Last Friday, progressive bluegrass quintet the Punch Brothers performed at Farthing Auditorium to a sold-out crowd. The members include, from left to right, Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Chris Eldrige (guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Paul Kowert (bass). Jessica Schreck | The Appalachian

Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers kicked off their tour at Appalachian State University Friday, playing to a sold-out crowd in Farthing Auditorium.

The group - on tour to promote their new album "Who's Feeling Young Now" - marked their first appearance in Boone last weekend.

"We've been a band for a long time, but we've never played here," Thile said as he walked onstage Friday. "So how about doing it for the first show on our tour?"

The acoustic, bluegrass-inspired act then launched into a set packed with songs from "Who's Feeling Young Now," which was released four days prior to the concert. The concert also marked the world premiere of the song "Hundred Dollars."

"Most of what you've heard tonight is off the new record," banjo player Noam Pikelny said. "The record came out a few days ago, so this is the official Boone release."

Though the majority of the songs were new, the band's jam-session sound was still consistent.

And there were plenty of people to notice in the seats at Farthing. The show was an indoor concert record-breaker for the band, which usually plays outdoor venues.

"Guys, I think this is the largest crowd we've ever played for indoors, so thank you," Thile told the audience.

The Punch Brothers have earned a sizable fan base since their founding in 2006: more than 29,000 Facebook likes and more than 8,000 Twitter followers.

Though the band is relatively new, Thile has been performing since 1989 - previously as a member of the trio Nickel Creek.

"They were a great band and I knew he was really talented," said sophomore psychology major and audience member Collin McCurry, on Nickel Creek and Thile.

The band played for several songs after their encore and still received a standing ovation for more.

"The show was incredible and the talent and musicianship between them all was refreshing and is hard to find today," McCurry said. "I really enjoy their style of music and can appreciate it, having played guitar for a while."

The audience's applause took the band members by surprise, if Thile's parting words were any indication.

"You don't know how good it makes us feel to play a room this size that's this full," he said. "We're having fun being in our own band right now."

The Punch Brothers' latest album was released last week and can be purchased on punchbrothers.com or on iTunes.

Story: MEGAN WRAPPE, Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: JESSICA SCHRECK, Intern Photographer