Sometimes you have to change your plans, drop everything and make sure you get to the show. Well when Orianthi announced a series of shows in the UK, then I had to be there. I don’t remember the last time Orianthi played a solo show in the UK. Google tells me 2013, with some dates in 2016 with Richie Sambora. So not for a very long time.
That’s why this short UK tour of six shows in all, with one headlining Planet Rocks Winters End is so special and is sold out. Tonight is the first night of the tour in Manchester at the Band on the Wall and the venue is heaving. Packed tight, this sweaty venue is ready to rock n roll with the guitar god that is Orianthi. But before that we are treated to a rock n roll extravaganza from the one and only James Bruner.
You maybe asking who the hell is he. Well, to be honest I had never heard of him before I saw him when he came over to the UK last year as support Those Damn Crows. Once seen never forgotten, James and his band put on a fabulous performance, good time rock n roll. This band kick ass. James is a great frontman driving the band and using every inch of the stage as a great front man should. But this band is more than just a one man show.
We have the solid rhythm section of Jack Lee on drums and the brilliant Shannon Wilk on bass – this was her first gig with band. You wouldn’t have guessed as she fitted in perfectly. Guitar duties came from the brilliant Zach Mears, and boy can he make his guitar sing. Songs coming from the latest excellent EP were the excellent opener Switchblade, the brilliant Red Light and Big Shot where James enters the crowd in epic style. Catch this band as they travel around the UK, they are not to be missed.
James Bruner Gallery
The crowd is hot and sweaty as the anticipation builds for Orianthi. As she strides into the stage, slings her signature white PRS guitar over her shoulder, looking every bit the rock god she is, yes Rock Gods aren’t only male. She coolly slips into First Time Blues off her latest album, without of course Joe Bonamassa, not that he was missed at all. Well, we might have been here to see Orianthi’s masterclass on guitar which we did indeed, there is a lot more to her than that. The songs are fabulous on their own with that sultry Orianthi vocal which we love.
Three other songs were played tonight from her latest album. The brilliant catchy Attention which has been played heavily on Planet Rock radio and her new single the equally brilliant Dark Days Are Gone. We also got a cover of Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top who she supported when she was 16 years of age in Australia. In the one hour thirty minute set Orianthi dipped in and of her back catalogue much to the delight of this Manchester crowd.
Tonight was a guitarist at the top of her game showing us all why Michael Jackson picked her for his ill fated London Shows. This was no guitar indulgence for the sake of it, just everything fitted the songs and was effortlessly delivered. As I heard one person say as he was leaving, he had seen too many guitarist virtuosos that left him feeling cold and detached. Not tonight he said it was sheer brilliance. I fully agree.
Whilst Orianthi may have said it could do with being a few degrees warmer in Manchester, she really did appreciate the warm of the reactions she got. She was definitely pleased to finally be back in the UK.
I know we have only just begun 2026 but this could definitely be one of the gigs of the year for me. I just can’t wait until Orianthi tours again. In fact I can’t wait till the next tour which is hopefully soon. Orianthi hinted she will be back. So, in the meantime I have got my tickets for another show on this tour in Leeds. One Orianthi show is just not enough.
Orianthi Gallery
With special thanks to Perth Noble of Noble PR and to The Gig Cartel for the media access.
Photos by David Pickles