Steve Earle & The Dukes at St James Theatre

It’s a long way from Copperhead Road to The Low Highway, and for Steve Earle the journey has been filled with satisfying highs (three Grammys and marriage to Allison Moorer).

Now, at age 58, Steve Earle is firing on all cylinders. His latest album, The Low Highway has garnered rave reviews, he’s just published his first novel, I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive, and he has acted on some of the best television shows of the past decade including The Wire and Treme.

But Steve Earle’s main focus is his music…especially performing live.

Over the years, New Zealand audiences have been treated to some of Steve Earle’s most stunning shows, both as a solo artist and with his band. Last time he was here he jammed with Lucinda Williams. And with 15 studio albums under his belt, there’s never any danger of hearing the same set twice.

“I tried not to repeat myself,” Earle has said. “I can’t think of anything less interesting than making the same album twice.”

Now Steve Earle and The Dukes return to New Zealand for two shows, featuring long-time drummer Will Rigby along with Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore of The Mastersons, who will also serve as the opening act. In addition to backing Steve Earle on The Low Highway, The Mastersons have entranced audiences with songs from their own album, Birds Fly South. Earle has described this version of the band as “the best I’ve ever stood in front of”.

From all reports, Steve Earle and The Dukes are on fire…performing razor-sharp versions of songs that span his entire career.