Steven Adler
Epic Leppard / VHT
Warehouse Live Midtown
H-Town, Texas 6-4-26
Steven Adler Brings Sunset Strip Swagger to Houston
By Honey Rumbles / Jeff Arnhart
VHT
Epic Leppard
The lineup at Warehouse Live Midtown was a dream for fans of classic hard rock. Houston favorites Epic Leppard opened the evening with a tribute to one of Britain's greatest rock exports, followed by VHT's celebration of Van Halen's legendary catalog. Capping off the night was former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, backed by a powerhouse band that brought one of rock's most iconic songbooks to life.
Together, the three acts delivered more than four decades of rock history in a single evening.
Epic Leppard Kicks Off the Party
Opening the night was Houston's own Epic Leppard, whose tribute to Def Leppard immediately established the evening's nostalgic atmosphere. Capturing the layered harmonies, polished guitar work, and radio-ready hooks that made Def Leppard one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. As fans filtered into the venue, the band wasted little time drawing them toward the stage. Their faithful recreation of Def Leppard's arena-rock sound transformed the room into a celebration of the band's remarkable catalog, setting the perfect tone for what would become a night dedicated to rock's golden age.
VHT Honors Every Era of Van Halen
If Epic Leppard provided the polish, VHT supplied the party.
The Houston-based Van Halen tribute act brought the energy level up another notch with a performance that celebrated the full Van Halen legacy. Rather than focusing exclusively on the David Lee Roth years, VHT wisely embraced both chapters of the band's history, delivering fan favorites from the Roth era while also including several Sammy Hagar-era hits.
The decision paid off. Longtime fans responded enthusiastically to hearing songs from both incarnations of Van Halen, while the band's musicianship captured the spirit, fun, and technical prowess that made Van Halen one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Their set served as the perfect bridge between the tribute bands and the night's headliner.
"By the time VHT left the stage, the crowd wasn't merely warmed up - they were ready for a musician who helped write a chapter of rock history."
Steven Adler Returns to the
Songs That Changed Rock
Songs That Changed Rock
When Steven Adler finally emerged, the audience greeted him with the kind of reception reserved for someone who helped create the soundtrack to a generation.
Few drummers can claim a legacy as significant as Adler's. As a founding member of Guns N' Roses, Adler's distinctive groove played a major role in shaping the sound of Appetite for Destruction, the 1987 debut album that remains the best-selling debut album in rock history. His swinging, loose style helped separate Guns N' Roses from the countless hard-rock bands emerging from Los Angeles during the mid-1980s.
Songs such as "Welcome to the Jungle," "Mr. Brownstone," "Rocket Queen," and "Paradise City" carried a swagger that owed much to Adler's drumming. Though his tenure with the band ended in 1990, his contributions remain an essential part of the Guns N' Roses story, culminating in his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his former bandmates in 2012.
Today, Adler celebrates that legacy with a touring band that faithfully recreates the music while bringing its own energy to the stage. Leading the group is vocalist Ari Kamin, whose powerful voice and charismatic stage presence made him a natural frontman. Kamin wisely avoids imitation, instead channeling the attitude and spirit of the material while making the songs his own. Lead guitarist Michael Thomas handled the iconic Slash guitar parts with confidence and precision, while rhythm guitarist Alistair AJ James provided the muscular backbone that gives Guns N' Roses songs their distinctive punch. Bassist Cristian Sturba anchored the rhythm section, locking in tightly with Adler throughout the evening.
A Setlist Built for Diehard Fans
The band wasted no time launching into "Nightrain," instantly transporting the crowd back to the Sunset Strip. The momentum continued with "Mr. Brownstone," "Anything Goes" and "My Michelle," giving longtime Guns N' Roses fans an early run through some of the grittier highlights from Appetite for Destruction.
Adler briefly stepped outside the Guns N' Roses catalog with "Good to Be Bad," the title track from his own Adler project, before the band paid tribute to one of GNR's key influences with a spirited rendition of Aerosmith's "Mama Kin."
The groove-heavy "It's So Easy" kept the energy high before Kamin delivered a brief a cappella snippet of "Patience," allowing the audience to carry much of the song themselves. It became one of the night's most memorable moments as voices throughout the venue joined together.
The second half of the set leaned heavily into fan favorites. "You Could Be Mine" thundered through the room before Michael Thomas recreated the instantly recognizable opening notes of "Sweet Child O' Mine," prompting one of the loudest crowd reactions of the evening. "Rocket Queen" followed, bringing some of the raw danger and attitude that defined the band's early years.
Then came the closing sequence everyone had been waiting for. The opening riff of "Welcome to the Jungle" sent the crowd into a frenzy, turning Warehouse Live Midtown into a scene reminiscent of the clubs where Guns N' Roses first built their reputation. Finally, the band closed with "Paradise City," as hundreds of fans sang every word in unison.
"When the crowd took over the chorus of 'Paradise City,' it wasn't just a singalong - it was a reminder of how deeply these songs remain woven into rock culture."
A Celebration of Rock's Greatest Era
What made the evening particularly enjoyable was its balance between tribute and authenticity. Epic Leppard and VHT paid loving homage to two of rock's most influential bands, while Steven Adler provided a direct connection to the era they were celebrating.
From Def Leppard's arena-sized melodies to Van Halen's party-rock swagger and Guns N' Roses' streetwise attitude, the concert showcased three distinct sides of 1980s hard rock. More importantly, it reminded everyone why these songs have endured for decades.
As fans spilled out into the warm Houston night, there was little doubt they had witnessed more than a collection of performances. They had experienced a celebration of a time when rock music dominated the airwaves, guitar solos were mandatory, and bands weren't afraid to be larger than life.
"Some concerts are nostalgic. Others are historic. This one managed to be both."
Steven Adler Setlist:
Nightrain (Guns N’ Roses song)
Mr. Brownstone (Guns N’ Roses song)
Anything Goes (Guns N’ Roses song)
My Michelle (Guns N’ Roses song)
Good to Be Bad
Mam Kin (Aerosmith Cover)
It's So Easy (Guns N’ Roses song)
Patience (Guns n Roses song snippet, acapella by Kamin)
You Could Be Mine (Guns N Roses Song)
Sweet Child o' Mine (Guns N’ Roses song)
Rocket Queen (Guns N’ Roses song)
Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses song)
Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses song)