Show Review: ZZ Top at the Hard Rock Casino Northwest Indiana in Gary, IN

A couple of sharp-dressed men grazed the Hard Rock of Northwest Indiana with their charismatic swagger and blues-driven hard rock for a memorable night of old-school, 100% authentic rock ’n’ roll. A band known for their iconic Southern rock sound, big bushy beards, spinning guitars, and personalities almost as big as their beards, ZZ Top knows how to make a lasting impression as they strut out to a roaring Hard Rock Live rockin’ brightly colored, jeweled matching suits.

The crowd was already exhilarated enough before they hit the stage; how could you not be at the Hard Rock Casino, but once they went into “Got Me Under Pressure,” the natural blues rhythms enthralled the crowd further, not to mention the sight of the insane, almost unbelievable double-decker guitar played by Elwood Francis.

Ripping through their decade-spanning set with ease, ZZ Top hit all the high notes with smash hits like “La Grange,” “Gimme All Your Loving,” and “Legs,” but also made sure to include some other iconic tracks like “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” and “Tube Snake Boogie,” not to mention a few cool covers of “I Thank You” by Sam & Dave, “Sixteen Tons” by Merle Travis, and “I Gotsta Get Paid” by Lil’ Keke and Fat Pat.

Performing to perfection, it wouldn’t be a ZZ Top gig without that iconic sincerity and wittiness both in their songs and in their on-stage banter. Whether it’s tracks that almost poke fun at themselves through “Sharp-Dressed Man” or “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” or some clever wordplay and odes with “Legs,” one thing is undeniable, and that is ZZ Top have charm and style. Regardless of genre, style in performance and music can make or break an act, as style is something you either got or you don’t; you can’t fake it or manufacture it. Thankfully, ZZ Top have undeniable levels of style.

ZZ Top are as timeless as they are fun. Still as big as ever, ZZ Top continue to rock out with old and new fans alike with their legendary style and iconic blues rock all while performing as sharp as nails. Pure rock’n’ roll magic, ZZ Top hearken back to a different age of music that simply doesn’t exist anymore. When the quality of the music was just as important as the visuals being presented, ZZ Top managed to navigate the countless changes of the guard, whether it was the ‘80s with MTV, the reshaping landscape of music consumption through the growth (and decline) of radio and now the rise of streaming, or whatever is coming next.

ZZ Top demonstrate that authenticity and showmanship will forever reign supreme and that while many styles, sounds, and even artists themselves will come and go, the connections and impact you have through your music will always remain.

ZZ Top