I was at Donington 2006, the first hour was interesting and difficult for GN'R - Axl got pissed because of bottles flying and he was slipping all over the stage and well, crowd reception wasn't the greatest. However, as the show continued he pretty much turned things around, the crowd got into it. I've seen GN'R 9 times (will be 10 after Hyde Park), I think that might be my favorite time seeing GN'R along with the first time I saw the reunited lineup in 2016.
Axl is and will continue to be a controversial figure, it is what it is. Hopefully they come out on top at Glastonbury, if played right, a shorter set might benefit greatly in that setting.