The River Is Rising Tour finally arrived in Brazil last Monday in Belo Horizonte, with the first show of the tour in the country. On the night of last Wednesday, the 31st, it was São Paulo's turn to feel the power of Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators .
During a tour promoting her most recent album, 4 (2022), the performance took place at Espaço Unimed, located near the Barra Funda terminal, on a night that went down in history.
Velvet Chains
There were two shows that night. The first one, the opening act, was by the American band Velvet Chains, who will also be responsible for the other shows here in Brazil.
Scheduled to begin at 8 PM, the band took the stage a few minutes early. In a powerful performance filled with great guitar solos and even phrases in Portuguese, the band delivered a solid opening show, complete with a new song titled "Enemy".
The Velvet Chains even did a hard rock cover of Elvis Presley which took on a completely different feel. With a short setlist—around 30 minutes—the group delivered a show that certainly could have been longer.
Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators
Also starting a few minutes earlier, bass chords could be heard at 8:57 PM, and then Slash , Myles Kennedy (vocals), Todd Kerns (bass), Brent Fitz (drums), and Frank Sidoris (guitar) took the stage and the show began.
Right from the start with "The River Is Rising," from the group's new album, the band showed what they were made of, with Kennedy's excellent vocals and Slash's first solo of the night.
Immediately following with the exhilarating "Driving Rain," she had the crowd raising their hands in a very good and electrifying performance.
The first track on the album Apocalyptic Love (2012) was “Halo,” featuring lower lighting focused on the band members. They didn't let the momentum drop and delivered an excellent performance.
Teasing the audience, SMKC brought a surprise to the set with "Too Far Gone," which, in general, didn't excite the crowd much.
In contrast, the opening riff of "Back From Cali" already had people screaming. With a measured pace, the track is part of the album Slash (2010).
With Brent Fitz's excellent drum intro, it's the standout track on "Whatever Gets You By," which follows a less frenetic, yet still powerful, rhythm. The song isn't among the most outstanding on album 4 , but it's still very well performed live.
After Kennedy addressed the audience, he introduced "C'est La Vie," a truly great moment on the album—perhaps the best—with its catchy chorus and Slash delivering a strong, emotional solo.
Singing about actions speaking louder than words, the band followed with "Actions Speak Louder Than Words," featuring a riff that is a spectacle in itself, danceable and addictive, with a very well-constructed solo. The drums are also one of the track's highlights.
Now it was Kerns' turn to take over the vocals, urging the audience to make some noise. With Slash starting, Lenny Kravitz followed. In a heavier version and, obviously, with heavier guitars, the choice was a great one, with Slash delivering a long solo that complemented the song.
The fast pace slowed down with the beautiful "Bent To Fly" from the album World On Fire (2014). Starting calmly, the song raises the bar in its chorus, with Kennedy delivering an exceptional performance and Slash also giving a great performance.
The lights followed the rhythm of "Sugar Cane," and the band performed the last track from the album Living The Dream that night, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. The characteristic riff of "Spirit Love" began, accompanied by a stage illuminated in red, mixed with frenetic white lights.
With the band's characteristic speed, "Speed Parade" from Slash's Snakepit followed, once again featuring Fitz's excellent drumming. I don't know if it's such a necessary song in the setlist, but still, it's good to have something from this other project of the guitarist in the shows.
“Deep cuts, deep cuts here today” was said by Kennedy before “We Will Roam”.
Those who come to the SMKC show expecting to hear many Guns N' Roses are mistaken. The only song from that group, also a deep cut, was "Don't Damn Me," from Use Your Illusion I (1991). Kerns returns to the vocals, with a good performance, in an electrifying track.
Kennedy resumes his position in "Starlight," not before praising the band's performance. With more intimate lighting, it was time for the lanterns to rise. The music, until then calm, becomes loud and powerful in the chorus, in a beautiful ballad.
With his famous clapping, the sensational "Wicked Stone" began. Highly melodic and a song that should always be part of the group's setlists, Slash soloed on the left side of the stage, in a long and simply exceptional performance, showing why he is considered one of the great names in guitar.
“April Fool” preceded “Fill My World,” both from the group’s most recent album. The song, which is already very good in the studio, becomes even more beautiful. With moving lyrics and a high-level solo, the track is another highlight of the work.
Going back in time, the band performed Slash ." Originally sung by Lemmy Kilmister , Kerns was responsible for the task, in yet another exemplary performance, driven by powerful and fast-paced instrumental accompaniment.
“You're a Lie” rolls by like a steamroller, garnering applause from the very beginning. With an incredible solo by Slash, the song energizes even the most weary.
The excitement remained the same with the excellent "World On Fire." The performance was on point, delivering another electrifying show from SMKC. A solo preceded the song's final chorus, which was just as good as the rest of the song.
After a change in the stage setup, the band returned for the encore, with Fitz taking over the keyboards for the second cover of the night, Elton John ." It's safe to say that this was the only quiet moment of the show, with Kennedy delivering a simply flawless performance, showcasing his smooth and tranquil vocals.
“Anastasia” has, perhaps, one of the most spectacular guitar riffs in Slash's entire discography. After the intro, he simply destroys everything and everyone in his path. Hearing it live is even more thrilling. The show ended in the best possible way: with another legendary solo from Slash.
After more than two hours of performance, the night ended the same way it began. Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators is a band with great chemistry, and that's evident when they play live. They put on an exciting show, full of great moments and emotions. It's also, without a doubt, an essential show for anyone who enjoys hard rock.
Our contributor Jéssica Marinho was at the show and captured the evening. Check out our photo gallery below.
READ ALSO: Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators releases documentary about album '4'
