‘The band oozed attitude’
“Good evening Leeds.” The crowd roared in reply as Kennedy took centre stage. “I wanna see your hands come on!” he continued, as the band
started in the background. The crowd waved their hands in the air as
‘Standing in the Sun’ (a song from 2012’s ’Apocalyptic Love’) started,
Slash and Kerns playing facing each other. The next song was one from
their new album ‘World on Fire’: ‘Avalon’ and Kennedy immediately got
the audience clapping for the upbeat Celtic-sounding anthem. Although
it was less known to the audience, they still managed to raise the roof.
“I think they know this one.” Kennedy remarked after Slash played a
teasing chord of ‘Back from Cali’ (a song off his 2010 solo album). Slash
then proceeded to jump around the stage as the crowd sung the ‘oohs’.
For the first verse Kennedy adapted the lyrics: “I can’t deny that Leeds
has so much f*****g heart!”and Leeds screamed in reply. Overall the
band thoroughly enjoyed playing it (Slash hopped around like a spring
rabbit for half of the song) and the crowd loved being part of it.
Anastasia - Slash looking cool
with his double neck guitar
Kennedy then talked to the crowd and rightly stated that the venue was ideal for a rock show: “How are you guys doing?...You sound
great, you look great...This is a f*****g great venue for a rock show ‘cause you’re all right upon us - the way you should be.” The rock
‘n’ roll lick of ‘Withered Delilah’ (from 2014’s ‘World on Fire’) then played out to the adoring crowd. Although there were a few
(accidental) lyrical changes in the chorus, Slash had a blast and nodded his head frantically to the beat; causing his untamed curls to fly
out in random directions.
“I wanna hear Leeds scream!”
There was a brief pause as Kennedy, who had now ditched his leather jacket, thanked the crowd. Brent Fitz on the drums then came in
at a faster tempo than before and Slash, with the rest of the band, thundered in for the Guns N’ Roses classic ‘You Could be Mine’. The
crowd sang along with Kennedy throughout the song as he displayed his powerful four-octave voice that can cope easily with even the
toughest of Guns N’ Roses songs. Songs that now even the man who first sung them (*cough* Axl *cough*) can’t handle...no matter
how hard he tries. ‘You Could Be Mine’ was obviously a crowd favourite and a few people got a bit rough. Slash and his conspirators
definitely did the song justice - it no longer sounded like a cover and made you wonder why anyone pays to see Axl (who’s long past it)
and a bunch of strangers perform the same song to a worse standard.
Slash and Kennedy then got the crowd clapping as Slash started the intro to ‘Ghost’, a song off Slash’s 2010 solo record that was originally sung by Ian Astbury. Halfway through the song Kennedy made a daring trip off the stage to greet fans and got the crowd clapping
along in time. For the next song the lead singer announced that Kerns was going to take over for a couple of songs, starting with ‘Doctor
Alibi’ (a song from Slash’s solo record originally sung by Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister). He then exited the stage for a welldeserved rest as Kerns took the mic. “Hi Leeds...Make some f*****g noise! Now jump!” Kerns screamed as he jumped up and down
frantically. As he started singing there was a clear ‘Kilmister-tone’ about his voice which fit the song perfectly. Slash and Kerns played
most of the song facing each other and surprisingly Slash actually sang...well, more like shouted “Doctor!” into the microphone. Sidoris
and Kerns threw some of their picks into the eager crowd at the bridge of the song and finished it triumphantly.
Kerns pumped his fist in the air whilst shouting “Hey!” and the crowd mirrored his actions for the aggressive riff of ’Out Ta Get Me’ another Guns N’ Roses classic. Cleverly, he switched to a more ’Axl-sounding’ voice for this song and stunned the audience with its
strength - it sounded like Axl did all those years ago but not too similar as to be classed as an imitation. He let the audience sing part of
the chorus and Slash, despite his age, jumped up and down vigorously as he was taken back to his earlier days in Guns N’ Roses. Kerns
definitely revelled in the spotlight, encouraging the crowd and pumping his fist but soon it was time for him to hand over to Myles Kennedy again. “Todd ‘Dammit’ Kerns ladies and gentlemen!” Kennedy announced as they bowed in unison. “He’s such a dork!” Kennedy
exclaimed as Kerns made his way to a microphone at the front of the stage (as if he had forgotten that he was no longer t