Sturgill Simpson Tour Tickets | 2025
Sturgill Simpson fuses outlaw-country grit, cosmic lyricism, and rock-forward jams with his 2024–2025 Johnny Blue Skies era. Expect deep cuts, reinvented favorites, and marathon musicianship—secure your Sturgill Simpson concert tickets.
Tour Dates and Cities
What to Expect at a Sturgill Simpson Tour Concert
Simpson’s current shows balance Johnny Blue Skies material with career-spanning favorites, delivered by a lethal live band that leans into long-form grooves and precise dynamics.
- No opener and sharp start times—the music begins right at showtime.
- Extended, jam-forward arrangements that segue seamlessly between songs.
- Setlists blending “Turtles All the Way Down,” “Brace for Impact,” and new-era cuts like “Mint Tea.”
- Frequent classic cover detours (e.g., “L.A. Woman,” “Midnight Rider”) woven into the flow.
- Slide-guitar heroics, punchy keys/sax textures, and drum-driven momentum.
- Minimal banter—concerts play like a continuous suite with dynamic peaks.
- Rock-leaning sound compared to his early honky-tonk and bluegrass outings.
- Occasional bluegrass-tinged reworks of earlier songs from the Cuttin’ Grass era.
- Openers/closers often anchored by “Fastest Horse in Town” and a high-octane finale.
- Professional, no-frills lighting that keeps focus squarely on the band.
The Most Popular Songs of Sturgill Simpson
- “Turtles All the Way Down” (2014): Psychedelic-tinged mission statement from Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, pairing cosmic imagery with classic country poise.
- “Life of Sin” (2014): Barroom-charged sprint turned live staple—later recast on his 2020 bluegrass sessions.
- “The Promise” (2014): When in Rome’s ’80s synth-pop hit reimagined as a tender, slow-burn country torch song.
- “Brace for Impact (Live a Little)” (2016): Brooding first single from A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, built on gritty riffing and widescreen dynamics.
- “All Around You” (2016): Soul-washed ballad performed with the Dap-Kings at the 2017 GRAMMYs; a fan-favorite live swell.
- “In Bloom” (2016): A revelatory Nirvana cover with a striking Matt Mahurin–directed video—vulnerable, orchestral, and bold.
- “Keep It Between the Lines” (2016): Funk-tinted advice anthem; showcased with big-band flare on national TV.
- “Call to Arms” (2016): Scorched-earth closer that erupts live, railing against media noise and war-weariness.
- “Sing Along” (2019): Lead salvo from the hard-rock detour SOUND & FURY, tied to his anime film project.
- “Make Art Not Friends” (2019): Motorik slow-burn that channels synthetic textures and noir mood from the same era.
The Most Popular Sturgill Simpson Video
“Turtles All the Way Down” (2014; remastered in 4K) pairs a hypnotic close-up performance with psychedelic overlays that mirror the song’s metaphysical themes. Directed by Graham Uhelski, the clip introduced Simpson’s metamodern country vision and has become a signature calling card. A decade on, it remains the definitive visual from his breakthrough era and a gateway for new fans discovering his catalog.
Sturgill Simpson Bio & Rise to Fame
Sturgill Simpson — GRAMMY-winning alt-country iconoclast, also recording as Johnny Blue Skies.
- Origins: Jackson, Kentucky; cut his teeth in Nashville after fronting the band Sunday Valley.
- Genres: Alternative/outlaw country, country-soul, and guitar-driven rock experiments.
- Breakthrough: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014) drew widespread acclaim and national TV spots.
- Major accolade: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth (2016) won the GRAMMY for Best Country Album.
- Left-turn projects: SOUND & FURY (2019) with a companion Netflix anime film; bluegrass recuts on Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 & 2 (2020).
- Concept work: The Ballad of Dood & Juanita (2021) expanded his storytelling range.
- New era: Returned as Johnny Blue Skies with Passage du Désir (2024), recorded in Nashville and at Abbey Road.
- Tours: 2024 Why Not? Tour and 2025 Who the F**k Is Johnny Blue Skies? Tour, plus major festival plays.
- Live trademarks: No-opener policy, punctual start times, jam-informed segues, and long, high-intensity sets.
Fascinating Insights About Sturgill Simpson’s Tours
Simpson’s latest runs showcase a dialed-in band, deep catalogs, and a no-nonsense approach to pacing and production.
- His ad-mats state “NO OPENERS, IF YOU’RE ON TIME, YOU’RE LATE,” and venues reiterate the policy.
- A 2024 Oklahoma City show stretched to roughly 3 hours 15 minutes and ~34 songs—an epic, career-spanning set.
- 2025 dates are billed under the Who the F**k Is Johnny Blue Skies? banner with The Dark Clouds as the touring band.
- Official soundboard/live recordings are offered via nugs.net throughout this era.
- 2025 average setlists frequently open with “Fastest Horse in Town” and mix in new tracks like “Mint Tea” and “Right Kind of Dream.”
- Cover highlights on recent tours include The Doors’ “L.A. Woman,” The Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider,” and “Whiter Shade of Pale.”
- Festival plays in 2025 include Stagecoach, FairWell Festival, and Bourbon & Beyond.
- Philly’s 2024 stop began promptly at 8:00 p.m., underscoring the start-on-time ethos.
- Many nights close with a ferocious “Call to Arms,” sending crowds out buzzing.
- U.S. arenas and amphitheaters anchor the routing, with select European dates around 2024–2025.
Sturgill Simpson Ticket Buying Tips
Smart timing and verified sources go a long way when new dates drop.
- Start at the official site calendar for accurate on-sale times and links.
- Join email/text lists for presales; have accounts and payment ready in advance.
- Expect punctual starts—aim to be in your seat 15–30 minutes before posted time.
- For amphitheaters, target lower side-bowl sections for balanced sound and sightlines.
- On festival dates, confirm daily schedules before purchasing single-day passes.
- Compare GA floor vs. reserved seating based on your height, comfort, and arrival plans.
- Use verified resale only; avoid screenshots and unvetted peer-to-peer sellers.
- Check nearby markets and weeknights—prices and availability can vary widely.
- Watch for late “production hold” releases the week of show.
- Bundle parking/transit early to cut day-of stress and costs.
Sturgill Simpson’s Concert Testimonials
Fans rave about the musicianship, the long-form jams, and the zero-filler pacing.
- “Three hours flew by—no opener and not a dull moment.” — Attendee, Oklahoma City
- “Monster band; the segues were seamless.” — Attendee, Philadelphia
- “He tore through new songs and classics with equal fire.” — Attendee, Redmond
- “Rock show energy with country soul—unreal.” — Attendee, Chicago
- “Covers blew the roof off, then right back into the hits.” — Attendee, St. Louis
- “Tightest rhythm section I’ve heard this year.” — Attendee, Alpharetta
- “Started exactly on time—glad we were in early.” — Attendee, Spokane
- “‘Call to Arms’ closer was absolute catharsis.” — Attendee, Louisville
- “The band chemistry is off the charts.” — Attendee, Austin
- “Left hoarse and happy—would go again tomorrow.” — Attendee, Mesa