Concert Review: Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, John 5, and Richie Kotzen at House of Blues Orlando – October 31, 2025 – by Beau Nasty
Halloween night at the House of Blues Orlando turned into a guitar lover’s dream as Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, John 5, and Richie Kotzen delivered a diverse and electrifying evening of rock, blues, and everything in between.
Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze
Kicking off the night, Vern Daysel and his five-piece band set the tone with a hard-driving blues set that hit exactly where it was supposed to. Their performance was tight, gritty, and full of the kind of raw energy that defines blues rock at its best. Daysel’s guitar work was both tasteful and fiery, channeling Southern soul through thick riffs and searing solos. It was a no-frills, high-octane start that got the crowd primed and ready for the heavy hitters to follow.
John 5
Next up was John 5, the ever-eclectic guitar virtuoso, who started the night with a two-piece lineup before expanding to a three-piece for a surprise Motley Crüe tribute in the latter part of the set — with a stagehand stepping in on bass. Running his EVH amps and cabs, John 5 took the audience on a tour through his entire musical psyche: blistering hard rock, metallic precision, rockabilly swagger, and even bursts of chicken pickin’ that defied logic and genre.
Visually, his performance was just as captivating — especially his signature stage maneuver where his head appeared to float and bobble above his body, an uncanny illusion that matched his theatrical flair. Known as the king of arpeggios, John 5 jumped between short-scale guitars, a banjo, and his beloved Fender Telecasters. One Telecaster, in particular, drew gasps from the crowd when its body lit up with white lights, turning the stage into a surreal light show. It was a set equal parts virtuosic and bizarre — exactly what fans came to see.
Richie Kotzen
Closing out the night, Richie Kotzen and his three-piece band brought things back to a raw, soulful core. Kotzen’s tone and presence filled the room, his vocals eerily reminiscent of the late Chris Cornell — rich, soaring, and full of emotion. Armed with his Fender Stratocasters and plugged into a custom blue Marshall 1959 Plexi full stack, Kotzen delivered a masterclass in phrasing and feel. What’s more impressive is that he plays entirely without a pick, fingerpicking every note with precision and warmth. His set was a reminder that sometimes, the most jaw-dropping technique lies in simplicity, control, and soul.
Final Thoughts
The Halloween show at House of Blues Orlando was a celebration of guitar mastery in three distinct forms: Vern Daysel’s straight-shooting blues grit, John 5’s genre-defying spectacle, and Richie Kotzen’s soulful, pickless perfection. Each act brought something different, but together they created a night that showcased the full spectrum of what modern rock guitar can be — powerful, personal, and endlessly expressive.
