L.A. Guns and The Rockett Mafia Electrify Arcada Theatre with Unforgettable Rock Show
CHICAGO — The historic Arcada Theatre transformed into a haven for rock loyalists last Friday night as L.A. Guns and The Rockett Mafia delivered a powerful one-two punch of live music. With generations of fans in attendance, the energy was electric from start to finish.
The Rockett Mafia: A Supergroup With a Purpose
Opening the night was Rikki Rockett, iconic drummer from Poison, leading a rock supergroup that brought a nostalgic yet revitalized energy to the stage. Dubbed The Rockett Mafia, the lineup featured:
- Brandon Gibbs (Devil City Angels) on vocals
- Mick Sweda (King Cobra, Bulletboys) on guitar
- Michael Adams (Puddle of Mudd) on bass
- Will Doughty on keys
From the first notes of “The Bitch Is Back” to “Nothin’ But a Good Time”, the setlist was a celebration of timeless rock hits. Crowd favorites included Billy Squier’s “Everybody Wants You”, REO Speedwagon’s “Roll With the Changes”, and a mashup of Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like a Wolf” and T. Rex’s “Get It On.”
The band also paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and offered a heartfelt shoutout to Gibbs’ father in the crowd. The set was more than a performance—it was a jam session turned rock revival.
L.A. Guns Takes the Stage with Firepower
The crowd barely had time to catch their breath before Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis led L.A. Guns into an explosive hour-and-a-half set. With Johnny Martin on bass, Ace Von Johnson on guitar, and Shawn Duncan on drums, the band delivered a tight performance that honored both past classics and fresh material.
Highlights included a guitar solo from Tracii Guns that blended “Iron Man” and “Crazy Train”, a nod to the Prince of Darkness himself. Lead vocalist Phil Lewis kept the intensity high, with blistering renditions of “Ballad of Jayne”, “Never Enough”, and “Sex Action.”
The show reached its peak when Peter Dankelson from Pete’s Diary joined the band for a raucous rendition of “Rip and Tear”, leaving the audience screaming for more.
Setlists That Brought the House Down
L.A. Guns Setlist Highlights:
- Cannonball
- Sex Action
- Never Enough
- The Ballad of Jayne
- Rip and Tear
The Rockett Mafia Setlist Highlights:
- Everybody Wants You
- Cry Tough
- Roll With the Changes
- Nothin’ But a Good Time
A Night to Remember for Chicago Rock Fans
Whether you came for the classics, the glam metal nostalgia, or just to rock out with fellow fans, this concert delivered everything a live show should: energy, authenticity, and lasting memories. After a week of downbeat headlines in the music world, this night was a reminder of why live music matters.
Did you catch L.A. Guns and The Rockett Mafia at the Arcada Theatre? Share your favorite moment with us in the comments and explore more concert coverage at ChicagoMusicGuide.com!