JOHN 5 + DAN BYRNE @ CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON 17TH MAY 2026
The term “guitar god” has been touted around many times over the years, whether referencing the likes of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, or, in more recent years, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Yet to this list we really need to add John 5. To many, he may not be a familiar name, or face, unless you have admired his work with the likes of David Lee Roth, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and now Mötley Crüe.
Yet he is an artist who, in many ways, cannot be classified. He is an enigma. He is multi-talented. His virtuosity is unlimited. He is quite simply John 5.
From the moment the first note was played, this was one of the most mesmerising shows that I have seen in many a year. With a drummer opening proceedings, John nonchalantly walked out on stage and, for the next seventy-five minutes, proceeded to tear the Concorde 2 apart. It was magnificent. It was outstanding. It was probably as near to an out-of-body experience as you are going to get.
Stage-wise, there was just John and his drummer. No bassist, no keys or rhythm guitarist. Not even a vocalist. John ensured that the music was all down to him, and any singing was undertaken by the adoring audience. Yet vocals are not necessarily required, as all of John’s music played tonight was entirely instrumental, and the only “songs” sung were snippets of covers of other bands’ material.
Playing to a backdrop screen showing The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, tonight produced a musical axe massacre of another variety.
With his trademark face paint applied, his knowing grin went from ear to ear. Yes, there is an element of mystery about the man, and with the zig-zag paint, an element of a post-apocalyptic Ziggy Stardust. To quote Bowie, “Ziggy played guitar”. So can John 5, and had Bowie witnessed this performance — okay, not possible — then he would have been looking at his wounded guitar warrior. If you hadn’t seen him solo before, and few people here had, then what was to unfold was quite unexpected and wholeheartedly wonderful.
There is a nonchalant charm about his approach to guitar. He’s good, very good, and he knows it. But a grin, a shake of the head, and his fingers are flying over the fretboard at a remarkable speed. It’s quite incredible. How does he hit all those notes, let alone remember them?
From the opening notes of the industrial First Victim, through to the bluegrass metal of 666 Pickers In Hell and Howdy, John 5 is quite encapsulating. Tonight was quite simply a masterclass for all guitar aficionados.
John plays everything brilliantly. Whether electric guitar, mandolin or bass, he has a shameless sensitivity and ability to create magic.
But not everything is serious. A few licks of Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love gets the audience singing along, before a staggering rendition of Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) gets the Manson-era fans baying like wolves.
The show finishes with a medley of Mötley Crüe songs, ranging from Live Wire from the first album through Shout At The Devil, Home Sweet Home, Girls, Girls, Girls, Dr. Feelgood and closing with Kickstart My Heart.
And that was that. He left the stage to his version of Michael Jackson’s Beat It playing out into the night. Perhaps there was a hint there. Beat it. Time to go. But what a night. What a memory.
John 5 setlist
- First Victim
- Season Of The Witch
- The Ghost
- Six Hundred And Sixty Six Pickers In Hell
- Howdy
- Strung Out
- Fiend
- L.A. Express
- Crank It – Living With Ghosts
- How High The Moon — Morgan Lewis cover
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love — Queen cover
- I Am John 5
- You Me And The Devil Makes Three
- Deviant
- Sweet Georgia Brown — cover
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) — Eurythmics cover
- Que Pasa
- The Black Grass Plague
- Moon Glow
- Mötley Crüe Medley
Opening for John 5 is a great opportunity for Dan Byrne to showcase his style of heavy, bluesy rock. With one EP, Beginnings, currently available, and a first album, This Is Where The Show Begins, released very shortly, this was the perfect time to win over new fans. The short set opens with the lead single, Saviour, which is also the perfect album opener.
Like Animals follows, which is a hard-driving slab of heavy rock. There is a definite old-skool feel to Dan’s music. Not only does he look like a young Paul Rodgers, he has a similar swaggering stage presence.
New single She’s The Devil follows, and this, with five million hits online, is already showing the interest there is in this up-and-coming artist. With festival shows such as Steelhouse to follow this summer, this is a set that will be worth catching.
Death Of Me takes the band right back to the very beginning, being the first song written with the band.
The material showcases the new album well, and provides a clear indication of the development between the EP and this first opus.
The audience were completely in sync with the artist, and this was a well-used support slot. Certainly, the future looks very bright for Dan and the band.
Dan Byrne setlist
- Saviour
- Like Animals
- She’s The Devil
- Pulling Me Under
- Hate Me
- Cherry & Leather
- Hard To Breathe
- Death Of Me
- WORDS: ADRIAN STONLEY PHOTOS: ROBERT SUTTON
