Orianthi delivers signature guitar mastery and hard-hitting rock at The Coach House

Who: Orianthi, Mori's Memento

Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA

When: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Next: Orianthi performs at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, CA on Saturday, Jan. 28

Information: https://www.orianthi.me/

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Orianthi is one of the world's most talented and exciting guitar players.

Performing before a capacity crowd at the legendary Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Thursday night, singer-songwriter/guitar virtuoso Orianthi brought her signature command of the guitar and solid talents as singer and songwriter together for a winning concert. Backed by an impressive three-man outfit, Orianthi performed a mix of winning originals and select covers over the course of 100 minutes.

She opened with the heavy riff rocker "Light It Up," a cut that recalls some of the best melodic hard rock stylings of the 1970s. Orianthi was able to cut loose with the first of what would be a night full of flashy and impressive lead guitar solos. Beyond her incredible talents as a guitarist, Orianthi displayed how she has carved out her own sound that falls somewhere at the rewarding intersection where British and American blues meet alternative rock and pop rock. 

From left, guitarist Neil Swanson, drummer Elias Mallin, Orianthi and bassist Justin Andres performing at The Coach House on Jan. 26, 2023.

Another early highlight of the set was the super speedy "What's It Gonna Be," where the artist delivered precision guitar technique as well as impressive high reaching vocal notes in the dramatic choruses. 

The crowd that filled the Coach House was rewarded with the first-time ever performance of a song titled "First Time Blues" (or perhaps the title is "First Time I Got The Blues"), that the Adelaide, Australia native noted she had just written. Based on the strength of the thunderous blues rocker and its strong reception from the audience, there is a good chance we may hear the song on a forthcoming Orianthi studio LP. 

She also showcased her incredible talents as a rhythm guitarist on an enticing cover of Michael Jackson's "Black or White." 

Guitarist Neil Swanson with Orianthi at The Coach House.

Orianthi artfully performed a short acoustic set with her band guitarist; a lovely version of "Where Did Your Heart Go" found her adorning the song with beautiful flamenco-flavored guitar sonics. 

From left, Orianthi and Tracii Guns during a performance of "Sinners Hymn."

For her fiery performance of her original "Sinners Hymn," Orianthi brought out guest guitarist Tracii Guns (of L.A. Guns fame). During the song's last half, Orianthi unleashed a dazzling solo before Tracii Guns answered with his own fiery guitar foray.

From left, guitarist Neil Swanson, singer-guitarist Orianthi, guitarist Tracii Guns and
drummer Elias Mallin at The Coach House.

After ending her regular set with an energetic take on her 2009 hit "According to You," she thrilled the crowd with a powerful version of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Voodoo Chile." Orianthi is that rare modern day guitar great capable of conjuring up the flawless technique, power and wizardry of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Mori's Memento performing at The Coach House on Jan. 26, 2023.

Opening for Orianthi was Los Angeles-based Mori's Memento, a rising young troupe whose sound conjured up the hard rock Sunset Strip sounds of the 1980s. In addition to performing some solid original cuts, the group performed reworkings of Ratt's "Round and Round" and Dokken's "Into The Fire."