Bluegrass Star Billy Strings Announces Extreme Metal Bands for His Ionia Freak Fair
Bane, Cryptopsy, and more will perform at a metal stage as bluegrass acts play the main stage. Bluegrass Star Billy Strings Announces Extreme Metal Bands for His Ionia Freak Fair Spencer Kaufman
Billy Strings is bringing a lot more than bluegrass to his inaugural Ionia Freak Fair in Ionia, Michigan on August 28th and 29th. The guitarist has announced a metal stage that will feature hardcore heroes Bane , death metal veterans Cryptopsy , and more.
The “Pyramid Scheme Pinball and Metal Tent” will also include For the Fallen Dreams, Flesh and Blood Robot, Heartsick, and See You Next Tuesday across the two-day fest ( tickets here ).
Strings posted the following message on Instagram alongside the lineup poster for the metal stage:
Fans of bluegrass will still get their fill, as the previously announced main stage will feature Strings headlining both nights, as well as Greensky Bluegrass, Sierra Hull, Leftover Salmon, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Lindsay Lou, and Full Cord.
Strings is no stranger to the metal world, having collaborated with heavy acts in the past. Last year, he added a guitar solo to Cryptopsy’s single “Blasphemy Made Fresh,” saying at the time, “Contributing to a Cryptopsy track is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life.”
He also joined Tool onstage in 2023 for a performance of “Jambi” in Salt Lake City.
Strings broke his leg skateboarding backstage in April, and had to postpone a number of tour dates. He ended up tacking them on to his upcoming summer US tour. On top of that, he has a fall US tour on the books, as well ( pick up tickets here ).
See the lineup for “Pyramid Scheme Pinball and Metal Tent” at Billy Strings’ Ionia Freak Fair below.
