Billy Strings Floats “Moody River” of Covers, Bust Outs and Debut Material in Atlanta
Photo Credit: Stevo Rood
On Friday, Feb. 21, Billy Strings arrived at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena for the first in a two-night series of concerts, following the musicians’ extensive stay in Asheville (Feb. 6-8, 14-16). The artist’s return brought forth his typical mix of material, old and new, in addition to
Strings ignited the night with “The Fire on My Tongue,” which coursed into Bill Monroe’s own “My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling” without pause. The musician applied the same treatment to follow-ups, “While I’m Waiting Here,” which was segued with “Hide and Seek,” representing a jump from his 2017’s Turmoil & Tinfoil to 2021’s Renewal. The latter included a playful tease of Men Without Hats’ “The Safety Dance.”
Next, Strings congratulated Jason Carter, who announced his departure from the Del McCoury Band to pursue solo ventures on Feb. 10 after 33 years with the bluegrass maestro. Paying musical homage, the guitarist led his band through “Blackjack County Chain,” a song included on McCoury’s 1996 release, The Cold Hard Facts LP–and an album Carter contributed to early on in his tenure. Read more.
The considerate display of song and words eventually gave way to follow-ups “Hollow Heart,” “Kentucky Mandolin,” and the first “I’ve Lived a Lot in My Time” since Nov. 17, 2023, effectively ending a 79 concert performance gap. Before closing the first set, Strings followed the trajectory of his output, referring to Home, Renewal, and Highway Prayers by way of “Taking Water,” “Ice Bridges,” and “Seven Weeks in County.”
During the halfway point of set two, “Train, Train” contained a sliver of “Turmoil & Tinfoil,” which would commence a series of callbacks to the 2017 title track, but not before a first time play: the Pat Boone popularized/Doc Watson released “Moody River.” Then, Hot Rize’s “Midnight On The Highway” was covered for the first time since Nov. 16, 2021, and was positioned ahead of “Fiddling Around” and a secondary kick into “Turmoil & Tinfoil,” which merged into a dust-off of “Enter The Dragon” and one final nod to the aforementioned sonic centerpiece.
Night two represented a continuation of high-regarded covers and concert staples that were used to showcase the ensemble’s might and collective prowess. Strings’ take on Larry Jon Wilson’s “Broomstraw Philosophers & Scuppernong Wine” was dusted off for the first time since Feb. 15, 2021, ending a 275 performance gap. “Drifting With The Tide” received the same treatment–only less time had passed since its last play, April 19, 2024, a 56-show lapse.
Saturday’s final frame saw the return of “Close By” before a push into Ronnie McCoury’s original “Baltimore Johnny” and fan favorite “My Alice.” Stunner “Dark Hollow” arrived next before the nonstop pulse of “Fire Line,” “I’m Still Here,” and “John Deere Tractor,” performed without pause. Strings closed set two after “Highway Hypnosis” and returned to the stage for the night’s encore, Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell,” paired with the first “Red Rocking Chair” of 2025.
Following this past weekend’s Atlanta concert series, Strings will arrive in Nashville next Feb. 28 and March 1 for concerts at Bridgestone Arena, ahead of his highly anticipated Ryman Auditorial arrival on March 2. Livestream Billy Strings’ Winter Tour via nugs.net.
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Billy Strings
State Farm Arena – Atlanta
Feb. 21, 2025
Set I: The Fire On My Tongue> My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling, While I’m Waiting Here> Hide and Seek1, Blackjack County Chains2, Hollow Heart, Kentucky Mandolin, I’ve Lived a Lot in My Time3, Taking Water> Ice Bridges, Seven Weeks in County
Set II: In the Clear> Sally Johnson, Don’t Be Calling Me (at 4 AM), Seney Stretch, Must Be Seven> Psycho> Train, Train4, Moody River5, Long Forgotten Dream, Midnight On The Highway6, Fiddling Around, Turmoil & Tinfoil > Enter The Dragon7> Turmoil & Tinfoil
Enc.: Gone A Long Time
Notes:
- “The Safety Dance” (Men Without Hats) tease
- Billy congratulated fiddle player Jason Carter on 33 years with the Del McCoury Band and starting his solo career.
- Last Time Played 2023-11-17 | 79 show gap
- “Turmoil & Tinfoil” intro tease
- FTP – Pat Boone
- Last Time Played 2021-11-16 | 299 show gap
- Last Time Played 2023-02-24 | 161 show gap
Billy Strings
State Farm Arena – Atlanta
Feb. 22, 2025
Set I: My Little Georgia Rose, Cabin Song, Heartbeat Of America, Streamline Cannonball, In The Morning Light, Ernest T. Grass> Know It All, Broomstraw Philosophers & Scuppernong Wine1, Leaning on a Travelin’ Song, Home, Drifting With The Tide2, Wargasm
Set II: Likes Of Me> Pyramid Country> Bringing In The Georgia Mail, Be Your Man, Close By3, Baltimore Johnny, My Alice, Dark Hollow, Fire Line> Thirst Mutilator> I’m Still Here> John Deere Tractor, Highway Hypnosis
Enc.: Nutshell> Red Rocking Chair4
Notes:
- Last Time Played 2022-02-15 | 275 show gap
- Last Time Played 2024-04-19 | 56 show gap
- Last Time Played 2023-11-15 | 81 show gap
- Last Time Played 2024-02-25 | 62 show gap
All show notes/ setlists via billybase.net.
