Concert Review: Giovannie & The Hired Guns in Columbus, Ohio

By James Magill, OOTB Publications

I rolled into The Bluestone on May 8 to catch a show by Giovannie and the Hired Guns, a Texas-based band that blends alt-rock, pop, and country rock into a high-energy, genre-defying experience.

I first discovered them in 2022 when their song “Rooster Tattoo” popped up on one of my randomly generated playlists. I was hooked instantly—the raw sound and “fuck you” attitude resonated with the vibe of my life at the time. Digging deeper, I found “Ramon Ayala,” with its opening line, “I’m just an ordinary fuckup,” hitting home even harder.

I had the chance to see them live at Louder Than Life 2022 with my son. Their set was energetic and lively, and they quickly became a band whose songs I regularly included in my playlists.

Fast forward to The Bluestone. I've previously praised this venue for its aesthetics, sound, and atmosphere—it's top-tier for a show.

With Sonic Temple happening the same night, traffic was a bear, causing me to arrive late. But I made it just in time to catch the last few songs of the opener, Gannon Fremin and CCREV.

They were energetic, the music was jumping, and the small crowd seemed really into them. The sound mix was great, creating a party atmosphere. Riffs were tight, and people were rocking. I made a mental note to check out more of their music later.

Then came the main event: Giovannie and the Hired Guns. Before launching into their fun, frantic set, the band looked like a group of friends just having a good time. The frontman is a jovial dude, all smiles and energy. They played an amazing set, filled with heartfelt originals and some unexpected covers.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a band play such an eclectic mix of songs. They covered: