The exact same thing happened in 2009/2010.
FINALLY, the damn album is actually OUT and they're now free to play as much of CD as they want and not have to rely on AFD standards.
In Japan 2009, they kick it off by playing 13 of the 14 CD songs in one show, which has never been done again.
In 2010 in Canada, most of the CD songs are kept in rotation, including things that would eventually become rare like TWAT and Scraped and ITW.
After a few months.....phased out. Just back to the AFD greatest hits shows that started in 2002.
I guess it all comes down to Axl's mood and what he feels comfortable with. I can't imagine why he feels the need to play the "standards" every single fucking show, every time, but he does.
Of all the shows I've attended between 2002 and 2023, the following 12 songs were played at every single show.
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle
Live and Let Die
You Could Be Mine
Rocket Queen
Sweet Child O' Mine
November Rain
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Nightrain
Paradise City
EVERY SINGLE TIME.
I get that every GNR show is someone's very first GNR show and they'd be disappointed if they didn't get to do that fucking sing along to KOHD. And at least Live and Let Die is a fairly short song.
But for fuck's sake....Rocket Queen?? At EVERY show? Chinese Democracy, a song that landed with one of the biggest "thuds" in music history? Nobody would give a shit if that was dropped.
You Could Be Mine was a big hit over 30 years ago, but I don't think anyone would miss it these days.
SCOM/Jungle/PC....November Rain......and even arguably KOHD (even though I hate it these days).......those are the essentials. Those songs are there for casuals and first timers. They can seriously CUT the rest and I don't think anyone would mind, especially not the fans that have seen them multiple times over the years. Sheeesh.