It was a nice night for a Pig Roast in St. Louis
–photos and review by Keith Brake
Hello, Midwest Rewind family. I trust you have all been happy and healthy since last we spoke! So, my latest assignment for your reviewing pleasure is the annual KSHE 95 Pig Roast at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater headlined by Slash. The weather was nice and balmy as we all have become accustomed to in a midwest Summer and as the venue slowly filled, we were underway.
The lineup for the Pig Roast, with the exception of “Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators” and “Ratt”seemed rather regional and even though Ratt is a nationally known act only two original members remain. The day kicked off as Shaman’s Harvest took the main stage and played to an ever growing crowd.
The event featured two stages as most multiple band-all day events will so the music was almost nonstop, with most breaks being no more than ten to fifteen minutes long. April Wine, Blue Oyster Cult and Ratt manned the main stage while The Black Moods, Royal Bliss, Missouri and Shooting Star were put to work on the side stage.
The Black Moods and Royal Bliss both turned high energy engaging sets and in my humble opinion could have easily been showcased on the main stage for this event. We all understand that putting together an all day concert across two stages has its complications with budgets and scheduling and unfortunately it felt like this event was impacted by these factors. While all the bands that performed did a better than adequate job the day still seemed a little disjointed and low key with the exception, thankfully, of Slash’s set.
The evening did finish with a fantastic performance by Slash, Myles and the boys; salvaging an otherwise unremarkable day. It was the first time since a riot that broke out during a Guns N Roses concert in 1991 that Slash had stepped foot upon that stage. Flanked by Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators his set was the definite crowned jewel of the evening. Slash is a guitarist for the ages and when you combine his skills with Kennedy’s vocals you get a group that most rock and roll junkies just can’t get enough of. The highlight of the set came when Saint Louisan and fellow Guns N Roses guitarist Richard Fortus joined the boys for an absolutely amazing rendition of the GnR tune “Night Train”.
If you were there leave me your thoughts in the comment section below the gallery.
Peace.
