Six strings and a thousand possibilities! John 5 Live Review

John 5 KKs Steel Mill review

Six strings and a thousand possibilities! John 5 delivered a masterclass in guitar virtuosity.

There are guitarists who play the instrument, and then there are those who seem capable of making it speak an entirely different language. John 5 belongs firmly in the latter category. Renowned for his extraordinary technical ability, genre defying approach and work alongside some of rock and metal’s most recognisable names, the American guitarist brought his solo show to Wolverhampton’s KK’s Steel Mill for an evening dedicated to the limitless possibilities of the electric guitar.

Best known to many for his work with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, and currently serving as guitarist for Mötley Crüe, John 5 has built a reputation that extends far beyond his work as a hired gun. His solo material draws from metal, country, bluegrass, industrial music and instrumental rock, creating a musical identity that refuses to be confined to a single genre. At KK’s Steel Mill, the attraction was the opportunity to see that versatility placed firmly centre stage.

John 5’s appeal lies in the contrast between his almost clinical precision and the sheer unpredictability of his musical imagination. His playing can move from delicate, intricate picking to blistering metal passages in the blink of an eye, with sudden changes in tempo and style keeping the audience guessing.

Rather than relying solely on volume or speed, his strongest material showcases a musician who understands dynamics, phrasing and the importance of making every note count. The technical flourishes are impressive, certainly, but it is the variety of sounds and influences that makes his playing so distinctive.

His association with Rob Zombie has given him a platform in the industrial metal world, while his current position in Mötley Crüe places him firmly within the hard rock establishment, yet his solo work reveals a different side.

John 5 Setlist Highlights & 2026 Touring Repertoire

The following tracks are highlights from John 5’s 2026 current touring repertoire:

‘Season of the Witch’

A natural choice for showcasing John 5’s darker musical personality, ‘Season of the Witch’ combines an ominous atmosphere with the sort of inventive guitar work that has become his trademark. Its blend of theatricality and technical detail captures the stranger, more experimental side of his musical identity.

‘The Ghost’

One of the standout tracks from his newest material, ‘The Ghost’ offers another opportunity to explore the guitarist’s ability to balance melody with heavier, more aggressive passages. It is precisely this combination that prevents his instrumental music from becoming a mere exercise in technique.

‘Six Hundred and Sixty Six Pickers in Hell, CA’

The title alone suggests John 5’s mischievous sense of humour, while the music draws attention to his fascination with the meeting point between country picking and heavier rock. It is a reminder that his influences extend well beyond the usual vocabulary of modern metal guitar.

‘Howdy’

John 5’s country and roots influences are an essential part of his musical personality. ‘Howdy’ illustrates how quickly he can move away from conventional heavy-rock territory, demonstrating that speed and precision can be just as effective in a more playful, roots-oriented setting.

‘Strung Out’

With its emphasis on instrumental technique and tightly controlled musical detail, ‘Strung Out’ represents the more intricate side of John 5’s repertoire. It highlights the discipline behind his playing: the ability to make demanding passages sound fluid rather than mechanical.

‘Crank It – Living with Ghosts’

A heavier, more forceful entry in the touring repertoire, this track represents the side of John 5 that will appeal particularly strongly to fans of his work with Rob Zombie. It brings his instrumental abilities into the world of industrial-tinged hard rock, demonstrating that his solo music can be every bit as muscular as his band work.

‘I Am John 5’

There is something fitting about a guitarist with such an unmistakable musical identity having a track that bears his name. It provides a useful lens through which to appreciate the different strands of his career: the metal guitarist, the country enthusiast and the consummate technical musician.

‘You Me and the Devil Makes Three’

Drawing on the darker atmosphere associated with his Ghost material, this track offers a reminder that John 5 is more than a collection of impressive guitar techniques. His compositions can create moods and build musical tension, giving the technical fireworks a wider context.

Overall Verdict: John 5 Live at KK’s Steel Mill

John 5 occupies a distinctive position in modern rock. He is a musician capable of moving between musical worlds without losing his identity, equally at home with the aggressive demands of industrial metal and the intricate techniques of country guitar.

His solo work provides a platform for that versatility, revealing the depth of his influences and the restless curiosity that has sustained his career.

For guitar enthusiasts, the attraction is obvious; for fans of adventurous rock music, it is an opportunity to see a respected musician operating outside the usual restrictions of a band format.

At KK’s Steel Mill, the promise was an evening centred on technical excellence, stylistic variety and the personality of a guitarist who has spent decades refining his own musical language.

John 5 remains a player who can surprise, entertain and astonish in equal measure — and a reminder that the electric guitar still has plenty of stories left to tell.

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@RockNews