Ixtlan

The stage looks low and close to the PIT.

On 7/28/2021 at 10:23 PM, mikeman5150 said:

In 2003 at the kiss/aerosmith show, they said the reason aerosmith didn’t do a encore was because the stadium has a strict curfew. So I don’t know. As bitchisback said, last time they started pretty early, it was strange. 
 

also, I do remember last time they stopped selling alcohol when guns started. Which sucks for a 3 hour show. Hopefully that’s changed. 
 

I did get an email from Ticketmaster about the new 6pm start time. I was reading the venue rules and it said that the stadium is now a cash-free venue. So make sure you bring some plastic with you. 

Yeah that was an awesome set! Whole lotta Rosie was great! It seemed like they were all having fun that night

Always sneak in a replaceable camelbak pouch filled with alcohol in your pants and free alcohol for the night.

25 minutes ago, Gordon Comstock said:

 

No idea. Kinda looks like Slash has an acoustic guitar there?

edit:

Slash usually plays the acoustic guitar while seated.  

3 minutes ago, Bitchisback said:

It wasn't even sunset yet!  It was wild lol 

It was on Hershey park stadium's Facebook page 

The venue has a strict curfew?

3 hours ago, Bitchisback said:

Hershey show is now starting an hour ealier.  Doors at 5 show starts at 6.

 

GnR probably playing a long set lol

Did you receive an email?

1 hour ago, Powderfinger said:

Yeah they were killer that day, I was there to see Black Sabbath primarily and headed down the front of the crowd early in the day to get a good spot. Anthrax were good, HIM were bottled the entire time they were on. I thought Velvet Revolver were tighter than they were 6 months earlier. Watching the footage back years later confirmed it. 
 

I’d still take the 2 Dublin gigs in 2008 as the best of the bunch. I liked a lot of the libertad material and it was great live. The Ambassador in Dublin only held about 1500-2000 so it was really intimate also.

Donnington is a major crush if you’re close to the front. There was people passing out standing upright by the time Sabbath came on. 

Lol. HIM were bottled? Hilarious. Everybody I’ve known who loves that band is weird. 

37 minutes ago, Stryker said:

I don’t think any intelligent person is expecting otherwise. First shows are notoriously spotty. 

Thanks for calling about Chicago. That concerned me for a bit. 

On 7/21/2021 at 11:57 AM, RussTCB said:

Possibly the greatest rock debut album of all time. 

What other albums would be part of that debate?

Does anybody know why tickets for Chicago are not for sale online? It’s been two days 

5 hours ago, MaskingApathy said:

I agree. Pretty much his whole career can be described like that, didn't make the extra effort, just caused problems.

That’s not accurate. Axl was once one of the most driven artists on the planet. Axl put a 100% into GNR. You don’t where Axl is without a 100% effort. Not to mention his life performances, which are second to none in rock history. 

5 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said:

That is all about appeasement when it comes to Axl and picking battles. Back in their 30s, it may have been worth it to Slash and Duff to walk out opposed to just dealing with Axl. Now, it makes more sense for them to go along with what Axl wants to do. They got their places back in GNR and get to make a ton of money. It's not just about shows, but it also opens the door to more revenue from licensing and merchandising crap. All 3 of them are probably making tons on the revival of all the classic merchandising junk.

TB needing to justify their existence is all about their lack of qualifications, experience, and unprofessionalism. Fernando does not get credit for the lithos, either. GNR was not the first band to do them, and they won't be the last. Metallica, Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and many more have down the show specific litho. It's a great piece of merchandise, and it has zero to do with TB. Most bands have the exact same merchandise, just with different art. They all go through Bravado or whatever companies the labels partner with. 

I’m fully aware other bands have concert posters. I didn’t mean it was unique or specific to GNR. Fernando said on that Dischord video that he was personally responsible for bringing Litho to the tour. I have no reason to believe he was lying. Everything you said about TB is accurate, though. TB doesn’t bother me at all. I know a few GNR diehards who know nothing about TB or Fernando. I do hope GNR retire soon. 

23 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said:

A lot of people have a very romantic look at what "band member" means. Its just an arbitrary title in the case of Guns N' Roses. Its nice the other musicians get to use it, but anyone who thinks they are on equal footing with Slash and Duff, let alone Axl, are just plain wrong. Richard, Frank, Melissa, and Dizzy could all be dismissed tomorrow and replaced with a completely new array of backing musicians and it would not really affect the show. I don't mean that to be disrespectful, I like those guys, it is just how it is. If the brand loses Slash, it loses a ton of value. Having one other original member up there also helps with the branding (I think you could swap in Steven or Izzy and it would be the same tbh). With the rest of the "band", they are hired to play the music at the concerts, that is it. If they have to sign some NDAs and not do interviews pertaining to GNR aside from "the tour is great" and "this is my gear!", they probably don't really care. It is not their place. You hit the nail on the head with guys in those bands. Is Daryl Jones out there giving candid interviews on The Rolling Stones? Is Steuart Smith with the Eagles? Nope. 

Guns N' Roses is not really a "band" anymore, and most arena+ acts probably function the same way. You have the band name that generates a ton of cash flow, those that control that name and its assets and activity, and then others who are hired by that name to play the shows and all of that. "Guns N' Roses" is probably mostly controlled by Axl, and whatever drafted up record label/media group contracts and lawyers on retention to enforce what these channels are. Slash and Duff always had a stake in that, as well, as they seemed to keep licensing rights. Now that they are back in the band, they are involved with the shows, and they sure as shit don't want to stir the pot with something that could set Axl off. The "GNR" brand is insanely valuable again with the reunion. Why would Slash or Duff want to give detailed interviews and potentially fuck up the brand right now? Much easier to learn some Chinese songs, sign some arbitrary NDAs, smile with the last bow on stage after Paradise City every night, and do their thing. Team Brazil are unprofessional and annoying, and they have no business playing manager, but really those are just Axl's guys. They serve as an extension of his arm, and I am sure the label/media group, Slash/Duff, etc. don't even really give them much thought in the grand scheme of things. Slash and Duff keep their own separate teams in place. I am not defending Team Brazil, they have zero business being in the position they are and their unprofessionalism shows that, but GNR would be functioning exactly the same with or without them. 

It is not a group of guys who hang out or sit in a room with guitars to write music, anymore, and pretty much no big musical band is anymore. No, it is not a military operation, and it is immensely stupid a rock band is treated with so much secrecy and does not release new music, but that is all on one dude. There wouldn't be a new GNR record without Axl anyways, so if Slash and Duff can't get one out of him, might was well continue with the reunion shows and tie a neat little bow on their legacy while raking in cash. 

I enjoyed your post. But, even during the UYI tour it was Axl’s way or no way. And, during that era Slash and Duff had equal say, but not really when it came down to it. I recently read interviews with members of Pearl Jam and they all openly spoke how Eddie Vedder wrestled control of the band during the Vitology album. The band further explained that much later and now it makes sense that it’s Eddies band, so I don’t think it’s exclusive to Axl that a lead singer of a major band exerts powerful influence of the band. Duff has gone on record to state he is a member of the band in every sense of the word. Duff strikes me as an honest human being who wouldn’t lie or pretend. I believe Slash said as much in the Nikki Sixx interview. As for TB, I just don’t get it all, but you’re 100% correct in it would be the same with or without them around. However, TB and Fernando especially seem to need to justify their existence with a lot of power trip behavior. I recall Fernando making some shitty comment when the Live Nation tour manager won an award for NITL. He seems to think he’s doing something meaningful for the band, and maybe he is many ways, such as the Lithos, which were one of the coolest parts of the tour. Who ever knew or thought a GNR concert poster could sale for 9k, so he does have great ideas, but acts really shitty at times.  

1 hour ago, PatrickS77 said:

Except Fortus, Ferrer, Reese and Reed are no members. They are hired hands. So there definitely are areas where they don't have shit to say and they can't say whatever the fuck they want and questions should be directed at management (which includes Axl and to a way lesser extent Slash and Duff). You also don't see Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Nine Inch Nails, Megadeth and so on members do interviews talking about future plans of their employers/acts. They know that they are hired guys and whatever is going to happen is not for them to answer and reveal.

Agree, but you don’t think Dizzy is a member above the rest? Or, that he is at least viewed by Axl as somewhat significant?

26 minutes ago, Blackstar said:

I'm not so sure about Matt. Even if Slash and Duff were so keen on him (which I have some doubts of), Axl would probably prefer Brain, and I think that at least Duff would be on board with that. It's likely that Brain was asked to be in the reunion, not replacing Frank completely, but sharing duties with him (and maybe Steven, too - Axl is capable of having three drummers ), but declined because he's friends with Frank and doesn't want to even half-take the gig from him. So I doubt Matt would be on the top of the list.

There is no chance of Matt. I assume that fact was made perfectly clear to him and that’s one reason he wrote all that salacious shit in his book. He knew the bridge was burnt. 

21 minutes ago, Powderfinger said:

This. 
But.... 
 

(Source-Rolling Stone article June 2020)

(Despite it being dated 2020, I doubt much has changed re some of the below policies)

 

 

 

Live Nation Memo to Talent Agencies

The global pandemic has changed the world in recent months and with it the dynamics of the music industry. We are in unprecedented times and must adequately account for the shift in market demand, the exponential rise of certain costs and the overall increase of uncertainty that materially affects our mission. In order for us to move forward, we must make certain changes to our agreements with the artists. The principle changes for 2021 are outlined below.

Artist Guarantees: Artist guarantees will be adjusted downward 20% from 2020 levels.

Ticket Prices: Ticket prices are set by the promoter, at the promoter’s sole discretion, and are subject to change.

Payment Terms: Artists will receive a deposit of 10% one month before the festival, contingent on an executed agreement and fulfillment of marketing responsibilities. The balance, minus standard deductions for taxes and production costs, will be paid after the performance.

Minimum Marketing Requirements: All artists will be required to assist in marketing of the festival through minimum social media posting requirements outlined in artist offer.

Streaming requirements: All artists will be required to allow their performance to be filmed by the festival for use in a live television broadcast, a live webcast, on-demand streaming, and/or live satellite radio broadcast.

Billing: All decisions regarding “festival billing” are at the sole discretion of the promoter.

Merchandise: Purchaser will retain 30 % of Artist merchandise sales and send 70% to the artist within two weeks following the Festival

Airfare and Accommodations: These expenses will be the responsibility of the artist.

Sponsorship: The promoter controls all sponsorship at the festival without any restrictions, and artists may not promote brands onstage or in its productions.

Radius Clause. Violation of a radius clause without the festival’s prior authorization in writing will, at the festival’s sole discretion, result in either a reduction of the artist fee or the removal of the artist from the event, with any pre-event deposits returned to the festival immediately.

Insurance: The artist is required to maintain its own cancellation insurance as the promoter is not responsible for the artist fee in the event of a cancellation of the festival due to weather or a force majeure.

Cancellation by Artist: If an artist cancels its performance in breach of the agreement, the artist will pay the promoter two times the artist’s fee.

Cancellation Due to Poor Sales. If a show is cancelled due to poor ticket sales, the artist will receive 25% of the guarantee.

Force Majeure: If the artist’s performance is canceled due to an event of force majeure – including a pandemic similar to Covid-19 – the promoter will not pay the artist its fee. The artist is responsible for obtaining any cancellation insurance for its performance.

Inability to Use Full Capacity of the Venue: If the promoter – either because of orders of the venue or any governmental entity – is not permitted to use the full capacity of the venue, then the promoter may terminate the agreement, and artist will refund any money previously paid.

We are fully aware of the significance of these changes, and we did not make these changes without serious consideration. We appreciate you – and all artists – understanding the need for us to make these changes in order to allow the festival business to continue not only for the artists and the producers, but also for the fans.

 

 

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/live-nation-memo-pay-cuts-covid-1016989/amp/

Thanks for this information. Very interesting. 

1 hour ago, StayofExecution2020 said:

It should never be Managements position to dictate what band members can publicly say or not. The band belongs to their members, not some suits (or in this case Brazilian leeches). They should be able to say whatever the fuck they want

What about the fact that those are hired hands? Surely, Slash and Duff can do as they please. Duff has given quite a few interviews and answered some decent GNR questions. Slash, too. 

5 hours ago, nycgunner said:

For folks who are going, are you planning to wear a mask even though it’s not mandated?  Initially, I didn’t plan to since I am double vaxxed. However, with the rise in infections driven by the delta variant, even with the vaccinated, I am rethinking it. 
 

I saw Foo Fighters maskless - and it was great - but I don’t want to get this virus. 
 

Israel is pushing forward on a third shot even though CDC says it’s not necessary. I don’t know - curious what others will do

Iam not wearing a mask for many reasons. One being, it wound just ruin the experience for me. However,  I’m nervous about 40k in one area. I’ve had COVID and it kicked my ass. I don’t want it again.

49 minutes ago, RussTCB said:

I was just at a concert last night. Only about 2000 people, but still, a concert with everyone shoulder to shoulder. I didn't wear a mask but I wouldn't begrudge anyone who chooses to

Was there crowd more hyped than usual after the long absence of shows? I’m hoping the audiences are more lively after the long absence. 

1 hour ago, Sweersa said:

I just listened to the clip of the Hardschool soundcheck. (Which you can easily find via Google search) Man, Axl sounded rough.

Do you think Hardschool would have made the setlist if the village leaks didn't occur? I would say no.

Hell no would be my answer. 

I’ve never had a problem with TB, but some of this sounds like a strange power trip. But, Axl has always been interested In what these forums say and do, so he probably trips on the podcast too. It’s all whatever. Axl is turning 60 and seriously can’t have much of a career left at this point. 

1 hour ago, Gambit83 said:

Bon Jovi’s daughter is named Stephanie Rose, which would have been Stephanie’s name if she married Axl. It’s silly, and tbh a little out of context. I’ll just let Doug’s book eventually speak for itself.

Wait, please tell me that Axl didn’t hear about this and have some kind of mystical reaction to his aura being harmed?

16 hours ago, SoulMonster said:

Alright. This alone would make you a persona non grata with Team Brazil. Now things make even more sense. 

Thank you .

16 minutes ago, facefirst said:

I think it's pretty cool.

I’m super excited for the baseball stadium lithos. 

2 hours ago, MaskingApathy said:

Amen

He seems like a cool guy who appreciates the fans, but yes he definitely got lucky. If Axl hadn't hired him he would be another no name musician from LA.

Dizzy won the lotto. GNR might not have made him wealthy, but it has given him an incredible life. 

2 hours ago, Voodoochild said:

I have no idea who wrote this on GNR Source, I don't remember that well. But yeah, that kind of stuff began back then. 

I believe Axl got out of his house to promete stuff. He was excited with the first batch of Andy Wallace's mixing on CD songs, that later leaked (I believe the Antiquiet leaks were those songs) and the European tour was already in the works, presumably to finance the record. Nevertheless, the Sanctuary stuff was sour indeed. 

Merck is doing quite well now. I bet Axl regrets letting go of his songs rights for 19 million. 

8 minutes ago, Stryker said:

Could see them doing Poe. Maybe crabs or the flag. 

I meant Poe. A beating heart/raven type image maybe. It has potential to be a cool one.

On 7/13/2021 at 11:15 AM, facefirst said:

So far I have created 4 illustrations for the upcoming US tour.  I really feel it's some of my best work and I can't wait to share them with everyone.

Thank you for the update. Did you submit work for Wrigley or Dallas?

On 7/13/2021 at 2:11 PM, facefirst said:

One was for Detroit but we changed it to Boston.

You got Boston? Please tell you did something cool for Fenway. 

On 7/13/2021 at 3:03 PM, Stryker said:

Super exciting! Got Chicago and Baltimore on the docket, hope you do one of them. 

I hope Baltimore is Oscar Wilde litho.