Photo via Dopapod’s Official Facebook

On Saturday night, Billy Strings turned up at Dopapod’s late-night set at Union Stage in Washington, D.C., following his full-fledged two-frame gig at the neighboring Anthem. The collaborative performance saw appearances from not just Strings but also members of Baltimore-natives, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and groove masters, Parliament-Funkadelic/The MuthafunkaholX.

The night kicked off with an opening frame by MuthafunkaholX, which includes individuals from George Clinton’s backing band. Then, the main act took the stage for their tour closer in The District and worked their way into “Weird Charlie,” which flowed into “Velcro,” followed by
“Plaese Haalp” and “Picture in Picture.” 

After a handful of originals, the band brought forth their first guest, Parliament-Funkadelic’s Greg Boyer stepped out along with his trombone and lent some instrumentals on “Bats in the Cave.” A cover of Sly and the Family Stone’s “If You Want Me to Stay” landed next, at which point Boyer’s bandmates Garrett Shider and Benzel Cowan added to the favored number from 1970. 

Cowan stuck around and added the improvised monologue to a cover of Chuck Jones’ “Best Friend.” More guests arrived next, with members from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, including Alex “Gator” Petropulos and Jeremy Schon accompanying the ensemble on “Freight Train.” Finally, Rob Compa added a proceeding jam before a set closing “Nerds.”

For their encore, the band surprised guests by bringing out Strings, who opted for an electric axe and slang chords on “8 Years Ended” alongside Compa. Watch a fan-shot video from Saturday, Nov. 19, below. Scroll down to see the complete setlist from Dopapod’s tour closer at Union Stage in Washington, D.C.

Dopapod

Union Stage – Washington, D.C.

Nov. 19, 2022

Set: Weird Charlie Pt 2 > Velcro, Plaese Haalp, Picture in Picture, Bats in the Cave*, If You Want Me to Stay^, Trapper Keeper, Fannie > Best Friends%, Taking Care of Business@> Freight Train# > Nerds

Enc.: 8 Years Ended+

Notes: 

* With Greg Boyer from P-Funk on trombone

^ Sly and the Family Stone cover; with Garrett Shider (Starchild jr.) on vocals, Greg Boyer on Trombone, and Benzel Cowan on percussion, all from P-Funk and The MuthaFunkaholX

% With Benzel Cowan on narration

@ Bachman Turner Overdrive cover

# With Alex “Gator” Petropulos and Jeremy Schon from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong on drums and guitar, respectively; Rob played bass in the jam

+ With Billy Strings on guitar