D Generation and Guns N’ Roses – Concert Review & Photo Gallery – U.S. Bank Arena – December 2nd, 2011
New York’s D Generation and Guns N’ Roses came to U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday December 2nd.
I have been more excited about this show than many concerts in the recent past, as I never got to see Guns N’ Roses live back in the day. D Generation took the stage sharply at 9 P.M. and played a high energy set which the large crowd seemed to enjoy. I have to admit that I am not very familiar with D Generation, but I liked the songs that I heard in their set. The last time the band played in Cincinnati, they opened for KISS back in 1996, so hopefully it doesn’t take them another fifteen years to come back to Cincinnati.
I have to admit that I had no idea what to expect with Guns N’ Roses. My expectations were somewhat low for this show. I didn’t know what kind of shape Axl Rose’s voice was in. I have never heard his current band play before. I have loved the original incarnation of Guns N’ Roses for so long, I never gave the new version of Guns N’ Roses a chance. With that being said, Axl Rose & company, BLEW ME AWAY!! Axl Rose is still singing at the top of his game, and his three guitarists DJ Ashba, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Richard Fortus, all trade off the lead guitar duties. Each one of these guys are tremendous musicians, and they all put on one hell of a show. DJ Ashba might be the guitarist to help take Guns N’ Roses back to the top. He gives Guns N’ Roses a recognizable face that fans automatically associate with. The cool thing is, Ashba, Thal and Fortus play together perfectly. Axl had no problem sharing the spotlight and gave his trio of axe slingers plenty of time to share the limelight. He even let bass guitarist Tommy Stinson handle the vocals on the cover of the Dead Boys tune “Sonic Reducer”.
Guns N’ Roses stage show was one of the biggest ones I have seen in quite some time. Video screens were set up on the far left and right hand side of the stage, as well as a massive video wall behind the stage. The lights and pyro were extremely cool. No matter where you were sitting, you saw a great show. Axl and company took the stage at 10:45 and played for nearly 3 hours with the set list below.
“Chinese Democracy”, “Welcome To The Jungle”, “It’s So Easy”, “Mr. Brownstone”, “Sorry”, “Shackler’s Revenge”, “Estranged”, “Rocket Queen”, “Live and Let Die”, “Riff Raff (AC/DC cover)”, “This I Love”, “Sonic Reducer (Dead Boys cover)”, “Street Of Dreams”, “You Could Be Mine”, “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “November Rain”, “Don’t Cry”, “Whole Lotta Rosie (AC/DC cover)”, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)”, “Nightrain”, “Madagascar”, “Better”, “Patience”, and “Paradise City”.
This concert made me a believer in the current version of Guns N’ Roses. I used to dream about a Guns N’ Roses reunion, but after the show I saw Friday night, I do not long for a reunion anymore. I am anxious to see how far this band can take things in the current lineup. If you have been on the fence about going to see Guns N’ Roses in your area, you should buy a ticket. This was an amazing night of rock and roll, and easily one of the best concerts I have seen in lifetime.
Check out our D Generation Slideshow & Photo Gallery below!
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Hard Rock Hideout 
As I told Bonnie – I think your entire family has a major talent behind the lens. These shots are fantastic. I bet the show was incredible. Nice work!!
Photos turned out great Rob! And I agree, the current band is awesome and I have retired the phrase “Axl Rose and his All-Star Band” from my vocabulary 🙂
I hope Slash continues to succeed with Myles, or with VR, or with both. He is a great guitarist. But this concert showed me that GNR is still GNR even without Slash…and I would have punched myself for saying that just a week ago.
I know right?! Who would have thought that a week ago?! Wouldn’t it be great if GNR could put out a new album in 2012? With so many classic bands releasing stuff next year, it would be killer to have a new GNR disc.
Thanks Jason, much appreciated. After hearing Myles sing VR Material on Made in Stoke, I think he should be an easy choice for Velvet Revolver.
Awesome! And I agree, Guns ‘N Roses no longer needs Slash. This lineup is more than capable if die-hard fans would simply give them a chance.
No offense to any of the former GNR members. I hope they thrive in their own musical projects.
Same here and I did not intend to suggest otherwise. I mearly meant for those fans holding out on this lineup… DON’T.
Exactly….The New Guns N’ Roses is a spectacle worth seeing!