ZZ High returned to the stage on Saturday at Austin, Texas’ ACL Stay on the Moody Theater, marking their first present for the reason that loss of life of longtime drummer Frank Beard on Monday.
You possibly can see the band’s full set listing and video from the efficiency under.
It was, maybe unsurprisingly, an unsentimental present. Though ZZ High didn’t explicitly tackle Beard’s loss of life, singer-guitarist and lone surviving basic member Billy Gibbons did point out their “pricey drummer” whereas introducing his substitute, Michael Monahan.
READ MORE: Why Frank Beard Did not Have a Beard
“I suppose a few of you most likely know there is a new man on the town,” Gibbons instructed the viewers after the band’s opening music, “Bought Me Underneath Strain.” “In reality, it began a short time again. Elwood [Francis, bassist] and I obtained an surprising name from our pricey Frank Beard, our pricey drummer for 50 years. I’ve by no means heard him admit, he stated, ‘My bass drum foot’s a bit of weak. Are you able to get my man to take over?’ I stated, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he is been doing fairly good.’ Frank stated, ‘Yeah, that is what worries me.'”
Gibbons emphasised this was not the time for tears or maudlin reminiscences. (He did, nevertheless, salute his “nice buddy and collaborator” in an announcement on Tuesday.) “We’re all right here for a celebration,” he stated 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 obtained again to enterprise, slinging greasy riffs, Texas-sized grooves and singalong hooks that had the Moody Theater crowd on its toes all evening.
The trio alternated between gritty blues-rock classics and modern, 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 loss of life in 2021) swiveled their hips and stomped their toes 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 every of 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, “This can be a particular evening. He simply obtained out of jail,” which segued neatly into “I am Unhealthy, 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 an alternative shifting on to extra classics corresponding to “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 will be again on the Moody Theater on Sunday, and their present tour is about to run by means of late November. Figuring out Gibbons and Co., they will seemingly keep on the street 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 Setlist — Aug. 22, 2026
1. “Bought Me Underneath Strain”
2. “Waitin’ for the Bus”
3. “Jesus Simply Left Chicago”
4. “Gimme All Your Lovin'”
5. “Pearl Necklace”
6. “I am Unhealthy, 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 Bought Paid”
12. “Sharp Dressed Man”
13. “Legs”
Encore
14. “Brown Sugar”
15. “Tube Snake Boogie”
16. “Thunderbird”
17. “La Grange”
Beneath, see extra rockers we have misplaced all through 2026:
Rockers We have Misplaced in 2026
The yr has already seen the lack of some superb abilities from the rock and steel world.
Gallery Credit score: Chad Childers, Loudwire
