Beginning this Thursday, Feb. 6, Billy Strings is bringing his psychedelia-tinged bluegrass back to Asheville for a sold-out six-night run at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. So if you see far more tie-dye-clad hippies about town than usual this and next weekend, you know why.
Billy Strings is no stranger to Asheville, performing sold-out shows year after year. And local businesses are taking advantage of the throngs of fans coming to see him live. No matter if you got tickets, missed out, or don’t even know a Billy song, there are a plethora of ways to get in on the fanfare.
Merchants of Downtown Asheville are hosting Illuminate Asheville, a bright celebration of downtown retailers. New gallery and music venue Third Room is hosting Shakedown on Wall Street, a Deadhead-style party with local vendors and live music from 1 to 6 p.m. each night Billy performs — Harrah’s is also hosting its own Shakedown Street market. Plus, there’s Billy Fans Bingo, where visiting local businesses enter you in a drawing for prizes, including concert tickets. Beyond the Billy-themed events, there’s plenty to show up for during Illuminate Asheville.
Think you resemble the long-haired, tattooed guitarist? Throw your hat in the ring for The Draftsman’s Billy Strings Lookalike Contest — you have two chances to win tickets to a show.
Almost every music venue in town is hosting a Billy Strings pregame or post-concert show. Check out the lineups from Asheville Music Hall + The One Stop, The Grey Eagle, Jack of the Wood, The Orange Peel, and both One World Brewing locations.
The Whale and DSSOLVR are each hosting their own Billy Strings festivals, complete with livestreams of the concerts, vendor markets, and more. If you’re a true fan, test your knowledge at BMFS trivia at DSSOLVR on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Citizen Vinyl will be open later, spinning Billy records and serving up a signature cocktail and coffee drink. Bonus trivia: Citizen Vinyl pressed Billy’s 2017 album, “Turmoil & Tinfoil.”