Viva la Zone

(1) Billy Strings on a Martin Grand J-28E, Royal Masat on a Nord Stage 3 88-Key Keyboard & Billy Failing on Masterton ML-1: Missing Link Béla Fleck Baritone Banjo

(2) FTP written by Ingrid Croce and Jim Croce and covered by Bluegrass Album Band founded by Tony Rice and J. D. Crowe.

(3) BS a cappella

(4) BS solo

(5) BS on clawhammer banjo in honor of BF’s birthday

(6) BS on clawhammer banjo and BF on banjo

(7) Full band (minus Alex) a capella on single mic

( Full band on single mic

SHOW NOTES

Venue history/Capacity: the Royal Albert Hall opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria in memory of Prince Albert, and is one of the most iconic music venues in the world. With a capacity of about 5,200 (seated) or 5,900 (standing), it has hosted legendary performances by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Adele, and Eric Clapton, among countless others. Known for its grand domed architecture and signature “mushroom” acoustic diffusers, the Hall remains a crown jewel of live music in London. It’s a bucket-list stage for many artists, a place where history, sound and spirit converge.

Before playing “Leaving London” (LTP 11/1/24, 79 show gap), Billy pauses to talk about how he used to commandeer his dad‘s old records as a kid, and how one of his favorites was Doc Watson‘s “Portrait.” He shares it was the first album he played for his own son when he brought him home from the hospital, a full circle moment. It was on that record that he first heard “Leaving London,” and what better place to play it than here in London itself.

Watching the band, and particularly Alex, tear into “Dawg’s Rag” is something else. Alex is in his natural habitat and you can see it on his face, a mix of focus and joy, as pure dawg energy radiates through the hall and the crowd laps it up.

Happy Birthday to Billy Failing! Two Happy Birthday songs for the birthday boy. The first was sung by the crowd, the entire royal Albert Hall joining in, and the second time as an intro to Dos Billys where Billy plays happy birthday for his long time buddy and fellow Libra .

In a touching moment, “Nights In White Satin” comes as a reverent moment and tribute to John Lodge, longtime bassist and vocalist of The Moody Blues, whose death was announced earlier today.

Cheeky lyric change during Psycho: “Can Mary fry some fish and chips, Mama?”

Billy’s appreciation really shines this show. You can see it on his face, pure wide-eyed gratitude. He thanks the crowd repeatedly throughout the show for showing up and assures them that “this is a night I’ll never forget.” The Royal Albert Hall crowd roars back with love, the shared realization of this journey of a kid who grew up in a meth house, sneaking his parent’s records, to standing on this iconic stage in London. The kind of stuff dreams are made of.

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Bss on Sunday, October 12, 2025 – 01:53 pm