As announced on Planet Rock, joining ZZ Top on stage will be two notable acts – Rival Sons, a two-time Grammy-nominated American rock band, and Welsh rock band Those Damn Crows.

Rival Sons, hailing from Long Beach, California, comprises members Jay Buchanan, Scott Holiday, Dave Beste, and Michael Miley, and is recognised for chart-topping singles ‘Do Your Worst’ and ‘Open My Eyes.’ Their distinctive sound is characterised by influences from classic rock, blues, and soul.

Welsh rock ensemble Those Damn Crows, originating from Bridgend, solidifies the lineup with members Shane Greenhall, Ian “Shiner” Thomas, David Winchurch, Lloyd Wood, and Ronnie Huxford. The band has made a significant impact in the rock scene with standout singles such as ‘Blink of an Eye’ and ‘Never Win.’

ZZ Top’s frontman Billy Gibbons took to Instagram to express the band’s anticipation for their European return, stating, “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to check in with our European fans, so it goes without saying that we’re excited about coming back this summer. We’re looking forward to a good time and that goes for both those in the audience and on stage.”
This London date is a significant highlight of ZZ Top’s extensive ‘The Elevation Tour,’ spanning nine countries with festival appearances and headline shows. The tour kicks off on June 28 in Sweden and includes stops in Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, and the UK, concluding in Switzerland on July 16.

ZZ Top, often hailed as “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas,” has been a rock powerhouse since their formation in 1969, boasting hits like ‘La Grange,’ ‘Sharp Dressed Man,’ and ‘Legs.’ Despite the loss of Dusty Hill in 2021, ZZ Top’s resilience shines through with the addition of Elwood Francis, showcased in their latest album, RAW, released in July 2022.

Tickets for the ZZ Top, Rival Sons, and Those Damn Crows performance at London OVO Arena Wembley are currently on sale here.

The band have their local tour coming up this summer before they set off to the UK. On the 13th of October they will be kick starting in London at the Roundhouse. As from here, their journey becomes a pickled one. Jumping from one country to the other, they will make their way around Europe visiting from the UK to Germany, Norway, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

Their final destination relies on the quiet Finland on the 21st of November. A good move from the bands part, what better place to choose from other than a rock head country who relies on their loud riffs to elevate from their peaceful stance as a country. Playing in Tampere they will wrap up with a heavy heart.

We welcome this tour as the celebration of their upcoming album release of Darkfighter, set to be released on the 2nd of June this year (2023). Allowing enough time between the release and their tour in order for the fans to absorb their fresh sound, willing them to experience the live shows with an eager anticipation. Three songs have already been released from the album. These include “Bird in the Hand”, “Nobody Wants To Die” and “Rapture”.

A first glimpse of the band since their last studio album in 2019, Feral Roots. An album which took flight from the roaring success and was claimed the best rock album of that very year. They now come back with a fresh set of ears and a four year rejuvenation to their musical development.

“Dear friends on the other side of the pond, Darkfighter is coming for you,” mentions their guitarist Scott Holiday . “And Lightbringer is coming for you too. We’re finally able to come back to you and bring you NEW music! Music that has been firmly situated in our hearts. Nothing makes me happier than to think about experiencing these albums together and making them into something entirely new and different every night. Let’s make something symbiotic and alive that we’ll want to remember forever.”

They have taken the time to write and create this project. Really delving into the meaning behind the creative process and perceiving the album in two parts. On one side, the story tells the fighting of the darkness. And the other side explains bringing the light to where there is none. After Darkfighter they will be releasing a companion album later this year Lightbringer. You can see which story involves what. The build up couldn’t be more tense.

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Tickets for the tour will be available on the 14th April here.

UK Tour Dates: 

13/10/2023 – Roundhouse – London
14/10 – NX Newcastle – Newcastle
16/10 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
17/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
18/10 – Manchester Academy – Manchester
20/10 – Cambridge Corn Exchange – Cambridge
21/10 – O2 Academy – Bristol
22/10 – O2 Guildhall Southampton – Southampton