Mandolinist

Comfy and inviting as an old friend (if your old friend happens to be a musical genius), A Solo Evening of Music with Chris Thile brings the Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant” to the Festival’s Perry Pavilion. Described by The Guardian as "that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a "genre-defying musical genius," Thile is a founding member of the influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. In this intimate program, Thile will perform selections from his acclaimed solo recordings of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas – including the upcoming second volume out this autumn – alongside his signature improvisational brilliance.

A Solo Evening of Music with Chris Thile

Perry Pavilion

Hudson O’Reilly, saxophone

Northwestern Bienen School of Music

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

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as "that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a "genre-defying musical genius." Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

Chris Thile

The Flynn

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a “genre-defying musical genius.” Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

The Englert Theatre

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a “genre-defying musical genius.” Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

The Center

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a “genre-defying musical genius.” Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

The Stoller Hall

The Knights join forces with mandolinist, composer, and singer Chris Thile for a program including his brilliant songwriting and storytelling, instrumental virtuosity, and ever-present sense of humor.

The Knights & Chris Thile

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Teddy Abrams leads a concert of familiar and brand-new American music, including Aaron Copland’s ballet suite that evokes the grandeur of pastoral frontiers. Chris Thile, who was called “a genre-defying musical genius” by NPR, offers his own musical take on the American experience. The bluegrass mandolinist behind Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek brings his newly written concerto that he says tells “the true story of the time I attempted to impress a Starbucks executive and accidentally met Carrie Fisher as a result. It’s a DOOZY!” We’re not quite sure what that means either, but we’re excited to find out.

Chris Thile and Appalachian Spring

Hollywood Bowl

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.

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).

Gateway Series: Punch Brothers

Center for the Arts

Grammy® Award–winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter and composer Chris Thile brings his singular artistry to the Minnesota Orchestra in ATTENTION!, his playfully bold autobiographical work for mandolinist and orchestra. Part narrative song cycle, part musical self-portrait, ATTENTION! blends virtuosity, humor and storytelling. Whether you know Thile from Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, or from his tenure as host of public radio’s Live from Here, you’ll be dazzled by his wit, invention and restless imagination.

Chris Thile with the Minnesota Orchestra

Orchestra Hall Minneapolis

Devilishly dexterous and eclectic, Chris Thile is at home in every genre— from bluegrass to Baroque to jazz to indie pop. Thile’s enormous talent and boundless energy have resulted in multiple Grammys®, a MacArthur “Genius” grant and dozens of albums as a solo artist. Thile and a crew of his closest musical compatriots and collaborators grace the Orchestra Hall stage for a one-night-only performance.

An Evening with Chris Thile and Friends

Punch Brothers, formed by mandolinist Chris Thile in 2006, is known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music. In addition to Thile, the band currently comprises guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas. Punch Brothers 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.”

The Royal Conservatory of Music

Celebrate the holiday season in bluegrass style with GRAMMY Award–winning singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan. (Crooked Still, I’m With Her, A Prairie Home Companion) and MacArthur Fellow and mandolinist Chris Thile (Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, Live from Here) as they illuminate treasured holiday songs with spellbinding harmonies and joyful musicality. Featuring fresh arrangements of beloved classics, lively stories, and good cheer in abundance, Wassail! is a warm invitation to gather, sing, and revel in the glow of the holidays.

Mandolinist

Chris Thile

Events

Upcoming events

Jul 18, 2026

Punch Brothers · Caramoor

Jul 27, 2026

Gateway Series: Punch Brothers · Grand Teton Music Festival

Jul 31 - Aug 1, 2026

Chris Thile with the Minnesota Orchestra · Minnesota Orchestra

Aug 2, 2026

An Evening with Chris Thile and Friends · Minnesota Orchestra

Nov 17, 2026

Punch Brothers · The Royal Conservatory of Music

Past events

Jun 12, 2026

A Solo Evening of Music with Chris Thile · Virginia Arts Festival

May 24, 2026

Hudson O’Reilly, saxophone · Northwestern Bienen School of Music

Future and recently performed repertoire

Mandolin in Attention by Thile

Caramoor

About

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