By  Dan Rozman

Photos by Mark Raker

Billy Kreutzmann brought his band Billy & the Kids to Pier 6 Pavilion in Baltimore on August 16th for an energetic night of music. The group, featuring Kreutzmann on drums, Reed Mathis on bass, Jeff Franca also on drums, Tom Hamilton on guitar, Daniel Donato on guitar, Aron Magner on keys, and vocalist Kanika Moore, overcame some initial sound glitches on the opening “Bertha” to deliver a rocking show.

Highlights from the first set included classics like “Touch of Grey” with Moore on vocals, “Help on the Way” into “Slipknot!” and the crowd-pleaser “Shakedown Street”. After a percussion jam, set two kept the good times rolling with songs like “Scarlet Begonias” spotlighting Moore, a funky cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie On Reggae Woman”, and the Jerry Garcia tune “Deal”. Encoring with “Ship of Fools” and Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” with Moore, the band left the crowd ecstatic.

The incredible light show transformed the venue, pairing it with the music for an immersive experience. Fortunately, the weather was perfect for the outdoor venue. Kreutzmann took a moment to mention James Casey, a longtime bandmate battling cancer who was watching from home. He encouraged donations to a fundraiser for Casey and the Maui Strong Foundation, underscoring the spirit of community at the show.

Billy and the Kids matched the crowd’s enthusiasm throughout the entire gig. It was apparent the band was having just as much fun as the exuberant audience. The performance gave Deadheads in Baltimore an opportunity to celebrate the enduring musical legacy Kreutzmann helped create.