ShareSlash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators performing their The River Is Rising Tour at The Resorts World Arena Birmingham on Saturday 30th March 2024.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators delivered a night of legendary riffs, powerful vocals and undeniable energy to a packed crowd at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham on Saturday on the first night of their River Is Rising Tour.
The crowd turned out in their numbers to catch the support band, Mammoth WVH, fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen, the son of the late Eddie Van Halen who was very charismatic along with his band members who were full of energy. Unleashing a set list that was packed with punchy tracks, they opened with Another Celebration At The End Of The World and followed up with You’re To Blame which showcased the bands ability to captivate the crowd.
Delivering a six song set list that included I’m Alright, Like A Pastime, Take A Bow and set closer Don’t Back Down, Wolfgang showed that he is a seasoned veteran who should be headlining and not supporting.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators encompasses Alter Bridge’s Kennedy, the American hard rock heavyweight vocalist, bassist Todd Kerns, drummer Brent Fitz, guitarist Frank Sidoris and of course the Guns n’ Roses guitarist, Slash, who began the night with The River Is Rising that had the entire crowd on their feet.
Donning his signature top hat and aviator glasses Slash was every bit the rock icon that the crowd had hoped for, with his guitar playing on point. Delivering a set list that was a rollercoaster ride of hits and deep cuts which showcased the breadth of Slash’s catalogue and the versatility of the band.
Tracks like Driving Rain and Halo had the crowd head banging in unison whilst the soulful Avalon provided a moment of calm amidst the chaos. C’est La Vie from the band’s latest album, 4, had Kennedy’s honeyed vocals married with Slash’s heavy guitar riffs.
Kerns took to the microphone for a total of three songs which included a breezy cover of Lenny Kravitz’s Always On The Run which was co-written by Slash, Guns n’ Roses Bad Apples and Slash’s Doctor Alibi which went down a treat and was a real contrast to Kennedy’s laid back approach.
Wicked Stone was a real highlight because it was mesmerising to watch Slash in full flow, although a ten minute solo may have been a little excessive. If that had been all about Slash, then the power ballad Bent To Fly was all about Kennedy.
Finishing the main set with World On Fire, they were back to surprise their fans with a cover of Elton John’s Rocket Man which was another highlight, before Anastasia was an awesome closer that lasted nearly nine minutes.
When a band like The Conspirators and a front man like Kennedy take to the stage, with Slash’s guitar wizardry, you know that you are about to be rocked and Birmingham rocked really hard.
