Slash Says Performing Is His Biggest Motivator: ‘Love Every Aspect of What That’s All About’

For the legendary guitarist Slash, nothing compares to the thrill of live performance. Known for his electrifying presence on stage, Slash continues to captivate fans with the same passion that has fueled his career for decades. In a recent conversation at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, Slash opened up to PEOPLE about what truly drives him: the sheer joy of performing.

“The biggest driver for me,” he shared, “is to go out and perform.” Despite his love for writing and creating new music, Slash emphasized that all his creative endeavors ultimately lead to the stage. “As much as I love to write and come up with new ideas and go into the studio and record something and the satisfaction of doing something that you’re pleased with and all that, it’s all been a means as an end,” he explained.

Slash’s love for playing live is evident in his every word. “I love playing. I love every aspect of what that’s all about,” he said, adding that performing in front of an audience is what truly excites him. He described the experience of live performance as a thrilling mix of structure and spontaneity. “You have a structure of a song you get to play and sort of mess around in the middle of, it’s like a sandbox.”

This passion is not just talk; it’s the heartbeat of his career. Slash, who has achieved more in his musical journey than most could dream of, is now channeling his energy into a new project: the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival. This tour is not just about music but also about making a difference. S.E.R.P.E.N.T., which stands for “Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance,” aims to support charitable efforts involving The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, and War Child.

“S.E.R.P.E.N.T is a vehicle to help support and uplift people and communities suffering from the injustices of racism and equal rights violations, as well as to support children adversely affected by war and poverty across the world,” Slash shared in a press release.

The festival follows the success of Slash’s latest album, Orgy of the Damned, a blues record featuring collaborations with Chris Stapleton, Iggy Pop, and Demi Lovato. The album, which has topped the Billboard blues chart for five weeks, was a long-time dream for Slash. “But at one point during the Guns tour last year, it was really loud in my head that I wanted to do this blues record,” he explained.

Reflecting on the album’s success, Slash said, “The fact that it’s been so well received at this point is like a trip to me for sure.” He looks forward to blending his love for the blues with his live performances at the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, which kicks off July 5 in Montana and wraps up on August 16 in Arkansas.

“It’s a new environment for me. I’m looking forward to it just being a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to really being able to open up and play my ass off for two hours every day for a couple months, and then also jamming with some of the people that we’re going to be touring with. And then just the whole new experience,” Slash shared, his enthusiasm palpable.

As Slash gears up for the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, his commitment to his craft and his desire to use his platform for good remains unwavering. Whether he’s rocking out on stage or supporting vital causes, Slash continues to be a force of nature in the music world. His love for performance is not just a part of his career; it’s the core of who he is.