There’s a familiar phrase we at Rock Today often use: Check out the support band because you might just find magic. Rarely has that sentiment felt more accurate than it did this evening as James Bruner took to the stage at Manchester’s Band on the Wall, opening for Orianthi.

Nashville-based guitarist and singer-songwriter James Bruner has been steadily building a reputation since launching his solo career in 2023, touring relentlessly across the UK, Europe and the US. Tonight, it becomes immediately clear why. Bruner is quite simply one of the most electrifying new entertainers in modern rock.

Channeling the raw spirit and fearless authenticity of his idols Iggy Pop and David Bowie, Bruner commands attention from the moment he appears. Dressed for the occasion in velvet, red trousers and a leopard-skin top and shoes, the visual spectacle perfectly complements the explosive energy of his music.

The set opens with Switchblade, the lead track from The Other Side EP, and straight away the quality of musicianship on display is undeniable. The band hits hard and tight, providing the perfect platform for Bruner’s powerful vocals. Can’t Keep Wanting You sees him pick up a Gibson double-cutaway Les Paul Jr., unleashing filthy, raw and utterly captivating guitar lines .

Momentum continues to build through EP standouts Red Light and Big Shot, before the 2023 single Alibi lands with emotional weight and intensity. There’s no dip in energy — only escalation — and when I Get Everything brings the set to a close, it feels far too soon.

What truly sets Bruner apart, however, is his connection with the audience. Throughout the set he gets uncomfortably close in the best possible way, blurring the line between stage and crowd — even diving straight into the pit to the delight of an unsuspecting throng. The sheer power and urgency of the performance, paired with a set of outstanding songs, turns this into a genuinely iconic moment for those lucky enough to witness it.

James Bruner is absolutely stunning live. His trajectory is unmistakably steep, and tonight it genuinely feels like we’ve been present at the early chapters of something special — a moment of history in the making.

Orianthi is an Australian guitarist, singer, and songwriter renowned for her virtuosic playing and commanding stage presence. Rising to international prominence with the hit single According to You, she went on to gain global recognition as Michael Jackson’s chosen lead guitarist for the This Is It concerts, alongside high-profile collaborations with the likes of Alice Cooper. Blending jaw-dropping technique with accessible rock-pop songwriting, she has cemented her status as one of the most respected modern guitarists. Tonight marks the opening night of her UK tour at Manchester’s Band on the Wall, in support of her outstanding latest album, Some Kind Of Feeling.

With only hours to go before showtime, we caught up with Orianthi as she prepared to take to the stage. “I just want to stay awake!” she laughs, admitting to battling heavy jet lag. Despite the fatigue, her excitement is unmistakable. “I’m just so grateful for the fans coming out. All the shows here are sold out, which is amazing. I haven’t been here for a bit so you never really know what to expect — so to sell out is just awesome!”

As she steps onto the stage, Orianthi looks every inch the rock star. Clad in a tiger-striped top, leather skirt, knee-high boots and her trademark hat perched atop tumbling locks, she brings glamour in abundance before striking a single note.

The set opens with First Time Blues, and from the very first note it’s clear that this is a guitarist operating at the highest level. Her touch is immediate and assured, drawing the audience in with delicate hammer-ons that build perfectly into the heavier groove of Sinner, where the interplay between wah-wah pedal and whammy bar creates a thrilling push and pull.

With a healthy number of guitarists in the crowd, You Don’t Want to Know draws audible appreciation. Her vibrato is exquisite, every note singing as she bends, shakes and all but wrestles the neck of her PRS — sparking a collective desire in the room to own one.

Huge cheers erupt when she asks, “Do you guys like the blues?” before launching into a hybrid-picked intro to B.B. King’s Never Make Your Move Too Soon. The lyric “I’m just a girl who loves to play the blues” lands as a particularly poignant moment, summing up both her humility and her deep musical roots.

A defining quality of the night is Orianthi’s versatility. Her promise of a show that blends rock, blues and pop proves spot-on, especially as she launches into the infectious I’m Done Thinking About You, with the crowd enthusiastically singing along. Between songs, her easygoing banter shines through, earning warm laughs as she professes her love for Manchester — even if she wishes it were a little warmer.

Mid-set, the mood shifts for a solo acoustic section filled with gorgeous, Spanish-tinged runs leading into Where Does Your Heart Go. A respectful nod to another legend follows with her take on Eric Clapton’s Before You Accuse Me. The acoustic set closes with the album’s title track, Some Kind Of Feeling, a moment that reminds everyone present that Orianthi isn’t just a phenomenal guitarist — she’s also a truly beautiful vocalist, and this song showcases that perfectly.

Recalling her teenage years opening for ZZ Top on their Australian tour, she honours the band with a raucous cover of Sharp Dressed Man, a clear crowd favourite that has the room buzzing.

The final salute to her heroes comes with Voodoo Child, delivered with raw passion but infused with a fresh, modern edge. As the last notes ring out, it’s hard to believe the 90-minute set has passed so quickly. The audience is left hungry for more, though comforted by Orianthi’s promise that she’ll be returning later in the year.

A thrilling start to the UK tour — and a powerful reminder of why Orianthi remains one of the most compelling performers on today’s live circuit.