Slash feat Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators + Mammoth live at Wembley Arena

Words: Kahmel Farahani

Photos: Dawn Osborne

The path into Wembley stadium is particularly crowded for this early Friday night, and that’s not just because of the women’s Football game taking place in the stadium next door. A sea of  Guns N’ Roses t shirts and black leather as far as the eye can see as fans snake there way into Wembley means that the cat in the hat himself is back in town. Slash, Myles Kennedy and their Conspirators are back for the next leg of their `River Is Rising` tour.

Tonight the support slot goes to Mammoth. Wolfgang Van Halen’s leads his band through the very definition of a short but sweet set. Starting with `Another Celebration At The End Of The World` and ending with `Don’t Back Down`, Mammoth’s 6 song set is packed with heavy, modern metal riffs and enough catchy hooks to keep it all sweet.

Wearing his beloved Meshuggah t shirt and thanking the audience, Wolfgang seems genuinely thrilled and happy to be showcasing his own songs to such a large crowd. The fact that he can shred like almost nobody else his age certainly helps too. Songs like `You’re To Blame` and `I’m Alright` strike a balance between blistering solos and contemporary chugging riffs and their brief set flies by. Mammoth have just announced their debut UK headline tour and if tonight was anything to go by, it will be a tour not to miss.

As the lights go down and the first notes of The River Is Rising ring out across the arena, one of the most iconic silhouettes in rock and roll walks across the stage and climbs onto the drum platform. A roar goes up as Slash jumps into centre stage and tears into the first of countless jaw dropping solos.

The latest album, titles simply `4`, is given a generous spotlight tonight with 7 songs from that record being dotted throughout the set. `Fill My World` is a softer ballad that Myles Kennedy says is lyrically an ode to loyal pets everywhere, while `Whatever Gets You By` is groove heavy riff and a punch of drums. The best of the new songs however is arguably `C’est la Vie` – a talk box guitar riff , a very catchy chorus and a towering Slash solo make it a perfect addition to the set.

At the same time, Slash has done a brilliant job of digging out some lesser heard gems from his rich back catalogue. Multi talented bassist Todd Kerns takes the vocal duties on the a number of songs, including the Lenny Kravitz classic `Always On The Run`. Hearing it live again is just amazing, its funky riff and rhythm have never sounded better, even without the horn section and it’s one of Slash’s best riffs.

The next deep cut is the evening’s only Guns N’ Roses song, but it is a sheer joy for the die hard fans in attendance. `Don’t Damn Me` from Use Your Illusion 1 is one of the greatest and most underrated songs in that incredible back catalogue. Finally hearing it live is worth the price of admission alone.

`Wicked Stone` leads into an extended guitar solo from Slash that that has steam rising from the fretboard. The less guitar obsessed in crowd may find it less exciting, but it’s hard not to be impressed. Tonight’s gig has none of the usual trappings of the usual arena gig – no pyro, no props, no video backdrops. It’s kept with the spotlight firmly on the music and that is incredibly refreshing.

Todd Kerns once again takes the lead vocals on the superb `Doctor Alibi`. It’s one of Slash’s best and Kerns is the perfect fit for the late great Lemmy’s vocals. Another blazing fast paced number `You’re  Lie` follows without even a 10 second pause between songs.

The Encore begins with chairs, piano and a lap-steel being set up on stage before the band return for their superb cover of Elton John’s `Rocketman`. It’s a brilliant change of pace and one that really suits Myles Kennedy’s vocals. The Alter Bridge main-man has been in fine form all night and, while he may not be the biggest personality on stage, he is a perfect foil for Slash’s songs.

As Slash and the band thank the assembled fans for their support, Slash once again grabs his faithful Les Paul and begins teasing the final song. Anastasia is the perfect closer and now it has grown into a live favourite in his solo shows. Its sinewy, coiling riff is fast becoming iconic and its the perfect song to get the entire bouncing. After a set that has passed the 2 hour mark, the band take their bows, Slash performs his now required hand stand and walks off throwing picks as he goes.

A sensational show with no frills or distraction from a master of his craft, Slash once again lives up to his reputation as that most iconic of guitar heroes.