Glenn Hughes takes us through The Chosen Years as well as delivering cuts from his excellent new album, Chosen. Support comes from guitar virtuoso Sophie Lloyd.
SOPHIE LLOYD
Sophie Lloyd is a British guitarist, songwriter, and YouTuber celebrated for her electrifying blend of metal, hard rock, and melodic shred. Rising to fame through her YouTube channel, she built a massive following with her virtuosic guitar work and original compositions. In 2022, she joined Machine Gun Kelly as lead guitarist on his Mainstream Sellout world tour, earning global recognition for her precision, tone, and commanding stage presence.
Her 2023 debut album Imposter Syndrome highlights her versatility as a composer and collaborator, featuring guest performances from Matthew K. Heafy (Trivium), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Nathan James (Inglorious), Chris Robertson (Black Stone Cherry), and Marisa Rodríguez, who also fronts her live touring band. Combining technical mastery with an expressive, melodic style, Lloyd has become one of the most prominent new guitarists in modern rock, inspiring audiences worldwide and redefining the role of the lead guitarist in contemporary music.
CELEBRATORY SHRED
Taking the stage to the Top Gun theme and that clean guitar solo, Lloyd immediately demands attention. Her skills are incredible and she can switch up styles in a heartbeat. Instrumental runs through massive songs like AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, Metallica’s Enter Sandman and Bon Jovi’s You Give Love A Bad Name all serve as well known touchstones.
The well known covers are interspersed with cuts from Imposter Syndrome. Marisa Rodriguez enters the fray to raise the temperature more on vocals. She ably delivers the title track of the album, originally sung by Lzzy Hale. Let It Hurt is a highlight – the album track is recorded with Black Stone Cherry but again, Rodriguez shows off her vocal power. The chemistry between Lloyd and Rodriguez is undeniable. A near decade long friendship is evident as they trade licks and poses onstage.
Through all of this, Sophie Lloyd is the star. Her guitar work is incredible. You can feel the confidence and class in the air as she masterfully plays up a storm. Her trips to the microphone are short and sweet but she offers thanks throughout. Manchester also gets a rarity; Sophie singing! Drummer (and husband to Lloyd) Christopher Painter is celebrating his birthday and Sophie leads the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday. The celebratory feel is there and this band is cooking right now. Expect to hear a lot more of Sophie Lloyd.
GLENN HUGHES
When it comes to rock legends, there aren’t many that can hold a torch to Glenn Hughes. A workhorse of a musician for 55 years, he has done it all. His new show sees him promoting his latest album, Chosen. He’s also digging deep into his vast back catalogue of great music.
Opening with Soul Mover, the trio put their foot down early. Hughes’ bass thunders and he is in incredible voice. It is followed by Muscle & Blood from 1982’s Hughes/Thrall record. It isn’t the only trip back to the 1982 album with First Step Of Love also making the set. The latter is preceded by the story of how the collaboration came about, and meeting Def Leppard for the first time in 1981. It’s a great track that sounds very 80’s, however this is not a criticism. The guitar harmonic guitar line sounds a little like Gilmour’s work on Run Like Hell; it is a treat to hear.
CAN’T STOP THE FLOOD
Can’t Stop The Flood is introduced as a time to get your groove on. Hughes has always had the funk, and Can’t Stop The Flood showcases that. There is an irresistible groove throughout and again, Hughes’ vocal is spine tinglingly good. It is hard to compare the vocal talents of Hughes to anyone else. He is a truly unique singer. What is also superb, is Ash Sheehan’s drumming – who is a star throughout behind his kit.
The funky grooves are never far away. When the set takes a trip into Trapeze territory, Way Back To The Bone again puts a glide in the stride and a dip in the hip! The origin story of the song is endearing as Hughes talks of seeing a girl from the stage when in America with Trapeze. ‘Why don’t you write a song about it then?’ advises his grandmother upon his return to the UK. The crowd meet the ‘Comin’ home’ call and response request head on. As a huge Funkadelic fan, the guitar sound Soren Anderson musters is reminiscent of the great Eddie Hazel. More Trapeze follows with an epic version of Medusa that showcases a softer side to the repertoire. Although ‘softer,’ it is still completely mighty.
On the flipside, the heaviness of Grace and Dopamine are towering. Taken from 2005 album Fused, that Hughes and Tony Iommi recorded together, the pair of tracks help keep the light and heavy flow coming.
YOU ARE THE MUSIC…
The Trapeze mantra of ‘you are the music’ is not only clear in the Trapeze song, but in the newer cuts. 2025’s Chosen record also sits alongside the classic cuts. “New music is vital to me…even 55 years in…” remarks Hughes. He talks of the struggles of newer musicians with the onset of streaming being a problem.
From Chosen, Voice In My Head is aired early. It is a punchy number that uses tempo changes excellently, shifting effortlessly. The trio are incredibly tight and there is a clear chemistry between them. When he sings, ‘It’s just the voice in my head…’ it sends a shiver. The sheer power that Glenn Hughes possesses both vocally and musically is staggering.
As he stalks the lip of the stage, he points, gestures and acknowledges the adoring masses. They wear his merchandise and sing his songs back. This rapport is built on mutual respect, and is heart warming. In playing new numbers, it shows that there is plenty left in the tank. Chosen’s title track and Fade Into You are a vital part of this show that Hughes is clearly very proud of.
COAST TO COAST
After closing out the main set with Black Country Communion track Stay Free, the ovation is massive. It’s a real cliché but this is a genuine musical journey. There are plenty that would sit and listen to tales of yore and the songs that accompany it.
Upon returning to the stage, it is a quick dip back to the Trapeze days with an acoustic take on Coast On Coast. It’s Glenn on his own; heartfelt and sincere. Then, the band return for Black Country; another taken from the Black Country Communion canon. A native of the Black Country (Cannock to be exact), Hughes saves the sole Deep Purple number in the set for the end. Burn is augmented with Sophie Lloyd returning for dual lead guitar duties.
Naturally, it is a crowd pleasing closer, but having toured a show focussing deeply on Purple material last time, it is other material from The Chosen Years that make this show a stunning epitaph to a legendary musician.
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