A short while back, MetalTalk sat down with the rock powerhouse that is Myles Kennedy to discuss his recently released album, The Art Of Letting Go, and this very tour. A legend in the eyes of both fellow musicians and music lovers, Kennedy was as amiable as he was an effigy of rock wisdom and gratitude for his career so far. His excitement for touring his latest album – along with Devin Townsend as support – was undeniable. With a sold-out show beckoning, we went down to grasp some true Myles Kennedy action.
Myles Kennedy – Devin Townsend
O2 Forum Kentish Town – 3 December 2024
Words: Monty Sewell
Photography: Steve Ritchie
Myles Kennedy
The gorgeous artwork featured on The Art Of Letting Go is painted on a huge backdrop at the back of the Forum’s stage with the emboldened words ‘Myles Kennedy’ struck across it. With throngs of fans crowded into the venue, it is seemingly impossible to get through to the front. But just as Kennedy is, his fans are some of the friendliest and a few weaves through give me a good spot right in the action.
Kennedy and his band bring the heat right from the get-go, launching into their set with the title track, The Art Of Letting Go. After chatting with the man himself and knowing what a genuinely nice guy he is, it is like watching an old friend go up onstage and smash it.
Catching up with a friend in the crowd, they exclaim that they had only seen Kennedy play with Alter Bridge and had no idea he could solo as he could. As humble as he is talented, the story goes that it was only when Mark Tremonti overheard him playing the guitar in an Alter Bridge dressing room one day that he knew Kennedy could shred as he does.
The set is sensational, with much of it taken from the new record – which is one of Kennedy’s finest – with Say What You Will, Nothing More To Gain, Behind The Veil and Saving Face, to name a few. The true test of a new album really does come when played on the big stage, and this truly gets an A*.
A couple of songs in Kennedy stops to address his engorged audience. “We were getting ready earlier, and we caught a glimpse of the queues outside the venue, and I suddenly got really nervous! Like wow, we got to put on a damn good show for you all tonight!” I cannot stress enough how much of a class act Kennedy is. He is everything a rockstar should be, with an added touch of lovable geniality.
Year Of The Tiger gets a grand shout-out with its title track, Blind Faith, Devil On The Wall, amongst others. Kennedy’s unfailing smile continues to set the stage alight with a fever for Rock ‘N’ Roll and gratitude for a night such as this. Bassist Tim Tournier and drummer Zia Uddin back Kennedy with no less astute musical prowess than their leader.
The bands’ music techs had their work cut out for them, with both Kennedy and Tournier constantly swapping over guitars and basses to get their live sounds right. At one point, I could have sworn Tournier quite literally cast his bass to his tech, who caught it magnificently before passing the following instrument over to him. Now, that is what I call knowing teamwork.
The show also features A Thousand Words, Get Along and In Stride from The Ides Of March. As Kennedy is now in his trimester – if you will – of album releases, it is great to see a mix-and-match progression of his solo work played out. It lends to taking a moment of reflection on how good of a musician Kennedy is. Each song folds seamlessly into the other before kicking up an unexpected punch of air.
We also get an Alter Bridge cover (it feels slightly off calling it a cover given he is the recorded singer!) of Lover and a snippet of The Mayfield Four song White Flag. Kennedy continues to solo and riff his way through an extraordinary performance hell-bent on a good time.
As the night comes to a close, Kennedy thanks his audience with such an abundance of adoration for his fans, which only brings about more cheer from the already resoundingly responsive audience.
Myles Kennedy is the rockstar of the people, and no one can say different. No matter how much we get of Myles, it is always too little and never too much.
Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend supported with vigour and a kick, fueling the introduction to the night with a punch. The artist enticed the audience into his solo set with an acoustic guitar and a hand-held heart. Charismatic as ever, Townsend took the crowd through moments of his discography with a beautifully placed sentiment and a heavy-handed rock mastery.
Ever the showman, the musician was intriguingly sensational as he commanded his audience whilst dropping down pedal-board riffs strewn into his almost orchestral vocal work.
