Bassist

The roster of Punch Brothers features five of the best players in modern bluegrass: Chris Thile on mandolin, Chris Eldridge on guitar, Brittany Haas on fiddle, Paul Kowert on bass, and Noam Pikelny on banjo. But for nearly two decades, the Punch Brothers have been breaking the boundaries of bluegrass, from the 40-minute suite that was the centerpiece of their debut in 2008 to a tradition-bending interpretation of a Tony Rice masterpiece in 2022. They have reworked Debussy and covered Fiona Apple, Radiohead, and Elliott Smith, but they have mostly written stunning and meticulous tunes that pair a conservatory worth of training with the élan and accessibility of their native form. Punch Brothers have been Spoleto favorites since their earliest days, when they were still building this intricate and ebullient sound. They return to Charleston to open the 2026 season of Live at the Cistern.

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Punch Brothers

College of Charleston

Please join Caitlin Canty and special guests for a night of brand-new music from her upcoming release, Quiet Flame.

Canty's highly anticipated 4th studio album was produced by Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers) and features an all-star backing band: Brittany Haas (fiddle), Sarah Jarosz (mandolin, banjo), and Paul Kowert (bass), along with special guests Andrew Marlin (vocals), & Noam Pikelny (banjo). Quiet Flame is Canty's first fully acoustic endeavor.

Caitlin Canty

Joe's Pub

The band of virtuosi known as Punch Brothers has spent more than a decade changing the face of acoustic music, stretching the limitations of their instruments and influencing a generation of young musicians. Some of those musicians will appear with Béla Fleck as part of his set based on his 2022 Grammy-winning album My Bluegrass Heart. Over the past four decades Fleck has expanded the banjo field, earning 15 Grammys in nine different categories. But his roots are in bluegrass, and his first bluegrass tour in 24 years features some of the best of the new generation of players.

Béla Fleck My Bluegrass Heart and Punch Brothers

University of Michigan

Punch Brothers, formed in 2006, are a virtuosic quintet featuring mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas. Known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has garnered critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Folk Album for All Ashore (2018). The Washington Post applauded them for taking “bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.” Over the years, they’ve become pioneers in modern string music, with albums like Antifogmatic (2010), Who’s Feeling Young Now (2012) and The Phosphorescent Blues (2015) showcasing their genre-defying sound. Rolling Stone praised their work as“wild virtuosity used for more than just virtuosity,” cementing their reputation as trailblazers in contemporary acoustic music. Most Recently, Punch Brothers have been focused on their new musical variety show, “The Energy Curfew Music Hour,” with seasons one and two available on Audible and all podcasting platforms.

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music, Punch Brothers has garnered critical acclaim, including a GRAMMY® for Best Folk Album for All Ashore (2018).

Bassist

Paul Kowert

Events

Upcoming events

Jul 18, 2026

Punch Brothers · Caramoor

Jul 27, 2026

Gateway Series: Punch Brothers · Grand Teton Music Festival

Past events

May 24, 2026

Punch Brothers · Spoleto Festival USA

Oct 18, 2023

Caitlin Canty · Public Theater

About

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