In a thrilling fusion of rock and blues, legendary guitarist SLASH has embarked on his first-ever nationwide S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival tour, captivating audiences across the country. The tour, which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance, aims to unite music lovers during these divisive times while supporting several nonprofit organizations.
The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival features an impressive lineup handpicked by SLASH himself, including the Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. SLASH’s Blues Ball Band, comprising Johnny Griparic (bass), Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (keys/vocals), Michael Jerome (drums), and Tash Neal (vocals/guitars), accompanies him on all festival dates. Special guest vocalists also join the performances, adding to the festival’s allure.
This tour coincides with the release of SLASH’s acclaimed sixth solo album, “Orgy of the Damned,” which has dominated the Blues Album Chart, spending six weeks at #1. The album features an array of notable guest vocalists, including Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Chris Stapleton, Iggy Pop, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Dorothy, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Tash Neal, and Beth Hart. The album, recorded with an emphasis on live, in-the-moment improvisation, revitalizes classic blues tracks with SLASH’s signature guitar prowess.
In addition to celebrating blues music, the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival is committed to social impact. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and VIP packages will be donated to five nonprofit organizations through PLUS1.ORG. These organizations include the National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, and War Child, all of which work to support marginalized communities and mental health initiatives.
The inaugural S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival show received rave reviews, with Blues Rock Review describing it as “an unforgettable night featuring four and a half hours of live music.” SLASH’s guitar captivated the audience, and the evening concluded with a memorable encore performance of “Shake Your Money Maker” featuring Warren Haynes.
SLASH’s passion for the blues and dedication to social causes shine through in both the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival and “Orgy of the Damned.” The album has received acclaim from various outlets, including Premier Guitar, Guitar World, and the Los Angeles Times, for its authentic, raw energy and masterful reinterpretations of blues classics. Highlights include collaborations such as “Oh Well” with Chris Stapleton, “Killing Floor” with Brian Johnson and Steven Tyler, and “Stormy Monday” with Beth Hart.
Fans can catch the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival as it travels across North America this summer, bringing together a diverse array of talented blues artists and raising awareness for important social issues. For tickets and more information, visit serpentfestival.com.
For more details on SLASH’s music and tour dates, visit slashonline.com and gibsonrecords.com.