The legendary be-hatted guitarist Slash was back at the House of Blues, and he played to what seemed like a sold-out crowd. This was a true rock show; they didn't have to use theatrics, long breaks between songs, or crappy banter to entertain. They simply played their songs, and played the hell out of them.
Vocalist Myles Kennedy, a longtime musician in his own right, was stunningly great. I didn't realize until the show that he was the young man pulled on stage to spearhead a rock band in the film Rock Star. I also enjoyed that he didn't try to imitate Axl Rose's voice, and kept the singing simple, yet expert. Of course, guitarist Slash was in his true form. Never taking off his sunglasses or signature hat as he tortured his guitar in the sweetest way possible with non-stop playing for hours. He stood upon the edge of the stage all night, ensuring everyone a good close-up of his skills.
These fans were ravenously awaiting the Guns n' Roses covers, but the original songs of the band, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, truly held their own against the coveted classics. They were just as gritty and edgy with rock/roll flair and flash. They performed numbers including "Wicked Stone," "30 Years to Life," and "World on Fire" from the 2014 album World on Fire and "You're a Lie" and "Anastasia" from the 2012 album Apocalyptic Love. Along with GNR's "Night Train," "You Could Be Mine," "Rocket Queen," and "Sweet Child," the band ended the evening with a fake-out leave the stage before the encore and "Paradise City." There was even a Velvet Revolver song entitled "Slither" stuck in there for those who followed Slash into the now defunct supergroup.
I do take it back; the audience was given just one theatric when at the close of the show, two cannons shot out a mass amount of confetti that completely covered the entire bar. The confetti had the guitarist's name printed on them, so you know some were getting taken home as well as a few picks thrown into the mix. Rock n' Roll is not dead. It wears a hat and plays a Les Paul.
