by photojournalist Dan Fernandez
This review is a bit tough for me as the original rendition of Blind Melon, along with Shannon Hoon’s incredibly unique voice and Jim Morrison-Esque stage presence was one of the main soundtracks to my youth even long after Hoon’s tragic passing on the bands tour bus. Formed in Los Angeles in 1990, the band pioneered a form of neo-psychedelic alternative rock that has yet to be replicated. In their short five years with Hoon at the helm Blind Melon released two critically acclaimed albums with Capitol Records, their self-titled album “Blind Melon” (1992) and Soup (1995) with their biggest hit coming in the form of the song “No Rain.” After Hoon’s passing Capitol Records released the album “Nico” (1996), a postmortem compilation of previously unreleased and remastered tracks.
Following the loss of their front man the band held a multiple years long search for a new singer until officially dissolving in 1999. It wasn’t until 2006 that the remaining members revived the group with Travis Warren on vocals, releasing “For My Friends” in 2006. Due to my deep-rooted love for the original lineup, Hoon especially, and being that their influence was a material force that served to kick start my love for music and the art of live performances I don’t think that it is fair for me to compare the two as each front men have their own styles. Being said, I am going to review the August 13th show at Jannus Live as a stand-alone band with their performance based on their own merit as opposed to their early days.
Now for the review of Wednesday’s show… Kicking off the evening was the longtime local pop rock favorite 4 Star Riot based in Tampa, Florida. The four piece featuring Steve Alex, Finn Walling, Aaron Akers and Mike Chilton delivered a solid set that perfectly complimented the headliner and set the pace for a night to be remembered. Their engaging performance garnered much attention, with multiple attendees asking me if I knew the band’s name post-performance, which spoke as a true testament to their synergy.
With 4 Star Riot being the only opening act on the night it was not long before the headliners Blind Melon took to the stage. After Hoon’s passing and Brad Smith’s departure in 2017, the bands current lineup consists of Rogers Stevens (lead guitar), Christopher Thorn (rhythm guitar), Glen Graham (drums), Travis Warren (lead vocals), and Nathan Towne (bass). This tour marked a significant moment for the band, as 2025 brought a renewed life following a six-year hiatus.
When the tunes started pouring out into the nights air Travis Warren stepped into his role of frontman, showcasing a flair that alternated between delicate, softly sung vocals and expressively writhing on the stage floor during the band’s more up-tempo jams. His ability to connect with the audience was clear, drawing everyone into the deeply emotive sound that Blind Melon is oft celebrated for.
The band’s setlist was a satisfying blend of classic tracks from the Shannon Hoon era while also managing to include material from “For My Friends” as well as various singles crafted after their revival in 2006. The audience was treated to an array of hits, including “2×4”, “I Wonder”, “Paper Scratcher”, “Soup”, “Swallowed”, “Way Down Far Below”, “SleepyHouse”, “Change”, “Soak”, “Tones Of Home”, “Too Many To Count”, “Deserted”, “Wilt”, “Toes Across The Floor”, “For My Friends”, and “Galaxie”, culminating in a powerful rendition of the ultimate fan favorite, “No Rain”.
Although the lack of Hoon’s presence was certainly felt in the hearts of the band’s long-time followers, each note strummed, lyric sung and beat played still seemed to resonate deeply with those who gathered to see their favorite band play once again, creating a shared experience that was both intoxicating and reflective. On this night, Blind Melon not only celebrated their own legacy but also reaffirmed their place in the hearts of their fans, past and present.
While the set list was strong, I believe it could have been even stronger with the inclusion of cult classics such as “Soul One” “The Pusher” and “St. Andrew’s Fall” (or maybe I am just biased). All in all, it is near impossible to fill the shoes of someone of the likes of Shannon Hoon, but Travis Warren did a darn good job of blending the sound that most of us fell in love with all those years ago with his own personal stylings while being supported by many of the same musicians that shared the stage with Hoon. For those of us who grew up rocking out to the early years and newcomers alike, Wednesday night’s show at Jannus Live allowed us to relive the magic that is Blind Melon and what more could you ask for?
