Greensky Bluegrass and Molly Tuttle, photo courtesy of Greensky Bluegrass

From June 26-28, Blue Ox Music Festival returned to Eau Claire, Wis.’s scenic The Pines Music Park for its 11th annual staging. Through its three-day run, the beloved Midwestern festival welcomed a dazzling lineup of stars from the worlds of bluegrass, country, Southern rock, jam, alternative and more for a weekend packed with top-tier performances and surprises. On Friday, June 27, one of the event’s undeniable highlights arrived with a headline set from Greensky Bluegrass, who illustrated traditional music’s contemporary horizons with a sit-in from fellow torch-bearer Molly Tuttle.

Greensky Bluegrass kicked off their performance on the main stage with their 2014 If Sorrows Swim standout “Windshield.” From that invigorating kickoff, the storied progressive bluegrass quintet tore into longtime favorites “Living Over” and “Better Off,” then invited Tuttle to the stage to support a stirring take on “My Love Will Not Change,” written by Shawn Camp and Billy Burnette and popularized by the legendary Del McCoury.

Together, Tuttle and Greensky Bluegrass put their own spin on the modern classic, maintaining its rocking pulse while finding a reserve of sensitivity and finesse that charged an inventive and virtuosic string of solos; at one of the debut’s most captivating moments, Tuttle and dobroist Anders Beck share the spotlight with an intricate and attentive exchange that brings out the best of both performers. Watch a pro-shot video of the performance below.

Greensky Bluegrass wrapped up their set on Friday with a litany of setlist staples like “Burn Them,” “Leap Year,” “Kerosene,” “Grow Together” and an encore of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” The band will return to the spotlight tomorrow, July 2, for a performance at Huber Heights, Ohio’s Rose Music Center, then continue on the road for 41 further dates through Nov. 15. Find tickets and the group’s full live itinerary here.