Ho-lee shit, what a hometown Halloween run from Billy Strings. Originally bought tix to just nights 1 and 2 because I wanted to take my son trick-or-treating for the first time, but ended up getting him in bed in time to make the Sunday show -- got miracled, which was nice. Billy had hinted that the shows would have a Wizard of Oz theme, but I thought he only meant the Sunday Halloween show, and maybe some Dark Side of the Moon thrown in. This was way, way more.
All 3 nights were a progressive journey through the movie. Night 1, set 1 was set in Kansas and the band was all dressed in grey with grey/white lights and a sepia toned backdrop. Set 2 was the tornado, with tons of bad weather songs and a great Ride Me High Panic cover. They left the outro from Spinning playing over the PA during the encore break and the band came out in brightly colored outfits with colorful lights and a rainbow balloon drop for Brain Damage (the only Pink Floyd we got all weekend).
Night 2, set 1 was in Munchkinland and set 2 was when Dorothy set out to meet the characters. Everyone in the band got to sing their character song. Billy was the Tinman and Billy Failing (banjo player) sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow the night before. There was some real trippy shit during June Apple with people in costumes on stage pretending to throw apples and red balloons dropping from the ceiling. Ending the night with some Jimi was great.
Then, night 3 set 1 saw them confronting the witch. The highlight was Samson and Delilah (with Eye of the Tiger teases) followed by the bear-themed Ole Slew-foot. The final set was with the Wizard and heading home. Crown of Thorns for the Lion getting his courage was great. Brokedown Palace was a singalong and he finally played Home right after they played the audio of Dorothy saying "there's no place like home." A second encore of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road with a massive balloon drop and confetti canons brought the house down.
The backdrop screen was stunning, great lights, and such thoughtfully crafted setlists. I couldn't believe how many of his own songs helped fit the narrative of the movie. It's also incredible how 4 bluegrass pickers could fill that big room with their sound. This was my second Billy Strings Halloween -- Clockwork Orange Peel in 2019 -- and I hope he makes Asheville an annual tradition.