BOSTON, MA | The bluegrass freight train that is Billy Strings roared into Boston on July 25 for the first of a two-night stay along the inner harbor at the Leader Bank Pavilion. Strings and band were greeted by a thunderous ovation as they kicked off this set with a fitting cover of “Big Ball in Boston.” Expanding bluegrass with an interesting blend of psychedelic, jam band, outlaw country, heavy metal, and Americana brought out a crowd from all walks of life coming together for the love of his music.
String’s success has skyrocketed in recent years, winning the International Bluegrass Music Awards Guitar Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2021, and also a GRAMMY award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2021. Surrounding himself with the talented Billy Failing on banjo, Jarrod Walker on mandolin, Royal Masat on upright bass, and Alex Hargreaves on violin has been integral to giving his music a life of its own as a thrilling live experience.
These consummate bluegrass players elevate these tracks with their top-notch talent, mutual respect, and kinship. Each instrument supports the whole sound and also has a time to stand out and shine with solos that seem to have no time structure—allowing the player to get lost in the moment and bring the crowd to a tense high or mellow low, all while the rest of the band flows right along.
It was apparent this band was not on stage performing songs, but instead they were connecting and playing music. Billy Strings and band could very well have been playing on the front porch of an isolated house in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, but instead were rocking Boston’s outdoor amphitheater bringing a rowdy crowd along for the ride.
The lighting display of this tour acts like a member of the band as it has the ability to convey the mood of a song and transport the crowd even further into musical bliss. Each player on stage was backed by their own unique geometric pattern in neon lights, and a screen above them focused on whoever was pushing the song along. String’s lightning fast and technically accurate playing was amplified with effects of phasing, reverb, and distortion—giving him a range of ability to entrance the crowd or to have them enthusiastically headbang along.
The night was split into two sets composed of eleven covers and ten original tunes. Billy Strings and band seamlessly flowed from one song to the next multiple times, and it would almost be missed if it wasn’t for the crowd erupting to welcome the next song along. Fans were seen singing their hearts out and grooving all night in celebration of a show they were sure to have been waiting all year for. This crowd shared their joy with friends and strangers alike—which grew into a contagious feeling of joy and admiration for the moment. Attendees who didn’t know the full extent of what Billy Strings offered were visibly blown away by what they experienced and still didn’t know what to expect next from an artist on the rise who has already reached great heights.
Tom Austin of Warwick, R.I., shared that Billy Strings is “a great bridge into bluegrass music for fans of psychedelic rock and outlaw country,” and described the show as “blinding speed played effortlessly.” He was blown away at how there could be a fifteen minute solo shared among all members of the band and how they seamlessly transitioned back into a song. This seems to have been accomplished by their bond, and their trust to let each other get lost in the moment.
With each night bringing a different setlist to a growing and dedicated fan base, Billy Strings has crafted a live experience that will leave its mark on the attendee—filling them with heartfelt tunes and an awe for a musician who has perfected his skill, carved out his own musical genre, and is in the prime of his career.
