Billy Strings continued his sold-out weekend run of headlining shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on Saturday, where the up-and-coming bluegrass guitarist and his backing trio treated his fans to a lively Americana-inspired mix of 23 songs over two sets and an encore.
Following night one of his sold-out headlining run on Friday which featured a sit-in from banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka, Strings’ Saturday show saw him combine his lively originals with select classic rock covers, including a Grateful Dead fan-favorite worthy of the historic music venue.
The first set of Saturday’s show opened with a string of originals including “Slow Train”, “Likes of Me”, “Must Be Seven”, “On the Line”, “Home”, and “I’ll Remember You”, to name a few. Strings and company then moved into his covers segment of the set with takes on William “Billy” Hayes‘ “Love in My Prayers”, Old & In the Way‘s “Jerry’s Breakdown”, Little Feat‘s “Willin'”, and closed with The String Cheese Incident‘s “Black Clouds”.
Watch Strings’ performances of “Slow Train” and “Black Clouds” from Saturday’s first set below.
Billy Strings – “Slow Train” – 1/18/20
[Video: Relix]
Billy Strings – “Black Clouds” – 1/18/20
[Video: Matt Frazier]
Strings returned to the stage to open the second set with more covers with the band’s takes on John Hartford‘s “All Fall Down” and the Grateful Dead’s “Wharf Rat”. The second half of the show went on to feature originals like “Away From the Mire” and “Long Forgotten” woven in with covers including Jim and Jesse‘s “Air Mail Special” and The Rolling Stones‘ “Wild Horses”. The set came close following performances of “Old Train” and “Turmoil & Tinfoil”. The band returned to the stage for an encore cover of “If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin In Your Heart)”.
Watch Strings’ second set covers of “Wharf Rat” and “Wild Horses” from Saturday below.
Billy Strings – “Wharf Rat” – 1/18/20
[Video: Matt Frazier]
Billy Strings – “Wild Horses” – 1/18/20
[Video: Matt Frazier]
Strings will return “The Cap” this spring for a third headlining show at the Port Chester venue on April 11th. Until then, the guitarist’s 2020 winter run of shows continues later this week with a performance at the Mars Music Hall Huntsville, AL on Thursday, January 23rd.
Head to Strings’ website for tickets and tour info.
Scroll down for a full gallery from Saturday’s performance, courtesy of photographer Kevin Cole.
Setlist: Billy Strings | The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY | 1/18/20
Set One: Slow Train, Likes of Me, Pyramid Country, Must Be Seven, On the Line, Home, I’ll Remember You, Love in My Prayers (William “Billy” Hayes cover), Jerry’s Breakdown (Old & In the Way cover), Dust in a Baggie, Willin’ (Little Feat) cover, Black Clouds (The String Cheese Incident cover)
Set Two: All Fall Down (John Hartford cover), Wharf Rat (Grateful Dead cover), Hollow Heart, Ernest T. Grass (The Dillards cover), Air Mail Special (Jim and Jesse cover), She Makes My Love, Away From the Mire, Long Forgotten Dream, Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones cover), Old Train, Turmoil & Tinfoil
Encore: If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin In Your Heart) (traditional cover)