Watch Tom Hamilton & Greensky Bluegrass Rip Through Black Sabbath Cover & More In Philadelphia

Greensky Bluegrass reunited with old friend Tom Hamilton on Saturday (February 3) at The Fillmore Philadelphia. The Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist lent a hand on a pair of originals to end GSBG’s second set as well as a take on a Black Sabbath classic to wrap up the concert.

Philadelphia native and resident Tom Hamilton has a long history of making guest appearances with the jamgrass quintet that dates back to 2015. The most recent Tom Hamilton and Greensky Bluegrass collaboration came in January 2023 at the same venue where they teamed up again on Saturday night.

Greensky Bluegrass — mandolinist Paul Hoffman, dobroist Anders Beck, guitarist Dave Bruzza, banjo player Michael Bont and bassist Mike Devol — welcomed Hamilton on Saturday towards the conclusion of their second set at The Fillmore Philadelphia. Beck introduced the guitarist and noted they’ve been friends since their younger days. Anders called Hamilton, Will Smith and Rocky his “Philly top three” adding, “I believe that one day there will be a statue of Tom Hamilton above some steps somewhere.”

Tom Hamilton emerged with electric guitar in hand to contribute to GSBG live staples “Worry For You” and “Worried About The Weather.” Hamilton fit accents and a solo during the former, a song featured on the latest Greensky album, 2022’s Stress Dreams. He also traded licks with Anders Beck. The six musicians fused “Worry For You” and “Worried About The Weather” to create a +22-minute sequence. Tom Hamilton kept the choice licks flowing and let it rip throughout the extended set-closing “Worried About The Weather.” The band and their guest really opened up the cut from the 2014 GSBG LP If Sorrows Swim.

When Greensky Bluegrass returned to the stage for the encore they had Tom Hamilton in tow. The quintet and their guest delivered a powerful version of “War Pigs” to end the night. Hamilton and Beck engaged in a duel towards the end of the 1970 Black Sabbath classic.

Check out footage captured by Max Berde of Greensky’s “War Pigs” performance with Tom Hamilton below:

Greensky’s latest visit to Philadelphia came two nights after the kicked off the latest leg of their winter tour. The band fit Stress Dreams tunes “New & Improved” and “Give A Shit” within a first set that was also highlighted by a rare “Can’t Make Time” and their first cover of Ween’s “Exactly Where I’m At” in 67 shows. However the biggest bust out arrived in the closing stanza when GSBG encapsulated “Great Atomic Power” within “Broke Mountain Breakdown” a few songs before Hamilton’s appearance. The five-piece hadn’t covered The Louvin’ Brothers’ “Great Atomic Power” since February 8, 2020 — a span of 252 shows as per Phantasy Tour’s statistics.

This Wednesday, February 7, Greensky Bluegrass will resume their winter tour at The Town Ballroom in Buffalo. Scroll below for all dates, the Philly setlist and audio:

Official Audio (via nugs.net)

Audio Recording (Taped by Rich Stoler)

Setlist (via Phantasy Tour)

Set One: New & Improved, Better Off, Can’t Make Time, Reuben’s Train, Give A Shit, Hit Parade Of Love, Wish I Didn’t Know > Exactly Where I’m At > How Mountain Girls Can Love

Set Two: The Radio Blues, Screams, Broke Mountain Breakdown > Great Atomic Power > Broke Mountain Breakdown Reprise, Do Harm, Who Is Frederico?, Worry For You [1] > Worried About The Weather [1]

Encore: War Pigs [1]