On a rainy summer night in New York City, the Serpent Festival came alive with the sounds of famed guitarist Slash, country star ZZ Ward, and blues legend Keb' Mo'. S.E.R.P.E.N.T. stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restoration, Peace, Equality, and Tolerance. Once the venue declared it safe for the show to continue after an unprecedented amount of rain, the crowd buzzed with excitement. After the chairs were wiped down and the speakers uncovered, we finally saw the beautiful outdoor venue that is Pier 17. The house was packed and ready to go crazy!
ZZ Ward kicked off the show with a beautiful blend of blues and edgy alternative rock, welcoming the crowd to the first annual Serpent Festival. Her music, infused with hip-hop and contemporary R&B, showcased her vocal range and superb songwriting skills. Her set was full of surprises, and the band was clearly excited to perform her latest project, Dirty Shine. A major highlight was the epic rainbow that appeared behind the band during “Ride,” stretching from the Brooklyn Bridge to the East River. It was the biggest rainbow I've ever seen, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the promise of better times ahead. Ward ended her set by taking in the beauty with us, creating a cool moment for all in attendance.
Next was renowned blues musician Keb’ Mo’. His combination of funny anecdotes and charismatic smile stole the show. He has an uncanny ability to take you on a soulful journey, showcasing his passion for music and bold self-expression. Mo’s sound blends multiple eras and genres, including pop, rock, folk, and jazz. The five-time Grammy Award winner started his set with “Somebody Hurt You,” followed by “Government Cheese.” His ability to smile and laugh throughout the adversity in his music is noteworthy. Songs that could easily be considered dark and cynical proved to be testimonies of overcoming major life challenges. "I Remember You" left us reflecting on what is truly important in life, bringing a sense of humility to the venue with every note. Mo is an incredible guitarist, singer, and songwriter—this was the best blues set I’ve ever had the privilege of covering.
Last, but not least, we had the privilege of witnessing the musical talents of Slash, the distinguished rock star best known as the lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses. As the crowd surged to the front of the stage, the anticipation was electrifying. His bandmates emerged to a loud ovation, and then Slash himself appeared, wearing his iconic top hat and black shades. He had the look of a veteran, taking in the scene but also preparing to deliver a five-star performance.
As he grabbed his guitar and began to set up, you couldn't see a single person not on their feet. Slash curated the festival to showcase his love for the blues, with a portion of the profits going to charity. His most recent album, Orgy of the Damned, features a mix of undiscovered and classic blues covers.
Before the show, I had a conversation with an audience member about how unlikely it was for Slash to cover any Guns N’ Roses songs during his set. The man with a red beard, had been to about ten of Slash's prior shows dating back to the '90s, so he seemed like a real expert on the subject. This conversation left me more curious than usual. What would the setlist be if not Guns N' Roses songs? Would he perform new material? Safe to say, I was just as eager to see the performance as all the fans gathered behind me.He kicked off the show with a funky rock rendition of “Parchman Farm Blues,” followed by well-received covers of popular artists like Fleetwood Mac, Howlin’ Wolf, and Freddie King. The most interesting part of the beginning of the set was his noticeable blending into the background. He had a rockstar aura without overshadowing everyone around him. He let his bandmates—Tash Neal, Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis, and Johnny Griparic—do most of the heavy lifting while expertly carving out seamless guitar riffs and inventive solos when the opportunity presented itself. His guitar work was the major focal point of the evening. With the help of his bandmates, he showed why blues will forever be relevant to music, cycling through sounds that brought everyone back to a much simpler time.
The highlight of the night for me was the unexpected cover of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by The Temptations. Before coming to this event, I would have never guessed that this song would be on the rocker’s setlist, and I think most of the crowd would agree. His ability to combine these timeless classics with a rock infusion proved to be a huge success. He showed his musical prowess not only with the setlist but with the selection of his bandmates. Tash Neal tore the place down with his vocals on that cover. As Slash looked out into the crowd with a smile, seeing nothing but joyful people of all ages celebrating, I finally understood what this was all about—bringing back the sounds that started it all for most of us and showcasing the best artists who share his musical passion.
You would think Slash would want more of the spotlight, but I quickly learned that it was not about that at all. In fact, he is more known for putting others on—a rare thing to see in the music business. Slash was motivated to give us a great performance, showcasing his love for the blues. For my first time seeing the legend, I left feeling impressed and still very curious about the man with the cool hat that I had seen throughout my childhood. A person with his discography could play for hours on end, giving you decades of hits and grooves. I found it very interesting how he used his time on stage to showcase what motivates him to keep rocking, giving us all a deeper insight into his love for music and his ability to blend sounds that bring back nostalgia. The Serpent Festival was well worth it in my book.
