Jessica Simpson returned to the stage for her first live show in 15 years on Wednesday night (March 12) at SXSW in Austin, TX. The singer performed a live set at Owen Bradley Park for the Recording Academy’s Block Party during the annual music industry conference, playing a mix of gritty, rock-tinged and country-influenced originals and covers while rocking a fringed buckskin jacket and brown leather skirt.
The energetic six-song set opened with the live debut of two new songs, the gospel country-tinged “Breadcrumbs” and “Leave,” followed by a gritty cover of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of a Preacher Man” that found Simpson, 43, belting the song with enthusiasm while accompanied by a full live band featuring stand-up bass and two powerful back-up singers.
“Last night, was my first performance in 15 years. It was an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself,” Simpson wrote on Instagram in a post that featured footage of the set. “Thank you for embracing me. You know that I have so much to say, but this lucky voice gets to soar again tonight. I love y’all. More to come.”
In addition to the Springfield cover, Simpson also took on the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Nancy Sinatra hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” — which she covered for the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack — along with the live debuts of the bluesy “Blame Me” and boot-scooting country pop tune “Use My Heart Against Me“; the new songs are slate to appear on Simpson’s upcoming Nashville Canyon, Part I EP. Simpson recently released “Use My Heart Against Me” and “Leave” in advance of the EP’s March 21 street date, marking her first new music since a 2010 Happy Christmas album. Simpson’s last studio album of new music was 2008’s Do You Know.
Speaking to the audience at the top of the set, Simpson explained, “This time I needed to remember who I was and why I wanted to sing in the first place and all the music that inspires me. And I need to forget who they told me to be.” The last time Simpson performed live was at the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
In one of the videos from her SXSW show, Simpson described how therapeutic her Nashville writing and recording sessions were to the audience. “The songs kept coming, I was so inspired, it was such a beautiful moment. But within that moment, my life turned upside down and there was no way I was going to let it keep me from my purpose,” she said to whoops from the audience. “There was no way I was going to let the light go dim. I’ve done that before and it really only held me back and made me so insecure. And I can say today that I love myself, I love the woman that I am, I love the mother that I am, I love the friend I am and I know that heartbreak… you write some good music when you go through heartbreak… so, I guess take advantage of it?”
In January, Simpson announced her split from husband of 10 years, former NFL tight end Eric Johnson. “Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson — who shares three children with Johnson — said in a statement at the time. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
Doubling down on her country pivot, Simpson was also a surprise guest at Thursday night’s (March 13) annual Luck Reunion at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, TX, where she performed “Use My Heart Against Me,” “Breadcrumbs” and another new song, “Sunday Lover,” as well as the “Boots” cover. This year’s show also featured sets from Willie Nelson & Family, Charley Crockett, Shane Smith & the Saints, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Julien Baker & TORRES, Taj Mahal and others.
Check out Simpson’s performance below.
