The Avetts earlier this summer

The Avett Brothers headlined New York’s Radio City Music Hall for the first time last night. Instead of a traditional show, the band offered something of a revue, inviting out many New York musicians that have been central to the band’s growth in the Big Apple over the course of the night. Not only did the guests back the core Avetts trio and the band’s two touring members, but the members of the Avett Brothers also backed their guests on their own original songs at various points throughout the night. Songwriter Paleface and his drummer Monica “Mo” Samalot—a duo signed the Avetts’ original label Ramseur Records and wrote songs for several Avett discs—sat in at various points throughout the night. Later, Nicole Atkins—who the Avetts’ credit with bringing the band to New York for the first time—emerged for “The Way It Is,” “Pretty Girl at the Airport” and “Swept Away.” In addition, the band’s onetime tour companion Langhorne Slim opened the show with a single-song performance and joined the Avetts for a few songs, including “Say Yes” and “Sweet Olive Tree” (the latter of which was an acoustic duet with Seth Avett). The band’s rational for the guest-heavy setlist: “When you’re invited to play Radio City you bring your family.”