It is weird seeing a different face on that stage. For fifty years, ZZ Top was the most stable unit in rock history. Same three guys. Same beards. Same sunglasses. Then 2021 happened, and we lost Dusty Hill. Now, as the dust settles on the ZZ Top setlist 2024, fans are realizing that while the lineup changed, the Texas boogie is basically bulletproof.
I’ve spent the last few months digging through tour logs and fan recordings from the "Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour" co-headlined with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Honestly, the 2024 shows felt like a victory lap for a band that many thought would fold. But Billy Gibbons doesn't fold. He just finds a bigger hat and keeps moving.
The Core of the ZZ Top Setlist 2024
If you caught them at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville or the Toyota Pavilion in Concord, you saw a setlist that was tight. Predictable? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. They usually clock in around 16 songs, leaning heavily on the MTV-era hits while tipping their Stetson to the 70s blues roots.
A typical night in 2024 looked something like this:
- Got Me Under Pressure (Usually the opener, sets the pace immediately)
- I Thank You (Sam & Dave cover)
- Waitin' for the Bus
- Jesus Just Left Chicago
- Gimme All Your Lovin'
- Pearl Necklace
- I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
- I Gotsta Get Paid
- My Head's in Mississippi
- Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis cover)
- Just Got Paid
- Sharp Dressed Man
- Legs
- Brown Sugar (Encore)
- Tube Snake Boogie (Encore)
- La Grange (The closer)
The flow is smart. They sandwich the slower, grittier blues numbers like "Jesus Just Left Chicago" between the high-octane radio hits. It gives Frank Beard a second to breathe—though, interestingly, Frank had some health hiccups in early 2024, with John Douglas filling in briefly before the "Pardner" returned to his throne.
The Elwood Francis Factor
Let’s talk about the guy with the 17-string bass. Elwood Francis wasn't just some random hire; he was Dusty’s guitar tech for thirty years. He has the beard (it’s real) and the chops. But that yellow 17-string bass he brings out for "Got Me Under Pressure" is basically a meme come to life.
Elwood told Guitar World he actually regrets it becoming a staple because it’s a nightmare to play. He bought it as a joke from a site in China after seeing a YouTuber play one. Billy saw a screenshot of it and told him to get it. Now, it’s a permanent fixture of the ZZ Top setlist 2024. It’s heavy. It’s unnecessary. It’s perfectly ZZ Top.
Surprises and Deep Cuts
While the setlist stays fairly static, there were a few interesting pivots in 2024. The inclusion of "I Gotsta Get Paid" from the 2012 La Futura album shows they aren't totally stuck in 1983. It’s a modern classic that fits their "dirty" aesthetic.
Also, the "Sixteen Tons" cover has become a weirdly hypnotic mid-set highlight. It’s a bit of a departure, but Billy’s gravelly voice makes that old coal-mining song sound like it was written in a Houston garage.
What’s missing?
Hardcore fans always grumble about the lack of deep cuts. You rarely hear anything from Tejas or Rhythmeen these days. "Tush" was notably absent from several 2024 dates, which is a bit of a shocker considering it's usually their go-to closer. Because "Tush" was Dusty’s signature vocal moment, Billy and Elwood seem to be selective about when—or if—they want to tackle it without him.
Why it Still Works
The "Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour" was a massive success because it leaned into nostalgia without feeling like a museum exhibit. When Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top shared the stage for the encore of "Call Me the Breeze," it felt like a genuine moment of rock brotherhood.
The 2024 production wasn't overly flashy. They have the fuzzy spinning guitars for "Legs," of course. You can't skip that. But mostly, it’s just three guys in front of a wall of amplifiers.
Actionable Tips for Future Tour Goers
If you're planning to catch them on the next leg (they've already announced dates into 2025 and 2026), keep these things in mind:
- Check the Lineup: While Frank Beard is back, he’s had foot and ankle issues. Keep an eye on tour announcements if you're a purist who needs to see the original drummer.
- The Merch Pivot: Don't expect "Eliminator" prices. Concert shirts are hitting that $45-$50 range now.
- Arrive Early: The opening acts like The Outlaws or Black Stone Cherry in 2024 were actually worth seeing. They set the tone for the boogie.
- Study the Blues: If you only know the hits from the 80s, go back and listen to Tres Hombres. The middle section of the set is a love letter to that record.
The ZZ Top setlist 2024 proved that the band is a brand that transcends any one member. As long as Billy Gibbons has a guitar and a beard, that "Little Ol' Band from Texas" isn't going anywhere.
To get the most out of your next show, I'd recommend listening to the Raw soundtrack released a couple of years back. It’s the best representation of how the current trio sounds live—stripped down, loud, and incredibly fuzzy.
