News Summary
Billy Strings, the celebrated bluegrass musician and Ionia County native, returned home for his Homecoming Summer Tour with two sold-out performances at Van Andel Arena. The shows featured a vibrant mix of original songs and crowd favorites, drawing nearly 12,000 enthusiastic fans. Prior to the concerts, Strings hosted a pre-party in Muir, engaging with his local community. As he continues his tour, fans can look forward to more performances that celebrate bluegrass music and the musician’s deep Michigan roots.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Billy Strings, the acclaimed bluegrass musician and native of Ionia County, Michigan, returned home to kick off his highly anticipated Homecoming Summer Tour with two sold-out performances at the Van Andel Arena on May 30 and May 31, 2025. Following a successful touring stint with legends like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, Strings delighted nearly 12,000 fans at his first concert, which began at 8 p.m. and featured an energetic setlist that highlighted his roots and musical talents.
Prior to the concerts, Strings engaged with his local community by hosting an official pre-party in his hometown of Muir. This event took place outside of his mother’s store, The Paisley Fig, and featured 15 to 20 vendors selling homemade Billy Strings merchandise. Fans were able to gather and enjoy live music before the highly anticipated shows. The pre-party was just one of several unofficial gatherings taking place around the area, including an event hosted by Friends at Founder’s Brewery.
The concert on the first night opened with “The Fire on my Tongue,” where Strings expressed his joy at being back home. The first set included a variety of songs, such as “Hide and Seek,” “My Love Comes Rolling Down,” a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Love or Confusion,” and concluded with “Richard Petty.” An enthusiastic crowd showed immense support for the performers, as Strings acknowledged the significance of representing Michigan in his career.
The energetic second set featured a mix of original songs, including “In the Clear” and “Everything’s the Same,” along with solo performances of “West Dakota Rose” and “Let the Cocaine Be.” The night culminated with a high-energy performance of “Dust in a Baggie” and an encore that included “Wait a Minute” and “Roll on Buddy, Roll on,” leaving fans in exhilaration.
Looking ahead, Strings will return to Eaton County in June to perform at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, the first festival he ever attended. Following his announcement to perform at the festival, single-day tickets sold out rapidly, underscoring his popularity and the strong connection he maintains with his fans.
Strings’ band is composed of talented musicians, including Royal Masat on bass, Jarrod Walker on mandolin, Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, and Billy Failing on banjo, all contributing to the rich sound that defines Strings’ music. Known for his Grammy-winning achievements, including his award for Best Bluegrass Album, Billy Strings continues to represent and promote bluegrass music on both national and international stages.
As the Homecoming tour progresses, fans can expect a vibrant mix of traditional bluegrass and modern musical influences, all while Billy Strings remains rooted in his Michigan upbringing. Tickets for the second night are already sold out, although some can still be found on the secondary market. The excitement surrounding these performances marks an important moment in the ongoing celebration of bluegrass music and the impact of local artists in the broader musical landscape.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Billy Strings Homecoming
- Wikipedia: Billy Strings
- JamBase: Primus & Billy Strings in Grand Rapids
- Google Search: Billy Strings Grand Rapids
- Local Spins: Billy Strings in Grand Rapids
- Google Scholar: Billy Strings
- JamBands: Billy Strings Kicks Off Summer Tour
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bluegrass Music
- Live for Live Music: Billy Strings Performance
- Google News: Billy Strings
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
