Photo by Jesse Faatz

Billy Strings performed at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. last night. Dubbed Deja Tu: Return to the Experiment, the four-night run kicked off with an abundance of covers and included a sit-in from banjoist Tony Trischka.

The concerts’ title is in reference to the Grateful Dead’s ESP experiments with Dr. Stanley Kripper at The Capitol Theatre from 1971. Last night’s rendition involved the crowd telepathically sending an image to the night’s faraway “receiver,” Béla Fleck, during the second set. 

The evening began with a bust-out cover of Bluegrass Allstars’ “You Don’t Know My Mind,” followed by fan favorite, “Pyramid Country,” which segued into Johnny Horton’s “Ole Slew-Foot.” The set continued with a cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Cold on the Shoulder” and Chris Henry’s “West Dakota Rose.” 

Next, the band played “Love & Regret” off String’s latest LP, Renewal, followed by “Wargasm” and a cover of Dan Fogelberg’s “Along the Road.” 

Toward the end of the first set, Tischka took the stage to lend support on a cover of Earl Scruggs’ “Ground Speed” and the traditional number, “John Hardy.” Tiskchka has worked with the evening’s “receiver” over the years.

The second set kicked off with “Bronzeback” and “Secrets.” Next, Strings and banjoist Billy Failing dedicated a cover of “Slipstream” again to the evening’s telepathic receiver, Béla Fleck. 

They continued with a cover of the traditional tune, “Red Rocking Chair,” followed by a cover of Danny Barnes’ “Pretty Daughter.” Next, Stings performed three songs off Home, followed by a cover of the Dead’s “Dire Wolf” and “Come Down the Mountain Katie Daly.” 

The second set ended with a cover of “If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin in Your Heart)”  performed around a single mic accompanied by only a guitar and mandolin. 

Billy Strings’ run at The Capitol Theatre continues tonight. Tickets are sold out, livestream purchase options are available via fans.live.