Vie’s Verses – Perhaps This Guns N’ Roses Tour Could Turn Out Well
Unless you’ve spent too much time at the Occupy Wall Street protests, you know that the Axl Rose version of Guns N Roses is embarking on a North American tour this fall. While this news has some fans excited, it has others wondering when the impending tour will implode, how long it will take Axl to go on a temper tantrum rage, and whether Slash T-Shirts will be allowed into the arenas.
The first thing that caught my eye after the announcement was made that Guns N Roses was going on tour this fall was the ticket prices. I immediately went online, expecting to see some astronomical cost that would immediately cause me to disqualify myself from attending any local area concerts. This would allow me the opportunity to produce a venom filled rage about how Axl was ripping off the fans and it wasn’t even the original band members.
However, when I looked online at ticket prices, I noticed immediately how affordable they were. That caught me by surprise. Ticket prices in the NY/NJ area ranged between $37 and $112 (and that includes the immoral fees that Ticketmaster adds). I could certainly afford $40 to see Guns N Roses. Ticket prices were not going to give me an excuse for an amusing rant.
That being said, there is still plenty to wonder about when it comes to an Axl Rose led tour of Guns N Roses. The first question I had was: who is in the band? Reports from the web confirm that DJ Ashba and Bumblefoot are both playing guitar and that Tommy Stinson is still on bass. While they aren’t Slash, Izzy, and Duff, they aren’t slouches either. Bumblefoot has done some amazing work on Chinese Democracy and DJ Ashba was fantastic with Sixx AM. So while it wouldn’t be the original incarnation of Guns, it’s not a bad replacement band. The band members failed to give me a good excuse to rant and rave about how I refuse to attend this show.
Okay, so maybe the ticket prices are affordable and the band members (while not the original) are solid, but the setlist can’t be great, right? It will probably consist of some Chinese Democracy songs and a couple of overplayed classics. There’s no way that Axl and the replacements would play some deep cuts from the early catalog. Well, after researching the setlists they’ve played overseas, it appears the band is digging deep on this show. If you like the classics (Welcome To The Jungle, Mr. Brownstone, You Could Be Mine, November Rain, Paradise City) they are all there. If you like the new material (Chinese Democracy, Better, Street Of Dreams), they are covered as well. And if you like the deep cuts (Estranged, Rocket Queen) they are also being played. Throw in some surprise covers and it all adds up to a magnificent setlist. Point blank honesty – I was shocked by how inviting the set looked.
Then there’s the last little bit about when the hell will the show start? Well, Axl isn’t changing his ways there, but at least they’ve warned the fans in advance. In a message posted on GnR’s Facebook page, it read the following: “Love it Hate it Accept it Debate it – You want 8 o’clock shows go find F-R-I-E-N-D-S or hit a cinema somewhere.. or you wanna be informed go catch the 10 o’clock news.. this is Rock N’ Roll!…This is Guns N’Roses and when the time is right the stage will ignite…”
All I can say is forewarned is forearmed. Bring a book. Grab an IPOD, or plan to do PLENTY of tailgating in the parking lot. Either way, don’t bother entering the building until at least 10:00PM (and even then you may be a tad early). While late start times bug the heck out of me, being warned in advance that they are going to happen makes it a whole lot easier to deal with.
So perhaps seeing the 2011 incarnation of Guns N Roses wouldn’t be that bad. What do you think? Are you going to see GnR on tour this fall?
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Happy to report that the show was just as good as I anticipated and, yes, they do play for 2 1/2 hours (and yes, Axl was a little late [on stage by 10:05]). Almost all of AfD gets played, the hits off Use Your Illusions, 3 or 4 from Chinese Democracy, some cover tunes that were a nice surprise (and VERY well done) and everyone gets a solo. I’d generally bitch and moan about that last part (especially seeing as how there are 3 f’ing guitarist), but I gotta say, they were all really, really good. I was shocked.
Axl was in good spirits, not a single complaint, and sounded good even if age (or whatever) has taken away some of his range.
All in all, great show that is easily worth the price, just plan on staying a while.
Thanks for the update Nick. I am now looking forward to this show even more.
Tix in hand. I’m a pretty big G’nR fan from back in the day and I’ve been waiting for this tour since Chinese Democracy came out (it’s a damn good cd). Also, I saw Slash open for Ozzy and all I can say is that while guitarists can replicate Slash, NO ONE can replicate Axl (that was brutal Myles, sorry). I’d love for he and Slash to kiss and make up, but I’ve come to grips with the fact that that ship has sailed (check out Sorry from Chinese Democracy).
I’ve seen the original lineup several times, and yes, I’ve experienced the late start (with Skid Row opening) and the temper tantrum (with Metallica opening) and even with all that in play, it’s always a great show. Now, it’s pushing 20 years since I’ve seen Axl live so who knows, he may sound like ish but I’ve spent good money on bad shows before and a bigger gamble for me would be to not go and have everyone tell me how great it was.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing Axl in a Texas Rangers jersey (cheap wrestling pop) for a nice 2 1/2 hour set.. even if it does start at midnight. But Axl, for the love of all things good and holy, please leave the white spandex shorts at home. //shivers
#NowPlaying Guns N’ Roses – Better on @Spotify
LMAO Nick! yeah, I don’t care to see the white shorts either.
ROB – I think that is why I haven’t purchased tickets for NJ yet. The show is on a Thursday night and I would have to take Friday off (especially according to their FB post), which is OK – since I’ve been warned in advance.
BOB – what I was getting at is that lower ticket prices = more sales = a more successful tour. Being warned ahead of time that the show is going to be late = less disappointed fans. If you overpay for a concert and then they don’t go on until hours after the listed start time, you’ve already started of on the wrong foot wrong foot and you are bound to have a miserable experience. Being warned in advance gives you a better chance at having a good time.
I agree with you, the only way this tour will be excellent is if Axl brings it every night. But at least you can attend with an open mind, rather than going there thinking, “Man, I paid $100 for this ticket, it better be the best freaking show I ever saw.’ That does happen. We expect much higher quality when we pay a much higher price. There’s a reason I don’t go to see Roger Waters in concert.
Rob, you make an excellent point. part of my deal is that I did see G&R back in 1989. G&R was on a tripple bill with Aerosmith and Deep Purple. G&R went on first, and they were terrible — mostly because of Axl. He kept complaining about the sound, and stormed off stage after about 30 minutes, never to return. fortunately, Deep Purple and Aerosmith blew the place away with nice long sets. although I wasn’t a huge G&R fan to begin with, I was especially done with them after that night. Rob, I hope G&R puts on an amazing show in Cinci, and that you have a great time. Sadly though, I won’t be surprised at all if things go less than perfectly.
I am on the other side of the fence with this. I never got the chance to see Guns N’ Roses live. I have never seen Axl Rose sing live. I am taking the advantage of them coming to Cincinnati, and I will be there. (I already bought my ticket.) I am well aware that this isn’t the original Guns N’ Roses, and some could complain that it is a Guns N’ Roses cover band. To me, it is what it is. I am interested in hearing some of the new songs played live, as well as some of my old favorites. DJ Ashba may not be Slash, but he is still damn good.
On the flipside of the coin, if Axl shows up 2 hours late, or pulls more of his shenanigans, this will be my first and last Guns N’ Roses show. I am glad their concert here is on a Friday night.
Ryo, I don’t really understand what you’re getting at here. Aside from the backup band being talented, how do cheaper ticket prices make the tour turn out well? How does being warned about late starts make the tour turn out well? Only one thing can make this tour turn out well, and that is Axl showing up night after night, and delivering a killer, complete show night after night. None of the factors you mentioned have any bearing on that. Axl has disappointed too many fans too many times, and I see no indication that he intends to behave any differently this time around. In fact, the written warning seems to be a disclaimer so Axl can act like even more of a douche. No sir, I will not put one dime of my hard earned money into Axl’s wallet.
No – you’re paying $40 to see Axl attempt to sing old Guns and Roses songs. This isn’t GNR, anymore than the new Riot album is really Riot.
I would look at your $40 more like a gamble – a gamble that he’ll even show up, or be less than 2-3 hours late.
Thanks, pass.