The Bluegrass Gateway: 5 Bands for Jam Fans

If you grew up on long improvised sets and twenty-minute segues, bluegrass might seem like a different planet — tight songs, acoustic instruments, no pedalboard in sight. But the modern jamgrass scene takes the speed and harmony of Bill Monroe and stretches it out like a Dead show. Here's where to start.

Billy Strings

The obvious first stop, and for good reason. Billy plays traditional flatpicking with a punk-rock intensity, then lets the band drift into spacey, effects-soaked jams that would fit on any jam-band bill. His shows sell out arenas now, but the heart is still a kid from Michigan who learned at his dad's side. Catch a multi-night run if you can — no two sets are alike.

Greensky Bluegrass

Another Michigan crew, Greensky were among the bands that proved a string band could headline rock rooms. They're loud, they use a light show, and their dobro and mandolin solos build like guitar solos. A perfect bridge if your favorite band is Phish or Umphrey's.

Railroad Earth

Out of New Jersey, Railroad Earth blend bluegrass, Celtic tunes and rock into long, warm, singalong sets. They feel like a campfire that keeps getting bigger.

Yonder Mountain String Band

Born in Colorado, Yonder helped invent the jamgrass festival circuit. Expect fast picking, goofy charm and extended jams that crowd the line between bluegrass and rock.

Trampled by Turtles

From Minnesota, Trampled play at breakneck tempos with a punk energy, then turn around and break your heart with a slow one. Less noodling, more catharsis.

Start with any of these, then follow the side projects and festival lineups — WinterWonderGrass, Telluride and DelFest are good places to go next. Before long you'll be arguing about mandolin tone like the rest of us.