After postponing four recent shows, Slash’s Serpent Festival is back on track with a stop at Artpark in Lewiston, NY on July 30. The tour celebrating the blues features a rotating support cast with the legendary Keb ‘Mo, ZZ Ward, Robert Randolph sharing the stage on this night.
Following the recent passing of his stepdaughter, Slash postponed four shows in the week leading up to the show in Lewiston, leaving others shows to be determined. After resuming the tour the night before, Slash slithered into Western NY and played a killer mix of 13 songs, many from his 2024 release, Orgy of The Damned.
Forming the S.E.R.P.E.N.T festival, Slash wanted to spread positive vibes through music and charity. “Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality, N’, Tolerance” is the acronym. With charitable causes selected by Slash, a portion of every ticket sale on the tour is donated to the chosen groups.
The former guitarist for Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver has taken on the blues genre and gave the middle finger to any ‘traditional’ blues guidelines, creating his own style for others to emulate and build on. So, for those who showed up for covers of “November Rain,” “Night Train,” or “Patience”, I hope you weren’t too upset.
Following a short set from Randolph, ZZ Ward took control of the stage and the crowd with her classic, raspy blues vocals and left the crowd in awe after her brief set. Setlist included an original “Put the Gun Down” and an immaculate rendition of “Grinning in Your Face” from Son House. Finishing her set, she announces she will meet everyone at the merch tent to say hi, as her supporting cast jams out for another minute or so with classic blues chords
Following Ward’s stellar performance, Keb ‘Mo took his shot with the crowd. After a couple songs, he admits he had been drinking all day and casually continued through his set. Fun, classic, and boisterous are three words that accurately describe the set. Having seen him in 2023, this night’s performance was by far the better of the two. He seemed more at ease and loose, which was perfect for the crowd before him, as the fans of an old 80’s hair band quickly learned why Keb has won multiple Grammy’s.
With an appetite for destruction, Slash arrived on stage around 845 and wasted no time in shredding the stage as the Niagara River rages behind the venue. The black top hat, the aviators, the ripped tank top, and skinny jeans. This is the style that most fans of GN’R will know from the late 80s and 90s. Here we are in 2024 and slash still rocks the same look, with the same hair, and he rips the guitar like no other, playing originals and covers with ease.
While the setlist included a large number of tracks from the newest album, Slash blew created a frenzy as he played a rendition of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and continued with T-bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday” and “The Pusher”. Known for jaw dropping solos, Slash did not let the fans down tonight as he went hog wild on “Metal Chesnut” toward the end of the set.
No to be outdone, the supporting cast for Slash proved they were now slouches. Keyboardis/vocalist Teddy Andreadis provided enough sound and entertainment for a show of his own, poking away at the keys and puffing the harmonica, ala John Popper style, all well providing bone chilling vocals throughout the night.
Bassist Johnny Griparic seemed to have the most fun on stage. Solo parts from start to finish, smiling and pointing at fans, and doing his Captain Morgan impressions at stage front.
On the drums, Micheal Jerome sat in back like most drummers and kept pace with every beat and every antic that was going on. Barely breaking a sweat, I might add.
Finally, guitarist Tash Neal provided ample support for Slash, going note for note with one of the greatest guitarists out there. Blistering solos and crisp vocals create a match made in heaven as Neal proves his worth. The onslaught of both smooth and heavy blues are presented flawlessly with this amazing stage of musicians.
Rounding out the night, Slash absolutely crushed a cover of “Stone Free” that would have Jimi dancing in the grave. Following a brief pause, the two-song encore brought back many fans who were already heading the parking lot. “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” and “Shake Your Money Maker” completed a night that began some serious rain but finished with some sweltering blues.
The tour continues with another 11 stops and a rotating guest list that includes “Kingfish” Ingram and Samantha Fish.
Slash setlist: Parchman Farm Blues (Bukka White cover), Killing Floor (Howlin’ Wolf cover), Born Under a Bad Sign (Booker T. & the MG’s cover), Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac cover), Big legged woman (Freddie King cover), Awful Dream (Lightning Hopkins cover), Papa Was a Rolling Stone (The Temptations cover), Stormy Monday (T-Bone Walker cover), The Pusher (Hoyt Axton), Metal Chestnut, Crossroads (Robert Johnson cover), Stone Free (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
Encore: It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (Bob Dylan cover), Shake Your Money Maker (Elmore James cover)
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