Billy Strings live at Islington Assembly Hall 26/27,03, 2022
Written by Kahmel Farahani on April 1, 2022
Bluegrass and country wunderkind makes his international live debut in London with stellar shows
Photos by Tim Russel
Tonight the lines outside the Islington Assembly Hall stretch down the block and well out of sight. Despite having a pair of back to back sold out shows, Billy Strings may be a name that most UK & European fans are unfamiliar with. Some backstory for his audience outside America: After putting out his full length debut album in 2017 and sweeping up pretty much every bluegrass and country accolade possible, Billy quickly built up a dedicated audience of adoring fans (the “GOATS”). Strings officially began to blow up last year with the release of his third album Renewal, which is currently nominated for several Grammys. Then there is the Grateful Dead connection.
Last year Billy Strings was invited to jam with Dead drummer Bill Kruetzmann’s outfit Billy & the Kids and, more recently, with legendary Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. This has created a crossover between his music and the audience of music hungry Dead-Heads, who now come out in force to most every gig he plays. Indeed, the dedication of his fanbase is clear to see since the majority of this weekend’s crowd have flown into London from The USA just to see Strings in what is a relatively “small show” for him. From Colorado and Oklahoma to Georgia and Wisconsin, they have gathered to vibe outside the venue, lining up for hours ahead and trading home made stickers and pin badges. It’s an amazingly heart warming scene to witness and definitely feels like a modern version of the early 70s communal, jam band spirit.
As the crowd are finally let into the venue and the lights go down, its very clear we are all in for something special. Billy Strings and his band walk out to huge roars of approval and a standing ovation before a single note is even played. Tonight’s show kicks off with the fast picking country tune `Slow Train` before launching into the roots Bluegrass jam `Ernest T. Grass`. Accompanied by his band of Billy Failing (banjo, vocals, piano), Royal Masat (bass, vocals), and Jarrod Walker (mandolin, vocals, guitar), Strings has the muscle and flexibility to tackle everything from traditional Bluegrass standards (Reauben’s Train) to his own extended electro-acoustic jams (Hide & Seek) with jaw dropping ease. The band end their first set with the brilliant, lightning paced bluegrass shred `Dust In A Baggie`.
After a short 15 minute break Billy and the band return and play right down to the minute of tonight’s hard 23.00 curfew, with the trippy, psychedelic flavoured country tune `Away From The Mire` leading into an encore of Pink Floyd’s `Brain Damage` given a bluegrass makeover! A near 3 hour show is standard for Strings and his band and its the same case for the 2nd night. Wearing a bright orange fishing cap and a vintage Primus T-shirt, Billy Strings launches into swirling, heady acoustic tale `Turmoil & Tinfoil` before a stunning setlist that covers everything from gorgeous melancholy of `A Robin Built A Nest On Daddy’s Grave` and `Letter Edged In Black` to his absolutely jaw dropping show piece, the Robert Hunter penned `Thunder`.
His 2nd set begins with the original `Red Daisy` before joyful run through of the Jimmy Driftwood/Johnny Cash classic `Tennessee Stud`. The glorious, 15 minute version of `End Of The Rainbow` is another highlight that leaves marvelling at the skill and closeness of these 4 musicians on stage. `Heartbeat Of America` starts out as a stunning dance between guitar, mandolin and banjo before resolving into a foot stomping rocker that sounds like Early 70s Pink Floyd gone bluegrass while the sublime love song `John Deer Tractor` is dedicated to all mothers for mothers day. The band end their set with a beautiful ballad `Leaving London` and leave the stage with the same massive applause that started the night before.
After witnessing these two shows back to back, the first impression is that of sheer wonder at the skill of Billy & his band and their impressive, seemingly endless repertoire. This was a near flawless, mesmerizing performance from one of the most exciting young artists in any genre of music today. Billy Strings is due to return for his first European tour this November/December and, if these two gigs were anything to go by, it will be an unmissable event.
For more information as well as tour dates and tickets, see the official Billy Strings website below.
