ZZ Top

Hirsute Texan blues rockers ZZ Top made a whistle-stop visit to the UK on Wednesday playing a very full looking Wembley Arena. Flanked by a pair of video screens, guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill were, true to form, resplendent in matching outfits, hats, sunglasses and foot-long beards. Nestled behind and between Gibbons and Hill sat drummer Frank Beard - still defiantly beardless - and busy driving the boogie juggernaut along.

Dusty Hill once described their show as "low movement, high impact" and that pretty much nails it. There's no gymnastic leaping, histrionics or undue haste in the band's stage presence and the only the merest hint of any choreography as when Hill and Gibbons adopt an occasional slow, Shadows-esque stroll up to the mics or sway away in unison providing crowd pleasing photo opportunities at the edge of the stage. Instead, there's just a slow and deliberate riffing that pulls you into the groove of each song getting the feet stamping and the head shaking.

After a brief video introduction, the band ambled on and opened with a terrific performance of "You've Got Me Under Pressure". The high octane start continued with "Waitin' For The Bus" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago" before the familiar drum intro heralded the arrival of "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and the cue for the crowd to get all hot and bothered. It's hard to believe that it's over thirty years since "Eliminator" brought ZZ Top to the mainstream with their iconic videos for "Gimme All Your Lovin', "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man" which MTV seemed to just play on a loop - back when they actually played music videos if you can imagine such a thing.

"I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" and "Pincushion" reminded us that there's much more to the band than the cluster of hits on "Eliminator", and "I Gotsta Get Paid", the band's reworking of an old rap hit called "25 Lighters" was one of a couple of tracks from their most recent album, 2013's "La Futura". The band paid tribute to Hendrix with a run through of "Foxy Lady" and jammed through another cover, "Catfish Blues". "Cheap Sunglasses" worked the crowd up into a lather before "My Head's in Mississippi", "Chartreuse" and the set closers "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs" where the crowd went singalong crazy.

Returning for the encore, the band were joined by a fourth "hombre" in the form of guitar legend Jeff Beck, who, incredibly, was celebrating his seventy-first birthday. After being presented with a cake and accepting a glass of something bubbly the impossibly young looking Beck graced the stage for the final four songs of the evening starting with a gorgeous run through of the ballad-like "Rough Boy" from the "Afterburner" album, a number Billy Gibbons said Beck had told him was one of his favourites. A cover of "Sixteen Tons" was followed by an epic set-closing double whammy of "La Grange" and, of course, "Tush".

“It’s time to party with ZZ Top!” It was only 8:45pm, but I had never seen so many inebriated people over 50 in my life. I literally had to catch a few ladies who almost tumbled into the next row while trying to find their seats in the dark. Men were being denied service at the bar and there were piles of puke to be avoided everywhere. The bearded duo arrived just in time though, blazing a path through the nonsense like they’ve been doing for over forty years. The original blues brothers, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, were the same as they’ve ever been; eternal youth hidden behind hats, beards, and cheap sunglasses. Frank’s pounding kick drum gave EDM shows a run for their money, while Gibbons and Hill burned tracks across the stage.

All the classics were present; “Gimmie All Your Lovin’”, “Got Me Under Pressure”, “Rough Boy”, and “Sharp Dressed Man”, just to name a few. There were some new tracks and a cover or two, but by the time they brought out the fuzzy white guitars for “Legs” (which closed the main set), everyone was amped for more. Returning almost immediately with matching sparkling jackets, they continued with “La Grange”; eventually morphing into the all-too-appropriate “Sloppy Drunk” after some crowd encouragement. “Tush” could have easily been the final spark of the night (a roadie came out to light Gibbon’s joint at that point), but the boys from Texas weren’t done with us yet. The second encore was a victory lap of sorts. It was also the soundtrack to a mass exodus from the venue, causing “Jailhouse Rock” to be heard by many as an echo off the rocks on the way to the parking lots. The whole thing ended just after 10:00pm.

It is unfortunate that the Laid Back Festival had to turn to Groupon and take other price-reducing actions, because it really was a great festival. The food was nothing to celebrate, and the lack of information about the order of appearances and set times was annoying, but overall Gregg Allman curated an amazing day/night of music across a spectrum of genres. Where else are you going to see five Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees share a stage on a Sunday at such an amazing venue? Hopefully next year they will be able to work out some of the kinks and Gregg will be healthy and strong. Aside from that, I’d say the first year of Laid Back in Colorado was a great success in terms of execution, even if it was a financial failure.

see more at http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2016/09/29/laid-back-festival-red-rocks-09-25-16/

ZZ Top, the legendary American blues rock group with even more legendary beards are known for putting on an impressive live show despite their increasing age. Having formed over forty years ago, the band has accumulated a huge discography and a fan base to match.

The audience packs the venue and excitedly chatter about the prospect of seeing ZZ Top play live. The range of ages is a credit to the band as they have dedicated fans who have followed their career from the beginning and new listeners who appreciate the band's influence on blues rock.

The band proves their reputation and influence is duly deserved as they tear into the opener 'Got Me Under Pressure' with the energy of a band thirty years their junior. Their technical skill is applaudable, admirable and frankly out of this world as they never seem to miss a single note through the complexity of tracks such as 'Pincushion' and 'Chartreuse'. A class act with an immeasurable amount of technical ability and masterful musicians.

This is only the second time I had seen ZZ Top. The other time was in December of 1985 at Maple Leaf Gardens. Seeing them in the Centre in the Square was much better more intimate. You could hear them much better and they were not ten miles away. They walked out with no fan fare and started playing. The old songs of when we were young. The stage was a basic set up. Most of the fans there were 40 plus. Lots of men had the ZZ like beards that they certainly did not start growing last week. The music was not too loud, just right. They played all their hits. The songs from the Eliminator album brought out the biggest response. Many of the younger kids were dancing down near the front stage. Nice atmosphere. Only a few bone heads getting noisy in the crowd. So nice to see these guys again, as they're not getting any younger. No regrets.

ZZ Top performance was amazing.
The venue had some issues. The sound was very imbalanced in the beginning, almost could not hear Billy Gibons voice.
There was some trouble with the crowd too. Some people were fighting over standing versus sitting (it's a rock concert not the symphony, get up and dance I say!). In my opinion the usher was a bit too harsh on the dancing people. He was very rude to the ladies dancing and another guy ( just attending the show) even grabbed the arm of one of them. At that point it was way over the line. The people complaining about the non sitting attendees were very inappropriate (even got in my face), but nothing happened to them.
I am not sure about the finer details, but I do not believe the ushers were well trained in de-escalating conflict.

I've seen ZZ Top in small venues that weren't even sold out and I've seen them at sold out stadiums - they always put on a great show.

They are back to their original format of just Billy, Dusty and Frank on stage (without the women with the long legs) playing all of their old great songs.

I find them best in the smaller venues - Brixton Academy (second time) was outstanding. Milton Keynes Bowl with Bryan Adams as support (the night he went to number one in the UK charts) was memorable for songs that are no longer played (but can be found on YouTube).

I've now taken my son to see them 7 times all across Europe as the UK dates are few and far between now. Even got a personal message from Dusty on my 50th. Have mercy!

Ok.. was I the only one there? I was... started with some wild winds blowing down the river.. I'll never forget.. beards blowing.. hair.. wow!
They played on.. winds het wicked lightning striks straight down.. Man comes out on stage. Tried to tell them storms brewing down that Mississippi River..
But no.. they played.. here for the people.. as we were for them........... I could go on forever.. anyone have a video of this crazy night.. 7 tornadoes comming down that river..
Or anyone know where to get one..
Was telling my daughter about that night.. as I was 4 months carrying her.. kind of like her to see it... #thegirlisawesome

On Tuesday June 6 ZZ Top played Artpark in Lewiston, NY. The weather on that day was drizzling and cold, this did not stop fans from filling the venue. Fans that braved the conditions where not disappointed. Billy Gibbons and the boys played all their greatest hits with all the vigor of a large stadium show.

If ZZ Top is playing in your area, go see these three legends. ZZ Top has been doing it for almost 50 years and hasn't lost a step.

Disappointing! After spending $340 each for VIP tix (not even front row/meet and greet) the show only lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes, probably the shortest concert I have ever attended. The guys seemed a little tired and bored, which is understandable after 50 years together or possibly because they just flew in from England. The sound system wasn't the best either, way too much bass overriding their vocals.

Well, they did not disappoint. After the warm-up act, Tim Montana (who, by the way, fit right in and was worth seeing), ZZ Top came out and were very loud, played all their hits, and were well worth the price of admission. Billy Gibbons even called out our fair city Cheyenne on more than one occasion. They were very entertaining and sounded great after all these years. Great time.