We unchained BPD's own Rich Smithy from his desk and sent him out into the great unknown to file this report:
When matched correctly, a double bill of equal star power can make for a music lover's ultimate night out filled with more bang for their buck. Such was the case of a tag team between punk powerhouse Billy Idol and metal guitar god Slash, who may have had slightly different styles at face value, but united under the shared ability to rock loud and proud.
The longtime Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit and Velvet Revolver axe slinger started off the evening with a smattering of his two most popular acts' classics, alongside a plethora of tunes from a recently released self-titled solo CD. Though the oldies were much more appreciated by the sweaty masses, current cuts like "Ghost," "Back From Cali" and "Starlight" had no trouble showcasing Slash's jaw dropping fret work or the mighty presence of vocalist Myles Kennedy (also of Alter Bridge fame).
Those assets also helped transition the more familiar battle cries of "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City" to current contexts, while also giving the next generation of attendees a taste of the six string slinger's glory days. But this was far from a nostalgia trip through previous band's hits as Slash's fresher tunes proved to be just as vital in hard rock clusters, while he continued to run circles around players half his age.
Speaking of teenagers trapped in an adult's body, the 54-year-old Billy Idol showed off an ultra-chiseled frame backed by intact charisma and vocal chops. Though he debuted a handful of yet to be released new tunes that tried too hard to recall his peak without the same infectiousness, at least there was plenty to love from his Generation X days through radio staples of the 1980s and '90s.
The band's "Dancing With Myself" served as an early example of the singer's Sex Pistols-infused fury, though solo cuts like "Flesh For Fantasy," "Sweet Sixteen" and "Eyes Without a Face" found Idol presenting his own hybrid of punk, glam and pop, backed by especially incendiary playing from longtime collaborator Steve Stevens (who could've skipped a self-indulgent guitar solo and encouraged the drummer to do the same).
Nonetheless, the well-preserved performer dabbled in his psychedelic side for a surprise (and downright smoldering) tag team with Slash for The Doors' "L.A. Woman," though Tommy James & The Shondells' "Mony Mony" unfortunately fell into the cheesier side of the cover mold. Instead, "Rebel Yell" and the acoustically introduced/eventually electrified "White Wedding" served as Idol's ultimate calling cards, reminding just how endearing those fist-pumpers remain, even if interest is thinner in newer tunes.
BTW, am having too much fun. Am not coming back = I quit!!Sorry to lose you, Rich. Please know that your chains are waiting if you decide to return. Otherwise, send us a card now and then.
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