The winter blues have got nothing on our next artist – Myles Kennedy did more than just cure the melancholy. He invited us along with enough tunes and tribulations to keep him within our history books for a long time. Welcome…
MYLES KENNEDY
A night of musical mastery unfolded on Talbot Street tonight. We’re in for a douzey with a co-headline show, the stripped-down format allowing both artists to showcase their raw and emotional depth. It’s a sold-out affair, and we’re pleased to see us near capacity for our first act of the night.
Up first is Devin Townsend. His ability to shift effortlessly between tenderness and grandeur was most evident during Bring Him Home, a cover from Les Misérables showcasing his remarkable vocal control. Trading visual theatrics for intimacy, his signature wit and self-deprecating humour instantly broke the ice with the crowd. The inclusion of Love? offered a glimpse into his heavier past, yet its reimagining as a delicate acoustic piece gave the song new life. On the whole, these acoustic arrangements highlight his unique artistry, proving he can shine in any musical context, and we’re proud to have that showcased on the Rock City stage.
The audience was treated to a performance that felt less like a concert and more like an intimate storytelling session from Myles Kennedy. Opening with The Art of Letting Go, the rather apt title track of his latest album, Kennedy set the tone for a night filled with masterful musicianship that felt effortless. You could say we were witnessing the ‘art’ of Kennedy ‘letting go’ of all inhibitions.
Whilst there may only be three of them up on the stage, their sound is seismic. Backing Myles is the absolute powerhouses Zia Uddin on drums and Tim Tournier on bass. These two are scarily, yet impressively, in perfect sync, locking in grooves that kept the songs driving and punching all night.
“You’re all lovely. You’re all friends – thank you for being here tonight with me!”
An array of pedals in front of both Myles and his bassist reflecting more like a church organ with various pedals pumping out gargantuan chords, the sound is just that massive. Kennedy’s unique vocals cut through the range of noise within Devil on the Wall and Blind Faith, the audience cannot help but lose themselves in this majestic musical tapestry weaving in front of our eyes. We get to see the other side of Myles as a solo guitar player; working his magic with multi-layered effects, the volume swells to great effect on Love Can Only Heal. Laying down killer solos one after another, it would be easy to take him for granted as merely a vocalist, yet his solo recording have shined a light on his way beyond his already exceptional achievements with his other bands.
Kennedy treats us to an extended version of Behind The Veil with a glorious drawn-out guitar solo, and it’s clear our lone guitar player is getting lost within the song himself. The Nottingham audience is engrossed in this sonic explosion as it unfolds before our very eyes – whether it was the tender moments or the full-throttle rockers, Myles delivered with energy and passion that was impossible to resist.
Between songs, Kennedy cracks jokes, tells stories, and has the crowd laughing and cheering like old friends at a jam session. With three albums under Myles’ belt now, there is no shortage of material for him to choose from. His goofy, good-natured vibe brought a level of connection you don’t often see at a gig. For all his insane talent, he came across as humble and down-to-earth, making the massive venue feel like an intimate hangout. By the end of the night, it wasn’t just his music that won over the crowd—it was his whole personality.
MYLES KENNEDY PERFORMED FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. We cannot thank Myles Kennedy enough for gracing our stage with his bluesy tunes!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like Myles Kennedy are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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