Slash, a musical icon and pop culture phenomena hidden behind a top hat and sunglasses, has influenced guitar players spanning nearly three decades with his melodic and soulful rock n’ roll mojo. Currently on tour with his solo outfit in support of his new album World On Fire, Slash is bringing his music to the masses, with a career spanning setlist and a raw, energetic live show.

Slash and Co. pulled into the big apple on Thursday, May 7th to play Terminal 5, a midsize venue on West 56th st. This reporter arrived at the venue at about 8 pm, and coincidentally ran into Jimmy Webb, a good friend of Slash and manager of Trash and Vaudeville, a NYC staple for alternative fashion. It turns out he was over three hours late to the venue to deliver the night’s wardrobe to the band. With a bag of clothes in hand, frantically talking on his iPhone, and decked out in a leather jacket and matching pants, he stopped to say “hi” because I recognized him from being to his famed shop a number of times. He told me that I was in for a treat tonight, and he sure was right.

I walked into the sold-out gig at about 8:50, overwhelmed by how packed the venue was. With barely any room to breathe, let alone stand, I nudged myself into place and waited for the show to begin, taking in the pungent smell of sweat and other rock n roll odors.

Slash took the stage at 9:00 sharp and ripped through a blistering two hour set that catered to fans of every generation. The crowd sang every word to G ’n’ R classics like “Nightrain”, “Welcome to the Jungle,” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and got into the groove of newer favorites like “Back From Cali” (2010) and “World on Fire” (2014). The crowd watched in awe as Slash seamlessly transitioned into a 20-minute jam/guitar solo in the middle of Guns n Roses’ epic “Rocket Queen.” Jaws hit the floor.

Charismatic frontman Myles Kennedy, also known for fronting heavy metal band Alter Bridge, sang his heart out, hitting every note perfectly, bringing a new flavor to old favorites, and showing off his unique talents while playing new material. The star of the band–other than Slash, of course–turned out to be bassist Todd Kerns, whose high-pitched vocals brought an Axl-Rose-like quality to old favorite, “Welcome to the Jungle” as well as a fierce attitude to “Doctor Alibi,” which originally featured Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister on vocals for the studio version of the track.

The crowd sang along and seemed genuinely upset when the lights went dim after Velvet Revolver cover “Slither.” Luckily for the fans, Slash and the band returned to the stage for a two-song encore, jamming on Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” with The Voice contestant Kimberly Nichole, and ending the two hour, twenty-song set with a high-octane performance of “Paradise City.” Confetti fell from the ceiling as fans jumped to the beat and rocked out to the 80’s anthem.

Overall, Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators put on a show that was worth the price of the ticket ($47.50) and much more. If you get the chance to catch Slash and Co. on the road in the near future, don’t pass up the opportunity. 8.5 stars/10