ZZ Top begins Australian tour with unconventional instrument performance
For some musicians, rock and roll is about grabbing a guitar and letting loose. However, for ZZ Top’s Elwood Francis, rock and roll takes on a different form. Enter the comically enormous seventeen-string yellow bass guitar that he wielded during a recent performance in Perth, Australia. The Texan trio made a triumphant return to Australian stages after more than a decade, kicking off their tour with a unique twist that only ZZ Top could bring.
Playing on a guitar that more closely resembled a surfboard than a traditional musical instrument, ZZ Top showed that they weren’t holding back on their Australian tour, even with Francis sporting the massive bass guitar that left the audience squinting in disbelief. This novelty bass, discovered on a mysterious Chinese website during a late-night internet browsing session, was a showstopper in itself.
The audience erupted into cheers, laughter, and amazement as Francis took the stage with his larger-than-life bass guitar, jokingly admitting later that he dreaded playing the unconventional instrument. Accompanying him in the eccentricity was Billy Gibbons, the band’s frontman, who at 75 years old sported a charismatic cactus-and-skeleton embroidered jacket, bringing a touch of Day of the Dead vibes to the stage. Francis matched him in a dazzling ensemble of sequinned pants, a grey fedora, and ruby red boots, adding to the spectacle of the 17 strings of chaos.
Despite the initial surprise of the oversized bass guitar, ZZ Top, known for their wild and unconventional style, managed to seamlessly weave it into their performance. However, midway through the set, the band switched gears, donning more traditional purple jackets and four-string guitars, balancing their quirky antics with classic rock charm.
The Elevation Tour, which includes performances in various Australian cities, promises to continue delivering the electrifying blend of music and theatrics that ZZ Top is renowned for. Audience members attending the upcoming shows can expect to be mesmerized by the band’s signature rock theater, with possibly more surprises in store, including the appearance of the unconventional bass guitar once again.
As ZZ Top continues their Australian tour, featuring gigs in Hunter Valley, Wollongong, Melbourne, Bribie Island, and Sydney, fans and newcomers alike are in for a treat. While the unconventional bass guitar may leave some scratching their heads, one thing is for sure – ZZ Top knows how to captivate and enthrall with their unique brand of rock and roll. Join in on the experience and witness the legendary trio in action during their unforgettable performances across Australia.