Image via Nugs

Last night in Roanoke, VA Billy Strings finally opened his summer tour. Strings and his group had been off the road since mid-April when he in broke his leg after leaving the stage during the group’s April 18 performance at Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena. As he said at the time, “Well, I can’t say y’all didn’t warn me about screwing around on my skateboard. Saturday night, I walked off stage right before the encore. I was all zazzed up from a really fun show. I grabbed my board and tried to do a trick I’ve done a million times (back 180), landed awkwardly and broke my leg. I heard it snap over the screaming crowd. It sounded like a damn 2×4.”

Strings has since guested with Trey Anastasio, Primus and Willie Nelson but last night’s show at the Berglund Center marked his quintet’s first full-on two-set performance since the accident. The guitarist sat on a stool for a portion of the set but mostly was up and ambulatory. The group opened with an 18-minute version of Strings original “Turmoil & Tinfoil” affirming that the band was back and in fine form. Another highlight during the 70-minute opening frame was a version of Jarrod Walker’s “Nighthawk,” the title track to Walker’s album, which Strings and company had previously performed on 4/8/26 ahead of the record’s release. The set ended with a spirited take on Jerry Reed’s “Likes Of Me” (a song often associated with Tony Rice) which led into an extended version of Strings’ “Pyramid Country” followed by “Know It All.”

The second set featured a special guest as well as some debuts. It started out with a five-song sequence that began with a jammed out performance of the group’s “Fire Line.” That tune segued into “Running The Route,” which bookended “I’m Still Here” and continued into “Reuben’s Train.” Then, following “Just A Rambler,” Strings announced, “We’ve got a good friend we’re gonna get up here. You might recognize him if you’re from around these parts, he’s kind of a legend. We are so glad and so happy to introduce to you folks tonight, Mr. Larry Keel!” The Virginia-based guitarist walked out and appeared for three songs: Carter Stanley’s “Think Of What You’ve Done,” a cover of the late Jeff Austin’s “Run Down” and then an 18-minute version of JJ Cale’s “Ride Me High,” a Widespread Panic staple which Strings performed with that group on New Year’s Eve and last played with his own band on 8/9/25. The evening closed with two debuts from the group: the pensive Strings original “Burn the Other End,” and another Carter Stanley tune, “The Last Goodbye.”

On Friday Billy String will open a two-night stand at the Portsmouth Pavilion.