Billy Strings Hits Worcester At ‘Ground Speed’ With Rarity-Laden Concert

Billy Strings‘ whirlwind rise has seen him continue to move to bigger venues in most markets and the latest example came last night in Worcester when he played the first of two shows at the huge DCU Center just one year after a two-night stay at the 5,000-capacity Leader Bank Pavilion in nearby Boston. Strings satiated both longtime fans and newcomers by mixing deep cuts and staples at the venue formerly known as The Centrum.

The guitarist and bandmates, fiddler Alex Hargreaves, bassist Royal Masat, banjo player Billy Failing and mandolinist Jarrod Walker, used the instrumental Bill Emerson cover “Home Of The Red Fox” to lead into “Must Be Seven” from his Grammy-winning Home album to open. Strings then looked to his latest LP, 2021’s Renewal, for “Heartbeat Of America” before performing “California Sober,” a song he recorded with Willie Nelson.

“California Sober” bled into the first take on Jeff Austin’s “Run Down” since February. Strings then led his group through “I Only Exist” by The Stanley Brothers before pairing originals “Show Me The Door” and “Bronzeback.” Billy went it alone next on “Nashville Blues” and concluded a double dose of solo Doc Watson tunes with a “Georgia Buck” that saw him trade in his guitar for clawhammer banjo.

The first major surprise of the evening followed as the band returned to cover Earl Scruggs’ “Ground Speed,” which was last played by Strings way back on February 3, 2022 — a span of 242 shows. The quintet then showed off their improvisational prowess on a set-closing “Hide And Seek.”

Billy Strings once again chose an instrumental to kick off the set as “Libby Phillips Rag” got the second frame underway. “Blues Stay Away From Me” followed along with originals “Enough To Leave” and “Dealing Despair.” Strings then offered the 2024 debut of Larry Sparks’ “I’ve Just Seen The Rock Of Ages.” The subsequent “Thirst Mutilator” paved the way for the traditional “Raleigh And Spencer.”

The guitarist and his band gathered around a single mic for a run of “If Your Hair Is Too Long, There’s Sin In Your Heart,” “Born To Be With You” and “Freedom.” The Chordettes’ “Born To Be With You” had been shelved since October 2, 2022 until last night. Strings followed “Streamline Cannonball” and “In The Morning Light” by returning to the Doc Watson catalog for “Riding That Midnight Train” and “My Love Comes Rolling Down.” The beloved “Meet Me At The Creek” concluded the set. Strings and company said farewell with an “Ole Slew Foot” encore.

Watch more fan-captured video from Billy Strings’ first of two in Worcester below:

Billy Strings returns to the DCU Center tonight. Free livestreams are available for nugs.net subscribers of all remaining summer shows. Last night’s concert can be viewed on-demand.

Audio (Taped by Mark Davidson)

Setlist (via BillyBase.net)

Set One: Home Of The Red Fox > Must Be Seven, Heartbeat Of America, California Sober > Run Down, I Only Exist, Show Me The Door, Bronzeback, Nashville Blues [1], Georgia Buck [2], Ground Speed [3], Hide and Seek

Set Two: Libby Phillips Rag > Blues Stay Away From Me, Enough To Leave, Dealing Despair, I’ve Just Seen The Rock Of Ages, Thirst Mutilator > Raleigh & Spencer, If Your Hair Is Too Long, There’s Sin In Your Heart [4], Born To Be With You [4] [5], Freedom [4], Streamline Cannonball, In The Morning Light, Ridin’ That Midnight Train, My Love Come Rolling Down, Meet Me At The Creek

Encore: Ole Slew Foot

• [1] – Billy Strings solo (guitar) on stool front of stage
• [2] – Billy Strings solo (clawhammer banjo) on stool front of stage
• [3] – LTP 2022-02-03 | 242 shows
• [4] -Full band around single mic front of stage
• [5] – LTP 2022-10-02 | 162 shows