Photo: Katarina Benzova
It’s been over 20 years since Axl, Slash, and Duff set foot on a stage together, and they proved their doubters wrong. Some would call it two decades in the making, but the reality of it is that, to the fans, Guns N’ Roses reunion is one MONTHS in the making! This tour seemed destined for failure with tumultuous past these characters have. It seemed, as though Slash and Axl would never bury the hatchet, but then the news broke they would tour. The seeds of suspicion blossomed into full-fledged rumors, but the naysayers can now set down their pens and rejoice in a new era of Guns N’ Roses. This is the professional era of a well-oiled machine that, not only churned our solid replicas of their decades old catalogue but, pay homage to the legends of rock that got them here.
The evening started out full of energy as multiple radio stations lined the parking lot across from Ticket Station “H.” Clint August from 101.5 KGB was even heard to say, “This is the most energized crowd I’ve ever seen,” referring to the hundreds of excited concert-goers anxiously waiting, multiple hours before the leaked time of 7:10pm that The Cult was due to begin their legendary medley of Rock. 101.5 KGB and Rock 105.3 were on-site, broadcasting live, for what was truly a momentous night. This tour delighted millions of passionate fans across America, as it was the buzz of rock magazines and blog-o-philes everywhere, but the real story wasn’t the undeniable fact that Axl was acting like a Gentleman, it wasn’t that the band was showing enormous respect to the fans, it wasn’t even that they started every show on-time (sans the 40-minute technical delay at our show…go figure), and present for the entire performance, it was the fact that they looked like they were having fun! Remember that Axl has been a workhorse this year, and to perform at the level he did Monday night is the real story.
Photo: Katarina Benzova
Slash and Duff round out the reunion part of the tour (unfortunately Steven Adler didn’t make a surprise appearance) and the rest of the band showed a deep understanding of the music as they tore through favorites like “Mr. Brownstone” and “Welcome to the Jungle,” and even music from Chinese Democracy, where Duff and Slash weren’t involved. Fans erupted when the Misfits “Attitude” came on about an hour into the 245 minute show, that ended just before midnight, and nearly cried when an excerpt of “Layla” found it’s way into “November Rain.” An excellent performance by all members of Guns N’ Roses, Dizzy Reed on Keyboards, Richard Fortes as an additional Guitar, he traded off some solos with Slash during “November Rain,” Frank Ferrer on the drums, and additional keyboardist Melissa Reese. I’m looking forward to the possibility of this current lineup possibly putting together some new material. But for now, my Appetite for Destruction has been satiated. Until next year, when they return…?
Big Jon / BackStage360
Guns N’ Roses are Axl Rose, Duff McKagan (bass), Slash (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitar), Frank Ferrer (drums), and Melissa Reese (keyboard).
Photo: Katarina Benzova
Set List:
It’s So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle
Double Talkin’ Jive
Estranged
Estranged
Live and Let Die
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory/Attitude
This I Love
Civil War
Coma
Band intros into Slash solo – Speak Softly Love (Love Theme From The Godfather/Andy Williams)
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Better
Out Ta Get Me
Jam (“Wish You Were Here/Layla”)
November Rain
Used To Love Her
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Nightrain
Encore:
There Was A Time
Patience
The Seeker
Paradise City