With five legs and 134 shows, the tour began in Denver, Colorado on September 12, 1999 and ended on November 1, 2002 in London, England.
ZZ Top's 1996 album Rhythmeen and the supporting Continental Safari Tour brought them to new audiences, particularly in South Africa.
According to a press release, guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons described the tour's production as a "no-frills, full-thrill presentation—streamlined and down and gritty", further acknowledging, "ZZ Top drives it home with a meaner rhythm than ever before."
The XXX Tour stage was designed by Chris Stuba, ZZ Top's lighting director.
In place of ZZ Top's elaborate productions of the past, the XXX Tour stage was a simple setup, designed to be intimate.