Live Review: Slash’s Inaugural S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival at Pier 17

Rain or shine it’ll be fine. On the muggy and rain-soaked Sunday, which some would even say “Gloomy,” a legend did not disappoint. With a star-studded lineup, Slash continues to prove he is bigger than his shadow 

Famed for his heavy metal exploits with Guns N’ Roses and his recent collaborations with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Slash took a detour to dive into the blues, headlining a festival celebrating this genre. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, a nod to “Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance,” drew a lively crowd of about 3,500. The open-air venue provided a perfect canvas for Slash to unveil tracks from his new blues covers album, Orgy of the Damned.

With his signature Gibson in hand, Slash treated the crowd to nine tracks from his new album, steering clear of material from his other projects. The evening had a laid-back vibe compared to his usual high-octane performances, but Slash’s effortless command of the blues made it a memorable night.

From the opening notes of Bukka White’s “Parchman Farm Blues” to the hypnotic groove of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor,” which features a standout cover by AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Slash delivered a masterclass in blues. The damp and dreary weather only added to the charged atmosphere.

Slash paid homage to a variety of blues legends, including Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green with “Oh Well,” Freddie King with “Big Legged Woman,” and Lightnin’ Hopkins with “Awful Dream,” showcasing his ability to blend passion with precision. 

Adding to the night’s excitement, Slash channeled his inner Peter Frampton with a squawk box-enhanced performance of The Temptations’ “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” a standout moment in the set. After he quickly launched into T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.” Followed by his rendition of Hoyt Axton’s “The Pusher,” a highlight that allowed him ample space for extended solos.

The collaboration didn’t stop there — opening act Keb’ Mo’ joined Slash for a fiery version of Booker T. and the MG’s classic “Born Under a Bad Sign,” adding an extra layer of dynamism to the performance. Despite the absence of Guns N’ Roses hits, Slash impressed with his original instrumental “Metal Chestnut,” a high note that delighted air guitarists in the audience.

Throughout the night, Slash’s Blues Ball band, featuring Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on vocals and keyboards, and Tash Neal on vocals and guitar, maintained a steady groove. Neal handled soul-stirring numbers like Robert Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Stone Free,” along with Slash closing out the initial set with the thrilling jam.

Joined by bassist Johnny Griparic and drummer Michael Jerome who kept the rhythm solid through the encore, Slash tackled Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” before closing with Elmore James’ “Shake Your Money Maker.”

Fans clad in Guns N’ Roses gear might have hoped for a surprise Axl Rose track, but Slash remained true to his blues-focused performance. 

Setlist

1. Parchman Farm Blues (Bukka White cover)
2. Killing Floor (Howlin’ Wolf cover)
3. Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac cover) with wheeling solo
4. Big Legged Woman (Freddie King cover)
5. Awful Dream (Lightnin’ Hopkins cover)
6. Papa Was a Rolling Stone (The Temptations cover)
7. Stormy Monday (T‐Bone Walker cover)
8. The Pusher (Hoyt Axton cover)
9. Born Under a Bad Sign (Booker T. & the MG’s cover, with Mo Krebs)
10. Metal Chestnut
11. Cross Road Blues (Robert Johnson cover)
12.  Stone Free (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) extended jam

Encore

1. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (Bob Dylan cover)
2. Shake Your Money Maker (Elmore James cover)