What’s different this time from his previous tours is these are the first shows since Simpson released his ZZ Top meets Pink Floyd meets Daft Punk opus ‘Sound and Fury’ last year. Expectations levels are high to see how these new songs come across. Purists will say he’s lost his way and this isn’t country. What this is, is an artist at the top of his game not afraid to take risks with new sounds but at its heart these are still country songs.
It’s a slow start with ‘Brace for Impact’ and a laboured cover of Derek and the Dominoes ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ kicking us off while the sound guy finds the right balance, the crowd wakes up and then we are off. What follows is two hours of a band at the peak of their creative curve playing effortlessly as one, instinctively following each other as they settle in for some elongated jams and rockin out like the proverbial ba$tard$. The set tonight spans his whole back catalogue with the usual sprinkling of covers, taking in rock, country, disco, folk, punk and of course something for the ladies.
The new song segments are stunning which allow Bobby Emmett on keys to really showcase his talents and Miles Miller on drums and Chuck Bartels on bass don’t stop in providing that driving rhythm through each song. There is little rest bite over the two hours and they could probably have played for another two.
On a night of highlights the new song segment of ‘Ronin’, ‘Remember to Breathe’ and ‘Sing Along’ was exceptional.
With the change in direction on the last album it would be interesting to know how older Simpson fans have taken to this. I am guessing he’s lost a few fans but gained a few too. I did hear someone shout out play some country which is just naïve to say the least. Open your ears and open your minds and embrace music in whatever form and tonight’s show took in many forms. The crowd did noticeably thin out during the set whether this was last trains or just couldn’t get to grips with the new material I don’t know. The lack of an apparent setlist whilst allowing the band to act on impulse does sometime forego a bit of structure and can get a little disjointed in terms of pacing. For what it’s worth I would like to have seen the new album played front to back with the anime film projected behind with a second half of oldies. As it was it’s a bare stage with static red lights throughout that focusses your attention purely on the music. There were also a few digs at the audience criticising their lack of energy and fervour, talking up the German crowd, whilst also berating the circle for not standing which is not a good way to get them on side.
Quibbles aside Sturgill and chums deliver another peerless performance and those music fans in the US who will see this tour with Tyler Childers as support are in for a treat. Come back soon and I can’t wait for the next instalment the Simpson book of music.
Keep on country rockin y’all