Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on February 4, 2026
The Infamous Stringdusters | Chicago, IL | January 30th, 2026 | photos by Dan Ward
Grey clouds gathered low over Lake Michigan as a major winter storm settled in, plunging the city into sudden arctic cold. Chicagoans hunkered down, streets quieted, and common sense suggested staying home. The only real reason to brave the ice and wind was music—and on this night, that reason was a sold-out show at Thalia Hall featuring The Infamous Stringdusters with a very special guest: Mountain Grass Unit.
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Mountain Grass Unit—Drury Anderson (mandolin, vocals), Luke Black (guitar, vocals), Josiah Nelson (fiddle, vocals), and Sam Wilson (bass, vocals)—represent the future of bluegrass music. Before the band even hit the stage, it was clear they had drawn a crowd of their own. Talking with fans at the rail, it was striking how many had braved the storm specifically to see MGU live.
The band opened boldly with the Grateful Dead’s “Deal,” a daring choice given its iconic status. Drury Anderson’s fingers flew across the mandolin neck, immediately establishing his command, and the band nailed the tune. The crowd erupted. From there, the set unfolded like a joyful ride across genres and eras.
MGU followed with originals “Squirrel Hunters” and “Cicada Song” before leaping into “Cantina Band.” The room exploded. Drury joked that they did an okay job, but that the guys with big heads probably did it better—maybe, but not on this planet. The band returned to their own material with “Jericho,” then delivered a powerful take on Bill Monroe’s bluegrass cornerstone “Uncle Pen.” Josiah Nelson rose to the moment, bringing fierce fiddle heat and honoring the song’s deep roots. It was a statement performance: Mountain Grass Unit are here to stay.
The momentum never dipped. Originals like “New Country Blues,” “Boxcar,” and “Get Back” showcased the band’s dynamic range. Sam Wilson’s bass work anchored everything with calm confidence—relaxed on the surface, lethal underneath. The pacing was thoughtful, balancing burners with breathers to let the crowd absorb the band’s nuance.
The band barreled through “Big Train” and “Reuben’s Train,” dipped into western territory with “Freeborn Man” and “Shoot the Gun,” and unleashed Luke Black, the clear crowd favorite. Each time Luke stepped forward, the fretboard caught fire. The audience responded with thunderous chants of “LUKE”—which may have sounded like booing, but definitely wasn’t.
MGU closed with Widespread Panic’s “Ain’t Life Grand,” sending jam-band fans into a frenzy. The crowd wanted more, but the night was just getting started. Waiting in the wings were bluegrass royalty: The Infamous Stringdusters.
Celebrating 20 years as a band, the Stringdusters are marking the milestone with an ambitious new album, 20/20, featuring 20 new songs. They opened with “Sentenced to Life with the Blues,” written by guitarist Andy Falco during the Great Pause of 2020, immediately setting the tone. Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” followed, pushing the energy even higher.
From Chris Pandolfi’s lightning-fast banjo to Andy Hall’s impeccable dobro, every note felt like a celebration of bluegrass lineage. Jeremy Garrett’s fiddle solos left jaws on the floor—not just for their precision, but for the physical contortions he summoned while playing. “Hitchhiker” and “Get It While You Can” offered a stroll through the band’s rich catalog, while reminding everyone that the Stringdusters are as strong vocally as they are instrumentally. Travis Book’s smooth, silk-like voice had the room swaying.
20/20, due out February 13, is a true gift to fans. New tracks like “Voyageur,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “Working Man Blues” were received like longtime favorites. The twist of the night: Thalia Hall was the first stop where the new vinyl was available—though CDs were not. Still, those lucky enough to attend heard the material first, in one of Chicago’s finest rooms.
The band paid homage to Flatt & Scruggs with a glorious “Down the Road,” then delivered fan favorite “Gravity,” turning the entire hall into a sing-along. One fan yelled, “Play that again!”—a sentiment shared by all.
New songs “Burning Me Again” and “Looking for Something Good” landed hard, especially when Luke Black returned to the stage to join the band. The theater erupted in “LUKE” chants as he and Andy Falco traded licks and smiles in an extended jam that brought the house down.
The Stringdusters’ light show was in full effect, especially during their cover of The Police’s “Walking on the Moon,” complete with a glowing spaceman projected behind the band. Thalia Hall’s sound and lighting elevated every moment.
The mood shifted as the opening notes of the Grateful Dead’s “Jack Straw” filled the room—a fitting nod to Bob Weir, Hunter, and Jerry Garcia’s shared storytelling legacy. The audience listened in hushed reverence as the tale unfolded, and the band offered thanks to Bobby’s spirit at the song’s close.
With the storm still raging outside, the band closed with “Fork in the Road,” only to return with members of Mountain Grass Unit for an unforgettable encore. A sprawling, joyful jam on “Rise Sun” passed musical lines back and forth until it was impossible to count them.
The night ended with one last bluegrass blowout—Stringdusters and MGU together, trading virtuosity and grins. Fans left warmed by music, community, and the knowledge they’d witnessed something special.
Mountain Grass Unit’s upcoming release Mountain Grass Unit – Best of Summer 2025 arrives March 30 and is available on all streaming platforms. The Infamous Stringdusters continue touring in support of 20/20, out February 13, also available on all streaming services.
