highlight.
Chris Thile is extremely talented and puts on a fun show however, a sold out show on the Lower East Side and the crowd did not move once?? Who doesn't want to dance to his fast music? All in all - music was great but crowd sucked. I took friends and was embarrassed that we were given death stares for wanting to move our boss to his sick mandolin playing.
From the first incredible note to the last, I was completed captivated by the performance that Chris Thile delivered in Durham, NC November 13 at the Caroline Theater. This is my 12th concert at which Chris has played and somehow he continues to evolve each time I hear him. His talent is so far beyond that of most musically gifted people; I always feel a bit like I am having an other-worldly experience. I am grateful that I roam this earth at the same time as Chris Thile. Hearing him play is one of life's greatest pleasures. He is a prodigy that ranks with the greats.....Mozart, Bach, Debussy and Thile.
From Back to Radiohead, Thile played for over 1.5 hours without music and without skipping a beat.