 | | Velvet Revolver |
So it’s refreshing to encounter a bare-bones approach from some of the most accomplished rock gods alive, on a naked stage with basic lighting and a satisfactory sound system. The second that Scott Weiland and company step out onto the stage, they own it. Like dogs prowling for a fight, he and Duff McKagen goad the ecstatic audience; shouting, pointing, eyeballing and, more importantly, delivering every note impeccably, from aural bomb Do It For The Kids to the sweetly sentimental Fall To Pieces. And then there’s Slash. Effortlessly legendary, easily statuesque yet somehow humble with it, the intense virtuosity of his playing knocked the wind out of the assembled. Leading an encore with a twin-necked guitar and playful version of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, the silent attentiveness of the 2,000-odd crowd was an unforgettable moment. For a band with a combined age of well over 200, Velvet Revolver put a lot of lazy younger bands to shame with their unbridled energy, stage presence and tenacity. They kindle the perfect fusion of masterclass musicianship with solid effort and honesty, and restore your faith in the future of Rock. Too many bands are yanked from the pan and thrust into the public eye before they have even had a chance to simmer - the result is a damp squib with a confusing flash. Here’s hoping that the cannonballing popularity of Velvet Revolver sparks a new revolution, and a return to glorious form for a waning heavy rock scene. | 
