Billy Strings didn’t get the fond farewell he was going for at FairWell Festival on Friday when his sound was abruptly cut mid-song at the end of his set. The bluegrass guitar sensation headlined the festival on Friday night and was turned off after going over his 11 p.m. set time, even though nobody was scheduled after him.
Videos surfaced online show Strings in the middle of singing “Little Maggie” when his voice suddenly fades out, prompting a chorus of boos from the audience. It appeared that Strings and his band Jarrod Walker (mandolin), Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (bass), and Alex Hargreaves (fiddle) did not immediately know that they were turned off as they continued to play. Eventually, they got the point and took their bows, with the mic briefly coming back on for Billy to give a heartfelt apology to the crowd. In an Instagram Story later that evening, Strings fessed up to going over his time, writing, “Sorry for the abrupt ending Oregon! We kinda lost track of time”.
Despite the ending, the preceding 105 minutes of Strings’ single-set headlining performance went off without a hitch. Midway through, Billy welcomed five-time International Bluegrass Music Awards Mandolin Player of the Year Sierra Hull to help the band debut a cover of Ronnie McCoury‘s “Baltimore Johnny”. The geo-specific cover could perhaps be a clue for conspiracy-minded Billy fans, as Strings will celebrate Halloween in the Maryland city and Sierra Hull previously participated in the guitarist’s 2023 Van Andel Scramble wrestling-themed Halloween spectacle.
Related: Billy Strings & Sierra Ferrell Ride Horses, Cover Cher In Montana [Photos/Videos]
Tin-foil hats were not necessary for the remainder of Sierra’s sit-in, as she stuck around for “Midnight on the Stormy Deep” (which Billy covered with Del McCoury in 2021), “End of the Rainbow”, and “I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky”—ably and amicably sparring with Jarrod Walker throughout. Strings was keen on sharing the spotlight throughout his headlining set, giving banjo picker Billy Failing a chance to show off his pipes by singing his signature “So Many Miles”. After (other) Billy’s train song, the reflective “Must Be Seven” segued into the ill-fated “Little Maggie” before FairWell Festival abruptly called it a night.
Check out some videos of Billy Strings at FairWell Festival. Strings and his band will embark on a nationwide run of headlining concerts beginning Friday, July 26th in Bridgeport, CT. Visit his website for tickets and a full list of tour dates.
Billy Strings — “Must Be Seven” > “Little Maggie” (Unfinished) — 7/19/24
[Video: Gunnar Hanson]
Dos mandos, total conflagration.
Billy Strings Band & Sierra Hull
Ripping some bluegrass bangers.
“Baltimore Johnny” (Ronnie McCoury).
Fairwell Fest. Redmond, Oregon
July 19, 2024 pic.twitter.com/VtMQ05IgpJ— Brett (@HeightnLonesome) July 20, 2024
The post Billy Strings Gets The Plug Pulled On Him, Jams With Sierra Hull At FairWell Festival [Videos] appeared first on L4LM.
