Slash & Myles Kennedy Conquer Newcastle - Review

rating:4.5

There are certain indications when a gig is going to be good : first there's the fact that the queue to get in begins to stretch beyond the limits of the venue's walls by 4pm in the afternoon, and then there's the pedigree of the acts. You know what you're getting from Slash these days - as ever - and his fruitful team-up with Alter Bridge front-man Myles Kennedy has proved bountiful for both men - as anyone who witnessed their set from this year's Download would attest. Rounding out the night's entertainment were local hero Ginger Wildheart and Mark Tremonti, formerly of Creed and an Alter Bridge bandmate of Kennedy, all playing in front of a packed house at Newcastle's O2 Academy. Ginger opened proceedings, in front of a sizable early doors crowd, confirming what everyone suspected about the charismatic singer's suitability to the Master of Ceremony duties before Tremonti took to the stage with blistering results, swaggering confidently through his set as if he'd been a front-man for years. But then, that's probably what association with two insanely popular bands will do for you. And then, come 9pm it's time for the main event, with the crowd swelling even beyond the enthusiastic numbers for Tremonti's set, pushing excited bodies together and forcing the boundaries of what can be considered an intimate gig. In all honesty, Slash could have sold out the far larger Newcastle Arena, had he so desired, but chose to keep it smaller and more intimate at the Academy, prompting a quick sell-out and a premium on free standing space , even up at the back. Casting an eye around the crowd before Slash, Kennedy and the Conspirators took to the stage it's impressive to note the band's obviously broad appeal, from youngsters at their parents' sides to aging rockers who consider the hirsute guitarist to be royalty. Taking to the stage with the minimum of fanfare, and the maximum crowd reaction, the band immediately launch into 'Halo', a popular choice from Apocalyptic Love, and one that very much set the standards for a set full of classics from Slash's past, as well as songs from the band's current album. And to show that Slash pays some attention to those fans who follow him as an ex-member of classic Guns N Roses, 'Nightrain' follows, with Kennedy's vocal work more than matching that of Slash's former partner in crime. Click next to read the second part of this review...