One look at The Old Ceremony’s wide array of gigmates — Polyphonic Spree, Cake, Chuck Berry, Mountain Goats, Avett Brothers — should give a clue as to the broad diversity in the North Carolina quintet’s sound. On their third album, Walk On Thin Air, the band has the expansive vibe of electric Celtic Folk, Baroque Pop and atmospheric Americana, a fascinating confluence of the Waterboys, Poi Dog Pondering, Ryan Adams and T-Bone Burnett.
Led by frontman/songwriter Django Haskins, The Old Ceremony kicks off Thin Air with “Til My Voice is Gone,” which starts like Irish Gospel and incrementally builds to a blazing Rock hymn at its rousing finish. The band’s range is most evident on the Celtic Dylan Rock of “Plate Tectonics” and the hushed melancholy of the title track and its arresting opening line: “I woke up dead again.” Just when you think you’ve got The Old Ceremony pegged, they turn another musical corner in such an engaging and infectious manner that you have little choice but to follow. The band pulls into Covington’s Mad Hatter 8 p.m. show with Cari Clara. $5/$7 day of show.
