By Stephen Bloch

Billy Strings has been on a universe crossing tour since the days before the world shut down, but in that time he’s expanded every facet of his meteoric rise to stardom. On Saturday evening at Chicago’s Allstate Arena, Strings closed out his Spring tour and demonstrated that he is at the top of the bluegrass game.  Every one of his shows is curated with both setlist and visuals.  This show was no exception, filled with original cuts as well as copious amounts of covers (Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Greensky Bluegrass, and Bela Fleck were all represented.  Highlights came at the end of the first set with “Red Daisy”, “Lumpy,, Beanpole, and Dirt”, into the set closer “Dust in a Baggie”. The absolute highlight of the second set was a jammed out “Turmoil & Tinfoil”.  

Billy doesn’t appear to be slowing down one bit.  A lengthy summer and fall tour are ripe for the taking!