Photo Credit: Semi Song
On the eve of the release of his 2021 album The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, Sturgill Simpson shared that his fifth studio album would be his final entry under his own name, planning to retire his birth-given title after the project’s arrival. Today, after three long years, the artist has returned, stepping into the spotlight once more with the fresh new moniker Johnny Blue Skies and plotting a return to the road.
Simpson, as Johnny Blue Skies, has officially announced Passage Du Desir, the artist’s first full-length offering by his new name. Set to release on July 12 via the country star’s independent label High Top Mountain Records, this record represents the first page in a new chapter full of potential, the details of which will come to light as the release date approaches. Passage Du Desir is produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson, the storied Nashville recording engineer who delivered such staples as Johnny Cash’s American series and key entries from Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Joe Strummer and three from Simpson; it was recorded in the hallowed halls of Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville, Tenn. and Abbey Road Studios in London.
Off the record, Simpson has announced the Why Not? Tour, which will bring the artist and his band–featuring bassist Kevin Black, keyboardist Robbie Crowell, guitarist Laur Joamets and percussionist Miles Miller–to 30 dates from September 14 to November 23. Beyond highly-anticipated festival appearances at San Franciso’s Outside Lands and Austin, Texas’ Austin City Limits Music Festival, the artist will take such esteemed stages as The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, The Salt Shed in Chicago, Ill. on Oct. 1 and 2, Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, N.Y. on Oct. 19, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 25 and Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Nov. 23.
Artist pre-sale for Simpson’s newly announced engagements will begin on June 12 at 10:00 a.m. local time; fans can register for the presale now through Monday, June 10 at 8:59 p.m. PT at sturgillsimpsonlive.com. The remaining tickets will be opened in a general on-sale on June 14 at 10:00 a.m. local time. For more information on Simpson’s new chapter as Johnny Blue Skies, visit sturgillsimpson.com.
Read on for the tracklist to Passage Du Desir and the complete list of Simpson’s 2024 tour dates.
Passage Du Desir – Johnny Blue Skies
1. Swamp of Sadness
2. If The Sun Never Rises Again
3. Scooter Blues
4. Jupiter’s Faerie
5. Who I Am
6. Right Kind of Dream
7. Mint Tea
8. One for the Road
Sturgill Simpson 2024 Tour Dates:
August 9-11 – Outside Lands– San Francisco
September 14 – The Greek Theatre* – Los Angeles
September 15 – Santa Barbara Bowl* – Santa Barbara, Calif.
September 17 – Maverik Center* – West Valley City, Utah
September 19 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater* – Bend, Ore.
September 20 – The Gorge Amphitheatre† – George, Wash.
September 22 – KettleHouse Amphitheater* – Missoula, Mont.
September 24 – Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheater* – Moorhead, Minn.
September 25 – Roy Wilkins Auditorium* – Minneapolis
September 27 – Rupp Arena* – Lexington, Ky.
September 28 – Fox Theatre* – Detroit
October 1 – Salt Shed* – Chicago
October 2 – Salt Shed* – Chicago
October 4 – The Brandon Amphitheater* – Brandon, Miss.
October 4-6 – Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, Texas
October 8 – Criterion* – Oklahoma City
October 9 – Walmart AMP* – Rogers, Ark,
October 11-13 – Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, Texas.
October 15 – Fabulous Fox Theatre* – St. Louis
October 18 – Petersen Events Center* – Pittsburgh
October 19 – Forest Hills Stadium – Forest Hills, N.Y.
October 21 – ExploreAsheville.com Arena* – Asheville, N.C.
October 22 – Koka Booth Amphitheatre* – Cary, N.C.
October 24 – Gas South Arena* – Duluth, Ga.
October 25 – Bridgestone Arena* – Nashville, Tenn.
November 12 – The Met* – Philadelphia, Pa.
November 15 – Hampton Coliseum* – Hampton, Va.
November 18 – The Anthem* – Washington
November 20 – Massey Hall* – Toronto, Ontario
November 21 – Massey Hall* – Toronto, Ontario
November 23 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway* – Boston
*“An Evening with Sturgill Simpson”
†with very special guest Lord Huron