Jessica Simpson returned to live performance on March 12, 2025, at the Recording Academy’s SXSW Block Party in Austin, Texas. She performed six songs, including four original songs making their live debuts: “Breadcrumbs,” “Leave,” “Blame Me” and “Use My Heart Against Me.” Her May appearance on American Idol was a separate milestone: it was her first television performance in 15 years.
What songs did Jessica Simpson debut?
At SXSW, Simpson introduced four songs live: “Breadcrumbs,” “Leave,” “Blame Me” and “Use My Heart Against Me.” The six-song set also included two covers, Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man” and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.”
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Billboard’s report, syndicated by Yahoo Entertainment, said the set took place at Owen Bradley Park and opened with “Breadcrumbs” and “Leave,” followed by “Son of a Preacher Man.” The submitted setlist record also marks the four originals as live debuts.
When and where was her return performance?
Simpson performed on March 12, 2025, at the Recording Academy’s Block Party during SXSW in Austin, Texas. In an Instagram statement quoted by Billboard and Yahoo, she wrote: “Last night, was my first performance in 15 years. It was an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself.” She added that she was grateful to be performing again and that her “lucky voice gets to soar again tonight.”
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How does the American Idol performance fit in?
On May 18, 2025, Simpson sang “Blame Me” on the American Idol finale. Good Morning America described it as her first television performance in 15 years. That does not conflict with the March SXSW return: SXSW was a live event, while American Idol marked her return to television performance. “Blame Me” had already been performed live at SXSW.
| Appearance | Date and format | Songs | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording Academy SXSW Block Party | March 12, 2025; live event in Austin | Six-song set, including four original-song live debuts | First live performance in 15 years, as reported by Billboard/Yahoo and described by Simpson |
| American Idol finale | May 18, 2025; television appearance | “Blame Me” | First television performance in 15 years, according to Good Morning America |
Which release includes the new songs?
The four SXSW originals appear on Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1, released March 21, 2025. Apple Music lists the five-song, 16-minute EP in this track order:
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- Factory sealed DVD
- “Breadcrumbs”
- “Sunday Lover”
- “Blame Me”
- “Use My Heart Against Me”
- “Leave”
Amazon Music also lists the EP in Simpson’s digital catalog; that listing confirms a digital listening option, not a physical CD or vinyl edition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the 15-year gap refer to?
The phrase refers to the reported gap before Simpson’s March 2025 live return, not to the May television appearance being her first live performance. Pollstar’s records identify May 9, 2009, as her prior headline performance before the return. That is a touring-history point, not proof that she made no performances of any kind after that date.
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