BUDDY GUY w/ opening act Christone “KINGFISH” Ingram – Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday 9/9/26. Review/Pics: Manuel Gay
An Evening with a Living Legend: Buddy Guy Celebrates 90 at the Hollywood Bowl
On September 9th, the iconic Hollywood Bowl hosted an unforgettable night as part of the legendary Buddy Guy 90 tour. A true delight from start to finish for blues fans in attendance. Modern powerhouse Christone “Kingfish” Ingram got the evening started with a jaw-dropping opening set, and a surprise guest appearance by Joe Bonamassa was the ultimate cherry on top of an historic blues celebration.
Kingfish Comes Out Guns Blazing
On what was probably the hottest night of the year, twenty-seven-year-old Christone “Kingfish” Ingram stepped onto the historic Hollywood Bowl stage with the confidence of a true veteran. Kicking things off with an extended version of “Midnight Heat,” he immediately left the crowd in awe of his unbelievable guitar work. Seamlessly blending songs into one another, the Mississippi-born artist mixed earlier hits like “Fresh Out” and “Out Of This Town” with recent material.
After introducing his backing band, Kingfish invited Joe Bonamassa to join him on stage for a mind-blowing rendition of “Voodoo Charm” from his recent record Hard Road (2025). The track quickly turned into a dueling guitar masterclass that will remain burned into our memories for years to come.
Kingfish delivered a full demonstration of his talents, effortlessly bending strings and even plucking them with his teeth. The young bluesman set the bar exceptionally high for the rest of the evening, proving precisely why he is hailed as one of the top guitarists of his generation.
Buddy Guy Still Defying Expectations at 90
When Buddy Guy finally took the stage, the packed venue erupted into the thunderous welcome only a true icon deserves. At ninety years young, the nine-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer proved that age is entirely irrelevant when your soul remains this vibrant.
Staying true to form, Buddy rocked his signature polka-dot button-up shirt; a touching tribute to his mother, to whom he once promised a polka-dot Cadillac once he became rich and famous. The Louisiana native used his Fender Stratocaster to deliver a performance that felt like a living history lesson in music.
Buddy and his band wasted no time hitting the audience with “Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues,” the opening song fans could only dream of. Juggling between delivering electric licks and playful banter, Buddy Guy held the entire amphitheater in the palm of his hand.
The precision in his fingers after eight decades of playing the blues is truly baffling, and his endless energy defies comprehension. He even took a stroll through the aisles of the venue mid-set, while delivering one of his remarkable solos, sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy.
The setlist masterfully combined his own catalog with medleys of blues classics, including Muddy Water’s “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “How Blue Can You Get,” famously popularized by B.B. King in the sixties.
Later in the night, Buddy stepped back to let guitarist Ric Hall take the lead and shine, followed by a special appearance from his son, Greg Guy, proving that the apple certainly didn’t fall far from the tree. The show reached its climax when both Kingfish and Joe Bonamassa returned to the stage for an unforgettable multi-generational jam session. Witnessing so much guitar talent concentrated in one place almost felt indecent. The closing jam triggered a deafening round of applause from the Hollywood Bowl, leaving the surrounding hills ringing long after the place was empty.
While blues may no longer dominate the radio charts, nights like this prove the genre is still alive and well, and in good hands. Getting to watch living legends like Buddy Guy perform today, and witnessing the passing of the torch to younger voices like Kingfish, is quite a privilege.
A Night for the History Books
Any concert at the Hollywood Bowl always feels like more than just a routine tour stop; it feels like a magical, shared moment for music lovers. This particular evening honored Buddy Guy’s legendary career while confirming that the future of the blues is looking bright. It was an unforgettable masterclass in music history for everyone in attendance. Opportunities to catch a genuine living legend on stage are rare, so whenever the chance arises, don’t sleep on it.
