GNR Women's Discussion - Part 2

[killuridols]

3 hours ago, GingerHair said:

I met someone from Berlin at a GNR gathering and she told me that she had been to numerous concerts from other bands in another venue in Berlin (sorry, I don't know the name), which is a venue that fits around 40,000 people and has a very good acoustic and that she had never been to Olympiastadion because it is famous for the bad acoustic

Well, I have no idea but some others said they had been to Olympiastadion shows before and that they were great!

So I guess it is a combination of the stadium not being filled (lack of people causes echo) and bad sound. Who decides on which stadium they play or how much they invest in sound it is something I'd like to know, but that person or group of people must have some responsability for it.

3 hours ago, Rickodez said:

At this age, any weight loss will do that to you, combined with a shaved look, and the whole internet think youre dying. Thinking about it, i dont know if Axl losing weight would bring any real benefit, at this point he will not look like 2006 or 2010 again, and i doubt he will sing better either, aging is no joke.

Hmm. I don't agree with the bolded.

One thing is to lose weight in a healthy way, at any age you need to do it if you are having health problems derived from it. And a different thing is to lose weight because of drugs or a disease that makes you lose weight. Because in general, what you lose is muscular mass and your immune system becomes frail.

Axl could age gracefull if he wanted and aging does not equal doing it in the worst conditions. Much less if you've got so much money like Axl does. He could delay his aging for 20 years if he was dedicated and committed to it. Besides, he's not THAT old and he lives good, unlike lots of other seniors who barely have to eat.

 

[Alja]

Report from the fortress Olympiastadion. Fight is over. Men soldiered through, all alive. 

(Berlin show review)

Day -1

Spotted Nightram roaming the streets of Berlin. Band is in the town, If anybody was not sure about where, the hotel was marked around with posters. Axl reappeared from nowhere after half a year on rehearsal/soundcheck. Noone saw him coming. Looks he diddn`t shave head, gain 20 kilos, grow mustache or anything. Berlin is pretty huge to absorb fans. Roaming the city, sightseeing, having fun, meeting people. 

Day 0

Berlin Olympiastadion is a fortress of concrete and travertine and iron, massive, built to impress, outliving its times and creators. We crashed by one of the gates and camped until opened, surprisingly very few people around. Little advantage of German audience is that they won`t go bananas to get there first. Disadvantage is that they just won`t go bananas. Weather was decent with heavy clouds, but it wasn`t raining and not too hot. We got rehearsals of Slither, Coma, You Could Be Mine and then streamed GNR from a rocking folks barbecuing by their rock-bands decorated caravan in nearby parking lot. After you watched EEs passing around, gates opened. I ran through the first checkpoint, ticket OK, then down by endless stairs like in Paradise City video, running through next two checkpoints with motivation close to Jesse Ovens, all smooth I am here, left front corner as I was advised. EE people already there, ladies like after what the heck I have rock concert suitable to wear hard time and they massive boyfriends bodyguards on the rail, they should forbid two meters high butchery guys on rail, but whatever, first come first served and anyone behind you is not your business as far as I know... For the opening acts I saw mostly massive black tee back, but, luckily, then the crowd somehow moved and I got gap to see. Like with most of opening bands, I asked myself if there is some line which forbids opening acts to use front part of the stage. Still researching this topic.  

First support band was Greta van Fleet, cute puppies looking like Jimi Hendrix`s grandchildren with massive, heavy 60s bluesy backdrop, lead singer does some impressive long high notes (okay, third time rather one trick pony, but each player strong in his craft) and they roll easily through their set. Faith in humanity and rock`n`roll restored. Stadium was still two-thirds empty, even golden circle was like three rows; second are Manic Street Preachers, seasoned rockers with highway-paced music.

They ended half an hour before GNR scheduled, in the time band supposed to come on stage there were light techs still climbing up the ladders to their spots, cheesy tank video (Hate at first sight, repeated, like if I wasn`t overfed already first time). It`s great to be there down on rail because you don`t need to pay attention to animation. Today I additionaly felt like in a deep dark hole created by massive people. Upper seats half empty. Band definitely set off quarter an hour later than scheduled. No McBob, no Loonie tunes, It`s So Easy. Massive opener. Axl vigorous, with huge shades on, rock power firing all cylinders, Mr.Brownstone rocked next, but maybe since then it became somehow weird, remarkably Double Talkin`Jive, instruments mashed and mixed and messed like everyone had different beat, got slightly better with Live and Let Die, but definite nail into the coffin was Rocket Queen. That song is supposed to hit your groins and run down your tights since first moment Duff fingers it deep down under, not for standing there and trying to recognize the song. Axl gone really bad heading to This I Love, singing was amazing, full of feels like it`s supposed to, Slash soloed clear but you could see Axl switch to serious and talk to every member of the band. Mood dropped death, audience mostly like a pond of cold fishes. It was a bad day going more sour every minute and it seemed like the band cannot do anything with it. Axl totally out of groove, buttoned up and austere in some protective setting, carying the weight of the situation whatever happens, inheritance of frontman. He even wasn`t in such a strong contact with the audience like he is capable. Something was totally wrong. Definitely not Axl I`ve seen in Prague. Axl is kind of open book written in huge letters and it screamed upset. What I started to really miss was happy, goofy, enthusiastic Axl. He knows when he does good and also he knows when he sucks. Not a kind of a person who would pass untouched. Not a kind of performer who would hide his self and passes through the performance. Axl gives heart - all he can in given moment. When he angrily sings Better, I felt it so intensely I surprised myself and sing it back like that. I feel both sadness and disillusion and hope at the end, the grief of This I love... take it, all the feels, served fresh. 

Next went Slither, which is basically a song which tends to pass by me without touching, but a beautiful gesture. I don`t know how deep must have Axl been, but he started to swim to the surface. 

When he was introducing Civil War, he touched Slash on shoulder while saying we don`t need no civil war.

Then went mostly guitar pieces for Slash. Sweet Child resurrected audience from death at least for a while and surprise Wichita Lineman was another weight which visibly fallen from Axl`s shoulders. Now he was even able to reconnect with his power, at least partially. Then Wish you were here with Slash and Richard weaving the melody while the piano was set on the front. November Rain, if the piano wasn`t backed by other instruments, it was at least audible here in the front, otherwise mostly not. Like a silent movie. Still the song has certain something for Axl, he is more tranquil in it, vibrantly fragile, ageless. At the end of the song he even started to smile, after almost unbearably long time. You would do basically anything for that smile (banner is an option, too). 

Afer November Rain went Knockin` on heaven`s door, and, most important, shades went down accompanied with massive cheering. Because seeing Axl performing in shades is like making love with condom, may be good but there is something additional and odd between you two. Sky darkened and the shine reappeared. Axl was back from depths, surfaced, heavily breathing, but back, ice melted. Highlight of the show, there was him, shiny, fragile, vibrant, humble Axl Rose I remembered from Prague, heads up.

That was experience like being underwater said Axl and I hoped for that to be intro to Coma, but it wasn`t. Still, I understand why he didin`t go through that wicked song not having heart right on his spot.

Nightrain, little pause and encore. 

Patience ended by beautiful, raspy, juicy, all the feels of walking the streets trying to get it right outro and truly impressive, long and intense final note. He bowed in a way you knew how upset he was with the performance and how that long, long note was the one piece of heart on his sleeve he managed to put together and could give you for all you did to make it there. Sorry, I tried, keep at least this. Concentrated Axlness in one moment it melted heart.

Things went fast then. All the vivacity of Paradise City, Axl much less physically tired than in Prague, banner flying over my head to Gio`s hands, Axl asking for it to show it to Slash, Duff (giggles) and rest of the world. Axl full blown happy. That guy seems to have genuine sense of humor and hell serious people around. 

Final bow, Slash returning to throw pics and headstand.

 

That show sounded like Estranged, with all its down and harsh parts, going through difficulties and resurfacing at the end. 

When I find out all the reasons
Maybe I'll find another way
Find another day
With all the changing seasons of my life
Maybe I'll get it right next time

_______________________________________________________

Side notes:

* Spotted Slash`s smile. Rare, cute and genuine thingy. 

* No jackets (good), most remarkable and only success in stripping Axl were shades, shirt stayed. *cries and hates that ass-ruining tablecloth

* I loved when Axl whistled in Estranged and Slash answered with dolphin sound on guitar

* Slash and Duff had weird yellowish face color like like they stole Axl`s make-up (he was clean, no make-up, no eyeliner) and also left nothing for bloodless pale white Richard

* I can`t help but love that neglected puppy, million-expression guitarist Fortus, sometimes only funny element when all was going sour.

* Security guys shared their own water with us, but it was so little. You need a sip when you are stuck in the front, not a pint of beer you buy before the show and full bladder next. Prague tops in this million times.

* The set was tight and set in a way they could make it through without major damage of them or the songs. Axl sounded good and fresh for me and I don`t mind some scratches and octave changes, if it works. Happens. It`s live. I slightly miss Yesterdays and Don`t Cry, but, as wise old men once said, you can`t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you`ll get what you need. 

Edited June 5, 2018 by Alja

[Georgina Arriaga]

Love your review @Alja I feel very honest....what do you think happenned?

[MaskingApathy]

Thanks @Alja! 

[Ratam]

4 hours ago, Alja said:

Report from the fortress Olympiastadion. Fight is over. Men soldiered through, all alive. 

(Berlin show review)

Day -1

Spotted Nightram roaming the streets of Berlin. Band is in the town, If anybody was not sure about where, the hotel was marked around with posters. Axl reappeared from nowhere after half a year on rehearsal/soundcheck. Noone saw him coming. Looks he diddn`t shave head, gain 20 kilos, grow mustache or anything. Berlin is pretty huge to absorb fans. Roaming the city, sightseeing, having fun, meeting people. 

Day 0

Berlin Olympiastadion is a fortress of concrete and travertine and iron, massive, built to impress, outliving its times and creators. We crashed by one of the gates and camped until opened, surprisingly very few people around. Little advantage of German audience is that they won`t go bananas to get there first. Disadvantage is that they just won`t go bananas. Weather was decent with heavy clouds, but it wasn`t raining and not too hot. We got rehearsals of Slither, Coma, You Could Be Mine and then streamed GNR from a rocking folks barbecuing by their rock-bands decorated caravan in nearby parking lot. After you watched EEs passing around, gates opened. I ran through the first checkpoint, ticket OK, then down by endless stairs like in Paradise City video, running through next two checkpoints with motivation close to Jesse Ovens, all smooth I am here, left front corner as I was advised. EE people already there, ladies like after what the heck I have rock concert suitable to wear hard time and they massive boyfriends bodyguards on the rail, they should forbid two meters high butchery guys on rail, but whatever, first come first served and anyone behind you is not your business as far as I know... For the opening acts I saw mostly massive black tee back, but, luckily, then the crowd somehow moved and I got gap to see. Like with most of opening bands, I asked myself if there is some line which forbids opening acts to use front part of the stage. Still researching this topic.  

First support band was Greta van Fleet, cute puppies looking like Jimi Hendrix`s grandchildren with massive, heavy 60s bluesy backdrop, lead singer does some impressive long high notes (okay, third time rather one trick pony, but each player strong in his craft) and they roll easily through their set. Faith in humanity and rock`n`roll restored. Stadium was still two-thirds empty, even golden circle was like three rows; second are Manic Street Preachers, seasoned rockers with highway-paced music.

They ended half an hour before GNR scheduled, in the time band supposed to come on stage there were light techs still climbing up the ladders to their spots, cheesy tank video (Hate at first sight, repeated, like if I wasn`t overfed already first time). It`s great to be there down on rail because you don`t need to pay attention to animation. Today I additionaly felt like in a deep dark hole created by massive people. Upper seats half empty. Band definitely set off quarter an hour later than scheduled. No McBob, no Loonie tunes, It`s So Easy. Massive opener. Axl vigorous, with huge shades on, rock power firing all cylinders, Mr.Brownstone rocked next, but maybe since then it became somehow weird, remarkably Double Talkin`Jive, instruments mashed and mixed and messed like everyone had different beat, got slightly better with Live and Let Die, but definite nail into the coffin was Rocket Queen. That song is supposed to hit your groins and run down your tights since first moment Duff fingers it deep down under, not for standing there and trying to recognize the song. Axl gone really bad heading to This I Love, singing was amazing, full of feels like it`s supposed to, Slash soloed clear but you could see Axl switch to serious and talk to every member of the band. Mood dropped death, audience mostly like a pond of cold fishes. It was a bad day going more sour every minute and it seemed like the band cannot do anything with it. Axl totally out of groove, buttoned up and austere in some protective setting, carying the weight of the situation whatever happens, inheritance of frontman. He even wasn`t in such a strong contact with the audience like he is capable. Something was totally wrong. Definitely not Axl I`ve seen in Prague. Axl is kind of open book written in huge letters and it screamed upset. What I started to really miss was happy, goofy, enthusiastic Axl. He knows when he does good and also he knows when he sucks. Not a kind of a person who would pass untouched. Not a kind of performer who would hide his self and passes through the performance. Axl gives heart - all he can in given moment. When he angrily sings Better, I felt it so intensely I surprised myself and sing it back like that. I feel both sadness and disillusion and hope at the end, the grief of This I love... take it, all the feels, served fresh. 

Next went Slither, which is basically a song which tends to pass by me without touching, but a beautiful gesture. I don`t know how deep must have Axl been, but he started to swim to the surface. 

When he was introducing Civil War, he touched Slash on shoulder while saying we don`t need no civil war.

Then went mostly guitar pieces for Slash. Sweet Child resurrected audience from death at least for a while and surprise Wichita Lineman was another weight which visibly fallen from Axl`s shoulders. Now he was even able to reconnect with his power, at least partially. Then Wish you were here with Slash and Richard weaving the melody while the piano was set on the front. November Rain, if the piano wasn`t backed by other instruments, it was at least audible here in the front, otherwise mostly not. Like a silent movie. Still the song has certain something for Axl, he is more tranquil in it, vibrantly fragile, ageless. At the end of the song he even started to smile, after almost unbearably long time. You would do basically anything for that smile (banner is an option, too). 

Afer November Rain went Knockin` on heaven`s door, and, most important, shades went down accompanied with massive cheering. Because seeing Axl performing in shades is like making love with condom, may be good but there is something additional and odd between you two. Sky darkened and the shine reappeared. Axl was back from depths, surfaced, heavily breathing, but back, ice melted. Highlight of the show, there was him, shiny, fragile, vibrant, humble Axl Rose I remembered from Prague, heads up.

That was experience like being underwater said Axl and I hoped for that to be intro to Coma, but it wasn`t. Still, I understand why he didin`t go through that wicked song not having heart right on his spot.

Nightrain, little pause and encore. 

Patience ended by beautiful, raspy, juicy, all the feels of walking the streets trying to get it right outro and truly impressive, long and intense final note. He bowed in a way you knew how upset he was with the performance and how that long, long note was the one piece of heart on his sleeve he managed to put together and could give you for all you did to make it there. Sorry, I tried, keep at least this. Concentrated Axlness in one moment it melted heart.

Things went fast then. All the vivacity of Paradise City, Axl much less physically tired than in Prague, banner flying over my head to Gio`s hands, Axl asking for it to show it to Slash, Duff (giggles) and rest of the world. Axl full blown happy. That guy seems to have genuine sense of humor and hell serious people around. 

Final bow, Slash returning to throw pics and headstand.

 

That show sounded like Estranged, with all its down and harsh parts, going through difficulties and resurfacing at the end. 

When I find out all the reasons
Maybe I'll find another way
Find another day
With all the changing seasons of my life
Maybe I'll get it right next time

_______________________________________________________

Side notes:

* Spotted Slash`s smile. Rare, cute and genuine thingy. 

* No jackets (good), most remarkable and only success in stripping Axl were shades, shirt stayed. *cries and hates that ass-ruining tablecloth

* I loved when Axl whistled in Estranged and Slash answered with dolphin sound on guitar

* Slash and Duff had weird yellowish face color like like they stole Axl`s make-up (he was clean, no make-up, no eyeliner) and also left nothing for bloodless pale white Richard

* I can`t help but love that neglected puppy, million-expression guitarist Fortus, sometimes only funny element when all was going sour.

* Security guys shared their own water with us, but it was so little. You need a sip when you are stuck in the front, not a pint of beer you buy before the show and full bladder next. Prague tops in this million times.

* The set was tight and set in a way they could make it through without major damage of them or the songs. Axl sounded good and fresh for me and I don`t mind some scratches and octave changes, if it works. Happens. It`s live. I slightly miss Yesterdays and Don`t Cry, but, as wise old men once said, you can`t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you`ll get what you need. 

Excelent review@Alija with all you ❤👏👏

[marlingrl03]

I didn't know Slash did a cameo on this show! Very cool. 

[Georgina Arriaga]

I have to subscribe free to this music Industry Magazine because in Google I saw an alert, it was about the GNR tour, the people behind the scenes talking

http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/lifetime-s-ambition-the-inside-story-of-guns-n-roses-record-breaking-reunion-tour/072707

Lifetime's Ambition: The inside story of Guns N'Roses record-breaking reunion tour

by James Hanley

June 4th 2018 at 6:56PM

Guns N’Roses’ Not In This Lifetime… reunion tour has become the fourth highest grossing in history – and it’s still going. Here, Music Week speaks to a trio of the live execs who helped make it happen…

A melting pot of live music in West Hollywood, California for over 50 years, The Troubadour seeps rock’n’roll history from its every pore. The stories to have emanated from within its walls are legion: the fabled LA nightspot was where Don Henley met Glenn Frey, where Elton John played his first US show and from where John Lennon and Harry Nilsson were once ejected for drunkenly heckling The Smothers Brothers.

And on March 26, 1985, it added another notch to its bedpost, hosting the very first gig by an irrepressible band of hellraisers known as Guns N’Roses.

Thirty-one years later, 500 or so lucky punters crammed into the same intimate club on the outskirts of Beverly Hills to witness the rebirth of three fifths of the “classic” GNR line-up (guitarist Izzy Stradlin and drummer Steven Adler did not take part).

Egged on by a fervent crowd including A-list guests Jim Carrey, Lenny Kravitz and Nicolas Cage, it was a heart-warming yet surreal scene that once seemed as unlikely as a reality TV star with no political experience being elected president of the free world. 

A secret warm-up gig for their official comeback at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on April 8, it marked the first time singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan had shared a stage since 1993. The band’s two superstars, Rose and Slash were estranged for almost two decades after the latter handed in his notice in the autumn of 1996.

“What’s clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is,” Rose told Billboard in 2009.

But time (and no small financial incentive) heals all wounds and hopes of a full-blown reformation were raised when Slash revealed he had spoken to Rose via telephone in early 2015. Slash and McKagan's return was confirmed the following January alongside a Coachella headline slot.

UTA agent Ken Fermaglich, who represents the band in North America, recalls the reformation becoming a realistic possibility “some time in 2015”.

“I felt very good about it and thought that it would be a very important reunion that would satisfy a tremendous amount of demand,” Fermaglich tells Music Week. “There are many strategies for this and we have evolved them as things have developed.

But the single most important overarching strategy for us has been doing whatever we can to ensure that people understand this is not a legacy act, it is a vibrant band that is contemporary to lots of other bands right now.”

The results speak for themselves: Not In This Lifetime… (named after a quote Axl Rose gave to TMZ in 2012 about the chances of a reunion) is now the fourth highest grossing concert tour of all-time. To date, it has generated $480.9 million (£363m) from 125 shows, according to Pollstar, trailing only U2’s 360°, The Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang and Coldplay’s A Head Full Of Dreams.

“The whole world tour has been a spectacular success,” says ITB’s Rod MacSween, GNR’s long-time international booking agent, who credits the band’s “musicianship, depth and strength of songs” as being central to their status.

With the initial leg limited to the Americas, the tour’s 2017 run included stops in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, UAE and Europe. It finally touched down in the UK that June for two epic sold-out nights at London Stadium. But it was well worth the wait.

“Seeing Slash and Axl back together in a band after a well documented battle in the press was something really special,” says Live Nation’s president of UK touring and Download Festival promoter Andy Copping.

“Those shows last year were incredible, three-and-a-half hours each. We sold 150,000 tickets – 75,000 tickets a night – it was a big deal. I knew when we went on sale that it would be big, but I wasn’t realising just how big it was going to be.

We were always committed to two shows because I believed the demand was there, but I just wasn’t aware how quickly they were going to sell.”

“The strategy was to route with care, play some new markets and always plan ahead,” explains MacSween. “Some highlights were the two sold-out [London] Stadium shows in London last year, playing the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia and the passionate crowds in South America.”

Not In This Lifetime… was the fourth highest grossing worldwide tour of 2016, raking in $188.4m (£142.1m) from 44 shows at an average ticket price of $111 (£83.50), and the second highest of 2017, when it earned $292.5m (£220.6m) from 81 nights at an average ticket price of $109.16 (£82.34).

“We knew that people would pay a premium price for the best seats in the house and we scaled it so you could buy a ticket for £125, right the way down to £45,” explains Copping, of the London gigs.

“We just set what we thought would be market value for Guns N’Roses and there was zero resistance to the ticket prices.”

The current GNR line-up comprises Rose, Slash, McKagan, long-time keyboardist Dizzy Reed, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardist Melissa Reese, but to call Not In This Lifetime… a “reunion tour” isn’t strictly accurate – at no stage have Guns N’Roses split up. Rose continued to front various guises of the band well into the 2000s, taking in festival headline slots and arena tours the world over.

The band even staged two Las Vegas residencies, completing 12 and nine-date runs at The Joint in 2012 and 2014 respectively, which UTA’s global head of touring Neil Warnock believes was a crucial piece of the jigsaw.

“The credibility of the band coming back was that they could actually do it, get together, play on time and do a structured set in a structured situation, which Vegas is,” he explains.

“That gave all the promoters confidence in Guns N’Roses again so, when the whole ball of wax came together, then you could look at stadiums and the more sophisticated ways of rolling that out because the confidence was there for promoters to invest huge amounts of money, which they did, and get their return.”

Copping, who has worked with the band since 2005, acknowledges: “Axl had kept the Guns N’Roses name alive. Some people have different opinions about whether that was good or bad, but he did keep the Guns N’Roses brand alive.”

Heading back to Europe, Not In This Lifetime’s... penultimate ninth leg commenced in Berlin on June 3. There is just one UK date on the calendar – a headlining slot at Download this Saturday.

“We did a version of Guns N’Roses [at Download] back in 2006 but when, a couple of years ago, they started talking about getting an original line-up back together – and with Duff, Axl and Slash it’s the closest we’re going to get to an original line-up – I absolutely wanted them to play,” remembers Copping, who initially approached the band about headlining in 2017.

“They said they wanted to come back and do their own shows before they got into the festivals, so we did two nights at the [London] Stadium,” he says. ‘They definitely could have done more [UK shows]. The whole idea was that we were going to do two big London shows and then come back and do Download the following year.

That was always the plan and we didn’t want to change it, even though they could’ve quite easily done more shows, whether it be another London show or one in Manchester or Scotland.”

More than two-and-a-half years after it kicked off, Not In This Lifetime… is due to conclude in Asia in November, but Copping is convinced they’ll be able do it all again down the line.

“I think they’ve proven that there is, pardon the pun, a huge appetite for Guns N’Roses and they could come back at any time and tour the world again,” he says. “Maybe they’ll put a new record together, although I don’t think that matters so much considering they’ve got such a big catalogue of songs.

But one would like to think that after this it won’t be goodbye Guns N’Roses. I guess they may take a hiatus, do solo projects and then get the GNR juggernaut back up and running again.

“They’re up there with those iconic acts,” he concludes. “U2, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen – Guns N’ Roses are sitting at that table.”

They’ve sure come a long way since The Troubadour – twice over. 

Edited June 6, 2018 by Georgina Arriaga

[Georgina Arriaga]

And this one is about the story of the Box Set, narrated by the Universal Music People

http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/appetite-for-collection-the-story-behind-guns-n-roses-locked-n-loaded-box-set/072708

Appetite For Collection: The story behind Guns N'Roses Locked N'Loaded box set

by James Hanley

June 4th 2018 at 7:15PM

Richard Hinkley, co-MD of Universal Music Catalogue, and Andrew Daw, SVP, global marketing, Universal, tell music week about GNR’s upcoming £849.99 deluxe boxset

When billboards featuring artwork from Guns N’Roses world-beating 1987 debut LP appeared in Camden earlier this year, it led some fans to believe a full classic line-up tour was on the cards.  A cryptic website message stating: “Destruction is coming,” only added to the speculation.

Instead, the posters heralded the launch of the Appetite For Destruction: Locked N’Loaded Edition box set, which is out on June 29. Including five discs, seven LPs and seven 7”s, it features a plethora of collectables, along with unreleased tracks from the Appetite recording sessions.

The Geffen-released Appetite For Destruction is one of the biggest-selling albums of all-time, moving more than 30 million copies worldwide.

In the UK, it has racked up post-1994 sales of 1,216,017, according to the Official Charts Company. A 2004 Greatest Hits compilation has shifted 2,068,406 units, while 2008’s Chinese Democracy – GNR’s first LP of new material since 1993’s The Spaghetti Incident – has sold 375,102 copies.  

Locked N’Loaded will be available in five formats - CD, 2CD deluxe edition, 2LP 180-gram audiophile vinyl edition, super deluxe edition and Locked N’Loaded edition vinyl box set, which retails at £849.99 and is limited to 10,000 copies globally.

Here, Richard Hinckley, co-MD of Universal Music Catalogue, and Andrew Daw, SVP, global marketing, Universal Strategic Marketing, tell Music Week about their labour of love…
 

How did the box set project come together?

Andrew Daw: “It started with a call on November 19, 2015 with Steve Berman at IGA, who has a longstanding relationship with the band and had been talking with Fernando Lebeis from [GNR management] Team Brazil.

Fernando let us know the Coachella dates were going to happen and asked us to explore what we could do with the catalogue. Over the years, fans and collectors talked about recordings that were known about but never released.

We organised a list of the content and music and a small internal group, including Bruce Resnikoff [president/CEO, Universal Music Enterprises], Andrew Kronfeld, [EVP marketing, UMG]; Jeff Fura [senior director A&R, UME] and other key members of UME/IGA, concentrated on Appetite For Destruction specifically and we launched it from there. 

“We got together with Fernando, who has been absolutely fantastic to work with on the project, and we started on the music content.

Jeff Fura started pulling tapes from the vaults and we would regularly find gems. As we sourced the resources, we found all the original analogue tapes for every single piece of music.

“It’s been a long time in the making, has been very confidential for long periods and a huge task to keep an exciting secret for almost three years. From the start, we wanted to give the GNR world the best project we could.

It sounds so incredible, people are going to be blown away from the remaster all the way to the 5.1 mix, to the rare and unreleased material. And when you actually see the box, your jaw will drops, it’s a custom art piece.”
 

How key was the classic line-up reuniting?

AD: “It was key in the fact that it opened up the conversation to what we could do on the catalogue. We’d always wanted to do something special with Appetite For Destruction, it is one of those generation-defining records that we always felt needed special attention from a market perspective. It was an exciting moment for us when we found how receptive the GNR camp was to the idea.”
 

What was the marketing strategy?

Richard Hinckley: “When you have an album that means so much to so many people, it’s often for different reasons.

Accordingly, we’re developing strategies that engage those different audiences in ways that are distinct to each.

Whether we’re speaking to a rock fan from the ‘80s for whom the band and this album were incendiary when it was first released, where the deep archive video and music is key, or it’s a teenager who owns a T-shirt because the imagery is so captivating, and we can introduce them to listening to tracks beyond those they’re familiar with.

Our marketing runs across social, video, experiential and promotional channels, as well as a high-profile ad campaign.”
 

What were the main challenges you faced?

RH: “The breadth of appeal is a huge opportunity but also a challenge. The tone and content of all the marketing must be spot-on and authentic to everybody who experiences it.”
 

How did you settle on five separate versions?

AD: “Once we reviewed the vault tapes we started finding some really unique material like original flyers, tickets, unseen photos.

Added to this, Fernando began to open up some of Axl’s personal archives and we had some uber fans who had a lot of collectables that we were able to incorporate.

If you look at all of our flagship catalogue projects, we would usually put together a super deluxe, deluxe, LP and remaster. In relation to Locked N’Loaded [Edition] we realised quickly we had something very special with additional material that wasn’t just music-based. 

Essentially, we wanted to create something really special that the band were happy with and the fans would be excited about. Judging by the early reaction that’s certainly the case across the world.”
 

How high are you expecting demand to be?

RH: “We expect this will make the kind of impact in the chart that does the album justice. The audience for the music is so broad.”
 

What is Appetite For Destruction’s legacy?

RH: “Aside from the fact it changed the course of my life when I bought it in 1987 its impact was, and continues to be, huge. They influenced so many artists that followed, but they also set the bar for quality.”

[MillionsOfSpiders]

So the tour will end in November.

Good to know they never even considered Manchester or Scotland and only cared about London - where they can charge whatever they want and it’s all cool 

[Hejanne]

Especially for @MillionsOfSpiders

[SerenityScorp]

wise Man Slash

Mmmmm is He talking about His relationship with Axl?

[Politania]

8 hours ago, Alja said:

Report from the fortress Olympiastadion. Fight is over. Men soldiered through, all alive. 

(Berlin show review)

 

 

thank you

Edited June 6, 2018 by Politania

[alfierose]

6 hours ago, MillionsOfSpiders said:

So the tour will end in November.

Good to know they never even considered Manchester or Scotland and only cared about London - where they can charge whatever they want and it’s all cool 

I'm still surprised they didn't do Manchester given that Axl played with AC/DC there to a packed and enthusiastic crowd. I think any Northern England/Scotland date would be a sell out even at this late stage of the tour.

[killuridols]

7 hours ago, Hejanne said:

Especially for @MillionsOfSpiders

But he belongs to @dgnr!!!! 

[Asia]

15 hours ago, Alja said:

Security guys shared their own water with us, but it was so little.

I've tried out a solution to this last year and it worked. When they asked us to remove the caps and throw them away, I did as they pleased but they did not know I had some caps in my purse taken from home. Away from the guards I put them back on and had enough drink to sip from throughout the etire show.

[Alja]

15 hours ago, Georgina Arriaga said:

Love your review @Alja I feel very honest....what do you think happenned?

Can`t guess properly, but that combination of bad acoustics and compromised stream in in-ear monitors combined with cold audience is difficult itself even with best mind-set right before the show; first show after a long time, so machine is a bit rusty and dry, always is. 

More specifically to GNR shows, Axl`s emotional states are kind of contagious, I remember how DJ Ashba said that if you are in a room with Axl Rose and he doesn`t want to be in that room, you also don`t want to be in that room. I swear it works in his presence (more or less consciously, you perceive it) like this with any mindset, so if he`s light-hearted, you are happy your heart skips a beat. If he`struggles, you are upset and it`s really difficult to fight it. To say, this emotional thingy is the reason I pay for front row tickets.

[MillionsOfSpiders]

3 hours ago, alfierose said:

I'm still surprised they didn't do Manchester given that Axl played with AC/DC there to a packed and enthusiastic crowd. I think any Northern England/Scotland date would be a sell out even at this late stage of the tour.

I am too. I thought they might add a Manchester or Scotland show at some point, it would definitely sell out, especially with them only playing at Donington this time - lots of fans just don’t want to go to a festival.

The Manchester AC/DC crowd was so much fun....and Axl has said before how much he likes the Manchester crowds, it’s their loss 

EDIT: How come your name is in black now, are you an admin?  

@alfierose

Edited June 6, 2018 by MillionsOfSpiders

[killuridols]

Alfie admin??!!! 

[alfierose]

8 minutes ago, MillionsOfSpiders said:

EDIT: How come your name is in black now, are you an admin?  

Yes. We are bringing another mod or two on board to replace Gracii etc.. now the tour has kicked off again. We also needed another person to manage Admin tasks so I moved up.

[MillionsOfSpiders]

1 minute ago, alfierose said:

Yes. We are bringing another mod or two on board to replace Gracii etc.. now the tour has kicked off again. We also needed another person to manage Admin tasks so I moved up.

That’s great news! Congratulations!

[Padme]

17 minutes ago, MillionsOfSpiders said:

That’s great news! Congratulations!

Not so fast. That makes her the new Iron Lady of the forum 

 

[Politania]

4 minutes ago, Padme said:

Not so fast. That makes her the new Iron Lady of the forum 

 

Oohhhhh ohhhhhh Houston we got problem 😆😆

[Georgina Arriaga]

56 minutes ago, alfierose said:

Yes. We are bringing another mod or two on board to replace Gracii etc.. now the tour has kicked off again. We also needed another person to manage Admin tasks so I moved up.

Congratulations!!!!

[Padme]

It seems Slash balls got stuck in Axl throat this time around. Now they are late. I don't see any other reason to be late

[Politania]

Just now, Padme said:

It seems Slash balls got stuck in Axl throat this time around. Now they are late. I don't see any other reason to be late

Slash is getting polishing his balls to show them to us 😈😈