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‘Welcome back:’ Billy Strings christens stage of renovated Tivoli Theatre

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / The Tivoli Theatre is seen as an adjacent building glows red during the theatre's grand reopening Oct. 20, 2026. The more than century-old theatre closed its doors in May 2022 to undergo extensive renovations. Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / The Tivoli Theatre is seen as an adjacent building glows red during the theatre's grand reopening Oct. 20, 2026. The more than century-old theatre closed its doors in May 2022 to undergo extensive renovations.

By Sam Still, Kailee Shores October 20, 2026 6 min read

Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings tore down the house Tuesday night as the public returned to the Tivoli Theatre for the first time since 2022.

The sold-out crowd was at a roar while filing into their seats at the historic theater on Broad Street. Many were in awe of their environment: a theater dripping in cream, pink and gold accents that stood in direct contrast to the electric blue lights illuminating the stage.

As Strings took to the stage, performing a rendition of Doc Watson’s “Way Downtown,” the crowd was on its feet. The acoustics were notable as the bass reverberated through one’s bones.

“Welcome back to the Tivoli Theatre,” Strings said after the first song, the crowd responding with deafening cheer. “It’s a beautiful space. It’s a beautiful room. It’s so important to have these places and to keep them going.”