John5 live at Club Volta as part of his 2026 European Tour
John 5 stepped on stage on an unusually hot May Saturday evening wearing a leather jacket and his signature white-and-black face paint, strapped on his Telecaster, and opened with some crushing riffs. From there, the night flowed seamlessly from heavy headbanger riffs to country-inspired chicken picking, surf rock, tapping, bluesy jazz, and full-on speed shredding. From the opening moments to the final notes, the set was a masterclass in guitar playing, showmanship, and pure musical versatility. Halfway through the set, he even proved he could handle a solid bass solo just as well.
John 5 was backed on stage only by his new drummer, Joey Aguirre, while some pre-recorded bass lines filled out the sound. He showcased his signature Fender Telecasters — the white “Ghost” and the black “The Phantom.” Plugged into two stacks of EVH 5150 amps, the sound stayed flawless even at high volume. Eddie Van Halen himself gifted John 5 one of the very first 5150s, which he still owns to this day, though on the road he now plays the EVH 5150 III S EL34 with a matching cab. The stage also featured a stack of Fender Bassman Pros — looked like the 4×10 version, if I’m not mistaken. The vocal-free arrangements proved to be a remarkable work for instrumental music aficionados.
John 5 is an incredibly versatile guitarist who has played, recorded, and toured the world with legendary artists like David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Dolly Parton, served as the touring guitarist and in 2023 becoming an official member of Mötley Crüe.
I can’t say that Club Volta was completely sold out — there was still room for a few more people — but I’d estimate around 300–350 loud, mostly male fans packed into the intimate, pit-free venue. The front rows were glued to the relatively low stage, witnessing the show from almost arm’s-length distance.
Accreditation: Area One
