Billy F Gibbons announces tour with Texas legends

Billy F Gibbons, the legendary frontman and founder of ZZ Top, has announced a 2026 North American tour for his solo project, Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band. The tour will launch January 20 at the Uptown Theatre in Napa, California, and run through February 28 with a final show at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse.

The band features a powerhouse trio with Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris “Whipper” Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble) on drums, and Austin mainstay Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin on Hammond organ, bass, and backing vocals. Over the course of six weeks, the 28-date run will make stops across the West Coast, Midwest, and East Coast.

One of the most notable shows will take place January 31 at the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the same venue where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper played their final concert nearly 67 years ago.

Gibbons commented, “I’m joined with Whipper and The Drifter, in our collective Texas collective blues tradition. There’s a bond that speaks volumes about our sonic skew,” adding, “one might hear a surf tune or some other detour of loudness as what we do is looser than our collective background might suggest. We predict good times as we always say, ‘Ya’ can’t lose with the blues.’”

Over the past decade, Gibbons has expanded his solo catalog with three distinctive albums: the Afro-Cuban influenced Perfectamundo, the blues-driven The Big Bad Blues, and 2021’s Hardware. He’s currently recording a fourth album for Concord Records, set for release in early 2026. A new single titled “Brown Paper Bag” is expected to arrive alongside the tour kickoff, while another recent track, “Livin’ It Up Down In Texas,” appears on the Landman [Songs From and Inspired by the Paramount+ Original Series (Volume 1)] soundtrack.

Layton, best known as the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, has maintained close ties with Gibbons through their long-running collaboration in The Jungle Show, an Austin-based holiday supergroup featuring Texas blues greats. Layton has also been a key performer on the Experience Hendrix Tour, backing a roster that includes Taj Mahal, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Johnson, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Flanigin, a revered Hammond B3 master, has worked extensively with Gibbons and Jimmie Vaughan. In addition to his own acclaimed solo releases, he recently explored bluegrass with his Nashville-recorded single “When My Baby Plays The Cannonball,” featuring Rob and Ronnie McCoury.

Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band Tour ’26

January
20 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre
21 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
23 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
24 – Santa Barbara, CA – Lobero Theatre
25 – Anaheim, CA – Grove of Anaheim
28 – Santa Fe, NM – Lensic Performing Arts Center
29 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
31 – Clear Lake, IA – Surf Ballroom

February
01 – St. Charles, IL – The Arcada Theatre
03 – Columbus, OH – Southern Theatre
04 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Resort
06 – Wilmington, DE – Grand Opera House
07 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
10 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
11 – Plymouth, MA – Plymouth Memorial Hall
13 – Rutland, VT – Paramount Theatre
14 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre
16 – New York, NY – City Winery New York
17 – New York, NY – City Winery New York
19 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
20 – Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino
21 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
23 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
24 – Frederick, MD – Weinberg Center for the Arts
26 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center
27 – Bristol, TN – Paramount Bristol
28 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse