Oh, Sturgill Simpson is so back.
Or Johnny Blue Skies, if you prefer…
Today, Simpson released his first album since 2021. The Grammy Award-winning artist is undoubtedly one of the most influential country artists of our time, pushing boundaries with Metamodern Sounds in Country Music and pioneering a new era of Americana music.
While he might be an artist under a different name, releasing new music after he said he would only produce five albums, the birth of Johnny Blue Skies still contains everything fans love about Simpson.
The internet has been drooling over the eight-track album Passage Du Desir all day. And, rightfully so, it’s eight songs of sheer perfection. We said it earlier this morning, and now, as the work has sat with us even more, it’s clear the creation of Johnny Blue Skies gave Simpson the freedom to create one of his best records yet.
A stellar album is always a gift to fans, but Sturgill is also gearing up to embark on his first tour in years, the Why Not? Tour. The evening with Johnny Blue Skies and Sturgill Simpson leads fans to believe they will get the best of both worlds by hearing new and old tracks from the Kentucky native. Before hitting the road and headlining at Outside Lands to kick off the tour, Simpson is giving fans a glimpse into the prep he and the boys are putting in before hitting the road.
Prior to the album’s release, Simpson made it clear via his website’s Q+A section that the band we all know and love is still intact and accompanying him on the tour.
“Q: Is the band Kevin, Laur, Miles and Robbie?
A: Yes.”
The nearly three-minute black-and-white video highlights jam session goodness as Sturgill, Kevin, Laur, Miles, and Robbie geek out over new equipment, jam, and listen to the latest tracks, working them into stage compositions.
I have full-body chills just watching this, so I can only imagine our reaction to seeing it live:
Sturgill Simpson Tour Dates
August 9-11—San Francisco, CA—Outside Lands
September 14—Los Angeles, CA—The Greek Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
September 15—Santa Barbara, CA—Santa Barbara Bowl* (SOLD OUT)
September 17—West Valley City, UT—Maverik Center*
September 19—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
September 20—George, WA—The Gorge Amphitheatre†
September 22—Missoula, MT—KettleHouse Amphitheater*
September 24—Moorhead, MN—Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheater*
September 25—Minneapolis, MN—Roy Wilkins Auditorium*
September 27—Lexington, KY—Rupp Arena*
September 28—Detroit, MI—Fox Theatre*
October 1—Chicago, IL—Salt Shed* (SOLD OUT)
October 2—Chicago, IL—Salt Shed* (SOLD OUT)
October 4—Brandon, MS—The Brandon Amphitheater*
October 4-6—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 8—Oklahoma City, OK—Criterion* (SOLD OUT)
October 9—Rogers, AR—Walmart AMP*
October 11—Huntsville, AL—The Orion Amphitheater*
October 11-13—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 15—St. Louis, MO—Fabulous Fox Theatre*
October 16—St. Louis, MO—Fabulous Fox Theatre*
October 18—Pittsburgh, PA—Petersen Events Center*
October 19—Forest Hills, NY—Forest Hills Stadium‡
October 21—Asheville, NC—ExploreAsheville.com Arena* (SOLD OUT)
October 22—Cary, NC—Koka Booth Amphitheatre* (SOLD OUT)
October 24—Duluth, GA—Gas South Arena*
October 25—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena*
November 12—Philadelphia, PA—The Met*
November 13—Philadelphia, PA—The Met*
November 15—Hampton, VA—Hampton Coliseum*
November 16—Huntington, WV—Health Network Arena*
November 18—Washington, DC—The Anthem* (SOLD OUT)
November 20—Toronto, ON—Massey Hall*
November 21—Toronto, ON—Massey Hall*
November 23—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at Fenway*
November 24—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at Fenway*
*“An Evening with Sturgill Simpson”
†with very special guest Lord Huron
‡very special guest Durand Jones
