Ok this will be a lengthy gig review in four parts…more like a tour review!

Unaccompanied I set off up the M8 on the Monday at lunchtime…yes, lunchtime….in search of the first of my four musical adventures for the week. The traffic was kind to me, so it was a smooth drive to the science centre car park. I crossed the footbridge and turned left away from the Hydro. No, I wasn’t heading there to see Sleep Token although plenty were. I was heading to SWG3.

And the reason for my early start? I had upgraded my outing to include the VIP Meet & Greet experience.

So, who was I off to see? (Regular readers of this blog won’t be surprised by the answer)

I was on my way to see Myles Kennedy & Co.

As ever, what happens at a Meet & Greet, stays at the Meet & Greet but I will say it was awesome to these restored to their pre-Covid format. The experience includes about twenty or thirty minutes of the sound check and Myles was sounding awesome. (OK I may be slightly biased here.)

Moving on to “doors open” around 7pm. (VIPs are meant to get in fifteen minutes early but this didn’t quite happen- no big deal) and surrounded by “AB family” I had my place on the rail for the night. Happy days indeed!

There is only one support act on this tour – Devin Townsend. He took to the stage for his 35-minute set at 7:45pm. Now, Devin Townsend isn’t an artist I know a lot about, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. His support slot is an acoustic set and is really stripped back- just him, his two acoustic guitars and a cuddly bunny with “big pants”. Sound bizarre? It was… as was the set itself! I’ll reserve judgement as this was the opening night of the tour. Devin Townsend seemed a bit erratic but there’s no denying that there’s enormous talent there. In the midst of his chaotic random set, he did surprise me with a stunning rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Mis.

Bring Him Home – Devin Townsend @ SWG3 Glasgow 25/11/24

I’m not sure if he was trying to be funny or if he really was as ill-prepared as he claimed. One thing he was clear about – he won’t be doing this in a year or so. Hmm…let’s see how his set evolves as the week goes on.

At 8:45pm the dulcet tones of Freddie King’s Going Down filled the room as the houselights went down. First out on stage to a huge cheer was drummer, Zia Uddin, followed by bassist and legend Tim Tournier and then the man himself, Myles Kennedy to open their 90-minute set with the title track from Myles’ current album The Art of Letting Go. Myles set the bar high here right off the bat.

The Art of Letting Go (show opener) – Myles Kennedy @ SWG3 Glasgow 25/11/24

This was followed with a second song from the current album, Nothing More to Gain with Devil on the Wall from Year of the Tiger after that. What an opening trio!

One of my personal favourites from The Ides of March, Myles’ second solo album, came next- the beautiful A Thousand Words. Such a heartfelt song.

Then it was back to the current album and Mr Downside, another one that comes straight from the heart.

Mr Downside – Myles Kennedy @SWG3 Glasgow 25/11/24

Around me the fans were drinking in everything, soaking up Myles’ every word. Such a great atmosphere that he was clearly feeding from.

A couple of songs further on, it was time for the acoustic interlude. As Myles settled his acoustic guitar on, someone in the crowd yelled out “Mars Hotel”, the much-loved Mayfield Four song. Myles delivered a short swift country parody of the song, then amid his giggles, he declared “Now I want to try it.”. he said he’d do “a little bit” but not to be beaten, he “busked” his way through the entire song. Was it word perfect? Of course not but it was just perfect. So good to see him just sing and plat off the cuff like that. There’s many an artist who wouldn’t have entertained a fan request mid-set. Kudos to you, Mr Kennedy.

Mars Hotel – impromptu performance- Myles Kennedy @ SWG3 Glasgow 25/11/24

The Alter Bridge song Lover had been the acoustic song he’d intended to play. It too was incredibly but for me, Mars Hotel over-shadowed it.

When I first listened to The Art of Letting Go, the one standout track that had me saying “I can’t wait to hear this one live” was Behind the Veil. Live it did not disappoint! This is a soaring epic song. I’ve said many times on here that I’m a fan not a musician but the solo from Behind the Veil is mind-blowing! Seeing a musician entirely absorbed in his sonic landscape like that is truly a wonderous sight.

Behind The Veil- Myles Kennedy @ SWG3 Glasgow 25/11/24

Another of my favourites from Year of the Tiger, Love Can Only Heal, followed. This on struck an emotional chord with me and yes, there were a few tears. Such a beautiful song.

Emotions continued to flow through Miss You When You’re Gone. Another incredible song from the current album.

Energy levels were restored to 11 with the rousing closing trio of Year of the Tiger, Get Along and finally, with that gorgeous resonator, the mighty In Stride.

In Stride – Myles Kennedy @SWG3 Glasgow 25/11/24

WOW!…that’s all…WOW!

Myles and the guys returned with just time for one more song before the 10:30pm curfew. Say What You Will brought the night to a close.

What a show!

Already looking forward to my second show of the week in Manchester on Wednesday night,

Pt 2

After a long day of travel by train on Tuesday, I found myself in Manchester for Wednesday night’s “Birthday Extravaganza” with Myles Kennedy & Co at Manchester Academy.

In the morning sunshine I headed out from my hotel to check out the venue. Found it with the help of an AB Family member who I bumped into who was out doing the same thing. Great minds and all that…

Again I was doing the  VIP Meet & Greet so I was back at the venue surrounded by AB Family before 3pm. Armed with a small gift for the birthday boy, I was glad to be in out of the cold a few minutes later. What happens at a Meet & Greet stays at the Meet & Greet but I will say it involved the VIPs (big group today) singing Happy Birthday to Myles and I did get to give him his gift personally and wish him “Happy Birthday”. Happy girl.

Then it was back outside to queue for the show. I have to say that the VIP queue is usually very orderly and courteous towards each other but by the time security opened the door there was a fair bit of pushing and shoving and queue jumping. Frustrating but no harm done and thanks to AB Family I secured a wee space on the rail just about centre front. Being on the rail surrounded by friends is special.

As we’d come into the venue we’d been encouraged to grab “party supplies” – paper hats and party hooters. The cacophony of noise from the party hooters was my idea of the kids’ birthday party from Hell! LOL

At 8pm Devin Townsend stepped out on stage to open his 35-minute set. He declared he was “solely unused to playing live shows” and described it as being “a total abstraction to be in front of a whole bunch of human beings”. He then actively encouraged the fans to blow their party hooters if the music got really quiet. I still can’t decide if he is brilliant or insane or both but what followed was an entertaining , rambling, shambolic 35-minutes of music.

Devin opened with Let It Roll…..words fail me!

Let It Roll – set opener- Devin Townsend @Manchester Academy 27/12/24

As in Glasgow, the high point of his set was Bring Him Home, complete with passionate party hooter support from the crowd.

He was running short on time so his last three songs were almost a medley – Hyperdrive, Lightworker and Life.

Hyperdrive describes it beautifully! Such a talented musician but so unpredictable. He’s growing on me!

Shortly after 9pm, much to the delight of the sell-out crowd the birthday boy himself, Myles Kennedy, took to the stage accompanied once more by bassist and “jack of all trades” Tim Tournier and enigmatic drummer Zia Uddin to open the 16-song set with The Art of Letting Go, title track from the current album. At the start of his third number, Devil On The Wall, he faltered and finally asked, “What’s that noise?” Yes- you’ve guessed it! It was the party hooters! There was also a rowdy rendition of Happy Birthday. He started the song a second time but there was a minor glitch with his mic so cue an impromptu dance and some jamming with his boys before at the third time of asking Myles delivered a blistering rendition of Devil on the Wall.

Devil On The Wall & some birthday mayhem – Myles Kennedy @ Manchester Academy 27/11/24

A few moments later the birthday mayhem continued as photographer Chuck Brueckmann, resplendent in his gold tracksuit, stepped out on stage with a birthday cake. Drummer Zia Uddin led the birthday wishes as again the crowd passionately sang Happy Birthday to Myles. There was even time for a brief kiss from his gorgeous wife Selena then it was on with the show.

Happy Birthday Myles Kennedy- Manchester Academy 27/11/24

The mid-set highlight again was Behind the Veil. What a song! What a solo! Watching Myles disappear into his own sonic landscape is an honour.

Next up was the acoustic interlude. As in Glasgow , the crowd shouted out their requests but the clear favourite being called out was The Mayfield Four’s White Flag. Myles admitted he hadn’t played it in a long time but play it he did. Beautiful song. It was followed by the only Alter Bridge song of the night All Ends Well.

White Flag & All Ends Well – Myles Kennedy @ Manchester Academy 27/11/24

The remainder of the set was the same as in Glasgow with the main body of the set concluding with In Stride.

The party atmosphere in the room was fantastic. So much energy but all good parties need to come to an end. This one came to a climax with Say What You Will.

Say What You Will – Myles Kennedy @ Manchester Academy 27/11/24

Say What You Will, Myles does not look or act his age (55) and it was one hell of a birthday extravaganza. It was a privilege to be there.

Nottingham, bring it on! ( I hope the party hooters stay in Manchester though LOL)

Pt 3

Friday…that must mean its Nottingham. I’d travelled there on Thursday with two other AB family members then we all met up for lunch along with several other members of the extended AB family before heading to Rock City for the VIP Meet & Greet.

Yes, Myles was getting the opportunity to meet us again!

Today’s VIP group was much smaller than the previous two.

There’s a 10pm curfew at Rock City so the doors open time was 6:30pm. That suited me – less time queuing in the cold on the front steps of the venue.

For this show I opted to head to a rail spot between Myles and Zia, rather than keeping to the left.

Rock City felt like an intimate venue. It also has quite a low stage which brings them closer to you. Zia’s red drumkit had been “caged” behind a Perspecta screen for this one but I’m jumping ahead here…

At around 7pm Devin Townsend stepped out on stage for a slightly longer set. He played pretty much the same set as the previous two shows, thankfully minus Manchester’s party hooters! Again, there were some Devin fans in the room and one anonymous fan got the chance to take the mic and sing along with his idol. A nice gesture but I’m sorry to say it sounded like bad karaoke. Mid-set Devin realised he was missing a teddy. Myles’ long -suffering guitar tech, Dave, got sent back to the dressing room to fetch the bunny with the “big pants”….

Ih Ah – Devin Townsend @Rock City Nottingham 29/11/24

Devin Townsend was growing on me musically. It’s so hard to even attempt to describe his acoustic set. You need to experience it to believe it. Again, the highlight moment for me was Bring Him Home but Love is also growing on me.

It’s almost a relief when his set is over though.

At 8:25pm the dulcet tones of Freddie King’s Going Down signalled the imminent arrival of Myles Kennedy and Co on stage. They opened the show with The Art of Letting Go. Time was tight on this set so this show moved along at a slightly faster pace which was a bit of a shame.  

The early curfew allowed little time for Myles to chat to the crowd and it also felt as if it curtailed the length of some of his “noodling” solos that he had been playing before the intro to most of the songs.

A Thousand Words – Myles Kennedy @ Rock City Nottingham 29/11/24

With hindsight it may have perhaps helped to steal a few minutes from Devin Townsend to allow for more time with Myles.

Time only allowed for one acoustic song but Myles mixed things up a bit and played the gorgeous Haunted By Design. (To be fair, the VIPs knew  it was coming as we’d heard it at the soundcheck.)

Haunted By Design – Myles Kennedy @ Rock City Nottingham 29/11/24

Despite the ticking clock, these guys were having fun. It’s an absolute delight to watch these buddies playing together.

Even caged behind his perspect screens, Zia Uddin is a force to be reckoned with and this was showcased by the drumming on the spinetingling Love Can Only Heal and then again on the title track from Myles’ debut solo album Year of the Tiger. Magnificent!

Love Can Only Heal – Myles Kennedy @ Rock City Nottingham 29/11/24

Year of the Tiger – Myles Kennedy @ Rock City Nottingham 29/12/24

With the curfew fast approaching, there was no time for an encore as such. Myles joked about it but still played his “encore” song, Say What You Will to round out another awesome night.

Next stop Birmingham.

Pt4

Saturday started bright and early with a train ride on an exceedingly packed train from Nottingham to Birmingham. Travelling on a show day like that always stresses me out. I had met two AB family members at the station so we travelled together. Once at New St, we went  our separate ways, agreeing to meet up for lunch before the VIP Meet & Greet…then I got lost trying to find my hotel. Uber to the rescue!

Having left my bags in the hotel’s luggage room as my room wasn’t ready (I had requested an early check in but no such luck) I set off to catch up with my extended AB family.

Today’s venue was Birmingham’s O2 Academy, a third new venue for me for the week. Queuing at this venue was made overly complicated and stressful due to a lack of clear communication from venue security and staff. The VIP group was huge for this show – over 100!

Luck and some strategic planning ensured a space near the front of the re-entry queue. Whew!

With time to spare, a friend held my space in the queue while accompanied by one of my travelling companions in case I got lost again, I nipped back to my hotel to check in. Quickest hotel check in in history!

Queuing for re-entry at this venue is confusing. There are three rooms in the venue. Only two were in use that evening but there was our VIP queue, the other band’s VIP queue, the disabled access queue, the O2 priority queue, the general access queue for standing and the general access queue for the balcony. Penned in in our queue I got a sense of how a sheep must feel about being herded.

After a further palaver of security searches and ticker scanning, the VIPs were allowed in just before 7pm. I had no challenge getting my rail spot of choice – slightly to the right again between Myles and Zia. This was a bigger stage too so Zia’s screen had been removed once more.

As I stood there waiting for Devin Townsend’s set to begin, a wave of sadness hit me. This was my final show of the week. I wasn’t ready for it all to be over!

At 8pm Devin came out on stage to open his 35-minute set in his own inimitable way. Despite having seen him four times, I am still at a loss as to how to describe his performance. There’s a fine line between genius and insanity and Devin Townsend is treading it carefully. This guy has so much talent but the chaos of his delivery makes for another manic set. After four shows, I think he has won me over but as he claims he won’t be doing this in a year perhaps this was my final chance to experience the musical mayhem that is a Devin Townsend acoustic show. Sir, its been a pleasure….I think…

Let It Roll & Love – Devin Townsend @ O2 Academy Birmingham 30/11/24

Shortly after 9pm and stop/start Going Down from Freddie King, Myles et all walked out on stage. Curfew was 11pm so with more time at hand, this show possibly felt the most laid back of the four shows.

The set itself was pretty much the same as before however the banter between songs was back. There was even time to sing Happy Birthday to Mo, one of the crew. Myles’s long noodling intros were back too.

Watching him lose himself in his music is a truly beautiful sight to behold.

Both Blind Faith from Year of the Tiger and Saving Face from the current album made a welcome return to the set. Love both of these.

For the final time  for now, I stood back and lost myself in the incredible Behind The Veil. The solo in this really has to be seen and heard live to fully appreciate it. Love love love this one!

There had been several requests at the VIP Meet & Greet for Worried Mind to be added into the set. As I watched Myles swap to his acoustic guitar, I wondered if he would play it. Sadly, he didn’t. C’est la vie (He in fact played it in Cardiff at the next show…damn!) What we did get though was a stunning rendition of White Flag from The Mayfield Four era followed by Alter Bridge’s All Ends Well.

White Flag & All Ends Well – Myles Kennedy @O2 Academy Birmingham 30/11/24

As in Glasgow at the start of the week, there were tears in my eyes as Myles played the beautifully emotional Love Can Only Heal.

The equally emotional Miss You When You’re Gone followed. We were rapidly approaching the end of another awesome show.

Year of the Tiger, Get Along and the fabulous In Stride rounded out the main body of the set.

With plenty of time left on the clock, the Birmingham fans got the encore that Nottingham were kind of denied as Myles and Co returned to close the show with Say What You Will. Eargasmic!

Some folk have said I’m crazy doing multiple shows on one tour but no two of these four shows have been the same. Each night has been incredible and its nigh on impossible to pick a favourite from the four. If I was really pushed to do so, I might have to say Manchester as it was the birthday show…or Glasgow because it was my hometown show…or Nottingham because it was the best VIP experience…or Birmingham because it was my final show. They were all awesome.

I’m just sad I wasn’t able to follow my AB family on to Cardiff and London to complete the UK run.

Next time…