TKO

Last night we went to see Punch Brothers up the road in Islington. They're ostensibly a Bluegrass band (mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo, violin, upright bass) but it's Bluegrass informed by classical chamber music, rock, soul whatever. They're good on record, but live they are absolutely dazzling. They give you the intimacy, the interplay between the musicians, of a string quartet, and the energy of rock band. Seeing them live was really very special indeed.

I'll tell you now special they are. Last month, the band's lead singer and mandolinist, Chris Thiles, won a MacArthur 'Genius' Grant. (I couldn't say that when I saw The Damned back in '77.) But then, unlike many recipients of the award, Chris Thiles really is a genius. 

This gives a hint of their stage presence, playing Bluegrass Bach.