Sturgill Simpson Electrifies ‘Austin City Limits’ In Long-Awaited Return
Watch Simpson and his band tear through “Best Clockmaker On Mars” for the legendary live music television program.
By Scott Bernstein Feb 6, 2025 • 12:16 pm PST

Photo by Scott Newton/Austin City Limits
Sturgill Simpson returns to Austin City Limits for a special hour premiering on PBS this Saturday, February 8 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. Simpson, aka “Johnny Blue Skies,” leads his band through a career-spanning set on his first appearance on the show since making his ACL debut nearly a decade prior in 2015.
On October 28, 2024, Sturgill Simpson brought his Why Not? Tour in support of his excellent 2024 Johnny Blue Skies album, Passage Du Desir, to the program’s home of ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Highlights from the performance by Simpson and bandmates keyboardist Robbie Crowell, guitarist Laur Joamets and bassist Kevin Black have been culled for the penultimate episode of Austin City Limits’ Season 50.
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The Kentucky native and his lockstep ensemble kick off the memorable hour with Passage Du Desir standout “Jupiter’s Faerie.” Simpson’s latest LP is also represented in the episode by “One For The Road.” The tour-de-force performance also touches on Sturgill’s past albums High Top Mountain (“I’d Have To Be Crazy” and “Railroad Of Sin”), Metamodern Sounds In Country Music (“It Ain’t All Flowers”), A Sailor’s Guide To Earth (“Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)”), Sound & Fury (“Best Clockmaker On Mars,” “A Good Look” and “All Said And Done”) and Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 (“I Don’t Mind”).
The potent “Best Clockmaker On Mars” shows the ensemble at their best, mixing elements of country, soul, southern rock and blues. Simpson and his band won raves for their Why Not Tour? performances and the fiery version of the Sound & Fury cut is a prime example of what they’re capable of in concert.
Watch Sturgill Simpson perform “Best Clockmaker On Mars” on Austin City Limits below:
The complete episode can be streamed at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast. Austin City Limits caps its golden anniversary season next week with a new hour featuring Willie Nelson & Family.
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