ZZ Top delivered a magical concert at Tivoli Friheden

Monday evening with ZZ Top was more than just another concert in Tivoli Friheden. For me was a nostalgic trip back to my childhood, filled with rock'n'roll energy.

The music of ZZ Top has been a part of my upbringing and I vividly remember how their videos dominated MTV in the 80s with their distinctive red 1933 Ford Eliminator. The car, with the yellow lightning bolt on the side, which was as iconic as the band's music.

Each video was a small feature film in itself. Beautiful, young women driving around in the red car helping people stand up to their bullies – a message of freedom and self-confidence.

Monday evening I stood in Tivoli Friheden surrounded by people my own age. There were a few student hats scattered among the audience, but it was clear that "the gray gold" had taken the place.
For me and many others, it was an evening filled with recognition, nostalgia and a whiff of youthful rebellion.

Rock legends rock Danish summer night

Before ZZ Top took the stage, it was the Danish Jesper Binzer Band who warmed us up. Jesper Binzer from DAD and his band delivered an energetic performance, and with a twinkle in his eye and a certain irony, Jesper said: "We are proud to be the new up-and-coming band that gets to warm up for ZZ Top."

A few minutes past 21, it was finally time. Frank Beard sat down behind the drums, and soon after Billy Gibbons and Elwood Francis took the stage. Although they started strong with “Got Me Under Pressure”, it took a few songs before they were fully in gear. During “I Thank You”, the sound suddenly disappeared from Billy Gibbons' guitar, but a quick technician wearing cowboy clothes and a hat quickly got the problem under control, and the concert was renewed in energy.

One hour and 10 minutes of blues-rock

After the technical problems, ZZ Top fired up with a series of their biggest hits. Although the years have taken their toll and the guitar may not have sounded quite as crisp as before, their iconic guitar solos and the synchronized performance between Billy Gibbons and Elwood Francis were a joy to witness.

When they played “Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Legs”, the videos from the 80's played before my mind. I could clearly see the familiar scenes with the red cars and the young leggy women. It was a surreal feeling to be at the concert and at the same time relive the iconic music videos from my youth.

The audience was a bit difficult to get going, however, and many stood quietly on the lawn. However, air guitar was occasionally played among the audience - especially for "Gimme All Your Lovin'", where several people joined in with their own version of the guitar solo. My version of an air guitar is not something to be experienced in public, so for me it became more about standing and rocking from side to side.

And it was also clear that it is not just the young concertgoers who have their mobile phones out of their pockets at concerts, because selfies were taken and filmed freely during the various numbers.

Billy Gibbons did not have much contact with the audience, but kept the well-known ZZ Top style with a long beard, dark glasses and an unchanging expression, with the exception of a few individual times, when Gibbons briefly smiled and a single Århus/Denmark crept in as well .

Expressed in the two fit in well with the rest of the stage, which with an all black backing helped to focus on Gibbons and Francis. And as darkness fell, the colorful floodlights really came into their own, and the lights ran in perfect harmony with the three encore numbers, “Brown Sugar,” “Tube Snake Boogie,” and “La Grange,” which closed the concert.

Although time has left its mark, and the guitar may not have sounded quite as crisp as in the "good old days", ZZ Top deserves all possible respect for delivering an entertaining concert. To stand on stage at the age of well over 70 and give the audience such a riveting experience is a real achievement and I am happy that I have this experience to put in my suitcase.

ZZ Top was formed in 1969 in Houston, Texas by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard.

Over the years, ZZ Top has released a number of hits that have become rock classics, such as “Legs,” “La Grange,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin'.” Their iconic look with long beards and sunglasses has made them one of the most recognizable bands in rock history.

They have sold over 50 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Former members:

Dusty Hill (bassist, vocalist) – Hill was a core member of ZZ Top from 1969 until his death in 2021.

Current members:

Billy Gibbons (guitarist, vocalist)
Frank Beard (drummer)
Elwood Francis (bassist) – Francis stepped in as a replacement for Dusty Hill after his death.

The band has released a total of 15 studio albums, of which some of the best known are Tres Hombres (1973), Eliminator (1983), and Afterburner (1985).

Photo credit to Wyrle Studio in Aarhus, for the fantastic photos from tonight's concert.