Watch Greensky Bluegrass Debut New Song ‘Solstice’ With Holly Bowling In Iceland

Greensky Bluegrass took the stage at the historic and gorgeous Harpua Concert Hall in Reykjavík on Saturday to formally begin Camp Greensky Iceland after a welcome set at Ægisgarður brewery one night earlier. The jamgrass quintet was joined by keyboardist Holly Bowling on Saturday as they were on Sunday and will be for the finale tonight. Saturday’s show commenced with a pair of debuts starting with the anthemic “Solstice.”

Mandolinist/vocalist Paul Hoffman wrote “Solstice” and initially performed the song solo acoustic this past winter at phoffman shows. Greensky served up a more fleshed-out full-band arrangement featuring Bowling on a variety of keyboards. Camp Greensky was a fitting place to premiere “Solstice” as Iceland’s National Day filled with colorful parades, cultural celebrations and seafood pairs comes in honor of the Summer Solstice as well as the country’s independence from Danish rule.

GSBG entered Iceland’s Flóki Studios before heading to Reykjavík. While “Solstice” and other songs debuted at Camp Greensky Iceland were among those recorded for future release, the band will issue the new single “Get Out” this Friday, June 9. Both “Get Out” and the recently shared “Congratulations & Condolences” were tracked during the sessions that yielded GSBG’s 2022 album, Stress Dreams.

Check out fan-shot video of the “Solstice” that opened Camp Greensky Iceland below:

Greensky followed “Solstice” with another debut, “Entirely Mine.” Hoffman helmed both songs. The five-piece and Bowling then played staples “Living Over,” “Murder Of Crows” and “Old Barns.” Next, guitarist Dave Bruzza and Hoffman harmonized on John Bailes’ “Send Me Your Address From Heaven” and the band played “Wish I Didn’t Know” off of 2019’s All For Money before embarking on an adventurous 17-minute “Courage For The Road” showcasing Bowling.

Holly Bowling wasn’t GSBG’s only guest on Saturday. The group and the keyboardist brought out Mama Magnolia vocalist Megan Letts and Neighbor guitarist Lyle Brewer for “Ain’t No Bread In The Breadbox” in the middle of the second set. Oldies “Demons,” “Blood Sucking F(r)iends,” “Windshield” and “Who Is Frederico?” were also played during the frame as was more recent fare such as “What You Need,” “Worry For You” and “Stress Dreams.”

Greensky Bluegrass and Holly Bowling ended the first of their three Camp Greensky Iceland performances by covering JJ Cale’s “After Midnight.” The quintet hadn’t played the classic rock radio staple since New Year’s Eve. Watch video of Saturday’s “After Midnight” encore below:

Camp Greensky Iceland ends tonight. The band and Bowling are currently on stage as of press time. Tune in to a free livestream via MIXLR.com.

Official Audio (via nugs.net)

Setlist (via Phantasy Tour)

Set One: Solstice [1], Entirely Mine [1], Living Over, Murder of Crows, Old Barns, Send Me Your Address from Heaven, Wish I Didn’t Know > Courage for the Road

Set Two: Demons, What You Need, Blood Sucking F(r)iends, Worry for You > Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox [2], Stress Dreams, Windshield, Who Is Frederico?

Encore: After Midnight

• [1] – debut
• [2] – w/ Lyle Brewer (guitar), Megan Letts (vocals)

[Full show with Holly Bowling on keyboards]