As 14 states across the U.S. brace for winter storms, thousands of lucky fans are enjoying bluegrass on the beach at Strings & Sol 2025. The sold-out festivacation opened Thursday at the Dreams Sapphire Resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, with sets from Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Mountain Grass Unit.

Following the welcome toast, Yonder Mountain String Band kicked off Strings & Sol on the main Beach Stage. Among the band’s setlist was “Just Like Old Times” by the late, great Todd Snider, who suddenly passed away last month at age 59. Yonder Mountain String Band co-founding mandolinist Jeff Austin and Todd Snider were close friends, and Snider even wrote “Sail on, My Friend” for Austin following his sudden death in 2019.

Related: Where Will I Go, Now That I’m Gone? Todd Snider Told It To Me

Austin used to cover “Just Like Old Times” with Yonder before he split from the band in 2014, and, from the limited recent setlist data available, this appears to be the first time YMSB has covered the song since Jeff left the band. Michigan singer-songwriter Tyree Woods sat in for lead vocals on the tune, with guitarist Adam Aijala putting on his harmonica holder for a proper tribute to the troubadour legend and alright guy.

Yonder Mountain String Band, Tyree Woods — “Just Like Old Times” (Todd Snider) — 12/11/25

[Video: Max Berde]

After Greensky Bluegrass headlined the Beach Stage, the late-night party continued with Mountain Grass Unit on the Palapa stage. This marked the rising Birmingham, AL, jamgrass quartet’s inaugural trip south of the border for Strings & Sol, and cagey veteran Torrin Daniels (Kitchen Dwellers) popped in to give them a proper welcome. Clad in shorts and a Misfits tank top, the dreadlocked banjoist was likely far more comfortable in Mexico than he would be in the Dwellers’ home state of Montana, expected to get up to 24 inches of snow this week.

Though MGU is well acquainted with the work of Widespread Panic (doing a killer “Ain’t Life Grand” from time to time), the visiting dignitary took lead vocals on “Chilly Water”. Daniels’ gruff singing was a natural fit for the parched party-starter, and his heavily filtered banjo helped lift off MGU’s smashgrass into the Dwellers’ brand of galaxy grass, guitarist Luke Black later kicking on his distortion for some Jimmy Herring-style soloing. The combination was so good, they might have to do it again when Mountain Grass Unit opens for Kitchen Dwellers at Denver’s Mission Ballroom on January 24th.

Mountain Grass Unit, Torrin Daniels — “Chilly Water” (Widespread Panic) — 12/11/25

Strings & Sol 2025 continues through the weekend with additional performances from Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, Mountain Grass Unit, Kitchen Dwellers, Leftover Salmon, Keller Williams, Lindsay Lou, and more.