Billy Strings is filling arenas coast-to-coast in support of his latest album Renewal, and on Friday, November 19th saw Billy and his band come to Wilkes-Barre, PA to entertain the sold out Mohegan Sun Arena. Half way through the second set Billy brought out ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro.
While the rest of the band took a short break the duo debuted Smokin’ Strings, the collaboration that appeared on Jake’s recent album, Jake and Friends. The rest of the band soon returned as Jake remained for the rest of the show including a take of John Hartford’s All Fall Down which included an extended jam much to the delight of the rapturous crowd. See below of the setlist and photos from the show.
Billy Strings – Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, PA – November 19, 2021
Set 1: Ole Slewfoot, This Old World, While I’m Waiting Here, Heartbeat of American, Katy Daly, Ice Bridges, In the Morning Light, Libby Phillips Rag, Unwanted Love, Leaders, Wargasm
Set 2: Van Scoy Jingle, Thunder, Know it All > Ernest T. Grass > Little Maggie, Smokin’ Strings*, Nothing’s Working*, All Fall Down*, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town*, This Heart of Mnie*,
Grammy Award-winning music innovator Billy Strings reveals a continuation of his current headline tour alongside co-writers and string swordsman in their own right Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (Bass, vocals) and Jarrod Walker (mandolin, vocals, guitar).
Arguably the most talked about in the announcement is the four night run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, a truly historic laboratory for experimental music. Dates listed below. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, November 19 at 10:00am ET. On that Friday, the Billy Strings tour will be making a stop in Wilkes-Barre, PA if patience is not on one’s side. Full details at www.billystrings.com/tour.
Full Rainbow
All Forms of Energy
Energy has been a word that has gotten tossed around superfluously over conference tables, yoga mats and barstools. Excessive presence of the metaphysical concept has robbed us from having a name for what happens when we truly feel the impact of sound, light and heat combine in such a way to shift minds.
Avatar
Some call Billy things like “the reincarnation”, “the next____”, and occasionally “the next avatar”. There is certainly something special about a person that thinks and plays in such expansive styles while also having full mastery of accepted structures. It is uncommon for the same person to also have concern for the safety and wellbeing of his fans. It is not often that “the ___ of our generation” will return to his elementary school to give guitars to all the kids. Bass fishing early after playing a sold out show is absolutely not the thing expected from a musical mastermind. Arguably, most accurate description of Billy is “the realest one.”
Moth and Light Bulb
Egregious terms like “face melt” have unfortunately replaced the rather touching feeling of euphoria washing over our senses when dazzled by lights that somehow give the music a voice when there are no lyrics. The depth of emotion intended for each song transcends the light. The musical experience at a Billy show would not have the same depth of meaning if it looked any other way. Seeing and hearing beauty is where true presence begins to form and life outside of that concert disappears.
The intentional layering of light in a kaleidoscope of textures, colors and shapes evoke feelings that register more like a fine textile selected by lighting designer Roger Gant just for us; in this moment. It is said that moths are attracted to lightbulbs because they are designed to move towards the moon, but lightbulbs are relatively brighter. Imagine being that moth and you have an idea of what Roger’s shows look like.
The Wave Master
Andy Lytle gets pitted in the barrel of sound waves. Generosity exists all over the Billy camp. A valued community has formed thanks to Andy Lytle’s free live streams on Mixlr.com/billy-streams for every show. His pre-show and set break playlist is one for the ages and it is worth tuning in early to enjoy. To take on an extra task like mixing beautifully for all of the people at home while simultaneously managing fast changing complex music being played is seen and appreciated.
Photo by Jesse Faatz: The Giver. Keeper of memories. Encapsulator of emotion.
The Ref
Compassion is the key. While Billy Strings is the name on the shirt, all band and crew members contribute to a show with power that does not compare. It is more than a battle. Kata might even be too tame. There is more going on here. There is a volley going between the front of house and the stage, with photographer Jesse Faatz playing referee. There is great honor in record keeping creatively while history is being made. Jesse provides this selfless service by absorbing the cumulative experience of thousands and somehow fitting it into a few images. With each night’s log entry, a protective space has been created so that we can look back and let all of the feelings rush back from those treasured moments.
So pitted
Purpose
Attending a Billy Strings production means experiencing innovation, evolution and often complete mindshift for a better life. When there is no way to explain why something feels so good is when the cosmos, higher power or spiritual elements start to roll in and true attachment and loyalty begins to form. We feel protective over this thing that feels so good and want others to join in.
Afterglow
At some point though, after the show, everything will begin to settle down. We will anticipate a little more volley of light, sound and heat between masters of photons, waves, frequencies, photons, pickups, gammas, cadences, cadenzas, and canons (both musically and photographically). Yes, it is incredible, but it is also here now and we accept this beautiful experience as part of life.
Deep pink adds a little something extra.
Morning Light
The comfortable, lingering, pink-feeling haze after such a powerful experience is something also seems difficult to describe.There was once a word that was kept locked up and safe, only to be used in those declarative moments of beauty, connection, wonder, commitment, appreciation and gratitude. Cortisol coursing through us, feeling accepted within our tribe and cozy with our minds. What was it again? Oh.That word is love.
BILLY STRINGS CONFIRMED 2021-2022 TOUR DATES November 16—Portland, ME—State Theatre (SOLD OUT) November 17—Boston, MA—Boch Center Wang Theatre (SOLD OUT) November 19—Wilkes-Barre, PA—Mohegan Sun Arena November 20—Detroit, MI—The Fillmore (SOLD OUT) November 21—Detroit, MI—The Fillmore November 30—New Orleans, LA—The Civic Theater (SOLD OUT) December 1—New Orleans, LA—The Civic Theater (SOLD OUT) December 2—Houston, TX—White Oak Music Hall (SOLD OUT) December 3—Austin, TX—ACL Live at The Moody Theater(SOLD OUT) December 4—Dallas, TX—The Factory in Deep Elum(SOLD OUT) December 9—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern (SOLD OUT) December 10—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern (SOLD OUT) December 11—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern (SOLD OUT) December 12—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern (SOLD OUT) December 17—Nashville, TN—Marathon Music Works(SOLD OUT) December 18—Nashville, TN—Marathon Music Works(SOLD OUT) December 30—Grand Rapids, MI—GLC Live at 20 Monroe(SOLD OUT) December 31—Grand Rapids, MI—GLC Live at 20 Monroe(SOLD OUT) January 1—Grand Rapids, MI—GLC Live at 20 Monroe(SOLD OUT)
All dates below (except Tempe, AZ and London on-sale this Friday, November 19 at 10:00am ET February 3—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre February 4—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre February 5—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre February 6—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre February 11—Greensboro, NC—Greensboro Coliseum February 12—Norfolk, VA—Chartway Arena February 15—Augusta, GA—Bell Auditorium February 16—Augusta, GA—Bell Auditorium February 18—Knoxville, TN—Civic Auditorium February 19—Knoxville, TN—Civic Auditorium February 26—Tempe, AZ—Innings Festival March 3—Madison, WI—The Sylvee March 4—Madison, WI—The Sylvee March 5—Madison, WI—The Sylvee March 9—Cleveland, OH—KeyBank State Theatre March 11—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center March 12—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center March 26—London, UK—Islington Assembly Hall (SOLD OUT) March 27—London, UK—Islington Assembly Hall (SOLD OUT) April 1-3—Olympic Valley, CA—WinterWonderGrass Tahoe August 26-28—Tisbury, MA—Beach Road Weekend
NYC-native and 16-time Grammy-winner Bela Fleck marks his return to bluegrass with My Bluegrass Heart, out September 10. In preparation for this release, Fleck shared the single “Charm School,” a collaboration with fellow bluegrass musicians Billy Strings and Chris Thile.
My Bluegrass Heart is the third chapter in Fleck’s multi-decade-spanning trilogy that began with 1988’s Drive and continued in 1999 with The Bluegrass Sessions. Produced and composed by Fleck, My Bluegrass Heart carries on the bluegrass tradition of sharing music between generations.
They nearly always come back, all the people that leave bluegrass. I had a strong feeling that I’d be coming back as well.
Béla Fleck
Fleck first shared single “Charm School,” featuring Billy Strings on guitar and Chris Thile on mandolin, on July 28. The track is hypnotizingly fun – the interweaving of instruments is in a soulful, yet danceable way. The inclusion of the count off and “whew!” at the end with excitable agreeance by the other musicians feels so organic. This natural approach makes listeners feel present at the recording session, only to be brought down from bluegrass heaven once the eight-minute piece inevitably comes to an end. “Charm School” is a promising introduction to My Bluegrass Heart, proving that Fleck’s love for the genre is just as passionate as ever.
In some ways, it’s the wildest and jammiest track on the album, and yet highly melodic and organized. I feel this was the perfect vehicle for this band and the perfect band for this song.
Béla Fleck
“Charm School” is out now on all major streaming platforms and My Bluegrass Heart is available for preorder on BelaFleck.com.
Fleck has also announced he will be touring My Bluegrass Heart throughout 2021 and 2022, including a special night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on January 7 with Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Sierra Hull, Edgar Meyer, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz, Billy Strings, Bryan Sutton, Chris Thile, Molly Tuttle and more.
Ticket information for the “My Bluegrass Heart Tour” can be found on Bela Fleck’s website and more dates are to come.
Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart Tour
With Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz, & Bryan Sutton:
9.17 Roanoke, VA // Jefferson Center
9.18 Berryville , VA // Watermelon Pickers’ Fest 2021
9.19 Glenside, PA // The Keswick Theatre
9.21 Pittsburgh, PA // Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
9.22 Bethesda, MD // The Music Center at Strathmore
9.23 Cumberland, MD // DelFest
9.24 Princeton, NJ // McCarter Theatre Center
9.25 Boston, MA // Berklee Performance Center
9.26 North Adams, MA // FreshGrass
9.28 Kent, OH // The Kent Stage
9.29 Cincinnati, OH // Taft Theatre
9.30 Charlottesville, VA // The Paramount Theater
10.01 Raleigh, NC // IBMA Bluegrass Live!
With Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, & Bryan Sutton:
* = Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton
11.27 Grand Rapids, MI // DeVos Performance Hall
11.28 Fort Wayne, IN // Clyde Theatre
11.29 Milwaukee, WI // Riverside Theater
12.01 St. Louis, MO // The Sheldon Concert Hall
12.02 Des Moines, IA // Hoyt Sherman Place
12.03 Salina, KS // The Stiefel Theatre
12.04 Denver, CO // Paramount Theatre*
12.05 Jackson, WY // Center For The Arts
12.07 Portland, OR // Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
12.08 Seattle, WA // Paramount Theatre*
12.09 Eugene, OR // Jaqua Concert Hall – 2 shows!
12.10 Redding, CA // The Cascade Theatre*
12.11 Reno, NV // Silver Legacy Resort Casino
12.12 Berkeley, CA // The UC Theatre
12.14 Costa Mesa, CA // Segerstrom Center for the Arts
12.17 Los Angeles, CA // Theater at the ACE Hotel
12.19 Tucson, AZ // Fox Tucson Theatre
With Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Sierra Hull, Edgar Meyer, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz, Billy Strings, Bryan Sutton, Chris Thile, Molly Tuttle & more:
Nestled deep in the hills of Virginia, Floyd Fest 2021 kept true to its theme ‘Odyssey” when it provided a dreamy, cantina-like oasis for curious seekers and seasoned travelers alike. Artists including Goose and Andy Frasco & The U.N. blended into the crowd for Billy Strings and waited patiently for Leftover Salmon between their own sets in order to bask in the familiar and the favorites.
Fire ritual spoiler alert
But what really happened that weekend? Why were there mystical creatures? What was that thing that happened with the full moon and the fire ritual performed by Goose on Friday?
The Quest
Most that have traveled that far from home for a beach with tented structures that barely qualify as “chair”. Beverages served inside the protective outer layer of a large fruit elevate one’s lounging experience.
Attendees resorted to extreme measures by day 3 of hiking the hill from camp to the main stage.
Others have always felt the magnetic pull of the electrical currents flowing through consoles responsible for light and sound. The wise were beckoning.
Lockn’ The Wise looks prepared for Fred the Festival
Nestled down in a small valley of rolling hills, tents lit like little huts in a shire. Moon, red like a western sun, rising through the faraway wildfire’s haze. After hours upon hours of travel, it seemed like a mirage, or a figment of imagination.
The Village
Floyd traveler familiar with the midday sun and opts for shade and to see Chupacabra’s set.
Uncertainty and overwhelm upon arrival. The seeker arrived to a new town, hustling and bustling as it has for many years. Floyd Fest attendees in 2001 seem more like townsfolk in a small village nestled far away from any industrious city. Everyone goes about their business. No questions. Each and every person appears to have a job, a home, and a role within the community.
This staff security member has been collaboratively painting with the same group for over 10 years.
There might have been plans to have a meeting of the minds and spirits, but the lack of cell service created a mentality of embracing what was, not what could have been. Any plans to meet friends were let go at which point, the true experience began.
Moon is tight
The Celebration
Off in the distance, there was music. Light began seeping onto the edges of the forest. Following blindly on the trail, the hero contorted their way through campsites, following weaving trails until a light began to show.
As the path opened up, a mass of people gathered in the shape of a bowl became illuminated by a flood of beautiful shapes and colors. Attendees entered the area with joy and music. It felt like a dream, looked like a dream, and had the soundtrack of Billy Strings. Everyone was there.
Certain supernatural laws seemed to morph when moving through the dimensional force field that was the gate of Floyd Fest 2021, Friends seemed to appear, exactly at the perfect time, by sheer luck and with a dash of synchronicity. It was often in those moments that we would miraculously have our friends cross paths right in front of us.
Roger Gant composing ideal combinations of shapes and colors for the moment.
It was great to run into friends that I have no seen since shutdown. Usually we get to see each other when I stop in their city for tour. I was not expecting so many reunions.
Roger Gant, lighting director, Billy Strings
A patient Goose (member) Jeff Arevalo waiting for Leftover Salmon to begin.
This was more than just a little town, it was a place for many woodsfolk, elvish types and wizards to gather and celebrate the diversity that has successfully coexisted.
Billy Strings’ bassist Royal Masat
It was a place for young warriors to display the fruits of their training and for elders to inspire support within and between communities.
Goose Connections
One wiser, more experienced female traveler easily recognized the look of wonder and amazement on a young couple’s face. She approached the two after Billy’s encore and asked “Is this your first time?” The two cautiously nodded, unsure of why this was being asked. The elder was elated and welcomed the couple. She had spotted the newcomers early in the night and just had to know if her gut instinct was correct, then promptly welcomed the two. She shared that she had been attending Floyd Fest for more than a decade and it felt just as good in 2021 as it did her first year.
This long time fan of the Grateful Dead was blown away by the kindness of Goose Fans at her first show.
The beautiful thing about gathering for Floyd Fest 2021 is that the travelers and the seekers were able to share Goose through one of the highest energy ultra marathon birthday celebrations to date. Many Floyd regulars had only studied Goose through youtube and live streams, but Friday night, they were able to experience a proper southern Goose Flodown. Feet stomped. Crowd pulsed. Andrew Goedde’s smoke with white lights during “Arcadia” awakened the spirit of Tennessee Ted for the first time since Pelham. It could not only be seen, but also heard thanks to the masterful sound engineering by Sam Bardini.
Bathing in light thrown by Andrew Goedde. It would not have been the moment it was without these lights.
After two and a half hours of anthem after anthem, the young couple ran into the elder as one would in that fantasy fiction we seemed to be living in at Floyd and they were able to ask knowingly, “first time?”
Peter Anspach giving a warm and friendly greeting.
Convergence and Birth
On the eve of the full moon, there was a ritual burning of candles for one chosen bassist. This converged with a chemical reaction from energy between musical newcomers with the wise seasoned ones. The next breakout band emerged from the garden stage around the same time Turkuaz performed their Talking Heads set.
An Empress of Organos
Melt
Melt from NYC had a full and engaged crowd despite fierce competitors at the main stage. Empresses Veronica (vocals) and Marlo (guitar) seranaded the garden stage with dynamic melodies.
An Echo of A Rose, Marlo
Keys and horns dances perfectly with bass and drums. Respect for one’s bandmates for melt looked like laying down during a member’s solo. This band enchanted anyone within earshot.
Melt showing respect for their bandmates
The traveler returned home with tales of strings and salmon as well as intel on Melt for ‘heard them first’ stock brokers everywhere.
Cody the Wise
At the end of the day, Floyd Fest was summed up best by traveler Cody Wimer when he shared his thoughts on Floyd:
Home festival. Best place. Hot days. Cold nights. Music fire.
In 1971, the Grateful Dead performed at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester over six nights – February 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24. Billy Strings will present The Deja Vu Experience on FANS and The Relix Channel on those same nights, 50 years later, with a six-night livestream.
With a nod to those historic shows, Billy Strings will perform on these same dates as the Grateful Dead did, adding an aire of deja vu to the run of streams, in hopes of tapping into the musicianship and fearlessness that the Dead did 50 years ago.
Much like the Dead, Billy Strings has the potential to unlock the improvisational boundaries of music and psychedelia in a familiar yet unique way.
During the 1971 shows, the Grateful Dead conducted ESP Experiments, prompting Deadheads in the audience to focus on imagery shown by the band and telepathically send the imagery to a test subject.
The Deja Vu Experiment is aiming to similarly tap into a sense of clairvoyance and togetherness by asking the streaming audience to use their minds to collectively “see” and send imagery to special guest receivers.
Concerts in the age of streaming beg fans to transport their mind; to feel connected to a live performance when we cannot physically be together. This experiment is not scientifically backed, rather, a hypothesis that the collective mind has the power to tap into extrasensory perception and manifest connection.
