The Devil Makes Three at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI

Metro Detroit gets a visit from a power-trio of ragtime rockers as The Devil Makes Three bring their folklore-style hoedown to the Motor City.  

Saint Andrew’s Hall is no stranger to music diversity, and this particular Tuesday night brings a new installment of this vintage venue. The Devil Makes Three have arrived at the Motor City. For those not familiar, they are a three-piece outfit of long-standing friends that have successfully fused folk, ragtime, country, blues, gospel, bluegrass, and a little bit rockabilly into an eclectic stew all their own. Originally hailing from Vermont, the trio maintains a rigorous international tour schedule that celebrates a nine-album catalog. The Devil Makes Three are well-received in Detroit, as evident by this evening’s “sold out” status. The diverse crowd of rockabilly rebels, cowboys and cowgirls, whiskey swilling rag-timers and a blend of ethnicities have arrived to take in the night’s event.

It’s showtime as the brimming building is packed with anticipatory energies ignites. The three members of DMT take to the main stage. Their entrance is humble, and immediately evokes a Detroit-style rock and roll greeting from the Motor City mob. The trio secures their instruments and fire right into “The Bullet.” Right from the top of the setlist, The Devil Makes Three give a tight sound full of great git-picking and foot-stomping percussion. Next up the band transitions into “All Hail,” and then “Beneath The Piano.” Guitar, banjo, and string-master Cooper McBean changes weapons several times throughout the night. His style is a marvelous blend of delta blues, country, and rockabilly that gets smiles from the purists of all genres. 

“There’ll Be A Jubilee” comes next as stand-up bass player Lucia Turino works her magic on her trusty steed, as her signature “thunka-thunka” keeps the rhythms tight and in the pocket throughout the night’s set. Pulling from nearly two decades of material, the threesome delivers a backyard bash that lasts nearly 90 minutes. Frontman Pete Bernhard, smiles big for the fans as they sing along with “Chains Are Broken.” “Bad Idea” and “Pray For Rain” are up next and get the crowd toes tapping, and hands clapping. Surprise performances of the classic covers “I’m A Woman” by Peggy Lee, and the Tom Waits great “Tango Till Their Sore,” are well-received by the Metro Detroiters. 

Winding the beefy setlist down, they end on the bluesy “Aces And Twos.” Giving another dose of McBean’s tasty delta slide licks from his most vintage guitar rig. Not to disappoint, The Devil Makes Three returns to the stage to dish out a double encore. First a cover of the traditional classic “Saint James Infirmary” followed by a most memorable close to the night with “Do Wrong Right.”

If you have attended this event as a “first-timer” and were not familiar with The Devil Makes Three family… you have now been inducted, and are an official lifetime member. For those of you in attendance that are long-time fans, you leave tonight with more than the price of admission: and everlasting musical memory of epic proportions starring The Devil Makes Three. The Devils Makes Three are on their 2019 international winter tour now. DMT are a highly recommended concert experience full of folky fun and Americana smiles. At the show’s end, be sure to stop by the merch booth and pick up some of the band’s classic tracks on genuine vinyl. Go check them out – performance dates and details can be found on the band’s official website.