Billy Strings manned the stage first, ripping away at his signature sound, classic bluegrass with ferocious picking ability. As the crowds poured in from the November night, it was clear that having Strings kick things off was right way to go.
The band then jammed several favorites, delving in and out of various solos intended in to expose the talents of each member, the banjo and the dobro especially. Speaking of the dobro, an excellent “Five Interstates,” from the great 2008 album by the same name caused the pit of the audience to go wild in their dancing. This was, of course, after the twang of the crowd favorite, “Groundhog” got things spiced up, which included coordinated dance moves and several multiple minute-long jams.
After Strings left the stage again, the band played their own “No Idea,” and covered “Handle With Care” by the Traveling Wilburys. A few more songs, and more than a few more long jams by each member of the group, it was just after midnight and the end of the second set. After a very brief break, they returned to play an equally quick encore, and then the opening of their three-night run was over. The crowds of twang lovers yelped out “See you tomorrow’s” and took off barely after 12:30. Just like that, the rest of the weekend happily dedicated to the Michigan based quintet was off without a hitch.