L.A. Guns @ The City Winery, Atlanta - May 6th 2025

Chris Collett
May 8
2 min read

Updated: May 15

📍 City Winery – Atlanta, GA | 🗓 May 6, 2025

L.A. Guns @ The City Winery, Atlanta - May 6th 2025

L.A. Guns turned up the heat in an already buzzing City Winery Atlanta with a raw and thunderous set that spanned decades of Sunset Strip sleaze and modern grit. Packed into one of the city's more intimate venues, the audience got a close-up of a band still firing on all cylinders nearly 40 years in.

Setlist & Energy

Opening with the snarling riffs of “Cannonball,” the band wasted no time kicking the night into high gear. The setlist was a slick blend of fan favorites and cuts from their latest album Leopard Skin, released just weeks prior. Songs like “Rip and Tear,” “Sex Action,” and “Never Enough” had the crowd on their feet, singing every lyric. But it wasn’t just a nostalgia trip—newer tracks like “You’re the One” and “Lucky Motherf*er”** punched just as hard.

One standout moment came during “Sex Action,” when Olga, the band’s merch girl, hit the stage as a surprise go-go dancer. Dressed in glam rock style and full of attitude, she brought classic sleaze-rock energy that had the crowd going wild.

Later, “The Ballad of Jayne” offered a moment of emotional calm, delivered with clarity and warmth from Phil Lewis’s still-powerful voice.

The Band: Still Dangerous, Still Tight

Phil Lewis – Vocals sharp as ever, oozing charisma
Tracii Guns – Melodic leads, blazing solos, vintage tone
Ace Von Johnson – Tight rhythm playing, punk flair, vocal support
Johnny Martin – Gritty basslines, all-out stage presence
Shawn Duncan – Thunderous behind the kit and celebrated his birthday that night (May 6) with a fierce, no-holds-barred performance

The band’s chemistry was undeniable, tight from years of touring and recording. Everyone brought their A-game.

Charlie Starr’s Surprise Cameo

Just when things couldn’t get any better, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke strolled onstage for the finale. With a Les Paul in hand and a grin on his face, he jammed with Tracii Guns on “Rip and Tear,” adding a Southern-rock twist to the band’s signature sleaze. The crowd lost it—a true Atlanta-only moment.

Venue Vibe

City Winery offered a cozy, front-row-to-everything vibe. The acoustics were strong, the lights on point, and the intimacy of the venue elevated every moment. Some fans mentioned the tight seating wasn’t ideal for a rock show, but the chance to see L.A. Guns this up-close more than made up for it.