Billy Strings – The Cosmic Clash

Live music review: Billy Strings returned to stage for Austin City Limits TV taping

July 6, 2026 Case Cockrell 795 Views ACL TV, Austin City Limits, Billy Strings, bluegrass, concert, flatpicking, folk rock, guitar, jam band, live music, Review, shredder, TV taping

Flat-picking mega star Billy Strings returned to the stage for his first full-band gig since April after busting his leg doing an ill-fated skateboard trick backstage at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. After an unintentional break, Strings and his associates returned to ACL Live for Season 52 of Austin City Limits TV. For each consecutive season of the long-running PBS program, there is a show or two that sees high demand, with tons of hopeful fans waiting in line hoping to get a spot for the coveted performances. This was one of those tapings, as Billy’s return has been highly anticipated after a slew of cancellations following the injury in the spring. Despite arriving onstage on crutches and having not played a show in several months, things got right back to business for one of the most revered guitarists making his way around the touring circuit.

Opinion Robert Dean

Opinion: Bob Weir is irreplaceable so why not ask Sturgill Simpson to step in?

January 22, 2026 Robert Dean 26502 Views Billy Strings, Bob Weir, Bobby Weir, culture, Dead and Company, Further Festival, John Mayer, live music, opinion, Oteil Burbridge, Phil and Friends, Ratdog, Sturgill Simpson, The Grateful Dead

Just for clarification, as I write this, my girlfriend, who is a massive Deadhead, is appalled.
With the announcement of the passing of Bob Weir on January 10, the future of The Grateful Dead Empire is now in question. Whereas most bands stop when one of the OG’s pass on, the Dead are a different animal. It’s part of their credo to celebrate the music, to cherish the culture created not only by the band and the fans but also with people in general. The Dead became an integral part of our musical culture a long time ago. There’s nothing like it, an ongoing celebration in different forms that’s been going since Jerry Garcia passed back in 1995.

Case Cockrell Review

Live music review: Billy Strings Moody Center debut kicked off Austin run with 3-hour spectacle

June 4, 2023 Case Cockrell 5092 Views Billy Strings, Blaze Foley, bluegrass, flatpicking, jam band, live music, Moody Center, Review, Townes Van Zandt

With two nights of music prepared for Austin at Billy Strings Moody Center debut Friday and Saturday, Strings unveiled three and a half hours of music, with the first night of the residency being Strings’ longest live show to date.

Greg Ackerman Review

Live music review: Billy Strings thrilled fans at the Long Center

March 31, 2021 Greg Ackerman 2513 Views Billy Strings, bluegrass, flatpicking, Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, live music, Peter Rowan, SIMS Foundation

Luck Reunion and the Long Center for Performing Arts hosted 2021 Grammy-winning bluegrass artist, Billy Strings on Sunday. The performance took place on the Long Center lawn with the Austin skyline serving as a picturesque backdrop for Billy Strings’ electrifying “bluegrass on acid” brand of music.

Greg Ackerman Preview

Live stream preview: Billy Strings to stream SIMS benefit from ACL Live Friday

March 22, 2021 Greg Ackerman 1299 Views ACL Live, BENefit, Billy Strings, concert, Grammys, live stream, preview, show preview, SIMS Foundation

Billy Strings winds up his live stream tour at ACL Live in Austin with a two-set, live stream broadcast to benefit SIMS Foundation this Friday, March 26. SIMS is an organization that provides mental health and addiction services to Austin music industry members and their families.