'Little Local Musician' Does Grand: Billy Strings Joins Phish Again At 2nd Show In Michigan (2024)

The guitarist sat in with the band for the second night in a row at Van Andel Arena.

By Brian Bavosa Aug 8, 2024 • 9:40 am PDT

Night two of Phish’s mid-week stand in Grand Rapids, Michigan, their first time back here since 1998, picked up right where they left off from the previous night.

Opening with the catchy “My Soul,” complete with keyboardist Page McConnell’s signature tickle, and drummer Jon Fishman, who was strong throughout the night, leading “Undermind,” they got the room bouncing.

“Oblivion” followed and was the band’s first chance of the night to stretch out their jamming chops. Highlighted by playful dissection and interplay between Fishman and guitarist Trey Anastasio, the band devolved into sonic soundscapes, concluding with a cat and mouse finish.

A poignant “Driver,” came ahead of bassist Mike Gordon leading “555” and a straightforward, inside-the-box “Birds Of A Feather” that helped fill out the middle of the first set.

“Ether Edge” floated, before “It’s Ice,” a ripping “About to Run” and raucous “Walls of the Cave” rounded out the set. A set that had me absolutely mesmerized by the moving lighting rig of Chris Kuroda.

Indoor, summer Phish (the second run of this tour), was my MVP of the first half. Situated by the rail of the soundboard and watching him work was a treat in itself. He is simply pushing boundaries of what concert lighting can be, and do. At one point, the lights looking like a dog playing fetch with spinning, electrocuted dog bones, only to run out into the street and be hit by a speeding locomotive, as the lights spun, lowered, raised and tilted in every way and angle imaginable.

But like the previous night, the real fireworks were saved for set two.

Read on after The Skinny for the rest of the recap and more.

An unexpected “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” set opener reminded us that “you will always remember where you were…”

“A Wave of Hope” ratcheted up the energy before a mini-ripcord into “Prince Caspian,” which stuck to the script and floated upon the waves.

“Light,” similar to “Oblivion,” stripped down sonic swirls and deconstructed the song into particles of energy, before rebuilding itself to a climax. “Loving Cup” – a rare mid-set treat – gave the sense that the band was playing a mini set-within-a-set, but with a lot of time left.

And man – did they make the most of it, as Trey introduced Billy Strings for the second consecutive night, to a deafening roar of applause. It also marked the first time Phish has had a multi-night guest since the Warren Haynes on Fall Tour ‘99.

The Phish debut of “What’s Going Through Your Mind,” a tune the Trey Anastasio Band had played a few times prior, kicked off the remainder of the night, which focused on major interplay between Anastasio and Strings, their call and responses and some serious shredding. “What’s Going Through Your Mind” culminated in a soaring crescendo of guitar wails, almost Allman Bros.-esque. The lyrics to this song are also extremely strong and worth checking out.

A very bluesy “Wolfman’s Brother” followed, with long, sustained holds by the two axemen, until Strings blasted out a piercing riff, boomeranging the song into a fiery finish and evoking one of the loudest roars of the run from the crowd.

“Death Don’t Hurt Very Long” took a slightly atypical approach, dripping soupily along, with dark, bluesy, crunchy, sinister riffs abounding with more reckless abandon. I thought they may morph into “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” as it held the same vibe.

New album title track “Evolve” followed, and was punctuated by a fantastic solo by Strings, which felt as if it fit perfectly. This was an example of two masters and maestros wielding their instruments in the moment and playing off of one another to precise and simple perfection.

“Mountains in the Mist” allowed Strings to showcase some of his acoustic chops, adding colorful passes to this beautiful ballad that were simply stunning and soul-stirring.

“Blaze On” closed out the set and held a feel of celebration and Olympic-sized torches, not being passed, but simply blazing brightly and realizing that Phish in 2024 is a blessing and there are no rules — a reminder to hold belief and love and courage and collaboration at the forefront.

The encore capped things off allowing Strings to pick himself silly on his acoustic, with two bluegrass numbers of “Ginseng Sullivan” and “The Old Home Place,” before “Frankenstein” added the exclamation point to a helluva run in Grand Rapids.

Many sit ins can feel forced. These two shows with Billy Strings certainly were not. It felt easy, comfortable, organic and was truly incredible. It was apparent that the band, Trey especially, was enjoying every moment. A two-hour second set and encore is testament to that.

Strings also posted a thankful and gushing note to his socials this morning, praising Phish and thanking them for the “surreal experience.”

Phish heads to Bethel, New York to start a three-night run at Bethel Woods on Friday, August 9. Livestreams are available at LivePhish.com.

Photos by Abby Fox Photography

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