If any contemporary guitarist can be said to wear a lot of hats and wear them well, it is John 5. Indeed, the former Marilyn Manson and current Mötley Crüe guitarist has not encountered a genre or style of music he cannot seem to play effortlessly.
John 5
The Underworld, Camden – 14 May 2026
Words: Kahmel Farahani
Photography: Aggie Anthimidou
The last time John 5 graced the UK with his presence was during The Crüe’s last stadium show at Wembley. They also played a secret warm-up show in The Underworld, and it is here that he has returned for a highly anticipated solo show.
The Underworld is packed tonight, and the venue putting on a Marilyn Manson playlist over the PA before the show is a nice touch.
From the opening shredding of Wicked World to the superb Mötley Crüe medley at the end, tonight’s set was a masterclass in guitar playing, showmanship, and pure musical versatility. On stage, it’s only John 5 and his drummer, and the sound stays flawless even when it gets loud.
The way John 5 transitions effortlessly between crushing riffs, country-inspired chicken picking, bluesy jazz and full-on speed demon shredding is astounding.
He even attempts some open tuning before breaking a string and laughing. “I never break strings,” declares John 5 with a big grin. Switching from one Telecaster to another, he is right back at it.
Highlights included the speedy tapping and shredding of The Ghost, the insane precision of Six Hundred And Sixty Six Pickers In Hell, CA, and a surprisingly beautiful take on Georgia (On My Mind) and How High The Moon.
If anything, it is reminiscent of somebody like Les Paul himself, moving between the beautiful melodic and deceptively fast and complex, with only the guitar between himself and the crowd.
In John 5’s case, there is also a dollop of brilliantly schlocky horror movie tropes thrown in. From the changing Frankenstein monster masks, one pulled back to reveal the next, to the mini guitar and skull on a mic stand, it adds a tongue-in-cheek joy that stops the night from turning into anything self-indulgent.
John 5 tips his hat to Queen, jamming Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and also to his time with a certain Mr Manson. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) only goes for a few notes before the entire crowd sings along.
It is over all too quickly. Those songs sit easily next to his own songs like Fiend, Deviant, and You Me And The Devil Makes Three. When John 5 wants to shred, there are very few who can keep up.
John 5 takes the microphone briefly and thanks the crowd for being here. “I’m enjoying this so much, even with the jet lag,” he says with a smile.
The atmosphere at The Underworld is electric, intimate enough to really appreciate the technical brilliance on display, but loud enough to keep proceedings thrilling. John 5 takes a bow and decides to end with a crowd-pleaser.
The Mötley Crüe riff medley (Live Wire, Too Fast For Love, Shout At The Devil, Home Sweet Home, Girls Girls Girls and Dr Feelgood) is worth the price of admission alone, and it is the perfect way to end on a bang.
Let’s hope John 5 starts making the UK a regular part of his touring schedule, as tonight’s show was nothing short of superb, and a ghoulishly good time to boot.
