ZZ Top
The Paramount
Huntington, NY
August 23, 2015

Last month on August 23rd, I had the amazing opportunity to catch one of my favorite classic rock bands, ZZ Top, at The Paramount in Huntington, NY. I was not sure what to expect before the show started but as soon as they hit the stage, I was in complete awe.

After a local rock/jazz band warmed up the crowd a bit, the venue began to slowly fill up with fans and surely enough, the venue was packed. The lights dimmed and a compilation of various videos appeared on the onstage monitors by the drum kit. It wasn’t too long till drummer Frank Beard emerged from the shadows and sat behind the kit. Following was the last two members, bassist Dusty Hill and the man behind the music, Billy Gibbons. Not a moment was wasted as they kicked off their set with “Got Me Under Pressure,” “Waitin’ for the Bus,” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” Those who were sitting in front of the venue were bobbing their head along and mouthing the words to each classic hit that was played before them. Watching Billy and Dusty rock out together was truly a sight to see.

After “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” and “Pincushion,” they continued their incredibly constructed setlist with “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “Flyin’ High,” and a fantastic cover of Jimi Hendrix’s hit “Foxy Lady,” followed by another cover originally done by Robert Petway, “Catfish Blues,” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” A few fans managed to make their way to the front of the stage, bypassing the roped up barricade holding the rest of the fans back, and began to rock out hard. The night was far from over and ZZ Top was just getting warmed up. ZZ Top kept the night going with “My Head’s in Mississippi,” “Chartreuse,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.” They then left the stage, the crowd begging for more and chanting the band’s name. The band left and returned for not one but TWO separate encores, for which the venue’s security team unleashed the rest of the fans from behind the barricade. They all rushed to the front of the stage and found their perfect spot to enjoy the rest of the set. The first encore consisted of a compilation of “La Grange / Sloppy Drunk Jam,” and “Tush,” and the second was an incredible cover of Merle Travis’ “Sixteen Tons.”

Overall, for a band that has been around for quite some time, they still know how to rock the crowd. Be sure to check out ZZ Top, they put on a show that is definitely worth seeing.