[Son Of A Gun]

I was actually one of those who was oblivious to the fact that my ticket was for all the 3 shows so when I arrived and found out I was blown away by the thought. My friend John and I kept our very front spots in the mosh pit the entire night, shit went crazy. Rose Tattoo came out and although I've never seen or heard them before I was just mouth gaping at how an ageing man like Angry Anderson can just pull that off.

After that came on Sebastian and we went nuts through a number of hits like Slave To The Grind, Big Guns, Piece Of Me, Here I Am and so on... That man is just insane about his passion for rockin' and the energy that comes from this motor-voiced die-hard rocker, who even prompted us all to take out our phone to bootleg his shows....if a man wants free publicity I say why not . Surprisingly the lights for Gn'R went down much earlier than expected, I remember a fellow (god he smelled like shit ) right beside me who was about to knock me out with his putrid stink, kept saying it'll be another 2 hours. As we waited the crowd got tighter and tighter.

Then at 11:40PM...or so said my watch, lights went down and that theme came up,as I saw Robin (Jesus I like to call him) behind stage and then he put on his 'Jungle teaser. Crowd just went nuts, then in the dark we saw Axl walk up to the front stage, wearing his new-traditional jeans and italian boots, wearing a buttoned long sleeve chinese writing shirt and screamed out the words "Do you know where the fuck you aaaaaaaaare" As they launched into the song, pyros went off and the crowd went fucking nuts. I was surprised to find Axl was in such a good shape and still lookin' gooood and with such energy, his ear shrieking raspy screams ecchoed like a jagged ripping noise throughout the entire arena. He was smiling throughout the evening. He still looks a dangerous badass rocker and while also like a really nice guy, he also looksed ready to rip someone if he needed to. As they next hit the numbers 'Easy, 'Brownstone everybody grooved out and really sung with this man.

Live And Let Die came along and again crowd went nuts. Robin was amazingly well received by the crowd during his solos and I joked here and there saying Jesus has returned as a rocker or something. Again the crowd went crazy on Sweet Child O' Mine. All relaxed was the next mood to follow as they played Knockin' On Heaven's Door in almost the old-school style version in some parts, I remember us all with our hands in the air waving left to right like some huge party and indeed it was.

My favourite part of the show then came along...time for some new music and on came Better and gave me a bit more of a personal momentum and to all those who knew the lyrics as we sang it with the band. This was where the band really was at home playing their own stuff, I was thinking every time that a new song is played this record needs a quick release already so people can really rock to this. During halfway throughout better during the first solo when Frank did that heavy drum bit where he thumps it the crowd just went up and down headbanging and really was into this at this point and Axl's screams could almost blow out one's hearing during that cream verse in Better. New stuff continued and piano was drawn out, Dizzy did his thing and people just mouthgaped and The Blues was played. Rasp was present at its full again in this song, and everybody was just blown away as Axl slid up on the piano and stood up it was just so iconic.

And so continues the show and my story on it....frank hit a few cymbals (I'm probably wrong) or whatever they are and then did the opening drums of You Could Be Mine and we went insane. Asking on this forum for the song to be changed slightly really did pay out. That thunderous drumming sound by frank and the whails and rhythm and all just oozing out of the players' guitars just ripped through the song and my favourite bit came on when Frank hits with both his hands and foot and the explosion came on. We were all so loud we could barely hear Axl who sang quite well. Frank's drum sound judging by this song was just amazing and I loved his feel at how he interprets the songs, definitely more so than Brain. Out Ta Get me was received as no-lesser by the crowd. I was kinda thinking "Are we at a huge party here or a rock concert"

November Rain and allowed for some feel of brotherhood among all the fans as a lot of us had arms over each other's shoulders and sang and looked at each other trying to feed off the other's energy and all just clicked in. Fireworks were amazin and this song, even though I usually despise it, was a very special time during the concert. Nice little band jam followed.

The cymbals hit and on came IRS, which was played so energetically as all others were. Again a chance for all us people who know lyrics to show it off to those who didn't that we get to really rock in reward for our learning the lyrics and feels of the song. Axl's voice was quite rangy in this song from either sounding a bit silly with the wail to just about splitting all that hears with his shrieking screams and it's one of the much better songs of the night.

A series of solos followed allowing once again some time for brotherhood of rock as we all sang the Australian anthem and Don't Cry. Shit I'm having to look at the setlist and concert updates to remember what I am writing Things picked up again as Sebastian came on and My Michelle blew away the crowd, as he and Axl shared parts as well as singing parts of the song together. We all had a good laugh when Axl noted that they 've been going so smoothly throughout the night but are supposed to fuck things up. Another humorous remark which I can't remember when it was shown but earlier in the show some girl sent a huge sign asking Axl if she can be his bitch for the night...very lovely I must say Patience again allowed for some relaxation.

Nightrain exploded out of nowhere, which was again one of my favourites. The screens really did their jobs displaying the Bumblefoot-Robin-Frank trio with clips switching from player to player among these 3 during the song and the solos. People mouthgaped at Bumblefoot's guitaring abilities. When the song ended, people were looking at each other wondering what will be, saying at least one more as Paradise City, but more surprises were to come. Axl's good friend Angry Anderson came on and although I don't even know this song...wish I did , Axl's voice was at the very pinnacle in this song, nothing but pure rasp as I heard it. Angry anderson was right at home with this song and was as Amazing as Axl.

Madagascar Madagascar Madagascar....what can I say about this. This was more for the ladies I see, a few very nice handsome girls near me were all really into this song, I never thought much of this song but the performance was pretty tight on it and nonetheless enjoyable.

Paradise City started and the crowd's energy just built up again, as we started jumping up and down like a bunch of playful energetic kids but who can blame us. Fireworks really built up the intense energy once again. As the badass song rolled through, came the fast long part and paper leafs were flyin everywhere I could barely see, as this huge party was coming to a conclusion, and Axl screamed out Sydney Australia good fuckin' night and closed off. Later he came on just to get a bit friendly again with us and said "Aussie aussie aussie" to which we responded "Oy oy oy" and so on.

We 're gettin past the concert now but the fun didn't stop there, my friend John and I had leaf fights as we picked large bundles of it and were throwing it, and the other people had a bit of a fuck around. As we set home on the train some funny hooligans started joking in our carriage and made a "Pole Dancing" competition Which I was the first to take to fuck around a bit for the night and then my friend took a turn and destroyed my act to pieces Then all the fun dispersed and everybody went home after we got off at the last station. Phew, what a night, what a night.

This post has been edited by Son Of A Gun: 24 June 2007 - 12:46 AM

[Gunzen]

Son Of A Gun, on Jun 24 2007, 12:44 AM, said:

I was actually one of those who was oblivious to the fact that my ticket was for all the 3 shows so when I arrived and found out I was blown away by the thought. My friend John and I kept our very front spots in the mosh pit the entire night, shit went crazy. Rose Tattoo came out and although I've never seen or heard them before I was just mouth gaping at how an ageing man like Angry Anderson can just pull that off.

After that came on Sebastian and we went nuts through a number of hits like Slave To The Grind, Big Guns, Piece Of Me, Here I Am and so on... That man is just insane about his passion for rockin' and the energy that comes from this motor-voiced die-hard rocker, who even prompted us all to take out our phone to bootleg his shows....if a man wants free publicity I say why not . Surprisingly the lights for Gn'R went down much earlier than expected, I remember a fellow (god he smelled like shit ) right beside me who was about to knock me out with his putrid stink, kept saying it'll be another 2 hours. As we waited the crowd got tighter and tighter.

Then at 11:40PM...or so said my watch, lights went down and that theme came up,as I saw Robin (Jesus I like to call him) behind stage and then he put on his 'Jungle teaser. Crowd just went nuts, then in the dark we saw Axl walk up to the front stage, wearing his new-traditional jeans and italian boots, wearing a buttoned long sleeve chinese writing shirt and screamed out the words "Do you know where the fuck you aaaaaaaaare" As they launched into the song, pyros went off and the crowd went fucking nuts. I was surprised to find Axl was in such a good shape and still lookin' gooood and with such energy, his ear shrieking raspy screams ecchoed like a jagged ripping noise throughout the entire arena. He was smiling throughout the evening. He still looks a dangerous badass rocker and while also like a really nice guy, he also looksed ready to rip someone if he needed to. As they next hit the numbers 'Easy, 'Brownstone everybody grooved out and really sung with this man.

Live And Let Die came along and again crowd went nuts. Robin was amazingly well received by the crowd during his solos and I joked here and there saying Jesus has returned as a rocker or something. Again the crowd went crazy on Sweet Child O' Mine. All relaxed was the next mood to follow as they played Knockin' On Heaven's Door in almost the old-school style version in some parts, I remember us all with our hands in the air waving left to right like some huge party and indeed it was.

My favourite part of the show then came along...time for some new music and on came Better and gave me a bit more of a personal momentum and to all those who knew the lyrics as we sang it with the band. This was where the band really was at home playing their own stuff, I was thinking every time that a new song is played this record needs a quick release already so people can really rock to this. During halfway throughout better during the first solo when Frank did that heavy drum bit where he thumps it the crowd just went up and down headbanging and really was into this at this point and Axl's screams could almost blow out one's hearing during that cream verse in Better. New stuff continued and piano was drawn out, Dizzy did his thing and people just mouthgaped and The Blues was played. Rasp was present at its full again in this song, and everybody was just blown away as Axl slid up on the piano and stood up it was just so iconic.

And so continues the show and my story on it....frank hit a few cymbals (I'm probably wrong) or whatever they are and then did the opening drums of You Could Be Mine and we went insane. Asking on this forum for the song to be changed slightly really did pay out. That thunderous drumming sound by frank and the whails and rhythm and all just oozing out of the players' guitars just ripped through the song and my favourite bit came on when Frank hits with both his hands and foot and the explosion came on. We were all so loud we could barely hear Axl who sang quite well. Frank's drum sound judging by this song was just amazing and I loved his feel at how he interprets the songs, definitely more so than Brain. Out Ta Get me was received as no-lesser by the crowd. I was kinda thinking "Are we at a huge party here or a rock concert"

November Rain and allowed for some feel of brotherhood among all the fans as a lot of us had arms over each other's shoulders and sang and looked at each other trying to feed off the other's energy and all just clicked in. Fireworks were amazin and this song, even though I usually despise it, was a very special time during the concert. Nice little band jam followed.

The cymbals hit and on came IRS, which was played so energetically as all others were. Again a chance for all us people who know lyrics to show it off to those who didn't that we get to really rock in reward for our learning the lyrics and feels of the song. Axl's voice was quite rangy in this song from either sounding a bit silly with the wail to just about splitting all that hears with his shrieking screams and it's one of the much better songs of the night.

A series of solos followed allowing once again some time for brotherhood of rock as we all sang the Australian anthem and Don't Cry. Shit I'm having to look at the setlist and concert updates to remember what I am writing Things picked up again as Sebastian came on and My Michelle blew away the crowd, as he and Axl shared parts as well as singing parts of the song together. We all had a good laugh when Axl noted that they 've been going so smoothly throughout the night but are supposed to fuck things up. Another humorous remark which I can't remember when it was shown but earlier in the show some girl sent a huge sign asking Axl if she can be his bitch for the night...very lovely I must say Patience again allowed for some relaxation.

Nightrain exploded out of nowhere, which was again one of my favourites. The screens really did their jobs displaying the Bumblefoot-Robin-Frank trio with clips switching from player to player among these 3 during the song and the solos. People mouthgaped at Bumblefoot's guitaring abilities. When the song ended, people were looking at each other wondering what will be, saying at least one more as Paradise City, but more surprises were to come. Axl's good friend Angry Anderson came on and although I don't even know this song...wish I did , Axl's voice was at the very pinnacle in this song, nothing but pure rasp as I heard it. Angry anderson was right at home with this song and was as Amazing as Axl.

Madagascar Madagascar Madagascar....what can I say about this. This was more for the ladies I see, a few very nice handsome girls near me were all really into this song, I never thought much of this song but the performance was pretty tight on it and nonetheless enjoyable.

Paradise City started and the crowd's energy just built up again, as we started jumping up and down like a bunch of playful energetic kids but who can blame us. Fireworks really built up the intense energy once again. As the badass song rolled through, came the fast long part and paper leafs were flyin everywhere I could barely see, as this huge party was coming to a conclusion, and Axl screamed out Sydney Australia good fuckin' night and closed off. Later he came on just to get a bit friendly again with us and said "Aussie aussie aussie" to which we responded "Oy oy oy" and so on.

We 're gettin past the concert now but the fun didn't stop there, my friend John and I had leaf fights as we picked large bundles of it and were throwing it, and the other people had a bit of a fuck around. As we set home on the train some funny hooligans started joking in our carriage and made a "Pole Dancing" competition Which I was the first to take to fuck around a bit for the night and then my friend took a turn and destroyed my act to pieces Then all the fun dispersed and everybody went home after we got off at the last station. Phew, what a night, what a night.

how can this be, Randy Lahey said Axl need to party more to get his voice back and swingtrader said the shows are scripted and Axl is an old man rocker?

Jk, your review was well written and I agree with it, when I saw the a half a year ago, Axl sounded great, and in my review I wrote what you did, the new band really embraced the new music. They are a band, a real band, and anyone who listens to them do better and calls thenm a cover band, really needs to see them do it live. Glad you had a great time man. Grats.

[Son Of A Gun]

Actually Gunzen I hate to disappoint you, while I wrote just the concert review...I have to concede as I did before that no matter how good this band is...it just isn't Gn'R to me and every single person out there at the show thought so too. It's a good band as you said it, but no matter how good they are they just don't have that feel to the songs that the songs need (At least the Gn'R songs). They 're right at home with their own songs, but not with Gn'R's. In honest opinion I am hoping for a reunion to happen sometime soon but will enjoy whatever these guys put out in the mean time. Good that at least in the meantime I saw this band.

This post has been edited by Son Of A Gun: 24 June 2007 - 01:24 AM

[Gunzen]

Son Of A Gun, on Jun 24 2007, 01:20 AM, said:

Actually Gunzen I hate to disappoint you, while I wrote just the concert review...I have to concede as I did before that no matter how good this band is...it just isn't Gn'R to me and every single person out there at the show thought so too. It's a good band as you said it, but no matter how good they are they just don't have that feel to the songs that the songs need (At least the Gn'R songs). They 're right at home with their own songs, but not with Gn'R's. In honest opinion I am hoping for a reunion to happen sometime soon but will enjoy whatever these guys put out in the mean time. Good that at least in the meantime I saw this band.

Why would this dissapoint me? Like I said, it is a good band. They are not as good as the original lineup, but they are better than anything else out there. I actually get miffed when people call them a cover band, cause they are not, but hey, you had a great time right? Moneys worth?

There will never be another , Godfather (1 + 2) but hey, Goodfellas is still pretty damn good.

I think I am misundersttod on this site cause peoploe think I like these guys more than the originals. I actually preferred the original lineup, but this new band is damn good, and I have seen the old lineup enough, can am comfortable with the new.

As far as a reunion, no reason, cause unlike other bands that reunite, there is no need, nor will there ever be in my opinion. Axl, Slash etc are doing waht they want. Playing music etc. I dont know for sure, but doubt it.

Again, glad you had a great time, beats the shit outta youtube.

Late

[Son Of A Gun]

I guess time will tell what will happen. And that could be anything. Most important thing though as you said...I had a great time last night.

[FunkyMonk]

Good to hear you had fun. Everyone always does...

[mr.b]

Another good concert under the belt so. How many have they played this year so far?...

[lawrence]

its about time they changed the set list aint it?
talk about flogging a dead horse

[Gunzen]

lawrence, on Jun 24 2007, 09:11 AM, said:

its about time they changed the set list aint it?
talk about flogging a dead horse

Dead Horse would be epic....

[cattye]

Which night was this review for?

Nice review by the way.

[debodan]

Gunzen, on Jun 25 2007, 04:20 AM, said:

lawrence, on Jun 24 2007, 09:11 AM, said:

its about time they changed the set list aint it?
talk about flogging a dead horse

Dead Horse would be epic....

Hey everyone.

I just saw the first Sydney show (23rd June) and it rocked!!! This was my first time seeing GNR live.

Here's my take on the show I saw and the new GNR...

The new guys can certainly play!! The guitar work is amazing and the drummer (Frank Ferrera) is awesome. With that being said, they seem very natural at playing the new songs but something feels missing when they play the original stuff. Perhaps it's the chemistry as a solid unit, or the passion, but this is not GNR to me.

I'm one of those that would love to see an original band reunion. I've been a GNR fan since 1990.

On to the show...

It really brought some mixed feelings about. They played great and the solos were phenomenal (the crowd were loudly chanting to Don't Cry and Back in Black). The crowd really got behind the original songs singing so loudy and jumping up and down. It was actually a bit embarassing when the new material was played (80% of the people sat down and all the singing stopped).. (I know that this is due to Chinese Democracy not being released yet).

2 of my biggest gripes with the show were the following:
* length of the show
* set list

The show started at 11:55 and finished at 12:05 (just over 2 hours). Maybe I'm expecting a little too much but I thought they could have played another song or 2. I've seen/heard many GNR bootlegs run for over 2.5 hours - 3 hours.

They really need to change the setlist. Both Sydney shows had the exact same setlist (Nice Boys played twice) and where is all the Illusions material????

Appetite is a phenomenal album but they seem to ignore the Illusion albums. They only played 5 songs from both UYI and UY2 ( 2 of which are covers and 1 a partial instrumental).

Also, what is up with Axl Rose now? No on stage rants or profanity.... Where are all the song intros (eg Wild Horses, Only Women Bleed, Sail Away Sweet Sister) and extended guitar jams mid song? The same girl gave Axl a sign during Sweet Child O' Mine ("Axl, I'll be your bitch tonight") which seems scripted to me.

It was a very good show (7/10) but not exceptional. I'd consider GNR's best shows to be Chicago 09/04/1992, Ritz 1988, Argentina 16/07/1993 and Tokyo 22/02/1992.

I know I'll get crucified for this posting but I'm really interested in your opinions about the above.

Dan