Yes, go. Always entertaining, lots of hits, great stage presence, dance moves and wardrobe.
Billy Gibbons banter is not to be missed.
This is one of the few bands my wife will go to.

Thanks MuleMe. What's the guitar soloing like live? Is it ABBish as in long or longer solos? Of course, as an ABB fan, that's what I like. But I saw Fogerty for the first time a few years ago and enjoyed myself a lot even though he played short (but sweet) solos.

[Edited on 2/15/2016 by ladymule]

Billy is one of my favorite guitarists. He does some great solos....not too long but very sweet.
Dusty lays down a nice bottom end and their interactions are so "cool".
Watch for the three finger "flick"....its kinda like a fist bump while holding a pick.
Just saw Billy & the BFGs last week. Check out his new solo CD "Perfectamundo", Latin-cuban boggie. They rocked!!!
40+ years together...they got it down.

[Edited on 2/15/2016 by MuleMe]

Thanks so much. You've inspired me to go! I hope those tix are still there in the AM.
There was some nice slide playing in I Thank You when I heard it on the radio the other day. I do love the slide.

Sounds like you are ready to go so one more push won't hurt......they are fun to see live, Billy gibbons engages with the audience and has a great sense of humor, all 3 are talented and the songs are to the point and plentiful.....no long jamming or improvisation. songs are short sweet and recognizable....i would see them any time i could....very entertaining and fun.....you will not get cheated....ENJOY

$400 for ZZ Top and you are considering it? I hope it is someone else's money.

I have seen them many times over the years and different shows and tours have varied. The songs will be done as on the albums pretty much and setlists will be greatest hits like. They will play all the MTV songs. I preferred them live before the MTV era. After that at times it seems like a parody of themselves. Don't expect long improve jamming like the ABB.

Always a decent show but there has to be cheaper seats. They don't sell that well unless it is a small hall.

$400 = 8 to 10 Mule shows or
$400 = ZZ Top

Wow

Not sure if your VIP includes a meet and greet, if so Billy will almost sprint past as they take a pic with you as he flies by. The other two are jogging and trying to keep up. Didn't sit right with me watching it on different tours.

If money is no matter then enjoy but someone is making a killing as top ticket price for ZZ Top can't be more than $100. For $400. the guys better be picking you up in the Eliminator car and drivinf you to the show.

My first show ever. Worth seeing for sure but not for $400 bucks.

Wait for day of show, you'll probably be able to get great seats at face.

Yup, songs are generally short and the shows are not all that long.

[Edited on 2/15/2016 by jcb]

$400 for ZZ Top and you are considering it? I hope it is someone else's money.

I have seen them many times over the years and different shows and tours have varied. The songs will be done as on the albums pretty much and setlists will be greatest hits like. They will play all the MTV songs. I preferred them live before the MTV era. After that at times it seems like a parody of themselves. Don't expect long improve jamming like the ABB.

Always a decent show but there has to be cheaper seats. They don't sell that well unless it is a small hall.

$400 = 8 to 10 Mule shows or
$400 = ZZ Top

Wow

Not sure if your VIP includes a meet and greet, if so Billy will almost sprint past as they take a pic with you as he flies by. The other two are jogging and trying to keep up. Didn't sit right with me watching it on different tours.

If money is no matter then enjoy but someone is making a killing as top ticket price for ZZ Top can't be more than $100. For $400. the guys better be picking you up in the Eliminator car and drivinf you to the show.

Would have to agree with this assessment. They will play all or most of their hits from the 70's, and you can't underestimate how good most of these tunes are.

This is one of those bands that you don't want to hear them deviate from the album version of the song, as it just wouldn't be the same. There is no improvisation, so don't go there hoping for that. Paying 400 for a nostalgia show is a little much. I'd wait for a show with a ticket at a more sane price. Not like you're going to miss anything as every song is played note for note from the album cut.

Having said that, it is worth to see them once, just not at that price.

Thanks for the great input guys.

Just to be clear on the price, $400 VIP is for *two* tickets, not one. (I need two tix as I would be going with my husband). Top regular price was $118.00 per ticket and venue is pretty small (2,047) and sold out. Price is for quite good seats, merch and tour laminates. Yes, I don't want to pay that much but I think at this point it's pony up or stay home and that's what I'm trying to decide. We can afford it but who wants to pay that much (not me!) and it would be expensive (for us). Yes, we could wait till they play in our area again but they're not likely to play our town and such a small venue again. Likely they'll play somewhere in Toronto and we'll have to drive 2 hours each way, pay big bucks to park etc. etc. So, I think we can live with the higher cost *if* it's going to be our cup of tea musically speaking.

[Edited on 2/16/2016 by ladymule]

Would you recommend seeing ZZ Top live?

Yes!

Thirty years ago

go for it, saw them with Ted nugent in 2003. One of the best shows I have ever seen. pull the trigger.

They are a fun show, go for it!

The snobs will say "They were so much better 30 years ago!" Well, weren't we all, weren't we all...

You will enjoy yourselves and, since the show is mostly the same, you will never have to pony up to see them see them again (unless they have another hit single). None of us are getting younger so see them while you can.

Me and the wife see them every time they swing through NYC. Always entertaining. They are a talented group that has their act down cold, but by no means do they dial it in. I would be shocked if you don't enjoy it! Go.

Thanks guys. Thanks for all the show info and encouragement. Y'all a great bunch! 😉 I think I/we will go but I'll have to phone in the AM.

if you've never seen them go. great fun. not $400 fun though. rarely jam but some shows it depends. they usually do a blues cover

I've seen them twice the last time being last year.

You should go. The show will be enjoyable, you will probably find yourself dancing I would imagine.

The songs will sound kind of raw, not like you hear on the radio or TV. Guitar will sound edgy, maybe dirty, and bet you like it even more! Billy and Dusty have some good showmanship on stage.

Nebish, raw sounding songs and edgy and dirty guitar sounds good to me! 😉 And doesn't Billy play a Gibson Les Paul? Love Gibson sound. Thanks. And thanks to Matt too.

I've seen them 3 times in recent years & they put on a enjoyable hits show with one or two unexpected tunes thrown in (I believe they vary from show to show).
Just don't expect a long show.
They're generally on the bus in a little over a hour (65 - 70 mins).

saw them open for ten years after in 74.
tres hombres was the album they were supporting.
they were real good but i'd pass on the show today
especially at that price.

Saw them in college around the Tejas album - our school wouldn't let them have the live animals on stage - I couldn't hear for two days - probably why I have hearing aids today - saw them a few years ago outdoors with Kansas - also very loud but a good show. They were at one of the Crossroads shows - I think his voice is not what it used to be........ but then I just spent $170 for Black Sabbath and paid $30 for The End cd at the show....... so I can't judge on price - all concerts are getting to be a little rich for my blood ...... my .02 cents is go see live music while you can - especially if you haven't seen them yet..... but I would look for cheaper tickets and not too close - it will probably be very loud.....

Sang, the only tix left are the $200 VIPs. Yeah, volume is a concern. I hate blisteringly loud shows. A couple years ago, Cheap Trick was opening for Boston and Cheap Trick was IMO ridiculously loud. I just hung out in the bar area away from the Amphitheater for the duration of their set. The volume for Boston was perfect, no ear plugs needed. Thanks for the heads up. I'll take ear plugs if we go. But it sure would be nice to go to a show and not have to use ear plugs.

Thanks for your posts, guys.

Sang, the only tix left are the $200 VIPs. Yeah, volume is a concern. I hate blisteringly loud shows. A couple years ago, Cheap Trick was opening for Boston and Cheap Trick was IMO ridiculously loud. I just hung out in the bar area away from the Amphitheater for the duration of their set. The volume for Boston was perfect, no ear plugs needed. Thanks for the heads up. I'll take ear plugs if we go. But it sure would be nice to go to a show and not have to use ear plugs.

Thanks for your posts, guys.

every show by any band is loud enough ear plugs should be used unless its acoustic unplugged or something

Very true, unless your ears are already shattered from too many decades of volume abuse. I'm going to get one of those old-time Grandma huh?-horns.

It's pretty telling when the leader of our favorite band want's the volume turned down.

There are high tech plugs available but all the dollar store swimming pool plugs do is muffle the sound.

[Edited on 2/16/2016 by jcb]

Hmm, good question. My long winded comments (forgive me):

I only saw them in 1999. ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd & String Cheese Incident (interesting opener btw) on two sides of the state of Michigan. First night was in Grand Rapids at an arena. Good show but Skynyrd had to do this medley thing where they couldn't play their songs in their entirety. ZZ Top was good. All the standards.

Night two was outside of Detroit in a much larger arena (Detroit Pistons play there). I was able to get side stage tickets and could see behind the stage screen. There were musicians playing behind the stage with them. I couldn't believe it so I kind of lost a tad bit of respect. But they sounded good. Oh and Kid Rock was the MC.

This summer they are on the Laid Back Tour with Gregg. I have tix to the Chicago show for $29.75 before fees. Looking forward to seeing them but I wouldn't pay $400 for a pair. Just me. If you can afford it, go. Sure you will have fun.

Only saw them live once. It was in the mid-'70's in Philly. CDB and MTB opened. Probably cost about five bucks. Were they good? I can't remember.

Like you, I had one album back in the 70's and had never seen them until last May. I left after about 5-6 songs, thinking it was a too bass-heavy muddy mess. Luckily, it was on a co-bill w/ Jeff Beck, so it wasn't a total loss. Them being added to the Laid Back fest is why I probably won't go.

ZZ Top is always a "must see again" band for me.

$400 for two tickets and the VIP thing is well worth it.

I remember paying $100 per ticket for front row of the Eliminator tour in Houston way back when.

My wife got the only ZZ key chain Billy threw out that night.

I still have it.

(The key chain, not the wife)

Saw them back in the mid '70's for the "Bringin' Texas to the People Worldwide Texas Tour". Great show! They had a rattlesnake under glass at the foot of the stage, a longhorn on one side of the stage and a buzzard on a perch on the other side.

The music and showmanship were top notch, one of my favorite concerts I've been to.

Night two was outside of Detroit in a much larger arena (Detroit Pistons play there). I was able to get side stage tickets and could see behind the stage screen. There were musicians playing behind the stage with them. I couldn't believe it so I kind of lost a tad bit of respect. But they sounded good. Oh and Kid Rock was the MC.

They had that hidden guitarist for a long time. I never liked hidden musicians. If it makes it sound better live then add them but let them be on stage. Just tell the guy that he has to grow a beard.