Well we've been raving about Sturgill Simpson for some time now - the alt-country-rock-blues (let's just say genre-friendly) musician released one of our favourite new albums of last year. A Sailor's Guide To Earth came out of nowhere and Simpson was suddenly the talk of critics around the world, going on to win a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. But if country music isn't your bag, don't be put off, Simpson is so much more than that - his genre-challenging sound takes on blues/rock/country in a unique & exciting way. Do check him out if you haven't already. Here are just some of quotes from media about Simpson's acclaimed release:
“The Grammy nominee runs circles around any other performer in the country genre with his devilish punk attitude.” - Consequence Of Sound
“We don’t often get to hear genre-busting concept albums about forlorn seafarers… Sturgill Simpson’s only boundary now is the horizon.” - 9/10, Uncut
“A legend who’s poised to cross over with a guitar strapped to his back, while Nashville burns in his shadow.” - Spin
“Sturgill Simpson has proven a visionary artist unafraid to risk it all...” - 9/10, Popmatters
"...a personal album and a brave one, one that flies in the face of convention and does whatever the f*ck it wants.” - Stereogum's Album Of The Week
[An artist who] "simply won’t be confined by notions of genre or, for that matter, anyone else’s expectations.” - Paste.
Now just announced, Sturgill Simpson will join Guns N’ Roses, who wowed Australian audiences earlier this year, on select stadium tour dates in the US this August including Denver, Little Rock and Miami. A somewhat strange combination you might think, but with Simpson's ability to transcend genres (and rock-the-f*ck-out), that sounds like it could really work.
The performances expand Simpson’s already impressive 2017 US tour schedule, which features headline shows at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, Austin’s Austin360 Amphitheater, New York’s Radio City Music Hall, DC’s Merriweather Post Pavilion and L.A.’s Greek Theatre among others.
The 2017 performances culminate a series of groundbreaking years for Simpson who, after his win at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, performed “All Around You” from for his new album on the live broadcast.
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth continues to receive overwhelming critical acclaim, and since the album’s release, Simpson has been a star performer on the US television circuit including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and, most recently, the 2017 debut episode of Saturday Night Live.
If you've got a few bucks lying around and can get yourself over to the States to catch Simpson and Guns N' Roses together in concert, here are the dates to note:
- August 2—Denver, CO—Mile High Stadium
- August 5—Little Rock, AR—AR War Memorial Stadium
- August 8—Miami, FL—Marlins Stadium
In the meantime, check out the singles from A Sailor's Guide To Earth, including Simpson's fantastic cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom":
- RB
