Billy Strings Takes Winter Tour to Asheville, First in Four-Night Series
Photo: Stevo Rood
On Tuesday evening, Billy Strings arrived at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in Asheville, N.C., for the first in a four-night series of live performances. The concert served as the latest entry on the fast-picking player’s Winter Tour, which previously commenced in Athens, Ga. with tributes to the late Bobby Weir [covers of “Me & My Uncle” and “Cassidy”] as well as a nod to Widespread Panic’s ruby jubilee. Last night’s entry functioned as a pacesetter, giving the five-piece the flexibility to decorate their two-set display while remaining on the logical path to the night’s finish line.
Set one began with the original “Red Daisy,” before the night’s first cover, the Flatt & Scruggs-inspired “Doin’ My Time.” The aforementioned move initiated a trend that would persist with a ripple of self-penned anthems and borrowed tunes: “While I’m Waiting Here,” Bill Emerson’s “Home of the Red Fox” and “Secrets.” The band doubled up on originals by capping their Renewal pick with Highway Prayer’s “Be Your Man,” but ultimately returned to covers on Frank Wakefield’s “End of the Rainbow” fused with David Grisman’s instrumental “Dawg’s Rag.”
“Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You” provided high points ahead of the Bad Liver released “Lumpy, Beanpole, & Dirt.” During the song, Strings played with the lyrics, changing the line “I got water, grub, and crossword puzzles too” to “Some coffee, bud, and crossword puzzles too,” to the audience’s delight. For the final song of the set, the band played “Cabin Song.”
Set two maintained the night’s momentum, opening with “I’m One of Those,” before the onset of the Horatio-released “Age.” A batch of originals ensued, including takes on “Happy Hollow,” “Love and Regret” and “Home.” Next, “On the Line” kicked off a three-piece sequence that went on to feature covers of “Train 45” and “Ruby.” “Away From the Mire” followed ahead of “10,000 Miles From a Friend,” “Malfunction Junction,” and a set ending take on the traditional “Little Maggie.”
For the night’s encore, Strings and his band (except Alex Hargreaves) gathered around a single mic for the hair-raiser, “Richard Petty.” Hargreaves rejoined the group for the concert’s final piece, a cover of “I’m Gone, Long Gone,” which was played for the first time since June 14, 2025, ending a 52-show gap.
Tonight, the band will return to the ExploreAsheville.com Arena for another sold-out performance. For more information, visit www.billystrings.com/tour. Scroll down to view Tuesday night’s setlist.
Billy Strings
ExploreAsheville.com Arena – Asheville, N.C.
Feb. 10, 2026
Set I: Red Daisy, Doin’ My Time, While I’m Waiting Here, Home Of The Red Fox Secrets, Be Your Man, End Of The Rainbow Dawg’s Rag, Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You1, Lumpy, Beanpole, & Dirt2, Cabin Song
Set II: I’m One Of Those, Age, Happy Hollow, Love and Regret, Home, On The Line Train 45 Ruby, Away From The Mire,10,000 Miles From A Friend, Malfunction Junction, Little Maggie
Enc.: Richard Petty3,I’m Gone, Long Gone4,5
Notes:
- Billy Strings on a Martin Grand J-28E, Royal Masat on a Nord Stage 3 88-Key Keyboard & Billy Failing on Masterton ML-1: Missing Link Béla Fleck Baritone Banjo
- “Some coffee, bud, and crosswords puzzles too” lyric change
- Full band (minus Alex) around single mic
- Full band around single mic
- Last Time Played 2025-06-14 | 52 show gap
Setlist and notes via billybase.net.
