If there’s one way to describe The Wood Brothers, it’s as a quintessentially American band. They draw on the rustic traditions of folk, which brothers Chris and Oliver were introduced to by their father around campfires when they were growing up, the lyricism of singer-songwriters, the aching mournfulness of country-blues, and the muscle of roots rockers, with a touch of jazzy improvisation that makes them adjacent to the jam bands so popular in their native Colorado — though they are not, themselves, a jam band.
In their recent appearance at the 9:30 Club, the trio delighted the audience with the warmth of the songs delivered with a touch of instrumental virtuosity.
The paths Chris and Oliver have taken have lead to bringing together the folk and formal sides of American. By folk, here I mean the music of the people, music that typically takes place outside of professionalized academic training. Where Oliver studied to become a jazz bassist at Berklee School of Music, Oliver went the way of many popular musicians, diving right into bands. While they’ve played different kinds of music in the past — Oliver bluesy, funky rock, and Chris in the jazz group Medesky, Martin & Wood — they come together over their shared background to meld these influences into something bigger and more beautiful.
Earlier this year, the Brothers released their latest album, Puff of Smoke. At 9:30 Club on Dec. 4, the new album featured heavily in the set: after opening with “Blue & Green,” they went into the title track, followed by “Witness.” Other cuts were sprinkled throughout their two-hour set: “Money Song,” which is about exactly what it says, “Is It Up To You,” “The Trick,” “Pray God Listens,” and “You Choose Me.”
Watch the official music video for “Puff of Smoke” by The Wood Brothers on YouTube:
After “Shoofly Pie,” Oliver mentioned an ongoing debate in the band over cake versus pie. (Depending on the type on offer, both are pretty great!) He promised that the next song, “Can’t Get Enough,” would “cleanse your palate,” which was welcome after I’d availed myself of the 9:30 Club’s finest tater tots during intermission. A special moment came when the band gathered around a single mic to sing one of their most popular songs, “The Muse.” They also played “Heartbreak Lullaby,” “When I Was Young,” “Stumbled In,” “Postcards from Hell,” and “Honey Jar” to close out the main set. For their encore, they did “Luckiest Man.”
Brother and sister duo The Wildmans, natives of southwest Virginia, opened the show with a mix of original songs, instrumentals, and covers. Like the Woods, they’re eclectic: their set included a fiddle tune from Galax, Virginia and a cover of eccentric songwriter Lowell George’s (Little Feat) “Long Distance Love,” and their originals “Take Me,” “Before I Go,” “Sometimes,” “I Must Be In The Good Place,” “Sitting On Top of the World,” and “Bob’s Farewell.”
Like the Woods, the Wildmans are terrific instrumentalists with an expansive ouevre. This was a night that celebrated American music in its many branches, and did it with skill and heart.
Here is one photo of opener The Wildmans along with pictures of The Wood Brothers performing live at 9:30 Club on Dec. 4, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Ari Strauss.
