Photos and Review by Stephen Bloch

Milwaukee loves beer, cheese, the Green Bay Packers, and bluegrass. Not sure the rank order at this point, but bluegrass certainly would be near the top based upon the over the top reception that both The Infamous Stringdusters and Armchair Boogie received at Turner Hall Ballroom. Even on a Packers’ gamenight, the crowd was robust and thoroughly ramped up. The Stringdusters, who are coming to the conclusion of their Toward the Fray tour, packed in two full sets of material, much coming from their stellar 2022 release. They are also known for their exceptional covers which included two Grateful Dead cuts (“Black Muddy River” and a jangly “Tennesee Jed”), Tom Petty’s “Runnin Down a Dream”, and The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.”

The Stringdusters simply are an elite group of musicians playing music that everyone loves. No torches are being passed. All of today’s bluegrass has it’s place and fans. Bluegrass is alive and well and is keeping patrons on their toes, regardless of who’s on the stage.