By James Kulp

On February 12th, I attended a first-rate Wood Brothers concert at The National in downtown Richmond. Even with one million monthly listeners on Spotify, the Wood Brothers remain relatively unknown when compared to mainstream artists who might have tens of millions of listeners. In my opinion, this band is worthy of receiving more recognition and popularity due to its fantastic music inspired by all kinds of genres. I discovered the band at the suggestion of Spencer Billings (‘21) more than a year ago and was pumped to receive his invitation to join him for the concert last month. 

The Wood Brothers are made up of lead singer and guitarist Oliver Wood, upright bassist Chris Wood, and drummer Jano Rix. All three had separate musical careers until the two brothers reunited and decided to perform together. The trio released their first album, Ways Not to Lose, in 2006 and have soared in popularity since.

Their music is unorthodox and draws on many genres. They are commonly referred to as a “folk band,” but they are influenced by everything from country to blues. Yet, their blend of musical styles works wonderfully and draws all kinds of music fans of different ages. Since their debut album, they have released 12 albums, including four live albums. 

Like all successful bands, their 84 officially recorded songs include staple hits, such as “The Luckiest Man,” “Postcards from Hell,” and “Sing About It.”  To compliment these classics, the trio released its latest album, Kingdom In My Mind, this January. As the concert I attended was less than a month after the debut of the new album, we had the privilege of hearing a mix of many of their newest releases, along with the older, more well-versed hits.

The National, as a music venue, is fantastic. It was even acknowledged by Oliver Wood, who proclaimed: “You Richmonders have it good. Trust me, I’ve been to them all.” The National has been around since 1923 and was originally a cinema. However, in 2008 the space was renovated and converted to accommodate live performances. Located on East Broad Street in downtown Richmond, The National is in close proximity to countless restaurants available before a late show. Parking in the area can be limited, but there is a parking garage right down the street. While The National hosts mainly music artists, there are occasional stand-up acts and other performances and events. It has two levels: an upper deck area with seating, along with a lower standing level. On the lower level, the floor slopes toward the stage, allowing for better viewing. The lighting and sound quality are impeccable and add tremendously to the experience.  

Singer-songwriter Kat Wright opened the show, whom I had not previously heard of. Her songs were passionate and melodic. She warmed things up as our collective anticipation increased for the Wood Brothers to hit the stage. Over the course of her 45-minute performance, more and more people began to arrive; the result was a packed theater.   

Once the trio came out, the cramped conditions and overpowering smell of beer were quickly forgotten. The beauty of a live performance is that even the songs you know best change with each iteration. Guitar solos, and especially bass solos, were prolonged and improvised during the show. Bassist Chris Wood really put his heart and soul into making the show as enjoyable as possible. He incorporated dance moves and used his upright bass as a drum when necessary, such that the wood was worn away in places. As Billings noted, “each song was delivered with elegance and even a little humor thanks to Bert Fubbles,” the name Oliver Wood introduced himself with offhandedly after the first song. There was a mix of older classics, songs from their newest release, and even some covers, such as The Band’s “Ophelia”, all with the Wood Brothers’ own nuance from the original studio recording.

A highlight of the night was when the crowd was asked to be quiet so the trio could perform, around one mic, “Loaded,” one of their slowest songs. It gave the crowd a sense of intimacy and connection to the three, and you could have heard a pin drop in the moments where no music was playing. 

There was something about the performance as a whole that enhanced each song and kept the whole crowd engaged. Jack Stepanian (’21) had plans to attend, but unfortunately got caught up in school responsibilities, and he described himself as “highly frustrated” and assured me he would be going to the next one. However, Billings and I were not the only Cougars in attendance. Assistant Athletic Director and varsity lacrosse coach Andrew Stanley watched the show from the balcony. He admitted he had never heard the band before, but said after the show that he “very much enjoyed it, and would definitely go again.” Echoing these words of encouragement, I highly recommend giving the Wood Brothers a listen.