# Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds Concert Review

> Sturgill Simpson's three-hour Columbus concert blends country, funk, and jam-band chaos.
- Title: Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds Concert Review · Stereogum
- Summary: Sturgill Simpson's three-hour Columbus concert blends country, funk, and jam-band chaos. Sturgill Simpson's Johnny Blue Skies band delivered a sprawling…
- Keywords: sturgill simpson, johnny blue skies, dark clouds, nationwide arena, columbus, concert, passage du desir, turtles all the way down, mutiny after midnight, music, culture, Johnny
- Source: Stereogum — https://stereogum.com/2513981/weathering-the-storm-with-johnny-blue-skies-the-dark-clouds/reviews/concert-review
- Published: 2026-10-08T20:09:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sturgill simpson, johnny blue skies, dark clouds, nationwide arena, columbus, oh, concert, passage du desir, turtles all the way down, mutiny after midnight, music, culture
## Concert opens with funk
Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds began with a heavy descending guitar riff before transitioning into a smoky blues guitar solo over jazz chords.
## Simpson's musical range
Kentucky-born Simpson is one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation, capable of conjuring timeless emotion with every bleary howl.
## Album preview
The Mutiny After Midnight album preview promised arena shows with no opening acts and a focus on taking every minute the venue gives.

> We're going out to play arenas and theaters with a vengeance. No opening act. We're going to take every minute the venue gives us. We're gonna rock this Mutiny as hard as humanly possible. It is our privilege and our honor because our fans deserve it.
## First hour jamming
The first hour featured lengthy, shapeshifting songs with saxophone solos and dance-punk beats.
## Passage du desir highlights
The second hour focused on 2024's Passage du Desir album with songs like 'If The Sun Never Rises Again' and 'Turtles All The Way Down'.
## Setlist progression
The concert moved through Simpson's catalog, featuring Mutiny songs and deep cuts from Passage du Desir.
## Final songs
The show closed with 'Best Clockmaker On Mars' and 'Excited Delirium', proving the band's versatility.
## Consequence
Simpson's three-hour show captured the essence of his art without apology, despite some critique of the length.
## Key takeaway

Sturgill Simpson's Johnny Blue Skies band delivered a sprawling concert mix of country-funk and jam-band improvisation at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.