Wednesday, Brad and Andrew Barr of The Slip returned to Brooklyn with their new stripped-down outfit, The Barr Brothers. This performance was the band’s 3rd NYC gig of 2011, and saw perhaps the largest crowd of the three. Set in the intimate Littlefield venue in Brooklyn—a remote space often used for art exhibits—the Barrs treated fans their first full NYC-area show, as oppose to a brief opening or shared slot.

The night began with a performance by Brooklyn’s Bizigara, fronted by Baptiste Ibar (the artist who designed the cover art of Marco Benevento’s Invisible Baby). Bizigara also features DGB friend Noah Plotkin on drums, who plays San Fran psych-rock band Citay’s new lineup. As an opening performance, the band paired well with the Barr’s sound and stretched out during several extended psychedelic jams.

The Barrs took the stage  shortly after 10 and opened with a brand new song, fresh to most of our ears. Sidestepping the more common “Beggar in the Morning” opener, this new tune infused the set with a different, and more upbeat, energy. For this song and several more, Brad wielded a “tackle box” guitar—a guitar made from an old metal box—lending a unique guitar tone and natural reverb to the songs.  While much of the audience remained seated for the performance, the Barr’s  jamband roots came into full view as a crowd of fans gradually gathered toward the back, engaging in hippie-like dance throughout the performance.

Sonya Kitchell w/ The Barr Brothers

A highlight moment came during the admittedly Desert-blues inspired “Deacon’s Son” when the band streched out into near Slip-like territory. Again, at times, the set seemed more upbeat and energetic than previous Barr Bros. performances and helped to draw in the audience. During “Deacon’s,” harpist Sarah Page led the jam off with a solo that moved into Tinariwen-inspired riffage  from Brad.  This carried into new song “If You Leave Me,” which saw Brad and Sarah facing off in humorous a call and response battle of harmonics.

Allowing us yet another taste from the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album, the band introduced a  new song with Brad and Sarah on acoustic guitars and Andrew on a “manjo.” And, while this was one of the night’s calmer moments, it still stretched out into 8 minute territory with quiet instrumental sections and haunting vocal chants. Songs such as these show Brad becoming more comfortable with his softer vocal range as well as with the stripped down songwriting format.

The band followed up with another new song with Brad moving to a Danelectro guitar and the rest of the band including guest vocalist Sonya Kitchell huddling around a mic in acapella fashion. Brad then appealed for volunteers from the audience to take long pieces of twine attached to his guitar strings as he does himself in several songs. The friction from the twine combines with the guitar strings to create a droning violin-like sound. And so, six members of the audience handled these long lines, literally playing Brad’s guitar for him, as the band sang along. Quite an experience.

When the band came out for the first of a two-song encore, the crowd was eager to hear more new material and requested both “England” and “Alta Falls.” The band, seeming somewhat surprised, appeased the second request and performed the mellow tune to perfection. Kitchell joined in again to close out the show with the somber “Ooh Belle,” concluding what may have been the most engaging Barrs performance I have seen to date.

The Barr Brothers take the stage at 10pm tonight at Firehouse in Providence. Be sure to check them out on their current Northeast tour.  Visit the band’s website for tour dates.

Setlist:
1. New Song, Old Mythologies, Kisses From Chelsea, Deacon’s Sun, If You Leave Me, Beggar in the Morning, lord I Just Can’t Keep From Cryin’, New Song, New Song, Give the Devil Back His Heart, Cloud, Alta Falls, Ooh Belle.