Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators with Dirty Honey @ MGM Northfield Park Northfield, Ohio 8-1-19

Its been a long world wide winded tour but Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators are just about to wrap it all up. One of the last dates on this run was a show in the newly converted MGM Northfield Park. Since the place opened up a few years ago, it was under the Hard Rock Hotel brand but as of April of 2019, the MGM Resorts & Casinos have now taken it over. Nonetheless, the show was still held and along for the ride were a new band called Dirty Honey from Los Angeles, CA.

Opening up the nights festivities were Dirty Honey. The band has a new self titled EP out and their 6 song set really grabbed the attention of the concert attendees. Songs like “Heartbreaker” and “Rolling 7’s” really have an old school rock feel to it. Between the vocals & swagger of vocalist Marc LaBelle and the tasty licks of guitarist John Notto, it gives rock fans hope that there is a bright future for the genre if this band is given the chance!

It’s been 4 plus years since I have seen Slash Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators and a lot has been going on with the band since that time. They released their 3rd album together called “Living the Dream” in 2018 and will be releasing a new DVD under the same name on September 20th. The band has been the same since Frank Sidoris joined them in 2012.

What a better way to kick things off then go right into the first track from the latest record in “The Call of The Wild.” Vocalist Myles Kennedy was all smiles and pointing and making hand gestures to the audience right from the opening riffs.The Conspirators consists of Sidoris, along with bassist Todd “Dammit” Kerns and drummer Brent Fitz. It should be noted that Fitz battled through a detached retina and still performed at a very high level. In fact, it was probably the most determined I have ever seen him perform!

I have always said that Slash doesn’t get the accolades he deserves as one of the most diverse and technically sound guitarists of all time. He may not like the gushing or fanfare, but I think it deserves to be mentioned. Unfortunately, the aura he has created I believe overshadows his incredible guitar playing. Lets just say you never seen or heard of Slash. One may say to get acquainted with him, all you have to do is watch a live video of what he did at the end of “Wicked Stone.” His solo at the end of the track was simply mouth dropping. It lasted for about 15 minutes. Kennedy even grabbed a guitar to strum along in the background as Slash did his thing. Speaking about Kennedy, his vocals were direct and powerful all night long. He even did some percussion work at the end of “World on Fire.” Kerns (who is a hell of a singer in his own right) handled vocals on two tracks We’re All Gonna Die” and “Dr. Alibi.” A few of these examples showed the flexibility between band members.

The set list was very diverse. Since Slash has rejoined Guns N’ Roses, the GnR songs have just about disapproved altogether (outside of “Nightrain.”) The only complaint one could have is maybe he could have thrown in a Slash’s Snakepit or Velvet Revolver tune. Otherwise, the 22 song 2 hour plus set was very fulfilling.

As Slash heads back to Guns N’ Roses for tour dates and Kennedy heads back to start his own tour with Alter Bridge, it will be a while before we see the band reconvene for future recording and touring. I was glad I got to see one of the last dates for the tour. You can tell how they grown together as a formidable outfit since the last time I seen them. I can’t wait to see what they will have in store for us when the time is right for the band to get back together and deliver us some new music.

Setlist:

The Call of the Wild

Halo

Standing in the Sun

Apocalyptic Love

Back from Cali (Slash song)

My Antidote

Serves You Right

Boulevard of Broken Hearts

Shadow Life

We’re All Gonna Die (Slash song)

Doctor Alibi (Slash song)