Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators- House of Blues, Boston, MA 7/8/13

Music fans looking for a concert filled with straight up rock got what they came for and more at the House of Blues on July 8th. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators provided them with a 22-song set that mixed the old with the new, including a nostalgic trip down G N’R lane.

The lights went down and the crowd erupted. Slash’s roadie passed him his Les Paul before he strutted out onto the dimly lit stage wearing his trademark black top hat and sunglasses. Boston born Myles Kennedy (vocals/rhythm guitar), donning a Johnny Winter sleeveless T-shirt found his mark while Todd Kerns (bass), clad in black, less his bullet-in-the-head yellow smiley face T-shirt, bounced out to stage left pumping his fists in the air. Brent Fitz (drums) settled in behind his kit with a smile as Frank Sidoris (rhythm guitar) greeted the crowd taking the stage alongside Kerns.

This band has been opening most shows with “Halo,” from their 2012 release Apocolyptic Love and they did the same tonight with the force of a locomotive. “Been There Lately” followed and then Slash gave his longtime fans a tasty nugget to chew on early in the set with the G N’ R rocker “Nightrain”. The band continued with “Ghost” and “Standing in the Sun” before Myles greeted the crowd by saying, “It’s great to back in Boston”. The band then thundered through “Back from Cali” and “Let it Roll.”

Kennedy introduced the next song, “Shine” as an “oldie”. It featured dramatic tempo changes and gave the crowd yet another opportunity to sing together. Curiously, with two six-string guitarists already on stage, Kennedy strapped on his PRS. This song did feature a very heavy Sabbath-style break, which provided a platform for Slash to tear through a lengthy, roller coaster ride of a solo as “Nothing to Say,” “We Will Roam” and “Gotten” followed.

The band then continued to demonstrate their versatility by unloading yet another of their secret weapons. Bassist Todd Kerns took over on lead vocals to sing a crowd-pleasing sing along “Dr. Alibi.” Slash stepped up to the mic afterwards and quipped, “Here’s a song that I wrote that everyone knows.” and then he teased the intro to the legendary “Welcome to the Jungle”. Kerns stayed front and center to sing this classic and admirably nailed the vocals. This song gave some audience members the green light to sway back and forth with their best imitation of the Axl Rose Snake Dance.

Kennedy returned to center stage, microphone in hand as the band kicked into the G N’ R monster “Rocket Queen.” This monster grew two heads as Slash down a crazy, extended lead as Kennedy’s vocals were also spot-on.  Myles Kennedy, who clearly has his own style – still came off as much more genuine than others who have taken on singing such G N’ R classics.

After this knockout punch, Kennedy asked, “Boston, you still with us?” To which the crowd enthusiastically screamed back with screams and applause. The band began playing the action-hero soundtrack worthy “No More Heroes.” Kennedy thanked the crowd before announcing that the next song was the first song that the band put together. “Starlight” gave the crowd another moody rocker to sink their teeth into.

Next up was the new single, “Anastasia”. Kennedy demanded, “I wanna hear you suckers scream!” as Slash played the technical, classical influenced lead. With Kennedy strapping on his guitar again, the band tore in to “You’re a Lie”. Kennedy’s exceptional vocal range proved why he was invited to work with both Jimmy Page and John Paul.

Slash began playing the guitar 101 classic “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and the House of Blues attendees cheered in unison. “Child” could have capped this set, but the band dug back into the Velvet Revolver catalog and played the nasty, bass thumping, “Slither”. Kennedy’s dynamic vocals actually made this song better than the original and Slash’s “Cry Baby”-laden solo pushed it over the top.

When the band returned just minutes later, Kennedy got to close his eyes and do his best Robert Plant. The band covered the Mighty Zep’s “Immigrant Song”. They played it note for note and didn’t waste much time before finally ending the night with the Guns stadium anthem “Paradise City.” Kennedy let the audience sing most band’s fans with confetti.

SET LIST
Halo
Been There Lately (Slash’s Snakepit)
Night Train (Guns N’ Roses)
of the chorus and Slash’s guitar pyrotechnics were only outshined by the black cannons on either side of the stage that covered the
Ghost
Standing in the Sun
Back from Cali
Let it Roll (Velvet Revolver)
Shine (Slash’s Snakepit)
Nothing to Say
We Will Roam
Gotten
Dr. Alibi
Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses)
Rocket Queen (Guns N’ Roses)
No More Heroes
Starlight
Anastasia
You’re a Lie
Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses)
Slither (Velvet Revolver)
Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin)
Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses)