Gig Review – Orianthi Live O2 Islington London

January 30, 2026 rocknews

Orianthi London Live Review: A High-Voltage Guitar Siege at O2 Academy Islington

Back in 2009, the world watched as a young Australian guitarist was hand-picked by Michael Jackson for his final curtain call. It was a warning shot—a moment that signaled the arrival of a new guitar deity. Fast forward to tonight, and the “Queen of Shred” returns to the capital for this Orianthi London Live Review, headlining a packed O2 Academy Islington as part of her highly anticipated Some Kind of Feeling tour.

A Sell-Out Atmosphere in North London

The air inside the O2 Academy is thick. Following a sold-out date in Leeds just 24 hours prior, the buzz in Islington is a vibrant mix of seasoned blues-rock aficionados and a new generation of guitar obsessives. This is the hottest ticket in town, and the room is packed to the rafters before a single note is even played. There’s an electric, vibrating energy—the kind you only get when a virtuoso comes back to a room intimate enough to feel the heat from the amp stacks.

James Bruner: A Nashville Detonation

The night ignites with Nashville-based rocker James Bruner. Emerging with a “pocket rocket” energy and a 70s rock aesthetic inspired by his roots in skate culture, Bruner doesn’t just open the show; he commands it. Armed with his brand-new single “I Get Everything”—released only six days ago—he delivers a performance carrying a seasoned urgency.

Bruner prowls the stage with the swagger of a young Steven Tyler, but it’s during “Red Light” that he truly breaks the fourth wall. Taking his high-octane performance directly to the fans, Bruner makes frequent trips to the barrier, providing an up-close and personal show that blurs the line between stage and crowd.

Supported by the flair of lead guitarist Zach Mears and a powerhouse rhythm section, he delivers a set that feels like a main event in its own right. James Bruner is a future headliner in the making—fearless showmanship and road-hardened grit.

Orianthi London Live Review: Six-String Supremacy

When Orianthi finally strode onto the stage, slinging her signature white PRS guitar, she looked every bit the rock icon the crowd had been chanting for. Launching into the searing “First Time Blues,” it was a statement of intent that immediately set the tone for the evening.

The set was a clinic in pacing, leaning heavily on the blues-rock fire of her latest work. Between songs, Orianthi shared a laugh with the London crowd about the biting UK weather, noting the sharp contrast between the cold January night in Islington and the warmth of her home base in LA.

A standout moment in this Orianthi London Live Review was a heavy rendition of “Heaven In This Hell,” originally co-written with the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart during a famously martini-fueled recording session in Nashville. The track was a swampy, gritty masterpiece that highlighted her unique ability to blend pop-sensibility with raw, unadulterated rock power.

The setlist offered a window into the records that built her. Orianthi channeled her father’s B.B. King collection for a soulful, gritty cover of “Never Make Your Move Too Soon,” before flipping the switch to pure rock-and-roll decadence. A high-octane version of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” turned the venue into a full-blown party, proving she can pivot from deep-pocket blues to stadium anthems without breaking a sweat.

Orianthi London Live Review Rock News Verdict: The Reign Continues

Tonight’s performance was a double-strength dose of rock and roll at its most authentic. James Bruner proved exactly why he’s a “one to watch” in 2026; his road-hardened grit and fearless showmanship suggest he is a future headliner in the making, already outgrowing the small club circuit with every barrier-crushing performance.

As this Orianthi London Live Review concludes, it’s clear she officially wears the crown as the Queen of the Circuit. Her technical ability is gobsmacking, but it is her consistency in selling out venue after venue that cements her status. She isn’t just a guitarist; she’s a force of nature who continues to carry the torch for real rock and roll. The atmosphere was killer, the solos were unassailable, and the performance was a relentless, driving force.