Slash feat Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators / Mammoth WVH
London Wembley Arena
Slash and burn.
Now with two filler-free albums, Wolfgang Van Halen is an all-singing, all-shredding Swiss Army knife of a frontman who, as tonight proves, can also command an arena. Flanked by a band that feels like a gang (special props to pogoing bassist Ronnie Ficarro, who rarely looks anything short of thrilled) the Mammoth leader exudes a quiet but clear confidence, not trying to be anyone but himself.
Belatedly touring their 2022 album 4, Slash and co. have a juicier catalogue than one might expect from, ostensibly, ‘a side project’. Myles Kennedy occupies his usual niche between rock star and affable fanboy, but bassist Todd Kerns is something of a revelation, revving up Wembley like it’s his birthday and singing lead on Lenny Kravitz’s Always On The Run, plus the night’s sole GN’R cover, Don’t Damn Me.
At 58 and rock’s most enduringly recognisable figure, Slash performs with the vigour of someone who wants to be here, leaping off risers and soloing with the gusto of an energetic teenager holding his first Les Paul. For the encore he plays pedal steel for a Rocket Man cover – a genuine surprise when he could’ve easily leaned on the huge and familiar. Isn’t that what we want, and rarely get, from our most ubiquitous stars?
‘Slash performs with the vigour of someone who wants to be here.’