Sturgill Simpson

The Sistine Chapel, Citizen Kane and Tapestry are all considered to be examples of perfect art. Tonight, Sturgill Simpson’s performance was on a par with those achievements. This is the frontrunner for concert of the year, and one of the best that this writer has ever seen.

But first we have Joe Pug and his guitar. He also has great charm and an affable personality that one just can’t fail to like. He also has a few songs to boot and the mix of Country, folk and anecdotes nicely set the stage for the headliner.

Coming on to Led Zeppelin Sturgill Simpson and band (and we really can’t forget them) proceeded to play a sublime concert. From opener Water in a Well to final encore Listening To The Rain they were as one whether it was traditional Country (Living The Dream), some lively Bluegrass (Poor Rambler) or just good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll (Railroad Of Sin). You couldn’t put a Rizla between them they were so tight
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The interplay between the five members is astonishing, intuitively feeding of each other this was a band that’s rehearsed but nothing appeared mechanical or forced; the music just flowed naturally. It was during the longish instrumental passages that they came into their own. Switching from rock to folk, with dashes of psychedelia and even some Floydian soundscapes,and never missing a beat.

In Laur Joamets Simpson has a guitarist of consummate skill and touch, knowing when to rip and when to hold back. Simpson has a voice of rare power and conviction, and when he and Joamets combine on The Promise, it is beautiful, and he’s no slouch on the guitar either!

Any flaws? Only that the main set ended and the band came back for an encore. That broke the spell as up until then band and audience – helped by the surroundings – was as one. Maybe better to have just finished and off but that’s a very picky point and this was to all intents and purposes a flawless performance.

Photograph courtesy of MD.