See Phish and Billy Strings Make Jam Band Fans’ Dreams Come True at Michigan Concert
Fans of jam music old and new had reason to rejoice Tuesday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan as Phish were joined onstage by Billy Strings, with the bluegrass legend-in-the-making performing a handful of phan phavorites with the band.
Prior to Phish’s gig at the Van Andel Arena, rumors were abound that Strings, a native of nearby Muir, Michigan, could potentially join the quartet on stage. Toward the end of the second set, Trey Anastasio revealed that a “little local musician” would be sitting in with Phish, kicking off the epic collaboration.
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Strings and Phish first played “The Moma Dance,” followed by a rendition of their staple “Possum” that featured Strings on lead vocals. The second set closed out with the band’s “Everything’s Right.”
Anastasio and Strings then reemerged for the encore with acoustic guitars in hand, with the band delivering the oft-covered Hot Rize bluegrass track “Nellie Kane,” again with Strings on vocals. A rendition of Del McCoury Band’s “Beauty of My Dreams” and more guitar theatrics followed before the concert concluded with a full-band-plus-Strings electric take on the rocker “Carini.”
Strings’ Phish visit comes less than a week after the singer announced his upcoming new album Highway Prayers, due out Sept. 27. The always-touring Strings also dropped the live album Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1 earlier this year and will appear on Post Malone’s upcoming country album, F-1 Trillion.
Phish’s summer tour continues tonight in Grand Rapids followed by a pair of shows in Bethel, New York. After that, the band will set up shop at their festival, Mondegreen in Dover, Delaware. The trek comes to an end with a four-night stand at Colorado’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Park From Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
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