Billy Strings celebrated his new album Friday (8/28), by playing all of it during the first night of his two-day run at the Ionia Freak Fair in Michigan.
So Much for Goodbyes (2026) is a 16-song beast written or co-written by the 33-year-old guitar hero with collaborators including Jan Fabricius, Pat McLaughlin, Tim O’Brien, and others.
A dozen of the tunes received their live debuts Friday, which also happened to be the day the record dropped. To play them in a festival he organized in his hometown was special for both he and his fans.
Strings opened the show with “I’m One of Those” and “Burn the Other End,” both of which had already been heard by audiences.
The former got its debut at the Hollywood Bowl last year, and the later was unveiled last month.
Then the premieres were dealt out like a poker dealer at a packed table. “Carry Us Home,” “Lay Me Down” and “Lucid Daydream” all got their live debuts in front of the 35,000 faithful.
After “Mill Town Flood,” Strings presented “Live to Tell” for the first time with Lindsay Lou sharing vocals, Alwyn Robinson on drums and Mark Lavengood on dobro.
Billy played two sets for a total of 29 songs that included seven covers ranging from George Gershwin to Leftover Salmon.
Speaking of the jam band, they joined him near the end of the second set for a pair of tunes, including one of their own: "Down in the Hollow."
Also in that second set was a loving tribute to the recently ascended Dolly Parton.
Along with Lou on vocals and Lavengood on dobro, the group played "The Last Thing on my Mind" which was written by Tom Paxton in 1964 and covered by Porter Wagoner & Dolly in 1967 who took it to #7 on the country chart.
The lineup for the two day festival was curated by Strings himself and boasted Americana bands like Greensky Bluegrass and Leftover Salmon, as well as the hardcore act Bane, the Canadian group Cryptopsy who practice death metal, and mathcore artists See You Next Tuesday.
Ever the inviting host, Strings got on stage with Cryptopsy on "Open Face Surgery" inside the pinball and metal tent.
Some people talk a good game by saying they love all types of music, but Billy proved it with his truly diverse assortment of talented acts.
Billy is taking a little breather then he's back on the road with two shows at the Ball Arena on 9/18.
Tix are sold out but get on the waiting list for that and many others via his website.
Billy Strings 2026 Tour
9/18-19 Ball Arena, Denver, CO
9/20 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO
9/25 Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
9/28 Pechanga Arena, San Diego, CA
10/6 Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OR
10/31 CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD
12/4 Saenger Performing Arts Theater, New Orleans, LA
12/5 Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
12/9 Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, Sugar Land, TX
12/11 Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
