Live Review: Billy Strings – Winter Tour 2025 in Melbourne
15th July 2025, Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia
Review by Jeana Thomas
Photography by Valerie Lee
Billy Strings: A Bluegrass Virtuoso Redefining Tradition.
In the sprawling landscape of American music, few artists have managed to bridge the gap between reverence for tradition and fearless innovation as deftly as Billy Strings.
Born William Lee Apostol in 1992 in Michigan, Billy grew up steeped in bluegrass, thanks to his stepfather, Terry Barber, who introduced him to the genre’s raw, soulful roots. From picking guitar in smoky bars as a kid to now headlining arenas, Billy’s journey is one of grit and passion. Based in Nashville, Strings has emerged as a singular force in bluegrass, wielding his acoustic guitar like a lightning rod that channels the raw energy of the genre’s past into a vibrant, boundary-pushing present. His 2024 album, ‘Highway Prayers’, produced with Jon Brion, hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, a historic win for bluegrass. With multiple Grammy’s and Americana Music Awards under his belt, Billy’s not just a musician, he’s a movement, redefining what acoustic music can be.
Watching Strings step out tonight onstage, his unassuming presence, light shirt, tousled hair and a well-seasoned acoustic guitar, belied the sonic storm to come. Backed by his amazing band consisting of Billy Failing on banjo, Royal Masat on bass, Jarrod Walker on mandolin and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, he opened with “Slow Train”, with its steady banjo pulse and wistful lyrics setting a warm, inviting tone that felt like a journey through America’s heartland. The set surged into “Hide and Seek”, a sprawling, genre-bending epic from “Renewal”, where Strings’ lightning-fast guitar runs and the band’s improvisational interplay, fiddler Alex Hargreaves’ soaring melodies and Jarrod Walker’s mandolin flourishes – wove a thrilling tapestry of bluegrass and progressive jam. “The Fire On My Tongue” followed, a blistering instrumental showcasing Strings’ virtuosic picking and the band’s telepathic chemistry, its fiery tempo igniting the crowd.
The second set kicked off with “I’m One of Those”, a lesser-known gem that blended introspective lyrics with a rollicking groove, before diving into “Turmoil in Tinfoil”, a psychedelic bluegrass odyssey with intricate, shape-shifting jams that left the audience spellbound. The raw, haunting “Dust in a Baggie” with its stark tale of addiction delivered with Strings’ gravelly conviction and blistering fretwork, a nod to his early breakout hit. For the encore, Strings offered the tender, gospel-tinged “Harbor of Love”, its harmonious vocals washing over the crowd like a balm, followed by the foot-stomping “Big Spike Hammer”, a traditional bluegrass romp that sent fans into a frenzy with its infectious energy and Royal Masat’s pulsing bass. This stellar setlist, backed by Strings’ unparalleled band, cemented his reputation as a bluegrass trailblazer with a classy, authentic edge.
Strings’ guitar work was a revelation. His flatpicking technique, equal parts Tony Rice reverence and personal invention, wove intricate melodies that danced around the rhythm section with effortless grace. Yet, it was his improvisational daring that elevated the performance. The result was a sound both cosmic and rooted, a testament to Strings’ ability to stretch bluegrass without breaking it. His solos were not just displays of virtuosity, they were conversations, each note carrying the weight of his lived experience. Lyrically, Strings proved himself a poet of the human condition.
The encore, a soul-stirring “Harbor of Love” enveloping the crowd in its tender, gospel-soaked harmonies, followed by the raucous, toe-tapping “Big Spike Hammer”, a traditional bluegrass banger that sent fans into a jubilant frenzy, leaving an indelible mark on an unforgettable night.
There was a diverse crowd of young fans, seasoned Deadheads and everyone in between that filled Margaret Court Arena with infectious enthusiasm. Teens cheered wildly for “Big Spike Hammer”, while older fans sang “Harbor of Love” with passion. Billy, beaming, soaked up the multi-generational love.
Billy is a bridge between bluegrass’s past and its future, drawing young listeners to a genre often sidelined while earning the respect of traditionalists. His ability to pack Margaret Court Arena with acoustic music speaks to his charisma and the universal appeal of his storytelling.
At 32, Billy Strings stands at the peak of his powers, yet his restlessness suggests he is far from finished evolving. Whether shredding through a high-speed solo or crooning a sombre melody, he embodies the paradox of bluegrass itself: a music of both joy and sorrow, tradition and rebellion. Strings is a phenomenon, a once-in-a-generation talent whose songs echo the past while pointing to a boundless future.
Billy Strings’ Winter Tour 2025 continues in Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland, with tickets available through Frontier Touring
About the Writer: Originally hailing from Western Australia, Jeana Thomas now thrives in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Amidst the hustle of her role in a prominent teaching hospital, she also navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship as the owner of a medical transcription company. Beyond her professional endeavours, Jeana finds solace and joy in the rhythm of music, the allure of travel and the artistry of photography, with a particular passion for wildlife photography.
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 190 of the hottest acts including Coldplay (Perth), Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and The Kid LAROI with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. SAM is also a music journalist on the Triple M Radio network.
