Billy Strings – October 14th – Mission Ballroom

For many fans in attendance, it had been about 18 months since they had purchased their tickets to this show so what better way to kick things off than by having the man himself, Mr. Billy Strings, open this mammoth four night run by taking the stage alone and delivering a mesmerizing take on “Guitar Peace” from his stellar Home album. I’ve seen Strings quite a few times and I can’t recall him doing this before – I’ve seen him sing “Am I Born to Die” solo a capella but never something quite like this, so it was quite a treat.

As the opening number came to a close, Billy Failing, Royal Massat, and Jarrod Walker took the stage and the band debuted their take on the Pink Floyd masterpiece “Fearless” to the delight of the capacity crowd. This was the first of a few well chosen covers that dotted the first set of music including John Hartford’s “I’m Still Here,” Strings’ instrumental version of The Monkees’ “Last Train To Clarksville” and the thrilling set ender, “All Time Low” by Widespread Panic. While the covers are always fun – and a critical piece of Strings’ live performances – his original material is typically just as strong, if not stronger, than the songs he cherry-picks to interpret. The first set gave us beautiful versions of the recently released “Fire On My Tongue” from Renewal (Listen Here Denver!) as well as “Wargasm,” – a newer track that didn’t make the album – and the longtime fan favorite “Thirst Mutilator” which exploded into the previously mentioned Panic scorcher.

With one set of music under our belts, it was clear that Strings and his band were here to make a statement and judging by the buzz in the room, they were being heard loud and clear! When they returned to the stage, the band delivered a trio of originals. Kicking things off with “Taking Water,” they segued into “Ice Bridges” before dropping only the third “Nothing’s Working” and all three were brilliantly delivered and very well received by the rabid fans. From there Strings went the traditional route with the Flatt & Scruggs number “Doin’ My Time” and then it was “Living Like An Animal” that set the stage for a pair of Grateful Dead covers: “Me & My Uncle” and a stunningly beautiful “To Lay Me Down.” Strings and company closed out the set with two more originals and a Beatles tune before returning for a well deserved encore and delivering “The Preacher and the Bear.”

This may have been the first night of a four night run, but it was by no means a warm-up. This band is firing on all cylinders right now and they served up an absolutely stellar show.

Billy Strings – October 14th, 2021 – Mission Ballroom

Set One: Guitar Peace > Fearless, Home Of The Red Fox > Fire On My Tongue, I’m Still Here > Last Train To Clarksville > Tipper, Wargasm, Will You Be Loving Another Man, Thirst Mutilator > All Time Low

Set Two: Taking Water > Ice Bridges, Nothing’s Working, Doin’ My Time, Living Like An Animal, Me And My Uncle, To Lay Me Down, Doing Things Right > Things We Said Today, Hide And Seek

Encore: The Preacher And The Bear