Right. Deep breath. Stretch your fretting fingers. Hide your bank cards from yourself.
Because John 5 has officially announced a 12-date UK tour for May 2026, and if you’ve ever wanted to witness a guitar being respectfully bullied into submission… this is it. 🎸⚡
This isn’t just another rock tour. This is a fretboard masterclass delivered at 200mph with a grin and a Telecaster.
🎶 The Man Who Treats Guitars Like Olympic Equipment
You’ll know him from his time laying down monstrous riffs with Rob Zombie, and more recently stepping into stadium-sized boots with Mötley Crüe — but when John 5 goes solo, it’s a completely different animal.
His solo shows are pure, unfiltered guitar theatre.
We’re talking:
- Country runs so fast they bend physics
- Metal riffs that punch you square in the chest
- Blues swagger that smells faintly of whiskey
- Classical passages that make you question your GCSE music grade
- Unexpected covers thrown in like curveballs
One minute it’s Nashville hoedown.
Next minute it’s horror-movie shred apocalypse.
Only in rock, mun. 🤘😈
🇬🇧 12 Dates. One Mission: Melt Faces Across Britain
The May 2026 run will see him tear through venues across the UK — and these won’t be polite, sit-down affairs. This is the kind of gig where:
🎸 Guitar nerds stand front row squinting at pedalboards
🔥 Metalheads nod like they’re watching a sermon
🤯 Half the crowd quietly questions their life choices
You can feel the strings vibrate. You can see the picking technique. You leave with neck ache and no regrets.
And in an age where some “live” performances feel like karaoke with lasers, watching someone genuinely command an instrument like this feels rebellious.
🎭 The Stage Presence? Pure Rock Circus
John 5 doesn’t just stand there looking intense.
He grins.
He jokes.
He throws picks like confetti.
He swaps guitars like he’s on a timed challenge.
It’s theatrical without being try-hard. Technical without being smug. Loud without apology.
And honestly? That’s proper rock energy.
🎟 Why You Need To Be There
Because this is what rock culture is built on — musicians obsessed with their craft, showing up and playing like their lives depend on it.
No gimmicks.
No ego waffle.
Just riffs, sweat, and pure joy.
Whether you’re a bedroom shredder, a seasoned pit veteran, or someone who just appreciates ridiculous talent, this tour is going to be lush.
🏁 The Riff Report Take
May 2026 just got very loud, very fast, and very fretboard-focused.
Expect sold-out signs.
Expect chaotic solos.
Expect a room full of guitarists pretending they “could totally do that if they practised more”.
John 5 isn’t just coming back to the UK.
He’s coming to remind everyone why the guitar still rules.
And you best believe The Riff Report crew will be there — probably stood too close to the amps, grinning like idiots.
Keep it locked for venue announcements and ticket chaos updates.
Shred responsibly, butt. 🤘🔥
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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