Billy Strings Debuts ‘Hello City Limits’ Cover At Austin City Limits Festival

Billy Strings delivered a slot at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday. The guitarist and his band unveiled a cover of The Kentuckians’ “Hello City Limits” to kick off their set during the first day of the two-weekend event’s initial weekend at Zilker Park.

Penned by Johnny Elgin and Benny Martin, The Kentuckians released “Hello City Limits” in 1965. Billy and company — bassist Royal Masat, mandolinist Jarrod Walker, banjoist Billy Failing and fiddler Alex Hargreaves — launched their ACL Fest set with the apt cover. Strings led the band through the initial verses before Failing reeled off some twang on the five-string ahead of a quick run from Hargreaves. Billy then hit the final verse and greeted the Austin City Limits audience before the band surged into their recently IBMA-awarded song “Red Daisy.”

Next, the quintet embarked on a three-song sequence beginning with “Must Be Seven” off Billy’s Grammy-winning 2019 LP Home followed by the instrumental “Pyramid Country” from the guitarist’s 2017 debut full-length, Turmoil & Tinfoil. The band capped the segment with the Walker co-write with Christian Ward, “Show Me The Door,” appearing on the group’s 2021 record, Renewal.

The Home favorite, “Away From The Mire,” then proceeded a pairing of “Dust In A Baggie” and “Everything’s The Same.” Next, Billy and the band delivered a double dose of Renewal with “Love & Regret” and “Hide & Seek.” The traditional “Train 45” sealed the band’s first 2022 ACL Fest outing.

Watch fan-shot video of “Hello City Limits” and “Red Daisy” below:

Setlist (via BillyBase)

Set: Hello City Limits[1] > Red Daisy, Must Be Seven > Pyramid Country > Show Me The Door, Away From The Mire Dust In A Baggie > Everything’s The Same, Love & Regret, Hide & Seek, Train 45

Notes:

1. FTP- The Kentuckians