Greensky Bluegrass Welcomes The Infamous Stringdusters’ Chris Pandolfi In Philadelphia

Greensky Bluegrass marked the release of their new album Stress Dreams with a concert at The Met in Philadelphia on Friday debuting five songs from the LP. Greensky shared the bill with The Infamous Stringdusters’ and welcomed Dusters banjo player Chris Pandolfi to close out the second set.

GSBG got the all-original show — the quintet also went sans covers at the tour opener in Albany, something they hinted at in the latest episode of The JamBase Podcast — underway with guitarist Dave Bruzza’s “A Letter To Seymour” before dusting off “New Rize Hill.” Greensky last played the opening track from their 2004 debut album Less Than Supper on January 29, 2020 for a total gap of 81 shows, as per Phantasy Tour. “In Control” and the title track from their 2019 album All For Money followed.

Dobro player Anders Beck then spoke about Stress Dreams’ release before Greensky unveiled the LP’s “Get Sad,” followed by the title track which the band debuted on Halloween 2020. “Blood Sucking F(r)iends” then prefaced a well-jammed “All Four” clocking in at 16-minutes. GSBG wrapped up the first set with the debut of Stress Dreams closer, “Reasons To Stay.”

The band kept up the Stress Dreams’ debuts to start the second set, offering “Screams” and “Streetlight,” which were split by the live staple “Radio Blues.” Greensky then stretched out a bit on an 11-minute-plus “Courage For The Road” before Anders talked a bit about the Philly area. I was gonna say I grew up around here,” he said. “But, hell I never grew up. Let’s be honest.”

The quintet then got “Cold Feet” ahead of the final Stress Dreams unveiling of the night, “Cut A Tooth.” Next, Mandolinist Paul Hoffman had some kind words for The Infamous Stringdusters before introducing banjoist Chris Pandolfi. Panda helped the band out on “Past My Prime,” which the collaborators jammed into “Don’t Lie,’ the latter stretching to around 15-minutes to close out the second set. Greensky Bluegrass would go it alone for the encore of “Reverend” to bring the evening a close.

Check out a clip with Chris Pandolfi from Troy Laur as well as full-show audio via Rich Stoler below:

Setlist (via Phantasy Tour)

Set One: A Letter to Seymour, New Rize Hill, In Control, All for Money, Get Sad[1], Stress Dreams, Blood Sucking F(r)iends, All Four, Reasons to Stay[1]

Set Two: Screams[1], The Radio Blues, Streetlight[1], Courage for the Road, Cold Feet,Cut a Tooth[1], Past My Prime[2], Don’t Lie[2]

Encore: Reverend

Notes:

[1] – FTP

[2] – w/Chris Pandolfi