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Punch Brothers are mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Gabe Witcher. Their accolades include a Grammy for best folk album for their 2018 release All Ashore, and praise from the media, including the Washington Post, which said, "With enthusiasm and experimentation, Punch Brothers take bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart."
In November of 2020, when the world felt so full of uncertainty, Punch Brothers did one thing that they could rely on: they stood in a circle, facing one another, and made music together. A weeklong recording session, after quarantining and little rehearsal outside of a few Zoom calls, had culminated in their new record, Hell on Church Street—a reimagining of Bluegrass great Tony Rice’s landmark album, Church Street Blues—out on Nonesuch in January 2022.
Hell on Church Street is a potent work by a band realizing their own powers and returning to the foundations of their music. Kowert considers this album to “harken back to our early days in the band when we were playing regularly on the Lower East Side, learning all this new material to expand our sonic arsenal.” Pikelny adds, “It made me think of how many times Punch Brothers closed doors for ourselves as far as covering other people’s material beyond one or two songs here and there. But I can’t imagine making a more personal record, solely through the power of interpretation and delivery. It felt right and proper.”
This band of virtuosi had spent more than a decade changing the face of acoustic music, stretching the limitations of instruments, and influencing a generation of young musicians—but life has a way of keeping a band from getting in the same room. Thile elaborates that “these sessions were a reminder for me of what’s really important. I felt silly having this band take up so little of my creative year; it reminded me that us five together is critical to my happiness”.
Church Street Blues was Tony Rice’s great statement. Rice had already made his name as a member of the legendary bluegrass band JD Crowe and The New South and pushed the boundaries of string music as a founding member of the David Grisman Quartet, but this album was him on his own, stripped back to just his guitar, his voice, and an inspired collection of the songs. Performing songs by heavyweights like Gordon Lightfoot and bluegrass founder Bill Monroe, Rice’s interpretations of these songs and tunes have since become the standard.
Punch Brothers formed in 2006. Its first Nonesuch record, Punch, was released in 2008 and combined elements of the band’s many musical interests. In 2009, they began a residency at NYC’s intimate Lower East Side club The Living Room, trying out new songs and ultimately spawning Antifogmatic (2010). In 2012, the band released Who’s Feeling Young Now?, which Q praised for its ‘astonishing, envelope-pushing vision’, while Rolling Stone said, “The acoustic framework dazzles–wild virtuosity used for more than just virtuosity.” Their 2015 album, the T Bone Burnett-produced, The Phosphorescent Blues, addresses with straight-up poignancy and subversive humor, the power and the pitfalls of our super-connected world.
We had special access with the Punch Brothers in a relaxed setting where they performed a few songs and answered questions. Loved hearing about their creative process and seeing them in an informal way. The concert them showed off their amazing individual and collective musical talent.
This was a great show - people actually listened to the music, holding back cheering and applause until the song was over. The entry procedure was efficient and staff at the Lincoln Theatre were gracious and helpful. The performances were amazing - I hope this group is invited back before too long.
I had never heard of Punch Brothers, and bought tickets on the fourth accidental click across my .hone and my computer. I bothered to look up genre, bet went in not having heard anything my them. Excellent musicianship, wonderful energy, and so much fun! I will gladly see them again in the future.
Punch Brothers are as amazing as ever! So much fun, such great instrumental solos, and so much energy from the entire band!
So much musical talent just hanging together behind a single mike.
Best bluegrass concert ever. Very talented musicians and singers.
Flawless musicians who play so tightly! Only things marring the experience were cell phones going off( really people?) And dropped cups/glasses. Chris Thile is a force of nature!
The dynamics they’re able to bring, 5 men, 5 instruments, all into the same microphone, for album-level quality in a live venue is absolutely insane. Their music provides an experience unlike any other, and being able to enjoy that with likeminded individuals only intensifies that enjoyment! 10/10 will see again, hopefully at the Ryman next time!
Music was great - an impressive group of instrumentalists! An "artist imposed" indoors masking "requirement" spoiled the evening (i.e. not 5 stars worth). Suggest the artists stick to "arts" versus offering their medical science interpretations/requirements.
The Tennessee Theater is an excellent place for live music shows! The seating, the lighting and the sound are the best. The Punch Brothers is an amazing group of extremely talented musicians who obviously LOVE what they are creating. The joy and enthusiasm they express is contagious and adds so much to the experience. Recommend this show highly..!! RM
Very tight, excellent concert. Very well rehearsed, outstanding instrumentation.
The performance was great. Two hours of incredibly talented musicians.
Fantastic show; the Walker was vigilant about ensuring that attendees followed health safety protocols, the theatre was beautiful, and Punch Brothers were, of course, perfection.
Great venue(first time there)and we had great seats. Punch Brothers were fantastic as always ! This was our fifth time to see them in concert..that should tell ya something ! Great way to spend a Saturday night
The entire show from beginning to end was spectacular! There is really nothing left to say. They are even better live than recorded!!
These guys always put on a great show! I always try to se them when they are in the area.
Great venue and PunchBrothers are remarkable musicians and all accomplished artists. Chris Thile is a great entertainer.
I have been to many concerts in my life. This by far has been the best. To watch music artist who absolutely have a passion for there music and play with all there heart was an amazing experience.
Ryman staff were their usual efficient selves getting people checked into the venue. With all the extra validation (which I appreciate), the opportunities for backups are everywhere, but the Ryman has their process down pat. Made a stop for a beer, and our bartender was cheerful and friendly. Once inside, we were directed to Brittany for seating directions. We found Brittany right where they told us she would be - with an added bonus; she was dancing along to the "elevator music" piped in before the show. People should have fun at their jobs, especially at a music venue, and Brittany personified this. Chris Thile made an announcement before the show, asking everyone to please stay masked during the performance unless eating or drinking, to keep us all healthy and keep them touring. Sadly, I didn't see a lot of evidence that people honored his request. Imagine how the band must've felt, looking out over the crowd and seeing so many unmasked faces. Haley Heynderickx, self-proclaimed "not at all like the Punch Brothers" artist from Oregon, was a little nervous at first, but relaxed as her set went on and the crowd warmed to her. She was an excellent opening act and we'll be following her now. When the Punch Brothers took the stage, Chris Thile's exuberance at being back in Nashville, back at the Ryman, back in front of a live audience, was the greatest thing I've seen from a performer in a while. The band is as tight as ever and their energy level was off the charts. Each performer had a chance to shine multiple times, and did. I'm now a huge fan of the banjo player who showed the appropriate reverence for the Ryman stage by noting "this spot, this spot right here, this PLANK" was "exactly 1000 feet away from where Bill Monroe enjoyed a burger at Shake Shack". A highlight of their set was a selection of songs off their new album. "Orphan Annie, Are Your Summers Still Warm?" and a cover of the Norman Blake classic, "Church Street Blues". Both these are beautiful songs that showcase the band's talents. The band closed the show with multiple encores. I'm happy to report that the Ryman tradition of foot stomping continues. All in all, it was a classic evening at the Ryman - great band, great music, great audience interaction. I left the show feeling thankful for live music. I wish we could see more people masking at events like this, to ensure that audiences and performers feel comfortable and stay healthy. I want to continue seeing great shows - if the price is wearing a mask for a few hours, it's a small price to pay.
Absolutely phenomenal performance!! They were so on point at this show. Magical evening at The Ryman!
