Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic make melodic poetry at BAM/PFA

Last Friday night, longtime friends Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic (Vetiver) performed an acoustic set at the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive gallery. Banhart, known for his soulful experimental folk music, enchanted us with his serene, poetic presence.

He began with “Quedita Luna” and Andy followed with “Rolling Sea,” a Vetiver song. Midway through the set, an infant among the audience cried out gleefully, capturing the audience’s emotions. “This is fun,” Cabic commented. “I barely see or get to play with Devendra anymore.”

Banhart and Cabic each played a mix of their own songs, their collaborations, and Cabic performed a few Vetiver favorites. The set included “Golden Girls,” “Never Seen Such Good Things,” “Everyday, Without a Song,” and “Worse for Wear.” The two had fun; Devendra whispered and whirred, and his voice modulations amused the crowd and lightened the mood and internsity in “Carmensita” and “Angelika,” among other songs.

We couldn’t get enough of them, and just as the audience thought it was over, they cheered and pleaded for more, and the duo played “Baby” and “At the Hop” to close their set.