SLCene Suggests: Punch Brothers at Deer Valley

PUNCH BROTHERS, DEER VALLEY RESORT, PARK CITY, Sunday, July 6, 7 p.m., $40 lawn, $55/$75 reserved

I’m sure I’m not alone in being drawn to the Punch Brothers via the presence of mandolin master Chris Thile–best known as one-third of acoustic stars Nickel Creek. When that band went on hiatus for nearly a decade, Thile was the member of the group I was most curious to follow, and he didn’t disappoint in his choices. He made some interesting music with the likes of Yo Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. He won a MacArthur “genius” grant. And he started this intensely skilled and highly entertaining group, Punch Brothers, along with guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjo man Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher. Together, they might look like a bluegrass crew, but they are incredibly skilled musicians capable of delving into any number of styles. They do just that on their three albums, as well as projects like contributions to the Coen Brothers’ most recent film, Inside Llewyn Davis.  Hearing them in the outdoor setting of Deer Valley seems a pretty ideal way to end a holiday weekend.