Last Saturday evening at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, the bluegrass trio Nickel Creek made their return to Boston after a nearly decade-long wait. Touring in support of Celebrants, their first studio album in 9 years, Chris Thile and siblings Sara and Sean Watkins were in top form with accompaniment from Jeff Picker on bass.

The evening began with a solo performance from the prolific singer/songwriter/producer Gaby Moreno. She performed songs referencing her Guatemalan roots, had the crowd singing along in Spanish, and even performed a song of hers from the Puss in Boots movie.

Following Gaby Moreno’s opening set, Nickel Creek took to the stage amid cheers of excitement and launched into Celebrants’ eponymous track. The first lyrics sung by Chris Thile were fittingly “My god, it’s good to see you right here in the flesh,” and the audience reciprocated that feeling all evening. The show featured a healthy mix of songs from the new album, as well as classics from the band’s deep catalog dating back over 20 years. The experienced group delighted the crowd with virtuosic mastery of their instruments, and the passionate yet often playful lyrics of the songs. The wait for Nickel Creek’s return may have spanned across 3 different presidential administrations, but they remain at the peak of their game.

Check out our photos from the show below.