Nine days after drummer and band co-founder Frank Beard passed away, ZZ Top brought its enduring cavalcade of hits to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. The review and photos.
Oversized Giants of Blues-Rock: ZZ Top on stage Wednesday at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Adam Briggs)
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With over five decades worth of undeniable hits, a dedicated fan base that now spans several generations, and the same spirited attitude toward performing that the Texas trio has always had, iconic rock band ZZ Top had no problem winning over the audience at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Wednesday night.
Guitarist, singer and sole remaining founding member Billy Gibbons, bassist Elwood Francis and drummer Michael Monahan took the stage sporting matching jackets adorned with rhinestones and colorful floral designs, immediately alerting audiences to the fact that this would not be a watered-down version of ZZ Top.
While the group, officially formed in 1969, can technically be considered a legacy act, the members’ energy on stage and Francis’ bright yellow 17-string bass certainly don’t give the impression of a band that’s ready to dial it back or tone it down. From chest-rattling bass tones to onstage antics, ZZ Top powered its way through a selection of hits without any significant breaks between songs.
While the Wednesday evening crowd at Meijer Gardens fell a bit short of full capacity, devoted fans decked out in ZZ Top merchandise filled in the front section with enthusiasm and plenty of dance moves. Throughout the venue, a small handful of attendees remained on their feet for the duration of the show.
Embracing the Bearded Spirit: Fans at Wednesday’s show. (Photo/Adam Briggs)
While Gibbons didn’t directly invite more people to stand up and dance, his repeated question of, “Is everybody having a good time?” could be interpreted as a way to inspire a little bit more audience participation.
By the time the band cranked out some of their biggest hits, “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” people began flooding to the front of the venue to capture a video or join in with the sing-along portions.
Even when the mix felt a bit bass-heavy, occasionally drowning out Gibbons and Francis’ vocal harmonies, the crowd seemed to have no problem grooving along to the rhythm section and taking in the spectacle of the stage decor which included rotating skateboards and several multi-colored faux amps. During the encore, a bubble machine was even utilized at one point, capping off the evening’s over-the-top presentation.
Opening act, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, also got the memo for over-the-top stage antics, considering that their finale involved a flaming washboard. The Indiana-based country blues band fired up the audience with a high-energy set, complete with a momentary tribute to the late, great Dolly Parton by incorporating the melody of “I Will Always Love You” into one of their riffs.
Notably, ZZ Top’s original drummer Frank Beard passed away just over one week ago, and although the band did not speak directly about his passing, their decision to keep playing, touring and honoring the songs that Beard originally played on speaks just as loudly. Despite this tragic loss, the band seemed to be in good spirits and feeling right at home onstage.
“Let’s just stay here all night long!” Gibbons proclaimed at the start of the band’s four-song encore.
Flying through yet another run of hits including “Brown Sugar,” “Tube Snake Boogie” and “Thunderbird,” the band re-emerged in a new set of embellished jackets, this time in an eye-catching bright red. By the time they reached the extended jam at the end of “La Grange,” it almost seemed as if they were reluctant to leave the stage, especially with the enthusiastic crowd cheering them on to play “one more song” despite having reached the venue’s noise curfew.
ZZ Top plays FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek on Friday (Aug. 28).
UP NEXT AT MEIJER GARDENS: The Fifth Third Bank Summer Concert Series continues at Meijer Gardens on Friday (Aug. 28) with a sold-out show featuring Myles Smith and opener Michael Marcagi.
PHOTO GALLERY: ZZ Top, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Adam Briggs
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