Slash at the MTV Classic Launch

04.28.10 - Palace Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
Nightrain, Slither, Mean Bone, Nice Boys (with Angry Anderson), Back From Cali, Beggars & Hangers On, Civil War, Sucker Train Blues, Nothing To Say, Starlight, Solo, Godfather Theme, Sweet Child O' Mine, By The Sword (with Andrew Stockdale), Woman (with Andrew Stockdale), Dime Store Rock, Rise Today, Dirty Little Thing, Paradise City

MTV
Hundreds flooded into Melbourne’s Palace Theatre Wednesday night and even more camped outside for a glimpse of one of the most recognized names in rock: guitar legend Slash!

Arguably the greatest rock guitarist of the last 25 years, Slash, who was in Australia’s culture capital to launch MTV Networks Australia’s newest channel MTV Classic, has had a jam-packed few days, but evidently had plenty of energy to spare judging by his powerful live show.

After brief introductions by comedian and host of ABC TV’s Spicks & Specks Adam Hills, the show kicked off.

Demonstrating his legendary axe grinding skills in skin tight leather pants and trademark curly hair, Slash played to an enthusiastic audience, which was littered with those paying homage to the guitarist with long-haired wigs and top hats.

The gig was a smorgasbord of songs from guitarist’s three decade music career including tracks from the Guns N Roses years, through Velvet Revolver and Slash’s Snakepit, up to his recently released, chart-topping album Slash.

The venue was packed to capacity, but there was more than plenty of space for the head-bangers, of which there were plenty. Even the celebs were starstruck. We spotted Brian McFadden with goat horns held to the sky, MTV VJ Erin McNaught capturing the momentous occasion on her camera and Ruby Rose and her mother singing along. The night was also marked with on stage appearances from presenters Kirk Pengilly from INXS fame and his daughter April, Rose Vanessa Amorosi and The Living End’s Chris Cheney.



The cover of Rose Tattoo’s "Nice Boys," which saw Slash’s band jamming with local rock icon Angry Anderson proved the pair have as much chemistry on stage as they did when they toured together 18 years ago. What Angry lacked in stature he made up with in with pure rock n roll dynamism as they played their '80s classic to an ecstatic audience. Slash was also joined by Wolfmother rocker Andrew Stockdale to play an Australian first of the brand new collaboration "By The Sword," which was followed Wolfmother’s spine-tingling "Woman" with Slash on lead guitar

But the real highlight of the night for Gunners fans was crowd favourites "Sweet Child O' Mine," and for the triumphant finale, "Paradise City," where Slash’s wife Perla Hudson made a surprise appearance on stage, running back and forth bringing the heaving crowd to a rapturous crescendo.