Guitar legends, Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen; Smith/Kotzen; bring their Black Light/White Noise tour to Manchester.
KRIS BARRAS BAND
Kris Barras has built quite a name for himself over the past decade or so. The Torquay native has carved a decent discography of solid blues rock that has seen him playing huge festivals like Download Festival and now, an opening slot for Smith/Kotzen.
Although the O2 Ritz is still seeing people filing in, The Kris Barras Band enter and spend around 45 minutes warming everyone up. New single All Falls Down is a particular highlight; it is a song that Barras says he had written a while ago but it has gone through various changes in the past year. Now, it is a song that sits perfectly amongst other tried and tested songs from the repertoire like Hail Mary.
They do a great job of warming the crowd and impress with their musicianship and presence on stage. Barras is clearly a talented guitarist and vocalist and the band behind him drive things forward excellently. Expect to see more of this quartet as more new material sees the light of day.
SMITH/KOTZEN
Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen are legends of the game. Smith, with Iron Maiden, has carved an indelible legacy. Kotzen, of Poison and Mr Big in years gone by, has a huge catalogue of solo albums to his name and is a quite superb guitarist and songwriter too.
Collectively, Smith/Kotzen have a couple of albums and EP’s to their names choc full of hard blues rock songs that showcase the skills of both. On their latest tour, they cherry pick many of the best cuts from their output.
Life Unchained, Black Light and Wraith open proceedings; three selections from their latest album, Black Light/White Noise. The pair take it in turns with vocals and trade solo licks as Julia Lage (Bass) and Bruno Valverde (Drums) assist with rhythm. Both are exuberant players with Lage interacting with both guitarists throughout.
With each passing track, Smith/Kotzen speak to the crowd about inspirations for certain songs. Got A Hold On Me is introduced as a rock and roll number, with both stretching out on solos. Scars is a huge highlight which really heads down the blues route. Again, both guitarists deliver impassioned guitar work that sears.
WASTED YEARS
The closing duo of Running and Solar Fire really pack a punch. They are delivered with suitable oomph and introduced as some of the first songs the pair wrote together. In Iron Maiden, Adrian Smith isn’t the MC; that would be a certain Mr. Dickinson, however, he is incredibly comfortable and relaxed on the mic. He gestures to the front rows and remarks about it being a Friday night in Manchester, to great applause.
His opposite number, Kotzen, shows his gravelly voice off superbly. It draws comparisons with the late, great, Chris Cornell. Whilst he is largely untouchable, it gives you a flavour of the vocal style if you need a quick comparison.
When the pair return for an encore, they each select a track from their own back catalogue. Richie Kotzen choses the introspective You Can’t Save Me from his 2006 album, Into The Black. Adrian Smith selects a monster Iron Maiden hit in the form of Wasted Years. The pair of songs work perfectly with the latter proving a genuinely great closer on a freezing night in Manchester. It is sung with full throated abandon by all and sundry as Smith asks for help from the crowd. A vocalist he is not, but he tries his best. When he lays down the solo, it is magical, and a treat to see two great guitarists up close and in the flesh.
The tour continues in the UK until February 21st In London.
Smith/Kotzen: Website
Kris Barras Band: Website