Theory of a Deadman has once again delivered an exceptional performance on their Unplugged series. Now on their third rendition of stripped-down acoustic style shows, Tyler Connelly and the guys have brought with them a great new lineup, showcasing the emotionally charged voice of Mick Blankenship as well as the incredible guitar skills of Ayron Jones. Here’s a break down of how this particular night unfolded.
All Valentine’s Day jokes aside, February 14 was a night of love and enjoyment for all those in attendance. Mick Blankenship took the stage first, you could see and feel just how great the night was going to be. While a long ways away from his home in Ohio, Blankenship proved that a strong voice can cross great distances. Had I not been looking right at him, I would have sworn my ears were hearing a stripped down set from Shinedown. His performance wasn’t just a concert—you were feeling his journey with each word. I was more than pleasantly surprised, and you definitely bet he was added to my daily rotation of streams.
Switching gears from Blankenship’s hard-hitting ballads, we got a taste of Seattle’s Ayron Jones. With fingers flying over the six strings like Hendrix and a voice I can only describe as true soul, Jones was an absolute treat. If I were to try and paint you a picture of how he sounds, it would include the colors of Jackson, Cobain, Soundgarden, and Prince. As his set continued, realization had set in that his voice wasn’t unfamiliar— his single “Blood in the Water” is one that frequents a few playlists of mine. Being an acoustic style show, I was left wondering how it would sound seeing him with a full accompaniment. The desire to see him in a full performance is at a peak now. If that isn’t the indication of how amazing an artist is, I don’t know what is. Well done, Ayron.
So, here we are, the main event of the evening. Now, I did very much enjoy this entire show, so far, and my excitement to hear all the fan favorites was at a considerable high. There were some questions I had though. How are you going to turn songs like “Bad Girlfriend” or “Lowlife” into a stripped down style without losing their original essence to the crowd? Well, those questions were answered—and then some.
Rather than a traditional concert setup, the band presented the show as a basement jam session among friends. I have to admit, while I appreciated the concept, I found it visually overwhelming. The extra furniture, the bar, the stairs—it all felt cluttered and distracted from the subdued performance that needed no extra embellishments. For it being a “back-to-basics” style, there was just a lot going on.
That said, the music itself was fantastic. After over 25 years of touring and making music, their showmanship shined at its brightest. Connelly, front and center, entertained the audience with tidbits and anecdotes from across the years. He made toasts and hosted Vets on stage, all while cracking jokes and spitting lines that perfectly played into the Valentine’s Day season. The band’s charisma was lighthearted and humorous, reinforcing the casual, jam session mood aspired for. The setlist spanned their entire career, effortlessly transitioning from full blown rock to laid back arrangements, all while keeping the crowd engaged.
Overall, it was a outstanding show, with many more on this tour to come.
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