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As the headliner herself alluded midway through her set, it’s been a while since Orianthi toured the UK. Was it really 2016 as RSO alongside Richie Sambora on Bad Company’s Swan Song tour? Before that, an appearance with Sambora on his 2014 solo tour that also included a slot at Download Festival, and tours with Alice Cooper that saw Coop perform a memorable show in Glasgow on, naturally, Halloween.
It’s a tad understated to call this whistle-stop 6-date tour (built around an appearance at Planet Rock’s Winter’s End Weekender on January 31st) long overdue, but given the rich vein of form that Orianthi has been in since releasing ‘O’ in 2020, now is the perfect time for the mononymous Aussie guitarist/singer-songwriter to remind her fanbase how formidable she is on the live stage.
Opening act is Illinois-born, Nashville-based, singer-songwriter James Bruner, who, thanks to livewire performances opening for both The Struts and Those Damn Crows, is building up a head of steam in the UK. Having Classic Rock magazine and Planet Rock Radio onside is also a major boost.
Perhaps it’s because he is facing an audience slightly older than on shows with The Struts and Those Damn Crows, but Bruner has to work harder for a response from the crowd tonight than both times this reviewer has caught the firecracker of a performer. ‘Switchblade’ is such a fiesty, full-on introduction for anyone not familiar with Bruner’s work, and in the first few moments, he has already covered more ground on the busy stage than most acts do in an average night.
With the impeccable Reverend Zach Mears on lead guitar (gotta love the old-school, coiled guitar lead), it’s a guitar-heavy set that certainly blows the Sunday evening cobwebs off. Mears’ work during ‘Can’t Keep Wanting You’ is fully loaded with swagger. The perfect foil for Bruner in the way that all great rock n’ roll acts have the lead guitarist and lead vocalist playing off each other. When Bruner goes down to the barrier to whip up a reaction from the crowd, Mears takes over and impresses with some fiery riffs. His work on the set closer ‘I Get Everything’ is off the charts. The gradual build from noodling into a ballsy slice of loud rock n’ roll on Bruner’s strongest track is perfect, and by now, through some fantastic work from the frontman (and half a dozen infectious slices of rock music), the audience has fully warmed to the likeable Bruner. Catch him on some headline shows of his own, slotted in around these dates with Orianthi.
Live, a lot louder and heavier than most would have expected (so much so that a rookie mistake was made by giving ear protection the night off), Orianthi is a revelation live. Perhaps it’s the power-trio format, or perhaps it’s the pleasing lack of “woke up this morning…” blues tropes, but it comes as a bit of a surprise just how much force Orianthi and company (Demian Arriaga on drums, and Sam Collins on bass) are playing with. Hints of Cream here and there, but essentially, it’s a hard-rocking set (‘Sinners Hymn’ rattles free any loose dental work) with a bit of the blues thrown into the mix.
With its gritty intro, ‘First Time Blues’ is a powerful way to open any show. Recorded for Orianthi’s most recent album, ‘Some Kind of Feeling’, with Joe Bonamassa popping by for a guest role, it’s a fantastic showcase for Orianthi’s vocals. Everyone will know her for her guitar prowess, but tonight reminds everyone just how strong a vocalist she is. Sure, the guitar fireworks are there (and then some), but it’s the vocals that provide the biggest surprise. The trio are well-suited, and the rhythm section especially seems to have a great understanding, so much so that it comes as a surprise later in the set when Orianthi points out that it’s only the second show with Sam Collins.
‘You Don’t Wanna Know’ provides a sultry trip back to 2013 and the ‘Heaven in This Hell’ album, and it’s the simple, repetitive chorus, mixed with some killer guitar licks that long linger on. The first chance for some audience participation, it’s strange to think that the song is 13 years old, given how fresh it still seems. ‘Some Kind of Feeling’ is, of course, the main focus, and live, the songs aired from it sound huuuuuge. The most recent single, ‘Attention’, has – at least to these ears – a Pat Benatar vibe, and by God, it is glorious. Orianthi’s guitar solo is, as they are all night, fat-free and lacking any of that self-indulgence that can often blight gigs by fellow guitar names. Still plenty there to impress guitarheads, but without beating any casual listeners over the head with lengthy noodling, and/or shredding. ‘Dark Days Are Gone’ is another newbie that hits the spot (loving the wailing feedback intro, and the ‘Ballroom Blitz’ pacing of the drums).
Of the older material, ‘Rescue Me’ from 2020’s ‘O’ is balls-heavy, as is ‘Heaven in This Hell’, which has gained more weight since its conception in 2013. Even further back from 2009’s ‘Believe’ album is the rockier ‘What’s It Gonna Be’, which proves that Orianthi has been delivering the goods for quite some time now. A blistering cover of the Hendrix classic ‘Voodoo Chile’ – the bluesier, jam-filled 15-minute brother to the rockier ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’- ends the show, and each player gets their moment in the spotlight, with perhaps the longest guitar solo from Orianthi on the night.
A gig from a guitar virtuoso can often mean being battered into submission by endless journeys up the fretboard and lengthy improvised jams. Not so with Orianthi, tonight it was all about the songs, and given how strong they are, the Aussie chose wisely. In a venue frequented over the years by blues players who often go too far down the self-indulgent path and overplay, Orianthi got the mix just right and, in doing so, was a breath of fresh air. Note to self, though: next time, remember the ear protection.
Remaining tour dates:
LONDON, O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON – THURSDAY 29th JANUARY 2026
PLANET ROCK’S WINTER’S END – SATURDAY 31st JANUARY 2026
SOUTHAMPTON, THE BROOK – SUNDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2026
Ticket information, HERE
Review – Dave
All images – Callum Scott
