DCU Center July 30 2024 Review and Photography by Joel Shover @JoelShoverPhotography
Billy Strings brought a freight train of magical psychedelic bluegrass to the historic DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts on Tuesday July 30th, 2024. Wormtown, (Worcester is known by locals), was definitely ready for the unloading of Billy’s heady grassy jams. Grammy-Award winning multi-instrumentalist Billy Strings is on his 2024 Summer tour with his talented bandmates; Royal Masat (bass), Jarrod Walker (mandolin), Alex Hargreaves (fiddle), and Billy Failing on the (banjo).
Once inside the DCU Center, Billy Goats from all over the globe showed up in full force for the coveted limited-edition poster designed by artist Nick Van Berkum depicting a historic new England porch home we’ve all had memories on for sure! Unfortunately, I was too late to grab one as they sold out faster than Railers playoff tickets!
The lights dimmed and the rainbows triggered as Strings and the boys led us into the first of many incredible covers for the evening with Bill Emersons “Home of the Red Fox”. Fans were also treated to the famed “California Sober” that Strings co-wrote with Willie Nelson. Next up was an emotional nod to the late Jeff Austin with “Rundown”. “I Only Exist” a Stanley Brothers classic was the following treat that Strings pulled out of his seemingly never-ending bucket of songs. Billy showed his skills with more originals like “Show Me the Door” and “Bronzeback”.
The bandmates took left the stage and Billy sat down solo on a stool and humbly told the crowd how happy he was to be there and wanted them to get their moneys worth as he proceeded to pick the Doc Watson Family classic “Nashville Blues”.
Strings the took out the clawhammer banjo and picked “Georgia Buck” another Doc Watson cover. The band then joined Strings back on stage as he gave a huge shoutout to his soundman that had only one song request for Billy, which was “Ground Speed” by Earl Scruggs. Billy was eager to oblige as he dusted off his strings while playing this song for the first time since 2022,
The real trip started when the band started playing “Hide and Seek” and the strings faded in and out of each other in an improvisation psychedelic grassy dream with the most amazing light show that closed the first set.
Set break brought more lines for merch and bathroom breaks. The Dusty Baggies had a sober set break meeting set up on the concourse giving an option for every attendee at the venue! I would say the only thing missing at the DCU Center would be a Dunkin Donuts stand, I mean it is New England, right? This venue is rich in history hosting bands like Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Phish, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon just to name a few! It is also the home of the ECHL Hockey team the Worcester Railers.
Set two took us right back where we left off only to blast off furthur with “Libby Phillips Rag” right into the Delmore Brothers cover of “Blues Stay Away From Me”. Is there anything this young talented musician can’t play? I don’t think so! The fact he is so humble on that stage and in person is the true story of his success.
The band played and took fans in and out of a transcending musical journey and hats off to Royal Masat for your endless energy and charisma on stage the whole show you didn’t let up not once! The second set featured the traditional song “If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin in Your Heart)” and The Chordettes cover “Born to Be With You” with the full band gathered around one single microphone. Doc Watson covers kept coming with “My Love Comes Rolling Down” and “Riding That Midnight Train” Billy closed out the set strong with his masterful hit “Meet Me at the Creek”
The band played “Ole Slew-Foot” for the encore
Billy Strings continues his tour with 2 more east coast shows in Pennsylvania before heading out west see tour dates here: https://www.billystrings.com/#tour
Go see Live Music………. Till the next show….Joel
Set 1:
Home of the Red Fox
(Bill Emerson cover) (>)
Must Be Seven
Heartbeat of America
California Sober
(>)
Run Down
(Jeff Austin cover)
I Only Exist
(The Stanley Brothers cover)
Show Me the Door
Bronzeback
Nashville Blues
(The Doc Watson Family cover) (Billy solo acoustic)
Georgia Buck
(Doc Watson cover) (Billy solo on clawhammer banjo)
Ground Speed
(Earl Scruggs cover) (First time played since 2022)
Hide and Seek
Set 2:
Libby Phillips Rag
(>)
Blues Stay Away From Me
(The Delmore Brothers cover)
Enough to Leave
Dealing Despair
I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages
(Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers cover)
Thirst Mutilator
(>)
Raleigh and Spencer
([traditional] cover)
If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin in Your Heart)
([traditional] cover) (Full band around single mic front of stage)
Born to Be With You
(The Chordettes cover) (Full band around single mic front of stage)
Freedom
(Full band around single mic front of stage)
The Streamlined Cannon Ball
(Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys cover)
In the Morning Light
Riding That Midnight Train
(Doc Watson cover)
My Love Comes Rolling Down
(The Doc Watson Family cover)
Meet Me at the Creek
Encore:
Ole Slew-Foot
(Johnny Horton cover)
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