Locke

One more note. Of all the covers played, many have become GNR staples. How disappointed would the casual audience members be if they didn't play Live & Let Die or Knockin for instance? While they may be covers by definition, the GNR versions are so well known that they feel like their own at this point. 

2 hours ago, WestCoastStrutting said:

I don't get how anyone can complain about the setlist. If someone told me 3 years ago that Axl, Slash and Duff were gonna do a reunion tour, play for 3+ hours a night including all their hits, Chinese songs and even the deepest of deep cuts "Coma" and then throw some covers in there I would be ecstatic. Sure there are plenty of other songs I would like to see them do but appreciate what we have right now because it is fucking awesome. 

I could not agree more. And for all the complaining about more covers as opposed to more GNR tunes, I say let them have some fun playing some material that they enjoy. It's hard to imagine too many people leaving a show feeling disappointed that the band didn't play a certain song because they play all of their hits and then some. Furthermore, they are not shooting their wad all on one tour, meaning that perhaps we'll get some of the deeper material when/if they tour again. I came away completely satisfied when I attended the Minneapolis show and I haven't heard from any friends who felt any different regardless of whether they are diehard fans or more casual in their fandom. I remember checking this board for years just hoping for some small nugget that would point to the possibility of the ice breaking between Axl and Slash or even for another Axl tour. I'd love a new album as much as anyone, but I feel very satisfied with what has been a tremendous and well received tour by both fans and critics alike. 

Really fun. Cool cover. Well done.

No order. 

1. Attitude 

2. LALD 

3. Buick Makane

4. KOHD (live version, presumably from The Ritz)

5. Mama Kin

I'd love to see Alice in Chains or The Cult return.

18 minutes ago, aceface said:

I'll be in the Pit.  Is there a pre party anywhere?

Everywhere in downtown Minneapolis? Spending my day bar hopping up by Target Center/TCF Stadium/First Ave. and then making the drunken walk to the show. First time seeing Axl, Slash, and Duff share the stage since the Metallica/FNM show at the dome. I saw them all separately since then, but this is going to be special.

One week away...

Adler's return makes my day. He wanted this so badly. I'm truly happy for him. Plus, he could not have been nicer when I had the pleasure of meeting him after one of the Adler's Appetite shows. Only one question remains...

Where's Izzy?

Apologies if this has been mentioned in other threads. I frequent the board, but I can't keep up on everything. Anyway, I feel compelled to say that 2016 is the year of redemption in terms of the legacy of Axl Rose. The widespread perception of Axl from the general public seemed to be that he was that he was a reclusive, temperamental whack job who showed up late for every show. The reunion with Slash and Duff helped get the ball rolling, but it's not like anyone in GNR opened up about their reasons for reuniting or anything else. The initial round of shows were mostly well received, though there were the attack media types who picked them apart for everything from two missing original band members to Axl being seated, etc.

The perception of Axl really seems to be changing even more thanks to his involvement with AC/DC. There are certainly fans and probably some media types who are hung up on Brian Johnson being out of the band. I get it. I just enjoy it for what it is. However, the reviews of his early performances seem to be overwhelmingly positive. Plus, Axl has spoken publicly about the shows and comes off very relaxed, respectful, and down to earth in the media appearances. He's absolutely killing it onstage with them. I had high hopes for the Bon Scott material, but I had no idea he would be so good on the Johnson material too. 

The point is that it seems like the tide has finally turned. People aren't talking about the eccentricities, they are talking about the reunion and the performances with AC/DC. He's winning over a lot of skeptics and is rewriting his own legacy in the process. Of course, he's a meltdown away from undoing a lot of the good he has done thus far, but it's been very cool to see so many positive things from him this year and the reminder to the world of his amazing talents. I hope the positive momentum continues to build and maybe, just maybe, results in new GNR material. Either way, good for him. I'm thrilled at the possibility that my favorite frontman/vocalist has a chance to be remembered for his talent above all else. 

I listened to four or five songs thus far and he was great. What a tremendous year this has been for Axl Rose. I am happy for the guy. As a fan, I'm thrilled to be hearing/seeing so many great performances again. As much as I look forward to him running around and doing his thing again, I will look back fondly on the throne era. 

I respectfully disagree with the notion that Axl is back because TMZ wants to talk to him. I suspect that TMZ always wanted to talk to him. He's Axl Rose. I don't say that in a fanboy sort of way. Axl was a mystery and still is in so many ways, which made/makes him a very desirable "get" for the media even during years when nothing was happening musically. I'd also say that he is one of the celebrities who has proven that you can avoid the paparazzi by not seeking their attention by frequenting places where they hang out. TMZ types will still catch you at the airport, but so much of it is a game with the paparazzi playing along or being told where a celeb will be by the celeb's people because they want the notoriety. There didn't seem to be anything to gain from this appearance by Axl, so I don't think he's playing the game with them. Anyway, just my two cents. 

1 hour ago, Tom2112 said:

I see your point. Although, critiquing the show is all part and parcel with a forum like this (especially during tour season). So when Slash bends out of key, or Frank misses a beat, somebody who isn't bowled over by all things GnR is gonna point it out, and it's then up to everybody else to agree / disagree or sit on the fence. I think the negativity is balanced out nicely with the general consensus that the whole thing is pretty awesome, even if there's a few things each of would change given the chance.

I'm all for reviewing, debating, constructive criticism, etc. You summed it up well, but you left out the type of fan that tends to get under my skin. It's not that they are not bowled over by all things GNR, it's that they are to the point that they obsess over every little aspect of the live show as if it's a make or break situation. To each his own, of course. They can obsess. I can poke fun. We're all fans at some level or we wouldn't be on this board in the first place.

Finally, a place where I can vent! It's pathetic to see a man who suffered a broken foot carry on with the tour by sitting in a chair and singing rather than shutting down the entire operation, leaving an entire crew out of work, and leading everyone else to assume the band had already imploded. I hate this band so much that I've watched every clip of every show they've done so far and then wrote on this fan page about how annoying it was that Axl didn't sing every note exactly like he does on the albums. This clearly proves he's washed up. Never mind the fact that I watched footage of the band from their glory days and noticed that Axl never sang every note just as they sounded on the album. 

And it's painfully obvious that Axl and Slash hate each other and this is a cash grab. I know this because they don't do onstage banter like a lounge band. Granted, they never did this back in the glory days either, but it's different now, dammit! Just look at how much Axl interacts with Duff while onstage. Scratch that. Look at how much Axl interacts with Richard. Okay, bad example. Melissa? Dizzy? Oh yeah, Frank! He mentioned that his chair was blocking Frank. He never said that about Slash. Huh? See? Told you so! 

Mickey, Mickey, Mickey, rasp, rasp, rasp. Where's Izzy? Nothing without Adler.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to figure out how I can watch a crappy Periscope feed of yet another entire show held in the middle of the night in my timezone so that I don't miss a single flawed note or another sign that Axl and Slash aren't getting along.

Appetite For Chinese. Never mind, I'm just hungry.

Thrilled like everyone else to hear Coma again. At the risk of reading too much into it, I can't help but think there was a lot of rehearsal time for the full band. I initially wondered whether the band rehearsed together and then Axl just showed up at the gigs to sing the hits he knows inside and out. Perhaps I'm wrong, but being so tight with a song like Coma left me thinking there was a lot of work from everyone involved before the tour started. For that matter, all the pyro would seem like something that everyone would have to be very aware of in terms of knowing where to be and where not to be (please correct me if I'm wrong in that the placement of the pyro was such that it would not matter). Granted, Axl was on the throne, but it's not like he knew that going in. Either way, it's amazing to see Axl, Slash, and Duff share the stage again.

On 4/9/2016 at 6:29 AM, EvH said:

I long for the days when the music "press" wasn't simply making top 10s and top 50s about the same bands.

This one was a little more interesting than most, but I totally hear what you're saying. I avoid most subjective lists because I see them for what they are, but at least a little thought went into this one. Better yet, at least it's a same page list and not something you have to click ten times to read. Still, it's sad that people love lists as much as they do. It's easy clicks for websites, and then if the author really wants to be sketchy he/she will intentionally go against the grain and by including something outlandish in their rankings just to get people talking about it. 

My local radio station ran Pretty Tied Up into the ground. There were two goddamn CDs of material to draw from if they wanted to play current (at the time) GNR. I haven't really grown tired of any other GNR aside from that song, though I always loved the live Ritz version of Knockin' a million times more than the studio version.

I enjoyed the hell out of the Blu Ray and wish the 3D movie had been shown closer to home. I lurk more than I post. I read a lot of the DVD criticisms and I feel there's a lot of overanalyzing going on. It's a live performance. Are there some song performances I enjoy more than others? Sure. Axl didn't sing a song the way you wanted him to? Really? Get the fuck out of here. It's a live show! The hate for DJ Ashba has become laughable in some cases. He doesn't dress the way you want him to? WTF? I am not a guitarist so I won't pretend to know how skilled or unskilled he is as a player, but I would like to think that Axl Rose, Nikki Sixx, etc. have a better understanding of what he brings to the table than any of us do. I simply know that he brought a lot of energy to the GNR shows I attended and I like his work with GNR as well as with Sixx AM. To each his own, of course. Criticize, rip, hate, do what you're going to do. I came away very satisfied with my DVD purchase. I wish there was more to the extras, but I thought the look and sound was great. Top notch.

Well, I am a guitarist and trust me, his skills are very limited. Axl Rose, based on the way he mocks DJ on stage, is probably aware of that. Why he keeps him around? Good question. I'm glad you enjoyed the DVD but if criticism hurt your feelings so much, don't read them.

Hurt my feelings? So if someone finds the overanalyzing nitpicks to be petty then their feelings are hurt? Try harder. As I said, express your opinions. I expressed mine. Hopefully it didn't, um, hurt your feelings.

As for Ashba, what's the secret? How has a guy with what you feel are limited skills been able to work with two rock legends and have so much success? Genuine question, no sarcasm intended.

Hard to tell. Maybe it's his marketability. Teenage girls like his emo/goth dad style. His skills are limited and rock legend Axl Rose has been spotted openly laughing at him on stage, so did Tommy.

Can you explain to me how shitty acts like Justin Bieber or whoever is the new fad manage to have so much success? Genuine question. DJ sucks.

inb4youenvyhisrocknrolllifestyle

I get your point on Bieber. I guess I view Youtube sensations/pop stars differently than I do a musician hired to join an established band or brought in to perform with another successful musicians. Just genuinely curious what your take was. Thanks for the reply.

I enjoyed the hell out of the Blu Ray and wish the 3D movie had been shown closer to home. I lurk more than I post. I read a lot of the DVD criticisms and I feel there's a lot of overanalyzing going on. It's a live performance. Are there some song performances I enjoy more than others? Sure. Axl didn't sing a song the way you wanted him to? Really? Get the fuck out of here. It's a live show! The hate for DJ Ashba has become laughable in some cases. He doesn't dress the way you want him to? WTF? I am not a guitarist so I won't pretend to know how skilled or unskilled he is as a player, but I would like to think that Axl Rose, Nikki Sixx, etc. have a better understanding of what he brings to the table than any of us do. I simply know that he brought a lot of energy to the GNR shows I attended and I like his work with GNR as well as with Sixx AM. To each his own, of course. Criticize, rip, hate, do what you're going to do. I came away very satisfied with my DVD purchase. I wish there was more to the extras, but I thought the look and sound was great. Top notch.

Well, I am a guitarist and trust me, his skills are very limited. Axl Rose, based on the way he mocks DJ on stage, is probably aware of that. Why he keeps him around? Good question. I'm glad you enjoyed the DVD but if criticism hurt your feelings so much, don't read them.

Hurt my feelings? So if someone finds the overanalyzing nitpicks to be petty then their feelings are hurt? Try harder. As I said, express your opinions. I expressed mine. Hopefully it didn't, um, hurt your feelings.

As for Ashba, what's the secret? How has a guy with what you feel are limited skills been able to work with two rock legends and have so much success? Genuine question, no sarcasm intended.

I enjoyed the hell out of the Blu Ray and wish the 3D movie had been shown closer to home. I lurk more than I post. I read a lot of the DVD criticisms and I feel there's a lot of overanalyzing going on. It's a live performance. Are there some song performances I enjoy more than others? Sure. Axl didn't sing a song the way you wanted him to? Really? Get the fuck out of here. It's a live show! The hate for DJ Ashba has become laughable in some cases. He doesn't dress the way you want him to? WTF? I am not a guitarist so I won't pretend to know how skilled or unskilled he is as a player, but I would like to think that Axl Rose, Nikki Sixx, etc. have a better understanding of what he brings to the table than any of us do. I simply know that he brought a lot of energy to the GNR shows I attended and I like his work with GNR as well as with Sixx AM. To each his own, of course. Criticize, rip, hate, do what you're going to do. I came away very satisfied with my DVD purchase. I wish there was more to the extras, but I thought the look and sound was great. Top notch.

lol fuck u.

My apologies for enjoying the DVD and not sharing the hatred of a guitar player. I'll make sure it never happens again.

I enjoyed the hell out of the Blu Ray and wish the 3D movie had been shown closer to home. I lurk more than I post. I read a lot of the DVD criticisms and I feel there's a lot of overanalyzing going on. It's a live performance. Are there some song performances I enjoy more than others? Sure. Axl didn't sing a song the way you wanted him to? Really? Get the fuck out of here. It's a live show! The hate for DJ Ashba has become laughable in some cases. He doesn't dress the way you want him to? WTF? I am not a guitarist so I won't pretend to know how skilled or unskilled he is as a player, but I would like to think that Axl Rose, Nikki Sixx, etc. have a better understanding of what he brings to the table than any of us do. I simply know that he brought a lot of energy to the GNR shows I attended and I like his work with GNR as well as with Sixx AM. To each his own, of course. Criticize, rip, hate, do what you're going to do. I came away very satisfied with my DVD purchase. I wish there was more to the extras, but I thought the look and sound was great. Top notch.

One interesting thing that's been lost in all of the back and forth about old vs. new tonight is that that the members who attended the ceremony respected Axl's wishes and did not mention him. I can't imagine they were concerned about a potential lawsuit that would be laughed out of court. Were they simply trying to respect his wishes? Were they just being classy? Are they still holding out hope that if they play nice something could happen down the road? It will be interesting to find out what, if any, comments they made to the media. I was surprised that we didn't hear at least one of them openly thank or praise Axl by name despite his press release.