Photo by Jesse Faatz

Last night, Billy Strings continued his Capitol Theatre run in Port Chester, N.Y., performing a slew of covers and recreating the Grateful Dead’s famed 1971 ESP experiment with Les Claypool as the “receiver.” 

The first set began with “Red Daisy” off Strings’ 2021 LP Renewal, followed by “Thirst Mutilator” and a cover of Bill Monroe’s “A Good Woman’s Love.” Next, the ensemble performed The Stanley Brothers’ “A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave” and followed with “While I’m Waiting Here.” 

The band broke into the traditional tune “Little Maggie” before covering the Grateful Dead psychedelic ballad “China Doll,” followed by John Hartford’s “I’m Still Here” and The Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville.” The first set concluded with “Everything’s the Same” off 2019’s Home.

Billy Strings continued his ESP experiment by sending the “receiver,” Les Claypool of Primus, a telepathic image of a smoking horse, before the second set picked up with a cover of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs’ “Doin’ My Time.”

Next, Strings performed “Running,” which segued into “Ice Bridges” followed by “In the Morning Light” and “Meet Me at the Creek.” 

The traditional tune and Jerry Garcia Band staple, “Shady Grove,” came next, followed by a cover of “Deal” to end the second set. The band returned to the stage for a cover of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs’ “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.” 

Next, Billy Strings will perform at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.; tickets are available and can be purchased here. 

Billy Strings 

The Capitol Theatre– Port Chester, N.Y.

Feb. 5, 2022

Set I: Red Daisy, Thirst Mutilator, A Good Woman’s Love, A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave, While I’m Waiting Here, Home of the Red Fox > Little Maggie, China Doll, I’m Still Here > Last Train to Clarksville > Everything’s the Same 

Set II: Doin’ My Time, Running > Ice Bridges, In the Morning Light, Meet Me at the Creek, Shady Grove, Deal 

Enc.: Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down