Kenny Wayne Shepherd Ignites Shepherd’s Bush Empire with Blues Mastery and Legendary Guest Bobby Rush

Alan Bryce
2 days ago
4 min read

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London - 18th July 2025

WORDS / IMAGES ALAN BRYCE

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Ignites Shepherd’s Bush Empire — Kenny Wayne Shepherd

On the 18th of July i headed to O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, to see blues and guitar legend Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Growing up in Louisiana with a father who was a concert promoter and radio personality, Kenny Wayne Shepherd was immersed in music from an early age, playing toy guitars until they broke and becoming inspired to play seriously after witnessing Stevie Ray Vaughan perform at age seven. Self-taught through cassette tapes and records, Kenny's prodigious talent led to an invitation to perform with Blues musician Bryan Lee at 13, and eventually caught the attention of Giant Records chief Irving Azoff, who signed him to a multi-album deal. His 1995 debut Ledbetter Heights topped the Billboard Blues chart, followed by the breakthrough 1997 album Trouble Is…, featuring the hit “Blue on Black” and launching a long-term collaboration with vocalist Noah Hunt. He continued his success with Live On, featuring members of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band, and released several acclaimed albums including The Place You’re In, 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, How I Go, Goin’ Home, and Lay It Down, culminating with 2019’s internationally successful The Traveler. In 2025, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of Trouble Is… with a special edition and released Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, along with a blues tribute collaboration with Bobby Rush titled Young Fashioned Ways, honoring their shared love for Muddy Waters and Chicago Blues.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd continues to blaze a trail across the blues-rock landscape, reaffirming his legacy as one of the genre’s most electrifying modern guitarists. With a career spanning three decades, his recent European tour—supporting Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 and the acclaimed 2025 collaboration Young Fashioned Ways with blues legend Bobby Rush—was highly anticipated. The UK leg saw stops in Cardiff and Edinburgh, but it was London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire that hosted a truly unforgettable evening on July 18.

This historic West London venue, renowned for its intimate atmosphere and storied acoustics, was buzzing with anticipation as fans of all ages packed in for a night of soul, groove, and blistering guitar work. From the moment the band hit the stage, the energy was palpable.

The show opened with “Woman Like You” from The Traveler, immediately showcasing Shepherd’s signature tone—raw, expressive, and precise. Without missing a beat, the band launched into a swaggering, groove-heavy version of ZZ Top’s “She Loves My Automobile,” a tribute to Texas blues-rock that landed perfectly with the crowd. Backed by a powerhouse band—longtime vocalist Noah Hunt, legendary drummer Chris Layton, bassist Kevin McCormick, keyboardist Joe Krown, saxophonist Charlie DiPuma, and trumpeter Doug Woolverton—Shepherd led a tight, well-oiled ensemble that never once overshadowed the emotional depth at the heart of each song.

Highlights from Dirt on My Diamonds Vols. 1 & 2 followed, demonstrating that Shepherd is not content to coast on nostalgia. Songs like “Best of Times” and “Sweet & Low” brought a soulful, almost cinematic quality to the evening, blending modern blues with vintage brass arrangements and heartfelt storytelling. The crowd was engaged and responsive throughout, many visibly moved by the new material’s themes of loss, resilience, and redemption.

But the night reached a transcendent level with the arrival of blues icon Bobby Rush. Now 91 years old, Rush took the stage with infectious energy, grinning as he greeted the crowd like old friends. Together, they performed five tracks from their collaborative album Young Fashioned Ways, a loving homage to Chicago blues and the legacy of Muddy Waters. Rush’s gravelly voice and wailing harmonica added layers of grit and authenticity, with “Chicken Heads 2.0” and the title track standing out as instant classics. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable—a passing of the torch that never felt forced, only joyful.

The main set closed with an explosive take on Slim Harpo’s “I’m a King Bee,” featuring a raucous horn section and Shepherd letting loose with some of his most incendiary solos of the night. But the encore sealed the night in legend. First came “Blue on Black,” the 1998 hit that has aged like fine wine—its chorus echoing through the hall, sung back by hundreds of voices. Then, in true blues-rock tradition, the band tore into Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” with Shepherd channeling the spirit of Hendrix through a fierce, emotionally charged solo that brought the house to its feet.

This wasn’t just a concert—it was a masterclass in live performance, a bridge between generations of blues musicians, and a testament to Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s undiminished passion for the craft. His guitar spoke volumes—fiery, tender, and reverent all at once. With Bobby Rush at his side and a band that could rival any in the genre, this night at Shepherd’s Bush Empire will live long in the memories of those lucky enough to be there.

Kenny’s return to the UK can’t come soon enough.

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