Sturgill Simpson to Join Guns & Roses for Select Tour Dates
In yet another sign that Sturgill Simpson is moving up in the world, it has been announced he will be opening select tour dates on the Guns & Roses’ “Not In This Lifetime” stadium tour that has been extended well into the summer. Sturgill will open dates August 2nd at Mile High Stadium (Sports Authority) in Denver, August 5th at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas, and August 8th at Marlins Park in Miami.
The Deftones, ZZ Top, Royal Blood, and Live and Our Lady Peace were also named Thursday (5-25) as openers for Guns & Roses (see full tour dates).
Though Sturgill Simpson has resisted playing larger capacity venues beyond amphitheaters for his own tour dates, the opportunity to open for Guns & Roses was probably too sweet to resist and he jumped at the invitation. Sturgill also recently added another festival appearance at the Karoondinha Festival, Centre Hall, PA on July 23rd, as well as tour dates with John Prine in Ireland (see below). It all comes after Sturgill was initially planning to take 2017 off. But his Grammy nomination for Album of the Year has put the Kentucky native at the very top of hot commodities in music.
READ: How Country Was The Original Guns & Roses?
The current Sturgill Simpson tour features a more stripped-down sound with no horn section, and no Laur Joamets on lead guitar, allowing Sturgill to play more lead licks himself. “Gonna be keeping it lean and mean with Miles, Chuck, & Bob this year. After all,..heavy times calls for heavy music. See ya on the road!!” Sturgill said in March.
Sturgill Simpson Tour Dates:
- Jul 07 Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC
- Jul 08 Koko Booth Amphitheatre Cary, NC
- Jul 14 Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY
- Jul 14 Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA
- Jul 15 Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY
- Jul 15 Sloss Music & Arts Festival Birmingham, AL
- Jul 16 Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY
- Jul 16 Sloss Music & Arts Festival Birmingham, AL
- Jul 23 Karoondinha Festival, Centre Hall, PA
- Aug 2 Mile High Stadium (Sports Authority) Denver, CO (w/ Guns & Roses)
- Aug 5 War Memorial Stadium Little Rock, AR (w/ Guns & Roses)
- Aug 8Â Marlins Park Miami, FL (w/ Guns & Roses)
- Aug 12 Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Ireland
- Aug 19 Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Ireland
- Aug 22 Theatre Royal, Waterford, Ireland
- Aug 25 Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Sep 07 Smart Financial Centre Sugar Land, TX
- Sep 08 Verizon Theatre Grand Prairie, TX
- Sep 09 Austin 360 Amphitheatre Del Valle, TX
- Sep 14 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
- Sep 15 Merriweather Post Pavillion Columbia, MD
- Sep 16 Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Boston, MA
- Sep 19 Fox Theatre Detroit, MI
- Sep 21 Fox Theatre St Louis, MO
- Sep 22 Huntington Bank Pavilion Chicago, IL
- Sep 25 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO
- Sep 28 Arlene Schnitzer Music Hall Portland, OR
- Sep 29 Arlene Schnitzer Music Hall Portland, OR
- Sep 30 Marymoor Amphitheater Redmond, WA
- Oct 06 The Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Devil Anse
May 25, 2017 @ 8:14 am
FINALLY someone besides Luke Bryan is coming to Arkansas!
Michael Reddy
May 26, 2017 @ 7:11 am
If I was offered an opportunity to open for a band like GNR I would be on that faster then a kid on free candy. This has the potential to open doors for both Sturgill and the rest of the Alternative Country Music artists who are finally breaking through into mainstream recognition. I hope this will show more people that there is a lot more to Country Music then the noise on the radio.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
May 27, 2017 @ 7:05 pm
I’m seeing David Ball on september 16th I’m really hoping to make the september 19th show I love both artists I mean come on there’s more than one good kind of music why is everyone so upset I mean if it was Waylon and Kiss who cares it’s all good music (kiss is debatable but if you don’t like GNR you have no taste)
I love music so this is so exciting Sturg puts on a great show
albert
May 25, 2017 @ 8:45 am
Now this makes WAY more sense than his nomination for best country album .
Kevin Smith
May 25, 2017 @ 9:53 am
Yeah…kinda weird, a country twanger like Sturgill opening for GNR. I know, many rock fans are also country fans…myself included, but it still strikes as an odd pairing. Maybe ol Sturgill will rock it up like he did on SNL.
Well…on second thought, now that I think about it, Stapleton opens for Tom Petty, so maybe this is an intentional trend. What next? Maybe Isbell opening for Chili Peppers??!!
jtrpdx
May 25, 2017 @ 10:17 am
Stapleton opened for GNR as well.
I agree Albert, when I want to listen to a good hard rock album, Sailor’s Guide is the first thing that comes to mind. But, I do get a little annoyed that this Sturgill Simpson band hired a lead singer with such a thick country drawl and a traditional country voice. Couldn’t they have found a rock singer? Also, what’s with the steel guitar on every song? How annoying…..especially when I just wanna rock out!
albert
May 25, 2017 @ 5:49 pm
…..exactly, jtrpdx ..couldn’t agree with you more ….what’s with that steel guitar on all those blues-rock jams on SGTE ? who does this guy think he’s fooling …? we all know he should be opening for KISS or GNR…not George Strait or Miranda . sheeeesh…
jtrpdx
May 26, 2017 @ 2:11 pm
I guess we have different views on what constitutes “blues-rock”. But, that’s just fine!
Jack Williams
May 25, 2017 @ 10:19 am
It doesn’t make WAY more sense to me. I’m a long time Sturgill fan and I would have no interest in this whatsoever. Doesn’t bother me, though. Good for him if he gets more exposure.
Drew
May 26, 2017 @ 9:28 am
You have obviously never listen to country music before ….
albert
May 26, 2017 @ 9:57 am
”You have obviously never listen to country music before ”
…. that’s what ALL the rock n rollers keep telling me…….
Jack Williams
May 26, 2017 @ 10:46 am
Yeah, well. I guess Drew stepped into that one.
I’d say Sturgill opening for The Black Keys would make a lot of artistic compatibility sense, as they both have strong roots components in their music. I’ve never seen The Black Keys, but like them a lot (last album notwithstanding) and I might go to a big arena show to see them if Sturgill was opening for them.
Trainwreck92
May 26, 2017 @ 2:39 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sturgill eventually makes some music with Dan Auerbach/The Black Keys. I know the two are definitely well acquainted. They even played in Nikki Lane’s band at Austin City Limits Fest at some point between Sturgill leaving Sunday Valley and releasing High Top Mountain.
Aaron
May 25, 2017 @ 9:45 am
Commence the whining about Stu betraying the country world…
matthew rutledge
May 25, 2017 @ 9:48 am
Hahaha, Aaron.
jtrpdx
May 25, 2017 @ 10:10 am
This is great. It will be awesome exposure for him, especially with him getting back to lead guitar bad ass-ery. One thing to note Trigg – the list of shows doesn’t have the Sep 28th second Portland show. The friday show is sold out, but last I checked there are still tickets for the Thursday show. Also, not to nit pick, but Deftones don’t have a “the” in front of their name. : )
jtrpdx
May 25, 2017 @ 10:11 am
Sorry….meant to post that as a new thread.
Trigger
May 25, 2017 @ 10:42 am
That’s been added, as well as the dates with John Prine in Ireland.
hoptowntiger94
May 25, 2017 @ 9:47 am
I saw an event announcement on FB this morning, but I thought he was just posting he was attending a Guns & Roses concert (not actually performing as an opener).
Gina
May 25, 2017 @ 9:48 am
Not me. He’s been pretty open about doing his own thing. I really got into him relatively late to the party compared to most people here probably, but he’s one of those guys who can and will do almost anything.
Trigger
May 25, 2017 @ 10:34 am
I don’t look at this as a barometer for anything. I also don’t see it as strange. As some have said, Stapleton opened for Guns and Roses too. It’s just three shows. Guns and Roses is trying to spread the love to cool acts for their openers, and I’m sure they reached out to Sturgill. I know for a fact Sturgill hates the idea of playing stadiums, but how are you going to have that opportunity fall in your lap and say no? I don’t think it’s a exposure deal either. Sturgill got plenty of exposure through the Grammy Awards. He does what he wants to do. It’s a cool opportunity.
jtrpdx
May 25, 2017 @ 11:24 am
Agreed. This is a great opportunity for him, and I bet it will be a lot of fun too…..no matter if he tries to act like he’s too cool for arenas ; )
I don’t know what rock I have been under, but I had no idea that Slash and Duff are back touring with GNR. With most of the original lineup back, I would love to catch this.
jody
May 25, 2017 @ 1:45 pm
Just to put it in even more perspective, Sturgill is going from playing in front of 50,000-60,000+ people with GNR, to playing in front of 300-600 people in small towns in Ireland with Prine. Because he thought it’d be fun to do. The man is truly living the dream right now.
shastacatfish
May 25, 2017 @ 10:45 am
Man, I did not even know Guns & Roses was a thing. I thought they broke up back around 1994.
The Goddess of Country Rock
May 26, 2017 @ 8:36 am
They never “officially” broke up, but there was a LONG period of time where they were more or less dormant, with other band members joining and Axl Rose being a control freak over when their next album would come out (and in other news, water is wet). There are a few assorted live performances/ announcements of reunions over the next several years, but nothing really came out of any of them, and then their last album, Chinese Democracy, FINALLY came in 2008, after 12 years, and then last year the original band started on a big tour again, which is obviously still going on now. It’s a been VERY long, VERY bumpy ride, to say the least
Anyway, to stay on topic, this is really cool. Good for Sturgill.
Big Cat
May 25, 2017 @ 11:17 am
Not just one of the best rock bands of all time, but two of the best musical acts I’ve ever seen live ….. playing together. I love everything about it.
Hate stadium shows but like you said, nothing GNR can do about that and Sturgill is too much of a badass to pass this opppottunity up. I’m going.
AC
May 25, 2017 @ 12:03 pm
This is incredible news…just wish he was opening at the Minneapolis show!
Honky
May 25, 2017 @ 12:46 pm
In one way, this makes sense. In another way, it doesn’t.
It’s fitting that this Simpson dude is touring with a rock band, since he is now a rock singer.
But why would one of the all time great rock bands invite a no talent hack on tour with them?
jtrpdx
May 25, 2017 @ 1:12 pm
Riiiiight Honky. At the very least, I guess we can always count on you for a little humor!
Honky
May 25, 2017 @ 5:45 pm
It’s funny you mention humor, because I find it pretty hilarious the way you all talk about this guy.
I’m laughing at you; not with you.
Chad Perry
May 26, 2017 @ 10:45 am
Always that one douche…”OMG alllll you ever talk about is Sturgill Simpson!”
Jtrpdx
May 28, 2017 @ 8:59 pm
Believe me, Honky, you are the one being laughed at almost daily on here. The guy who held up Midland as his most favorite pretty boy country band……only to denounce your love for midland upon learning they were indeed LA hipsters mascarading as Texans / cowboys. Now, that is humor!
Marky Mark
May 25, 2017 @ 6:38 pm
You are batting 500! G’n’R is in fact one of the all time great rock bands, at least you got that part right. If you were playing baseball this would be a admirable stat. Sadly as a music critic it’s a fail.
Mitch
May 26, 2017 @ 5:45 am
I guess we didn’t listen to the same Chinese democracy CD I threw it out
I trust your vision Sturgill
albert
May 26, 2017 @ 10:32 am
”But why would one of the all time great rock bands invite a no talent hack on tour with them?”
I really think that’s a bit harsh . Like SS or not , he is somehow connecting with people in a sincere and unique artistic way . Very few , if any , mainstream acts can say that they are doing it THEIR way . There is a derivative , generic insincerity at the root of almost all contemporary mainstream music . That is …it is almost completely fueled by a quest for cash and NOT artistic expression in a musical or a lyrical ( substance-driven ) sense .
It seems to me that SS does have stuff to say and he continues to explore musical ways to frame it ……all good and , again , an approach missing from much mainstream music. I think we need to applaud folks doing it their way . That’s not to say we can’t be critical of perceived missteps by an artist …..that’s our prerogative as listeners / consumers …..and Lord knows we do that quite regularly around here . But to call SS a ‘no talent hack’ for simply experimenting HIS way is , I believe , unwarranted criticism .
Is SS a country act ? I’ve stated my opinion in that regard quite often ….most who visit know my answer . Fact is , I ‘m fine with SS doing whatever he damn well wants to do musically ….and I’m fine with the Kruze Kids or Blake or anyone doing what they damn well please musically . My biggest beef is with the marketing of these acts as something they are not in an effort to make them somehow fit a format and receive airplay ( perennial popster Keith Urban , Schizo Zak Brown , fence-sitter Sam Hunt and yes ..even SS ) . I don’t hear COUNTRY music in any of these acts and yet they all take exposure and airtime from REAL country acts and REAL country songwriters . I want to be sure that COUNTRY music doesn’t die an unnecessary death at the hands of labels and marketing people who have no relationship with it , no sense of history of or , seemingly , appreciation of it when it comes to using trad country avenues to market whatever else they may be invested in musically .
Lance
May 25, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
Very bizarre paring.
Bertox
May 25, 2017 @ 3:54 pm
Yes, but maybe in a good way???
Bertox
May 25, 2017 @ 3:56 pm
Glad to see the troll garbage being cleaned up a bit, btw
EW in DFW
May 25, 2017 @ 5:17 pm
If he opens with Never Go To Town Again the crowd will think he is awesome.
Jeffrey Kidder
May 25, 2017 @ 6:19 pm
I think his next album is gonna be a rock one.
Marky Mark
May 25, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
Sorry, this was meant for jtrpdx, replied to the wrong level. Batting zero I guess 🙂 !
Jtrpdx
May 28, 2017 @ 8:52 pm
Which one of my posts. Your baseball reference makes no sense in relation to any of my posts on this one. So I guess the zero does apply!
Save Austin Country
May 25, 2017 @ 9:35 pm
I was hoping his FB and Bandsintown got hacked. This makes no sense. Flirting with Sell-out status
Save Austin Country
May 25, 2017 @ 9:41 pm
Replying to my own idiocy. Stapetlon open up for Guns and Roses. Gets in front of a fresh new potential base of fans that would be very likely to chip away atx.
Jtrpdx
May 28, 2017 @ 8:56 pm
Was just gonna write how absurd that is, but thanks for fessing up and correcting. 3 concerts means nothing. Even if he is getting 300k for it (btw, I would be surprised if he is getting paid at all), he isn’t getting 300k to change his musical style, or convictions, etc etc. Only then would it be selling out.
Christian H
May 25, 2017 @ 10:39 pm
I’ve listened to a lot of different types of music. There is very little from the “Hard Rock/Heavy Metal” genre that appeals to me, for various reasons. However, I can say that there were two albums that bookended the 80’s that I really liked: AC/DC “Back In Black” and Guns and Roses “Appetite for Destruction.” I eventually saw Guns and Roses open for the Rolling Stones in a stadium back in 1989. As much as I loved Appetite for Destruction, that stadium show was TERRIBLE. By 1989 Axl Rose and Slash were already virtually a parody of themselves…Hope this tour is better for both acts, but you could not drag me to this one…
JB-Chicago
May 26, 2017 @ 9:37 am
Although I think it’s cool that GnR are letting all different types of acts open for them. I strongly doubt your boy Sturge will make that much of an impact playing to the half empty houses of people still arriving at the average GnR concert. You think Axl takes the stage late? His fans knowing that arrive late as well. The average GnR fan won’t even notice or care who’s opening, except for ZZ Top of course….LOL
Nate
May 26, 2017 @ 10:54 am
This is amazing. For folks who aren’t to worried about tribalism and “real country” vs. rock vs. whatever label you like, this is an absolutely inspired pairing. For whatever genre form the music takes, from what I can tell, Sturgill has 2 things inside, a lot of love for his fellow humans and a great big hellacious “fuck you” for posers, exploiters and powermongers who demean, control or dehumanize their fellow man. Whay better way to embrace this “fuck you” than opening for guns and fucking roses. I’m pretty sure Sturgill plays from a spiritual compulsion, not a desire to conform to genre boundaries.
Jacob W.
May 26, 2017 @ 5:33 pm
If the stylization of his website is any indication(similar to change before asgte) he might be going back to country. Or atleasy bluegrass puunk. I mean two headed rooster, come on if that isnt foreshadowing i mean come on.
I mean sure someone other than turnpiike can use the rooster but you better back it up.