The powerhouse bluegrass band proved its mettle on Sunday night with bracing covers and originals for a devoted audience that boasted fans from across the Midwest. Review, photo gallery.
Letting It Go: The Infamous Stringers on stage Sunday at Bell’s Brewery. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
The old adage “never miss a Sunday show” definitely rang true at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo on Sunday night as The Infamous Stringdusters took the stage in front of a relatively full Back Room and delivered a jam-packed show from start to finish.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Fans rolled in from all over the Midwest and as far as New Jersey, many who had spent the previous couple nights “getting dusted” in Minneapolis and Madison, before capping their weekend in Kalamazoo.
Lighting It Up: Even when it went dark. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Those in attendance were treated to covers ranging from Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years” to the Grateful Dead’s “Tennessee Jed” and an encore of the Band’s “Cripple Creek,” but it was the Duster originals that had members of the group’s “jamily” fan base moving the hardest and singing along in unison.
First set highlights included the show-opening “Won’t Be Coming Back,” “Night on the River” and a set-closing “Peace of Mind” done “Blockygrass” style, all of which set the stage nicely for a second set that started with “It’ll Be Alright” and featured a smoldering “Highwayman/Machines,” a fitting “Stay Here and Drink,” “Let it Go” and “Run to You.”
For a brief time in the second set, the lights went out, so fans turned on their cell phone flashlights, providing lighting for the Virginia bluegrass favorites who showed their appreciation by stepping up to the edge of the stage and playing within inches of their fans.
Bassist Travis Book’s and fiddle player’s Jeremy Garrett’s vocals were on point as per usual and the instrumentation and high energy of the band never ceased as Andy Hall’s dobro, Andy Falco’s guitar and Chris Pandolfi’s banjo resonated throughout the night.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Infamous Stringdusters
Photos by Derek Ketchum
