t wasn’t until I hopped on my bike to ride home from The Devil Makes Three concert this past Sunday that I could even form a sentence to describe this band’s appeal. The band’s high-energy bluegrass music was simply astounding.
The performers remained fairly unassuming. Aside from the occasional soulful lean by the bassist and a dance move or two from the banjo player, the band was relatively static on stage. But as I began to pedal home I felt a soreness in my legs. Though the band may not have moved around a whole bunch, they made sure the audience did. I was dancing and stomping all concert long and so was everyone around me. This is the power of bluegrass — you can’t help but bounce to it — it’s simply the way the music works.
The Devil Makes Three is a bluegrass/folk punk trio out of Santa Cruz, Calif., and their diverse array of influences is evident both in their music and their appearance on stage. Banjo and guitar player Cooper McBean even had the phrase “This Machine Annoys Fascists” written across the head of his banjo, a nod to Woody Guthrie, the American Folk icon.
The group played for about an hour and a half, primarily drawing from their newer material but occasionally going further back into their repertoire. One such song was “Old Number Seven,” an energetic piece about Jack Daniel’s ability to provide an escape from everyday life. “Hallelu” and “Spinning Like a Top,” both songs off their newest album, were a pair of the biggest crowd pleasers, prompting dancing and singing across the floor. In fact, when security entered the crowd to remove some unruly audience members, some of the revelers even tried to dance with the employees.
Though their onstage presence was a bit underwhelming, the amount of energy instilled in the crowd was breathtaking. The Devil Makes Three took the stage to whoops and claps from the crowd that seemed to last the entire performance. If you have any interest in bluegrass or folk, be sure to check them out next time they come through town.
Read More
U.Va.’s Aerial Dance Club is taking artistry to new heights
By Charlotte Walden | 13 hours agoSince the group’s initial founding in 2012, the club has masterfully weaved Aerial into the fabric of the University dance scene, beautifully showcasing the unique and intricate artform on Grounds.
Sofia Romulo inspires self-expression through nail art
By Melanie Chuh | YesterdayOne of Romulo's favorite parts about doing the nails of people who have found her through social media are the memorable conversations she gets to have with those she most likely wouldn’t have met otherwise.
“The Spaces We Seek” gives a student-curated look into displacement and belonging
By Emily Pitts | 2 days agoThe year-long Museums Internships course is a special opportunity through the art history department where students interested in museum professions can learn through working at the museum.
