Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators’ highly anticipated River Is Rising tour made a stop at the Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland on Wednesday night, much to the thrill of rock fans in the Washington, DC area.The River is Rising tour is in support of SMKC’s fourth album release, simply titled 4. Young rockers Plush are on the tour in support of the October release of their self-titled album. Both bands stoked the already brimming energy of a full house eager to once again hear rock and roll played live. DC knows how to show up for a gig and we (one of “the best crowds of the tour”) ate this up.
On the heels of International Women’s Day, it was great to see a band like Plush—four young women who describe themselves as being on a mission to bring rock back to the forefront of the music industry. It’s a goal I wholly support and, given the crowd’s reaction to them, I’m not alone. They were entertaining and energetic. In 2022, it’s great to see such young bands (Dirty Honey is another that comes to mind) embrace rock and roll once more. As if their hard sound weren’t enough to let us know their goal is to bring rock back, they underscored this commitment by blazing through a rendition of Heart’s “Barracuda.” It was a raucous thirty-minute set and, as these women continue to mature (they range in age from 19-21), they will get even better.
Nearly thirty-five years after the release of Appetite for Destruction, rock legend Slash took the stage along with Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators. The gentlemen took the crowd on a hefty 21-song journey of some of their best tunes, with a few surprise covers thrown in (don’t expect any GnR, however). Along with some of the band’s earlier greats like “Anastasia” and “You’re a Lie,” they’ve also thrown in “The River is Rising” and—a personal favorite—“Spirit Love,” both from 4.
While I’ve never been the biggest Guns N’ Roses fan, Slash’s work with MK&C has cultivated my renewed respect and appreciation for him. Dude knows how to put a band together and work with them to create some amazing songs, a body of work that is its own legacy. Bassist Todd Kerns’ takes to the mic on a few tunes, guitarist Frank Sidoris adds some groovy sprinkles to each song, and drummer Brent Fitz commands the rhythm section.
I’ll admit my bias here, as the main attraction for me is Myles Kennedy who, in my opinion, is the best vocalist in all of rock and roll. From his work with Alter Bridge, to his solo work, to his participation in SMKC, his multi-octave voice soars and is smooth like the best bourbon. At this point it’s well known that many years ago there were rumors connecting that voice to Led Zeppelin and, if that weren’t enough, his talents also extend to thoughtful and diverse songwriting. Over time he’s crafted songs that run the gamut from the spicy (“Serve You Right,” from 2018’s Living the Dream, remains a favorite) to those embracing heavier topics like the death of his young father, which was addressed on his first solo album Year of the Tiger. On 4, “Fill My World” contains lyrics that Kennedy wrote from the perspective of a dog. A dog! And it works!
By assembling Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators, Slash has demonstrated that, even through changing times, there is always a place for kick ass rock and roll. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators continue The River is Rising tour through March 26th, wrapping things up in Orlando, Florida.
PLUSH
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators Setlist
Driving Rain
My Antidote
Shots Fired
Halo
Back from Cali
Spirit Love
The River is Rising
Whatever Gets You By
Always on the Run
Standing in the Sun
Speed Parade
C’est La Vie
Fill My World
The One You Loved is Gone
Call off the Dogs
Doctor Alibi
Rocket Man
Nothing to Say
You’re a Lie
World on Fire
Encore
Anastasia
