Myles Kennedy has a career most musicians would envy. He fronts two very successful bands, Alter Bridge and Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, he recently released his third critically acclaimed solo record titled The Art of Letting Go, and he possesses one of the great rock voices of his generation. On a cold January night, Kennedy brought his solo tour to the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den for an unforgettable experience. Please scroll on for Myles Kennedy live photos and a review of the night!
Timing is everything, and 2024 was a perfect time for Myles Kennedy to release his third solo record, The Art of Letting Go. Alter Bridge just came off of a very successful cycle for their Pawns & Kings record, and 3/4s of the band took part in the Creed reunion. Meanwhile, Slash dipped his toe into the blues with his Orgy of the Damned record and tour. This allowed Myles to release his first solo record since 2021 and hit the road to support it. Kennedy, joined by long-time collaborators Zia Uddin on drums and Tim Tournier on bass, treated the capacity crowd to a set heavy with material from the current record and selections from his previous two solo releases.
I’ve had the fortune to see Myles in a few different incarnations. I was in Cleveland Public Hall in 2012 when he famously fronted Guns N’ Roses for their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, I’ve seen him with Slash, Alter Bridge, and now as a solo artist. In each of those situations, Kennedy brings a different vibe to the proceedings. As a solo artist he is very relaxed and engaging, but more than anything, performing as a solo artist lets Kennedy show what a tremendous guitarist he is. Everyone knows his voice is without peer, but he shines as a musician when given the space in a solo show.
Myles Kennedy is a consummate frontman and puts together a very well-paced set. The all-out rockers like “The Art of Letting Go”, “Nothing More To Gain”, and “Devil on the Wall” set the tone for the night. While he usually does a couple acoustic tracks each night, only one was played this time, but it was a truly stunning version of the Alter Bridge classic “Watch Over You”.
Kennedy’s guitar skill was on full display during an extended “Behind The Veil”. When he shares the stage with guitar greats like Slash and Mark Tremonti, it’s easy to forget that Kennedy started out as a guitarist and is immensely talented. Watching him lose himself in the ending solo of “Behind the Veil” or take on the slide work on “In Stride” reminds us that he could easily fit into any conversation of great guitar players.
Tracks from previous solo records, like “Year of The Tiger”, “Love Can Only Heal”, and “A Thousand Words” have new life breathed into them when played alongside newer material. As a whole, Kennedy’s solo catalogue feels more vibrant and has a greater sense of urgency when played live by the trio. The songs and the talent really shine through when stripped of the trappings of the studio.
Myles Kennedy is a true talent. His voice, writing, and musicianship are unparalleled. Having seen him with each of his bands, I have to say that his solo shows feel like the most authentic representation of who he is as a musician.
