On what may become like an annual residency in DC, Greensky Bluegrass was again in outstanding, top form while playing a second night recently at The Anthem for nearly a 3-hour set for admiring fans of bluegrass. Greensky Bluegrass, one of the biggest bluegrass bands on the planet, did not fail to impress and played one of the finest sets I’ve seen during the multiple shows I have had the good fortune to see over the last several years.
The DC shows each winter by the band help to set the tone and pace of their touring schedule each year and has become a routine occurrence that people in DC admire and look forward to each year as the city begins the transition into springtime after a season of cold weather, snow, and ice. The world-class music venue was at near capacity with persons singing along with the band throughout the evening on this second of two shows on Feb. 8.
Hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Greensky Bluegrass consists of members Anders Beck on dobro, Michael Arlen Bont on banjo, Dave Bruzza on guitar, Mike Devol on upright bass, and Paul Hoffman on mandolin. There have been some lineup changes over the years, but the current fixture seems to have the right mix for the continuance and longevity of this band.
The sets are long, and somewhat dark, with a unique mix of lighting schemes that present their music in a manner that may be reminiscent of some of the classic bands of the ’70s such as Pink Floyd, which they cover during their show. They are very fluid in playing their instruments creating a quasi-rock and roll feel with their personal style of bluegrass music. Each person in the band is an expert musician in their own right.
The band played two-sets during the show of about 90 minutes each with an intermission in the middle. The attendees for the night’s event were highly engaged during the long evening of music, singing along with the band throughout the show.
Watch Greensky Bluegrass perform “Windshield” live for WYCE radio on YouTube:
Opening the show was Kitchen Dwellers from Montana, consisting of Shawn Swain on mandolin, Torrin Daniels on banjo, Joe Funk on upright bass, and Max Davies on acoustic guitar. The four-piece band played a great opening set and complimented Greensky Bluegrass completely. Kitchen Dwellers could easily be considered mountain music mixed with folk as well as bluegrass picking with their upbeat style of playing.
The brilliant playing by members of Greensky Bluegrass captured some of the finer moments of the evening with an eclectic mix of mandolin, banjo, bass, and acoustic guitar. The band play pretty much nonstop with a little talking between songs, but mainly are there for the music, which the audience appreciated greatly with the extended play by the band throughout their long sets.
In the end, it was an outstanding concert, and a great second night by a very seasoned bluegrass band. The audience showed rapport with both bands by standing, clapping, and singing along with the music even high up in the seats. The lightshow as seen from high in the stands by Greensky Bluegrass was outstanding.
Greensky Bluegrass will be touring on the east coast of the USA on this 2025 Winter Tour for the next few weeks, before concluding this tour in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 15.
Catch Greensky Bluegrass on tour!
If you are a fan of bluegrass, enjoy extended solos, and great musicianship, then Greensky Bluegrass should be on the list of concerts to see for 2025. They keep extending the quality of their shows over the years, and I hope to see them back in the nation’s capital again next for another weekend of great bluegrass music events. The fans in DC love this band and look forward to their shows each winter.
Here are some photos of Greensky Bluegrass performing at The Anthem on Feb. 8, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are some photos of the Kitchen Dwellers opening Greensky Bluegrass at The Anthem on Feb. 8, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
