I spent Saturday night with Sturgill Simpson. It took a few years, but I was there for the opening night of his Why Not? Tour. Let’s start at the beginning.
My library stayed open without patrons during Covid. I would blast an 80’s cover songs playlist on Spotify when I had to work on returns. One faithful day I hear “The Promise” for the first time. That voice had me almost falling to the ground. I met Sturgill that day and I’ve loved him ever since.
When he decided to retire after the release of his Bluegrass album, I was crushed. Country artists were topping charts that you couldn’t name when they sang. When Diplo’s “Use Me” came out in 2023 I held out hope that he was coming back. He used his Blue Skies handle for that song, which means Diplo knew last year that Sturgill was working on a new album and waited a whole year without telling anyone.
I drove across this country this past summer and I blasted every song I loved. Passage Du Desir had been released but I didn’t realize it. Had I heard that in New Orleans I might have just been reckless and never come back. I don’t hear the new album until I’m back home.
Then I learned that not only would he be going on tour, but his opening night would be at LA Greek. I had to be there. A phone call was made to Shannon and the plans began.
Have you listened to this album? I have - cover to cover, multiple times. His other albums are amazing, but this one is different. Shannon and I have analyzed why it’s different but we don’t know him personally so we can’t guess, but it’s heavy in a way that only an artist can put into words.
I didn’t sleep that much the night before the concert. I was too excited and sure that my best friend would mess something up prior to our departure. I kept thinking of Sturgill and his unassuming way. Could you imagine running into a guy like this? You’re just going through your day and out of nowhere you hear a guy belt out a country tune. It’s jarring, completely welcoming, and something you don’t ever forget.
Shannon and Sabrina antics continue into Saturday. You send someone into the store to grab a brow brush and a smoothie and they walk out with lip gloss and a Pepsi. The lip gloss I can understand, but after a lifetime of being friends and you can’t remember that I prefer Coke to Pepsi? When have you ever seen me eat licorice or like anything with that flavor? She’s lucky I had a concert to get to so I accepted the lesser beverage and we headed to the Greek.
Quick Park, it’s the only way to go. You park right on the street and head to the gate. I kept scaring Shannon that she would have to hike uphill like everyone else. She said she wasn’t afraid because she knew I’d never do it to myself so she knew it wouldn’t happen to her.
Did you know Sturgill has a lot of male fans? Do you know they made up two thirds of the audience? A theatre of men cry singing these love songs. Everyone in that theatre was crying to the lyrics and close to everyone in that theatre wanted to sleep with Sturgill that night. Who wouldn’t? Look at the above photo, I want to see that sleeve up close myself.
I had my favorites that I waited for, but he surprised me with a few of his covers. He played a solid three-hour set. A little over two hours into the show I realized it was the longest I’ve ever listened to Sturgill without a cigarette in my mouth. I left for the smoking area. My tribe was there. Me with about two dozen other concert goers lighting up and listening to Sturgill while watching him on the giant screen. The acoustics in the theatre are beautiful, but that smoking area is perfect.
Shannon came out when he was singing “One for the Road” and we chain smoked together. He had to be close to the end of his set so we walked towards our seats.
I’ll give her credit. Sturgill hit a cord on his guitar that had Shannon stop walking and say “Holy God”. I didn’t catch it until I heard the lyrics. As soon as it hits me, both Shannon and I strike the Hugh Jackman crucifixion pose and turn our faces to the heavens. The man closed his show with “Purple Rain”.
He said good night after that song and the show ended. We were right by the parking and were out of there before the crowd even hit the main lobby.
His new album, covers from some of my favorite artists, a full band, and Sturgill in the flesh. On a warm Saturday night in Hollywood. Shannon really lucks into great times with me.
The Sturgill concert is in my top 3. He played Santa Barbara the following night where he covered “Stir It Up”. Had he played that on Saturday I would have been on the stage and escorted out of the building.
I’ve been saying all summer that I would quit smoking after Sturgill. I lit my last cigarette during Purple Rain. I’m vaping strawberry melon like my life depended on it.
I can’t decide if it’s his voice, his lyrics, or his guitar I love the most. Artists and great music - it just gets me every time. Must have something to do with being born in February.