Photo by @antbraaten
Last night, Billy & The Kids graced The Rooftop at Pier 17, creating a spectacle that challenged the New York City skyline that serves as the venue’s backdrop. The band, led by Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead, took the stage with a lineup of old and new friends – ready to close out a series of two coastal gigs following a successful stop in Baltimore.
The musical voyage started with the ever-familiar “China Cat Sunflower,” setting the tone for an evening of pure Grateful Dead reverence. Tom Hamilton, who boasts an impressive repertoire with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, showcased his multifaceted skills right from the start and was a driving force behind the show-opening number; his skillful riffs injected vibrant energy into the atmosphere constantly through the night.
The surprises began early in the first set when Sierra Hull took center stage. Her angelic vocals and masterful mandolin prowess added a new dimension to the band’s sound, elevating classics like “Black Muddy River” and “Wharf Rat.” Hull’s contributions seamlessly blended with the established crew, including Reed Mathis on bass, Daniel Donato on guitar, Aron Magner of The Disco Biscuits on keyboards, and Jeff Franca adding depth to the rhythm section.
Throughout the evening, Hull’s vocals shone alongside the offerings from her fellow bandmates–their renditions of iconic tracks like “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” in a Marvin Gaye style, Don Rollin’s “The Race Is On,” stood out as some of the night’s highlights due to her presence. The first set’s highlights also included “When I Paint My Masterpiece” with funky solos by Mathis and interplay between Hamilton and Magner, “Built To Last” with a lyrics rotation from Hamilton > Donato > Hamilton and “Candyman” with a complex and tight solo by Donato. The frame was rounded out by renditions of “Cumberland Blues” and “Built To Last.”
After a pause between sets which saw Pier 17’s massive screens on the right and left of the stage, promoted support for the musician’s friend and compatriot James Casey–who is battling cancer–as the saxophonist’s song “New Bloom” played on blast.
The second set began with “Drums” taking the spotlight, offering a core spectacle followed by a traditional “Space.” This gave Franca and Kreutzmann an opportunity to showcase their percussive wizardry, seamlessly transitioning into a cosmic rendition of Marley’s “Could You Be Loved.” Hull’s presence breathed fresh life and joy into the cover on the latter.
“Uncle John’s Band” led the sing-along charge, engaging the audience in a collective celebration. The ensemble then moved into cosmic-tinged takes on “Bird Song” and “Liberty,” further elevating the energy, and the former perhaps served as a nod to Woodstock ’69. The fusion of musical elements, harmonious vocals and instrumental prowess formed a concoction of joy that radiated throughout the rooftop venue, with Donato’s guitarwork and singing serving as a connective thread throughout Al Green’s “Take Me To The River” and penultimate “Wharf Rat” and “Franklin’s Tower” served as the second set’s closer.
As the encore approached, the crowd’s anticipation grew palpable. The band delivered a playful and heartfelt rendition of Boudleaux Bryant’s “Wake Up, Lil Suzy” before sealing the evening with a moving a capella performance of the beloved Dead classic “And We Bid You Goodnight,” which evoked visions of a sonic nave for concert-goers to marvel and meditate under as the night came to a close and fans began to exit the venue.
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Billy & The Kids
The Rooftop At Pier 17 – New York, N.Y.
Aug. 18, 2023
Set I: China Cat Sunflower (Grateful Dead), How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (Marvin Gaye), Truckin’ (Grateful Dead), The Race Is On (Don Rollins), Candyman (Grateful Dead), When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan), Black Muddy River (Grateful Dead), Cumberland Blues (Grateful Dead), Built To Last (Grateful Dead)
Set II: Drums > Space, Could You Be Loved (Bob Marley) > Uncle John’s Band (Grateful Dead) > Bird Song (Grateful Dead) > Liberty (Grateful Dead), Take Me To The River (Al Green), Wharf Rat (Grateful Dead), Franklin’s Tower (Grateful Dead)
Enc.: Wake Up Lil Suzy (Boudleaux Bryant), And We Bid You Goodnight (Grateful Dead)
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