Back ‘In Bloom’: Sturgill Simpson Breaks Out Nirvana Cover In Birmingham

Sturgill Simpson brought his Who The Fuck Is Johnny Blue Skies? 2025 Tour to Birmingham last night for a concert at Legacy Arena At The BJCC. Simpson threw a huge treat into the setlist as he dusted off his slow-burning cover of Nirvana’s “In Bloom” for the first time in nearly a decade.

“In Bloom” was originally released by Nirvana in 1991 on their breakthrough sophomore album, Nevermind. Sturgill Simpson reimagined the rock song as a brooding lament for his 2016 LP, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth. Simpson played “In Bloom” regularly during his tour in support of the record, but it had disappeared from his live repertoire ever since.

Simpson and his band — bassist Kevin Black, keyboardist Robbie Crowell, guitarist Laur Joamets and drummer Miles Miller delivered a three-hour performance on Thursday in Birmingham. The 33-song setlist mixed career-spanning originals and choice covers.

“In Bloom” fell in the 10-slot last night and was played to perfection. Simpson didn’t introduce the song or mention the lengthy break between performances after covering the Nirvana classic. Sturgill went on to fit in the recently revived “You Can Have The Crown,” which he busted out after a nine-year absence on Sunday.

Sturgill Simpson and his band also played recently debuted covers of Eric Clapton’s “Lay Down Sally” and Eddie Murphy’s “Party All The Time.” The quintet wrapped the show with fan-favorite “Fastest Horse In Town.”

Stream a soundboard recording of Sturgill Simpson busting out “In Bloom” in Birmingham, along with the rest of the show via nugs.net:

Sturgill Simpson takes the stage at Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi tonight. The tour then moves on to Denver for a two-night stand at The Mission Ballroom.