Duff McKagan brought his 2024 Lighthouse tour to a fitting conclusion at a sold-out Seattle Showbox in November. It was the final date of 7 US gigs for the Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Loaded, and Fastbacks bassist, singer and bandleader (preceded by a month of shows in Europe and the UK).

McKagan fronted a band composed of primarily Seattle based musicians, including Tim DiJulio on lead guitar, Jeff Fielder on guitars and keyboards, Mike Squires on bass, and Michael Musburger on drums. Duff and the band delivered a satisfying 22 song set, performing the lion’s share of ‘Lighthouse’, a handful of well-chosen covers, and a couple tunes from 2019’s ‘Tenderness’.

The show was opened by Canadian punk legend Joey Keithley (aka ‘Joey Shithead’) of Vancouver OG punk juggernaut, DOA. Keithley joined the band for a bangin’ late set version of a song he recorded for a single with Duff, ‘My Name is Bob’. A few tunes later Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols plugged in for a ragged but right take on Johnny Thunder’s ‘You Can’t Put Your Arms Round a Memory’, and a powerful version of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.

After Jonesy left the stage to much enthusiastic applause from the packed house, Duff thanked the assembled and delivered a heartfelt plea to for all to look out for each other and continue to pick each other up and be supportive during challenging times. The band then played a soulful and heartfelt version of ‘Don’t Look Behind You’ from ‘Tenderness’ while Duff waded into the crowd, shaking hands and expressing his appreciation to the crowd in front of the Showbox stage. It was an affecting and lovely conclusion to a show that was among the best I attended in 2024.