Greensky Bluegrass Brings High-Energy Jamgrass to The Anthem
Words by Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker

Greensky Bluegrass (GSBG) took The Anthem stage in DC by storm for the first highly anticipated shows in a recent two-night stand.

Opening act Molly Tuttle, fresh off her second Grammy win for Best Bluegrass Album, primed the crowd with her dazzling acoustic guitar work and sweet vocal harmonies on Feb. 9. She treated fans to numbers from her new album City of Gold and remarked on how thrilled she was to be able announce it as Grammy winning.

Tuttle also shouted out her love for the DC area after spending the day sightseeing, before launching into a cover of “Side Saddle” that she played for all cowgirls in the house.

Stream “Side Saddle” by Molly Tuttle featuring Gillian Welch on YouTube:

Later in the one hour long set, GSBG dobro player Anders Beck and bassist Mike Devol joined Tuttle on stage for a few songs, as she jokingly referring to the three of them as the “Greensky Trio.” During Greensky’s first set, Tuttle returned the favor by guesting on “Give a Shit” and “I Told Them All About You”.

Since their 2000 formation in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Greensky Bluegrass quintet — featuring Beck on dobro, Michael Arlen Bont on banjo, Dave Bruzza on guitar, Devol on upright bass, and Paul Hoffman on mandolin — have steadily progressed on their own terms with the undying support of their devoted fans, known affectionately as “campers.” Once again, Greensky flawlessly navigated complex instrumental arrangements with joyful abandon, drawing cries of amazement from the captivated crowd. Dobro master Beck amazed us with his solos, while mandolin wizard Hoffman melded notes together in stunning precision. As we have come to expect, the sound was expertly dialed in to showcase Greensky’s talents, complemented by Andrew Lincoln’s mesmerizing light show that lit up the house and immersed the audience.

GSBG came on stage at about 8:30pm and kicked off their headlining set to loud cheers from the packed house, opening with the 20 minute, one-two combo of “Stress Dreams” and “Ruben’s Train” which set the tone for the marathon show that followed. Over the next two and a half hours, the band treated fans to an 18-song show filled with favorites old and new that highlighted their versatility. The GA floor was packed with dancing campers, and the reserved seats above were filled with fans happily singing along.

Watch the official music video for “Stress Dreams” by Greensky Bluegrass on YouTube:

Other highlights included a poignant “Reverend,” an epic version of “Worried About the Weather”, fortunately the weather was great for February in DC, to close the first set. They opened the second set with a funky “New and Improved” and a medley of “Before Bring Out Your Dead” into “Bring Out Your Dead”” that had the crowd in a frenzy.

Local Baltimore musician Cris Jacobs, who just returned from his tour and was on a Greensky date with his wife, emerged for the last two songs of the set and joined in on smoldering versions of “Lose My Way” and his own original song “Bone Digger” that raised the musical heights even higher. By the “Who Is Frederico” encore, the only thing higher than the bar Greensky had set was the blissful spirit of the crowd. When the band finally left the stage after 11pm, the only question was whether night two could match the magic that had just transpired. Judging by the energy on display, night two seemed destined to be just as epic.

Stream the Greensky Bluegrass show at The Anthem via Archive.org, courtesy of Alex Leary:

Certain aspects of the research and/or drafting for this piece may have employed AI.

Here are some photos of Molly Tuttle opening the show at The Anthem on Feb. 9! All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mark Raker.

Here are some photos of Greensky Bluegrass headlining the first of two nights at The Anthem in DC on Feb. 9, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mark Raker.