It seemed like the Sturgill Simpson shows at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater sold out in no time at all. He’s an artist admired and respected not only by fans but fellow musicians as well – and this absolutely includes a number of Austin-based roots/country/Americana artists who have been singing his praises from the get-go. Even songwriter Jonathan Terrell of Not In the Face declared Simpson was one of the voices “saving country music.”
Terrell speaks the truth. Simpson has a way of preserving real country sounds of greats artists before him, while skillfully adding a few contemporary elements to it without wrecking…the realness. Hopefully that makes some sort of sense. But you definitely feel the reverence Simpson has for the country music that started it all, from Hank to Cash, Buck Owens to Merle.
The Austin Music Minute will be perfectly blunt about this: The local bands selected to perform at the Simpson after-parties tonight and Sunday night were beside themselves, beyond elated to play after one of their favorite artists. So, even if you weren’t able to get tickets to see Simpson, the AMM recommends checking out the after-party shows. Tonight, following Simpson, see Mike & The Moonpies (featured on today’s AMM) at 10 p.m. on Stubb’s inside stage. On Sunday, it’s The Harvest Thieves playing afterward. Don’t miss out. Doors to the inside venue open at 9 p.m.
– Photo courtesy of the artist.
