The Punch Brothers brought their brand of intricate, powerfully eloquent bluegrass to the 2022 edition of Suwannee Roots Revival for a headlining set of joyously received songs. Though nearly every member of the band has played on the hallowed stages of The Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park in the past, this was the first time they had been there as a unit and they were swinging for the live oak-nestled fences from the start. After JJ Grey & Mofro set the weekend’s bar so high for headlining magic the night before mandolin maven Chris Thile and the rest of his Brothers-in-bluegrass knew they needed to connect with fans on every level to live up to the already amazing exhibition of showmanship on display and they did not disappoint in the slightest.

Thile, who acts as point man for the band thanks to his previous high-profile side gigs as the former host of A Prairie Home Companion and Live From Here, is effortlessly ego-free in sharing the stage and single central microphone for the traditional bluegrass set up the Punch Brothers employ. Fiddler Gabe Witcher and banjo picker Noam Pikelny sound off from the flanks to keep from overwhelming the sound except when they’re moving in for the kill. Rounding out the lineup, Thile is joined by guitarist Chris Eldridge and bassist Paul Kowert to physically mix the sound in the grand old traditional way.

Check out the Punch Brothers’ delightful mix of high energy, old school presentation delivered with undeniable charm and irresistible boot-scootin’ calls to the dance floor in these clips from our own Suwannee in-house documentarian, Rex Thomson, AKA Rex-A-Vision!

Punch Brothers – “Familiarity” – 10/16/22

Punch Brothers – Instrumental – 10/16/22

Punch Brothers – “Jumbo” – 10/16/22