The two-night Thanksgiving weekend stand at State Theatre unleashed epic sets and memorable riffs. Review, photo gallery, set list.
Hometown Heroes: Greensky Bluegrass on stage at Kalamazoo State Theatre. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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There’s nothing like coming home.
Just ask Greensky Bluegrass, which fired up hometown fans in Kalamazoo for two straight sold-out concerts at State Theatre over the weekend, celebrating Thanksgiving with its Michigan-bred progressive bluegrass strains and a psychedelic light show over two long sets and encores each night.
After an opening volley by Petoskey heroes Michigan Rattlers – the Americana duo-turned-four-piece-band now boasting a full, more robust sound – Greensky Bluegrass kicked things off on Friday with “Wish I Didn’t Know” from the band’s latest album, “All For Money.”
The band would also end the first set with the trippy and Beatle-esque title track from that album.
Post-Midnight Party: Greensky played long sets for its devoted fans. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
And while bassist Mike Devol would have to leave the stage briefly due to technical difficulties during “Hot Dogs on Parade” and “I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll,” the band jammed right through it without missing a beat for the gathered faithful of about 1,600 which cavorted and swayed gleefully all night.
Indeed, jamming was the operative word for an outfit that dobro player Anders Beck described thusly for The Philadelphia Inquirer earlier this year: “We’re a rock ‘n’ roll band that plays bluegrass instruments.”
Indeed, the first two songs by the rocking bluegrass boys boasted mad jams over a 15-minute period, including a “Peace of Mind” tribute to the late Jeff Austin from Yonder Mountain String Band.
And the second set – which kicked off with fan favorite “Old Barns” – was quite literally a rock show complete with mind-blowing lighting and riveting close encounters of the blazing, jamming kind between mandolinist Paul Hoffman and guitarist Dave Bruzza.
Through it all, band members seemed so comfortable on their hometown stage, earning deserved standing ovations after their sets and the “Chalkdust Torture” encore that didn’t wrap up until well after midnight – an epic Thanksgiving weekend blast that ranks among the band’s most memorable yet.
PHOTO GALLERY: Greensky Bluegrass, Michigan Rattlers at State Theatre
Photos by Derek Ketchum
SET LIST (Nov. 29, 2019): Greensky Bluegrass
Courtesy of Andrew Sturtz (Camp Greensky Facebook Page)
Set 1
Wish I Didn’t Know
Peace of Mind
Hot Dogs on Parade
I Want To Sing That Rock and Roll
Radio Blues
Bone Digger
Fixing to Ruin
Catch Me a Jesus
A Letter to Seymour
In Control
All for Money
Set 2
Old Barns
What You Need
Tied Down
Out & Under
Broke Mountain Breakdown
Worried about the Weather
Pig in a Pen
Jaywalking
Windshield
Encore
Chalkdust Torture
Copyright 2019, Spins on Music LLC
