SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators Troubadour, West Hollywood 9/23/2014

Pictures and Recap by Natalia Britt

When Slash announced West Hollywood shows earlier in August, Los Angeles went crazy. All three venues were sold out in about one minute. So all the hype about coming in to Troubadour early in the afternoon to get in a line was not just a rumor overheard while walking down the Sunset Strip a day before the kick off show. People lined up to the end of the block, around the corner, dresses in leather and jeans, Slash and GNR T-shirts were chatting and singing right before the doors opened up. Thankfully, the line starting moving around 8:30 as people entered The Troubadour for a very special show. Inside, packed and hot, yet very friendly, the venue was full of people of different ages – kids, teens, adults, and the “older” audience.

Upon entering the venue, it was very dark and packed out inside, yet. at the same time, the setting was still very small and intimate.

The opener, Hillbilly Herald, played an amazing opening set and their song “Hotter Than The Devil’s Dick”, was just that. A 30 minute intermission then followed Hillbilly Herald’s excellent performance.

During this time, everyone in attendance held onto their coveted spots towards the front, as nobody wanted to lose their close proximity to the stage.

Right around 9:30, Slash and Myles Kennedy with the Conspirators finally took the stage.

The crowd screamed and roared, excited to see possibly the best show of the year taking place in such an intimate venue. That’s what Myles Kennedy said right after he came out. Starting off the show with “You’re a Lie” the band jumped into Nightrain.

Many GNR song were played along with their newer repertoire. A pleasant surprise during the set was hearing Rocket Queen, where Slash did an astonishing solo that lasted several minutes.

Myles Kennedy was engaging with the crowd in an amazing charismatic way, shaking peoples’ hands and interacting with fans. A group of kids in the front row brought a banner showing that they came all the way from Spain just to see this show. Toward the middle of the show, as Hillbilly Herald so prophetically predicted in their hit single, it got really hot inside, but people somehow persevered.

The more the band played, the more the crowd danced, jumped around and sang the lyrics of the songs. Toward the end of the show, there was even a little mosh pit in the middle of Slither, which closed the main part of the show.

Prior to the band returning for the encore. the crowd sang the lyrics of the Sweet Child O’ Mine.

The closers, of course were, the classics “Sweet Child O’Mine and “Paradise City for the encore.

In more post-SSMF excitement, the band has two more special shows taking place – both tonight and Saturday on the Sunset Strip at the Roxy and The Whisky-A-Go-Go, respectively. If you are a fan of Slash and/or Myles, those shows are definitely the hot ticket to have and both shows have been long sold out since their on-sale date. If you have not seen these guys live yet and have the chance, the definitely do it! And be sure to come EARLY!