Richie Kotzen and John 5 Concert Review Celebreity Theater Phoenix, AZ 10-21-25
Concert Review and Photos By Roc Boyum
An Unforgettable Tuesday Night in Phoenix, AZ
The Sumptuous Celebrity Theater welcomed two iconic guitarists and music legends, Richie Kotzen and John 5, for an extraordinary evening of music.
The evening kicked off with Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, a band hailing from South Florida. They treated the Phoenix audience to an impressive performance, showcasing their distinctive fusion of straightforward rock infused with a Southern rock flair.
John 5:
Next on stage was the exceptionally talented John 5, joined by his powerhouse drummer, Alex Mercado, and enhanced by backing bass tracks throughout most of the performance—I’ll elaborate on that shortly.
John 5 transformed the stage into a Halloween scene, showcasing several large illuminated Jack-O-Lanterns, subdued lighting, a dense layer of mist, and flashing strobe lights. This combination crafted a hauntingly eerie atmosphere, perfectly timed with Halloween just ten days away.
Experiencing John 5’s incredible guitar shredding was even more eerie than his haunting atmosphere. He showcased his astonishing technical skills while often barely looking at his guitar, occasionally fixing his hair or adjusting the masks he wore during lengthy shredding sessions—truly mind-blowing. Throughout the performance, he effortlessly fused an array of musical styles, including electrifying metal, chicken pickin’ country, banjo rolls on his banjo, and a hint of jazz, which kept the audience captivated and on their feet for most of the show.
Before John 5 launched into an extended medley of Mötley Crüe songs, he brought out his guitar tech to play bass during the Crüe medley. Each instrumental snippet from the Crüe catalogue had the audience joining in, particularly when he played the piano lines for the Crüe classic “Home Sweet Home” on his guitar! This transformed the crowd into a Crüe choir. John 5 delivers a musical experience you don’t want to miss; even if you’re not a musician or a fan of instrumental shredding, his show is sure to captivate you.
Richie Kotzen:
After a brief intermission, Richie Kotzen took the stage with his bandmates Dylan Wilson on bass and Matt Lesser on drums, all of whom were met with a standing ovation. Richie Kotzen is a remarkable guitar shredder who stands apart from other guitar legends, as he brings a soulful edge to both his guitar playing and vocals.
His music combines elements of badass old-school jazz and rock fusion, interwoven with soulful vocal melodies. Kotzen and bassist Wilson frequently mesmerized the audience with their mind-boggling guitar lines played in unison—truly incredible for a six-string player, but for a bassist to keep up, damn that guy is crazy good!
Drummer Lesser established a solid foundation that kept the band anchored throughout the night while skillfully navigating various odd time signatures. His grooves provided the audience with a lifeline, allowing them to connect as Kotzen and Wilson ventured into musical realms that might have left many fans staring blankly.
Given that Kotzen performed only nine songs during a show that lasted over 75 minutes for the Phoenix audience, it highlights the incredible jamming and shredding that Kotzen and his band delivered—something that many contemporary bands often lack in their live performances, unless they are Dream Theater, who can play 20 minutes flawlessly without improvisation.
Be sure to experience this tour live before it wraps up, currently set to conclude on November 25th in Denver, Colorado at the Oriental Theater.
Get Into Richie Kotzen Here!
John 5 Photo Gallery:
Richie Kotzen Photo Gallery:
