LIVE REVIEW: ZZ TOP – THE BIG ONE! @ SWEETLAND AMPITHEATER, LAGRANGE, GA – SEPTEMBER 19, 2026

ZZ Top weathered the storm in Lagrange, Georgia. The Texas trio played to a sold out crowd at Sweetland Amphitheatre. The storm rolled in around about the second song and continued throughout the show. I was happily surprised to see that most of the fans toughed it out and had a great time in spite of the constant rain. 

They came out strong playing “Got Me Under Pressure” in classic ZZ Top style sporting their embroidered jackets, studded pants, sparkly shoes, flashy instruments, and famous dark sunglasses. Gibbons came out strong while tearing up a Bolin custom purple peeler guitar, and Elwood thumping out the low end on a 17 string bass. The new drummer, Michael Monahan held his own, especially with fan expectations through the roof to fill the shoes of the late Frank Beard, who played behind Billy for 57 years. The confidence and energy that he carried while rising while to the occasion was genuinely impressive. Elwood Francis had to do the same thing when we lost Dusty Hill in 2021. Both replacements chosen by their predecessors. Hill and Beard both wanted the legacy to continue, and Gibbons is indeed continuing to celebrate the bands rich history by keeping the music alive after those 57 years since their formation.

Gibbons says that “it’s not so different, then again it is”. Having seen the original lineup several times and now the new one, I can attest to that sentiment. The show still has the classic feel, class, and spirit as the original lineup, but it is also different as well. Michael brought a raw energy to the performance and gave each song the love it deserves. Elwood also delivered, hitting the licks and continuing the showmanship and synchronized moves with Billy just as Hill used to while putting his own spin on things. 

The aesthetic of a ZZ Top show has always been important to the band. The fuzzy guitars, the beer guitar (if you know you know), the suits, the Magnatone amps, the cheap sunglasses, the ZZ mic stands, the hats.. I could go on and on about all these things because there are so many cool things on the stage and a story behind each one. This is one part of what makes the show so much fun. The music has and always will be great. When everything combines together, in my opinion, this is what makes ZZ Top one of the most influential bands in rock history throughout many styles of music. The accolades speak for themselves, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, have sold over 50 million albums sold worldwide, Gibbons is listed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, they won 3 MTV Video Music awards, and have so many musicians that cite Gibbons as a musical inspiration. He has always stood out to me by being someone who walks their own path, playing .007 gauge strings when everybody else swears that good tone comes from heavy gauges or playing with a Peso. Billy F Gibbons proves that it comes from your fingers connecting to your soul. The man defines cool with everything he does.

The show itself was great, every song was a classic and brought me back to so many positive times in my life. “Just Got Paid” opens up with one of my favorite riffs. “Pearl Necklace” is another one that just has such a feel good guitar riff in it. “My Head’s in Mississippi” is always a powerful one.   The opening act, Jive Mother Mary did a great job at warming up the crowd for the Texas icons. They had energy and riffs and showed up to play! The sound was great too even considering that it was an outdoor concert during a rainstorm. We got to see all of the cool guitars, we got to meet his wife and mother in law (who graduated from Lagrange high school). He even offered to let her sing Lagrange! That song paired with the fresh red suits and the bubbles made for a great ending on a night of classics by one of the best to ever do it. 

ZZ Top Photo Gallery

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Setlist

• Got Me Under Pressure
• 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
• Cheap Sunglasses
• Just Got Paid
• Sharp Dressed Man
• La Grange

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Live photography by Andrew Agresta Jr. for No Flash Needed. © 2026 No Flash Needed. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without written permission.