WORDS AND IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
Myles Kennedy has many hats for his vast talent. Whether it be as the frontman of Alter Bridge or lead vocalist and rhythm guitar for Slash’s offering, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. But tonight, Myles is in Manchester Academy for his own headline slot as part of his ‘The Art of Letting Go’ solo tour.
Warming up the crowd this evening is Devin Townsend with an acoustic performance, which is definitely the calm before the storm, which consists of a lot of fun and crowd interaction. Fresh of the release, astonishingly, of his 22nd studio album ‘PowerNerd’, Townsend brings a lighter touch to the evening, rather than his usual progressive metal sound. Drawing from his extensive back catalogue, the set has a mix of tracks from his various incarnations, including Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Project.
As ever, the built-up to the main event breeds a lot of excitement and tonight is no different. Inevitably as the lights drop, the crowd roars, confirming they’re ready to go, if it wasn’t already apparent. Opening the show with the title track from his new album, The Art of Letting Go. The song opens with a shredding guitar riff and pounding drums, and you can tell already that tonight isn’t going to disappoint, as the crowd is instantly strapped in and ready for the ride.
Then comes Kennedy’s jaw-dropping vocals, packed with emotion, and effortlessly cutting through his incredible guitar playing. The rest of the band are made up of Zia Uddin on drums and Tim Tournier on bass, and the trio are giving a rock masterclass tonight. Next up is another power track ‘Nothing More to Gain’ also taken from the new album and then the bluesy ‘Devil on The Wall’ taken from his debut solo album ‘Year of the Tiger’. A record tracking his journey after his dad’s passing. This is then followed up with ‘A Thousand Words’ taken from his 2nd solo album, and just seeing these songs played together really shows the difference between Kennedy’s 3 solo albums.
Myles Kennedy is arguably one of the top vocalists in rock today and is constantly looking to improve and challenge himself on each new recording and then translate this into his live shows. Preferring a stripped-back and raw approach with an added level of intensity that is breathtaking. And if he wasn’t legend enough, he is also rocking a range of his own signature Myles Kennedy PRS signature model guitars.
Another new track in the form of ‘Mr Downside’ adds to the nights tally and moving through the set we also see a Mayfield Four cover, ‘White Flag’ and an Alter Bridge song in the form of all ends well.
Tonight’s set is a roller coaster of ups and downs, and this is no more apparent than when Kennedy plays the haunting ‘Love Can Only Heal’ which for well over 2 minutes sees him perform the song solo, delicately picking the strings of his guitar. At which point you can hear a pin drop as the crowd listen intently, hanging on each word. Before the rest of the band join in ahead of the epic guitar solo that drives the song to its emotional end.
Showing his influence and diversity again, the set takes another turn with ‘Miss You When You’re Gone’, and the country-inspired ‘Year of The Tiger’. The set is rounded off with the lighter, melodic, and vulnerable ‘Get Along’ and the driving, twangy ‘In Stride’ which is full of slide guitar prowess. The night is ended on one encore song, a pure unadulterated eye watering, and ear bleeding riff-packed rock track ‘Say What You Will’. By the time the band played the last note, the crowd had well and truly been taken on a musical journey tonight, and it’s shows like these that reaffirm my ever-growing love for live music.
SETLIST:
1 • The Art of Letting Go
2 • Nothing More to Gain
3 • Devil on the Wall
4 • A Thousand Words
5 • Mr. Downside
6 • Blind Faith
7 • Saving Face
8 • Behind the Veil
9 • White Flag (The Mayfield Four song)
10 • All Ends Well (Alter Bridge song
11 • Love Can Only Heal
12 • Miss You When You’re Gone
13 • Year of the Tiger
14 • Get Along
15 • In Stride
• Encore:
16 • Say What You Will
FOLLOW MYLES KENNEDY
FOLLOW DEVIN TOWNSEND
