Sturgill Simpson Lights a Fire in Music City, Yet Again

Sturgill Simpson at Bridgestone Arena, 10/25/2024
Photo: Victor J. Reed

Two words, one question: Why not?

It’s a fitting ask for someone like Sturgill Simpson. He’s the type of artist who at any given moment can draw on his country music pedigree, knack for gnarly fuzz rock or pristine bluegrass tradition — because why not? After becoming well-known for unfiltered opinions and sonic rabble-rousing, he can virtually escape from the public eye (except for the occasional film or TV role) — because why not? And under a new stage name and backed by a tight-knit band, he can remerge years after his last headlining gig and seem to be at the apex of his game — because (you guessed it) why not?

This fall, the 46-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist returned to the road for his first proper headlining tour since COVID-19 shut down a run of arena gigs with Tyler Childers in March 2020. And holy shit, he’s making up for lost time. On the tour appropriately dubbed Why Not?, Simpson and his four-piece band — Laur Joamets on lead guitar and steel, Miles Miller on drums, Kevin Black on bass and Robbie Crowell on keys — took the stage promptly at 8 p.m. on Friday to play nearly three-and-a-half hours of loud and rowdy riffs at Bridgestone Arena. (You may recall Simpson’s prior appearance at the ’Stone, busking during the CMA Awards in 2017.)

The group rarely paused for the audience to catch its breath. One key component of the set list (a complete recording of which is available via Nugs.net, by the way) was expansive rock jams, like the wicked groove of 2016’s “Brace for Impact (Live a Little)” and a 10-minute rendition of the Sabbath-worthy headbanger “Fastest Horse in Town,” during which Simpson told two scuffling audience members to “chill the fuck out” without dropping a beat. There was also old-school country foot-stompin’ in “Long White Line” and crooning on “The Promise,” a fan-favorite cover of the 1988 hit by U.K. pop group When in Rome. Unlike artists whose arena tours come with contemporary trappings like pyrotechnics and floor-to-ceiling screens, Simpson & Co. tore through these songs with a minimal stage setup and no flashy distractions — because why not?

Simpson’s onstage revival comes in the wake of a new album, Passage Du Desir, released earlier this year under the alias Johnny Blue Skies. The Kentucky native adopted this moniker after bidding a so-called farewell to his solo career once he finished a five-album cycle with 2021’s country concept LP The Ballad of Dood & Juanita. Shortly after releasing Dood & Juanita, Simpson ruptured his vocal cords and left the road for the foreseeable future.

An hour-and-a-half into Friday’s marathon gig, Simpson paused to say hello, shout out his induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, and share that the opportunity to tour again isn’t lost on him.

“We’ve been on the road for about a month, which is pretty cool because there was a time not so long ago that I didn’t know if I’d do this or anything again,” Simpson said. “It’s been a very interesting, wild ride the last 10 or 12 years. A lot of ups — a lot of really beautiful moments. A lot of downs. I ain’t gonna lie to you, the last few years was pretty damn dark, but here we are. … I’m havin’ the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Largely playing his red Gibson hollow-body, Simpson showed just how much fun he’s having. Among the highlights were his reinvented take on the howling fatherhood anthem “Welcome to Earth (Pollywog),” power-pop Passage Du Desir standout “Right Kind of Dream,” funky rock number “Sing Along” and laid-back new tune “Scooter Blues,” which he dedicated to longtime collaborator and Nashville record-maker David R. “Ferg” Ferguson. But Simpson and the packed house arguably had the most fun when the band busted out a well-placed cover song, like the Allman Brothers’ “Midnight Rider,” The Doors’ “L.A. Woman” and best of all, Prince’s “Purple Rain.” There was also a little hint of the Grateful Dead’s “China Cat Sunflower,” which has been popping up in sets on this tour; it was especially appropriate Friday as a salute to Dead bassman Phil Lesh, who died earlier that day at age 84.

Despite his years away from touring, Simpson still knows how to save some of his best for last. After 30 songs and nearing the three-hour mark, the set reached a roaring high point with a one-two-three punch of some of his best-known numbers: “Life of Sin,” “Turtles All the Way Down” and “Living the Dream.” A few songs later, Simpson cruised into the night’s closer: a 16-minute rendition of ramblin’ protest rock tune “Call to Arms” that played the role of ferocious send-off without wasting a second.

Now Simpson just needs to come back and do it again real soon — because why not?