SHONDA MICHELSON | Go Venue Magazine
Tucked away in Northern Michigan, The Venue Event Center in Cadillac has quickly become a must-stop for rock bands rolling through the Mitten state. With its intimate 600-capacity layout and booming sound system, this relatively young club channels the spirit of rock and roll, with a stage close enough to feel the amp buzz in your chest. On September 3rd, it was the place to be for a full-frontal rock revival courtesy of LA Guns on their Lucky Mother F’r Tour.
Warming up the crowd were The Five N Dime Poets, a Flint-based outlaw rock ’n’ roll trio who wear their roots proudly on their sleeves. Frontman Cash O’Riley, slashing through chords on guitar and wailing on harmonica, led the charge with gritty vocals and rock and roll swagger. Backed by Tyler Clayton on bass and Justin “JRock” Girard on drums, the Poets laid down an energetic, rockabilly-laced set. Their storytelling lyrics and groove-heavy jams were the perfect ignition switch. By the end of their set, the room was alive and ready to rock.
Then the lights dropped. The haunting strains of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Diary of a Madman” filled the venue, setting the mood as the crowd buzzed with anticipation. From the shadows, Tracii Guns emerged and began shredding along with the recording from the side of the stage, a spine-tingling moment. When the full band ripped into “Cannonball,” (Checkered Past, 2021) the floor shook and fists hit the air.
Phil Lewis was in razor-sharp form, his vocals on point, still full of that sleazy charm and grit that’s carried LA Guns through decades of hard rock evolution. And of course, he brought his signature British wit to the stage. At one point, in all seriousness, he asked if anyone had found a bunch of $20 bills rolled up. After a perfectly timed pause, he reached into his pocket and said, “Oh good, here’s the rubber band,” and flicked it into the crowd, earning a wave of laughter and cheers.
Tracii, ever the guitar wizard, unleashed bluesy solos and scorching licks, while Ace Von Johnson didn’t just hold his own; he added fresh muscle and texture to the band’s dynamic. Johnny Martin’s basslines were both thunderous and melodic, while Sean Duncan on drums delivered with relentless force.
The setlist was a killer blend of classic and current. Legacy tracks like “Sex Action”, “Electric Gypsy,” (from their 1988 self-titled debut) and “Speed” (The Missing Peace, 2017) lit the room up. “The Ballad of Jayne” (Cocked And Loaded, 1989) became an emotional anchor of the night, a full-room singalong with voices echoing through the rafters. From their latest 2025 release Lucky Motherfucker, the title track and “Hit and Run” landed hard, proving that LA Guns aren’t just riding on nostalgia; they’re still writing songs that stomp, scream, and stick.
They closed with “Rip and Tear,” (Cocked And Loaded, 1989) a raucous finale that sent the crowd into overdrive. No matter the room size, LA Guns deliver like it’s a sold-out arena. In a heartfelt moment before the end, Phil Lewis thanked everyone for coming out on a rainy Wednesday night, shouting out the loyalty of fans who still chase rock and roll under the glow of club lights.
In Cadillac, they played like it was the Sunset Strip in ’87. With hearts full of gratitude and amps cranked to 11, LA Guns proved that rock shows don’t need pyrotechnics or stadium crowds, just a passionate band, a stage, and a room full of lifers ready to rock.
LA Guns
The Five N Dime Poets
Follow our socials, only take a second and is free by finding us on:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky
