{"id":484946,"date":"2026-10-04T16:22:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T16:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/484946\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T16:22:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T16:22:44","slug":"billy-strings-lets-the-jams-run-long-on-first-of-two-nights-in-oakland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/484946\/","title":{"rendered":"Billy Strings lets the jams run long on first of two nights in Oakland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\"Billy\t\t\t\t\t\"Billy\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBilly Strings performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Oct. 2, 2026. Matt Pang\/STAFF.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"BillyBilly Strings performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Oct. 2, 2026. Matt Pang\/STAFF.<\/p>\n

OAKLAND \u2014 Billy Strings, born William Lee Apostol, is bringing classic bluegrass into arenas without sanding down what makes the genre distinct.<\/p>\n

Billy Strings
8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3
Oakland Arena
Tickets: $66 and up.<\/a><\/p>\n

The three-time Grammy Award winner is touring behind new album So Much for Goodbyes<\/a>\u00a0with a sprawling 59-show schedule. The current leg has been his biggest run of the year.<\/p>\n

Before doors even opened at Oakland Arena, Apostol\u2019\u2019s fans had created its own version of the Grateful Dead\u2019s Shakedown Street. Vendors sold handmade goods and food across the sprawling parking lot, underscoring just how much of a traveling culture has grown around his shows.<\/p>\n

With no opener, Billy Strings took the stage alongside his band and went straight into \u201cIn the Clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

From there came a blazing 19-minute version of \u201cTurmoil & Tinfoil,\u201d the title track of his 2017 album. Huge psychedelic lights spun from floor to ceiling, wrapping the arena in shifting colors and making the room feel like the inside of a lava lamp.<\/p>\n

One of the first set\u2019s highlights came with the Beatles\u2019 \u201cI\u2019ll Cry Instead,\u201d with bassist Royal Masat taking lead vocals.<\/p>\n

Apostol has never been shy about covers, following that with Jimmy Driftwood\u2019s \u201cTennessee Stud.\u201d<\/p>\n

His previous album, 2024\u2019s Highway Prayers<\/a>, also made a strong showing in the first set with \u201cCabin Song,\u201d funky instrumental \u201cMalfunction Junction\u201d and the trippy \u201cSeven Weeks in County,\u201d which seemed to pull the arena into another universe.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s part of what makes a Billy Strings jam work: there are so many layers moving at once that the best option is often simply to follow and see where the song goes.<\/p>\n

After an intermission, the band returned with \u201cLiving Like an Animal\u201d from Turmoil & Tinfoil, giving Billy Strings another chance to stretch out near the crowd.<\/p>\n

Banjo player Billy Failing got his own spotlight with \u201cSo Many Miles,\u201d from his 2017 album, Calling My Trouble by Name. Video-game-like synth textures surrounded an extended banjo jam, drawing the focus toward an instrument that can easily disappear inside a full bluegrass arrangement.<\/p>\n

Billy Strings then devoted a sizable portion of the remaining set to So Much for Goodbyes, including \u201cLive to Tell,\u201d \u201cRemember to Cry\u201d and crowd favorite \u201cI Like Train Songs.\u201d \u201cRemember to Cry\u201d brought a funky, upbeat lift to the set before he moved into another cover with Old & In the Way\u2019s \u201cMidnight Moonlight.\u201d<\/p>\n

He closed with traditional fiddle tune \u201cSally Goodin,\u201d then brought the band forward for a final bow.<\/p>\n

Follow photographer Matt Pang at\u00a0Instagram.com\/mattgods<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About The Author<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Matt Pang<\/a><\/p>\n

Matt Pang continues to surround himself in photography after his love of music introduced him to it. His fondest memories include watching replays of VH1 music video countdowns. He lives in San Jose and enjoys watching the Giants in his free time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Matt Pang continues to surround himself in photography after his love of music introduced him to it. His fondest memories include watching replays of VH1 music video countdowns. He lives in San Jose and enjoys watching the Giants in his free time.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t