ZZ High returned to the stage on Saturday at Austin, Texas’ ACL Stay on the Moody Theater, marking their first present because the demise of longtime drummer Frank Beard on Monday.
You’ll be able to see the band’s full set record and video from the efficiency beneath.
It was, maybe unsurprisingly, an unsentimental present. Though ZZ High didn’t explicitly tackle Beard’s demise, singer-guitarist and lone surviving traditional member Billy Gibbons did point out their “expensive drummer” whereas introducing his alternative, Michael Monahan.
READ MORE: Why Frank Beard Did not Have a Beard
“I assume a few of you most likely know there is a new man on the town,” Gibbons informed the viewers after the band’s opening music, “Received Me Underneath Strain.” “In reality, it began a short while again. Elwood [Francis, bassist] and I received an sudden name from our expensive Frank Beard, our expensive drummer for 50 years. I’ve by no means heard him admit, he mentioned, ‘My bass drum foot’s slightly weak. Are you able to get my man to take over?’ I mentioned, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he is been doing fairly good.’ Frank mentioned, ‘Yeah, that is what worries me.'”
Gibbons emphasised this was not the time for tears or maudlin reminiscences. (He did, nevertheless, salute his “nice good friend and collaborator” in a press release on Tuesday.) “We’re all right here for a celebration,” he mentioned to a wave of applause. “So y’all have a superb time!”
Watch Billy Gibbons Talk about Frank Beard and Introduce Michael Monahan
And with that, ZZ High received again to enterprise, slinging greasy riffs, Texas-sized grooves and singalong hooks that had the Moody Theater crowd on its ft all evening.
The trio alternated between gritty blues-rock classics and glossy, futuristic super-hits, following up the Tres Hombres one-two punch of “Waitin’ for the Bus” and “Jesus Simply Left Chicago” with the Eliminator smash “Gimme All Your Lovin’.” Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis (who changed Dusty Hill after the stalwart bassist and vocalist’s demise in 2021) swiveled their hips and stomped their ft in lockstep, reminding followers that their inimitable Texas shuffle is equal components swagger and enjoyable.
Francis injected loads of power and wry humor into the evening, taking the stage along with his mammoth, canary-yellow 17-string bass. (It was one in all many eye-popping stringed devices in rotation, together with Francis and Gibbons’ matching fur-covered axes and a Gibbons guitar emblazoned with the phrase “BEER” on the again.) Gibbons later launched the bassist by deadpanning, “It is a particular evening. He simply received out of jail,” which segued neatly into “I am Dangerous, I am Nationwide.”
The band additionally performed Gibbons’ new solo tune “Brown Paper Bag,” and the frontman made obscure point out of a brand new album. However he did not dwell on it, as a substitute transferring on to extra classics resembling “Low-cost Sun shades,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.”
The night ended with the requisite “La Grange,” after which the Gibbons, Francis and Monahan took a bow and hurried off the stage. They’re going to be again on the Moody Theater on Sunday, and their present tour is ready to run by means of late November. Understanding Gibbons and Co., they’re going to probably keep on the highway indefinitely so long as their our bodies allow them.
One can not help however suppose it is what Beard would have needed.
Watch ZZ High Play ‘La Grange’ in Austin on Aug. 22, 2026
ZZ High – Aug. 22, 2026, Austin Set Record
1. “Received Me Underneath Strain”
2. “Waitin’ for the Bus”
3. “Jesus Simply Left Chicago”
4. “Gimme All Your Lovin'”
5. “Pearl Necklace”
6. “I am Dangerous, I am Nationwide”
7. “I Gotsta Get Paid”
8. “My Head’s in Mississippi”
9. “Brown Paper Bag” (Billy Gibbons music)
10. “Low-cost Sun shades”
11. Simply Received Paid”
12. “Sharp Dressed Man”
13. “Legs”
Encore
14. “Brown Sugar”
15. “Tube Snake Boogie”
16. “Thunderbird”
17. “La Grange”
Rating Each ZZ High Album
From the primary album to ‘La Futura,’ we try the Little ‘ol Band From Texas’ studio information.
Gallery Credit score: Nick DeRiso
