Entertainment

Billy Strings kicks off 3 soldout shows in NC. See photos of the musical phenom.

By Scott Sharpe
Billy Strings opens the first of his three nights at Cary, N.C.’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Thursday, April 18, 2025.
Billy Strings opens the first of his three nights at Cary, N.C.’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Thursday, April 18, 2025. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

Multiple Grammy-winner Billy Strings brought his eclectic blend of jam band and traditional bluegrass to Cary, N.C.’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the first of three sold-out shows Thursday night.

Strings, born William Lee Apostol, is a phenom flat-picker on the guitar, who draws diverse legions of fans of all ages to his shows.

Here are photos from the show.

Billy Strings and his band always bring a cosmic light show to their shows, as seen here on their first of three nights in Cary.
Billy Strings and his band always bring a cosmic light show to their shows, as seen here on their first of three nights in Cary. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Banjo player Billy Failing and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle play early in Billy Strings’ first set Thursday night in Cary.
Banjo player Billy Failing and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle play early in Billy Strings’ first set Thursday night in Cary. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Billy Strings opened his Thursday night show in Cary, N.C. with “Red Rocking Chair”.
Billy Strings opened his Thursday night show in Cary, N.C. with “Red Rocking Chair”. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Mandolin player Jarrod Walker picks on “Seven Weeks In County”, Thursday, April 17, 2025, Koka Booth Amphitheater, Cary, N.C.
Mandolin player Jarrod Walker picks on “Seven Weeks In County”, Thursday, April 17, 2025, Koka Booth Amphitheater, Cary, N.C. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

Setlist

  • Red Rocking Chair
  • Slow Train
  • Seven Weeks In County
  • The Fire On My Tongue
  • Ole Slew Foot
  • Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down
  • While I’m Waiting Here
  • Hide and Seek
  • John Deer Tractor
  • Stratosphere Blues > I Believe In You
  • Methodist Preacher
  • Dust In A Baggie
  • Love And Regret
  • Home of the Red Fox
  • Letter to Seymour
  • Seney Stretch
  • St. James Hospital
  • Running
  • Away From The Mire
  • Love Like Me
  • Highway Hypnosis
  • Shady Grove

This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM.

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