Blackstar

It isn't.

I'm sure a few forum members will be interested (although I'm not sure how this "intro" platform works exactly), so I figured it'd be better if it had it's own thread. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cybmt4HP6JY/ https://intro.live/desktop-artist-main-profile/robin-finck

It's not a big improvement by any means, and although his high notes have been noticeably weaker, he has been more consistent this year, for sure, and the additions in the setlist have helped, as well as the turned up backing vocals. I think that deep down most people agree with this assessment, but are influenced by comments and mocking videos on the internet or what their friends/wives/cousins etc. say. It's the reverse psychological effect of people being overwhelmed and excited after seeing a show in person and overstating Axl's performance as better than it actually was. And many times they go from one end to the other. It's the same with everything else, like the released songs. I'm sure it will be like this with The General, too, if there are negative comments from casual fans. Some of the people who will like it at first will then start to question their own judgement and eventually say that it's not that good.

Review: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/review-guns-n-roses-enlist-pearl-jams-mike-mccready-in-seattle-heavy-affair/

I can't say about Vince Neil, as I haven't watched more than a couple of videos (he was never considered a great singer anyway, though). But as far as Bon Jovi, he couldn't sing at all on any range, at least at the shows that have been talked about. Axl is not on that level.

He's not on par with Bon Jovi and Vince Neil, because he sounds okay to good on about half of the current set (especially the low register songs, where his voice is still strong). But sadly he sounds the worst on most of the hits that casual fans and the general public know.

Paradise City with Mike McCready https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az87kvczKVs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQlcEHYK7tg

It hasn't aired yet, but it's probably just a 5-minute interview.

Very good article, thanks for sharing. I agree with a lot of it, even though I'm not as big a fan of CD. That would have been the best of both worlds.

Slash was doing commercials long before the divorce.

https://www.a-4-d.com/t7148-2014-01-06-antiquet-blog-the-full-story-behind-our-chinese-democracy-leak (I guess the bit towards the end is what @Sweersa is referring to)

I think that's the way it works: They'll go back to arenas if/when they get to a point where they sell less tickets than full arena capacity. But as long as they can still sell an amount of tickets that equals the full capacity of a large arena (~20,000), they'll continue to be booked at stadiums, and that's simply because both the band and the promoter make more money that way. E.g. they make more even if they sell just 21K tickets at a 40K capacity stadium over selling out a 20K capacity arena with the same ticket prices; not only because of the additional 1K tickets, but also because a big number of the unsold tickets are given away, and although these attendees haven't paid for a ticket (or have paid very little), they're likely to buy merchandise. Moreover, I believe that the band gets paid a fixed fee that has been agreed upon beforehand regardless of how many tickets are sold at each show - although I suppose that the fee depends on how many tickets the promoter expects to be sold, so probably now GN'R gets paid less than in 2016. So I won't be surprised if they do a stadium tour again in the US in 2025 or 2026 or whenever they tour again.

That's correct, but maybe that was exactly the reason why they didn't tour much in the US during the summer, but preferred to play in Europe instead where they could fill stadiums.

Yes, the shows with Metallica. That was my point, that they played stadiums only on that joint tour. GN'R and Metallica could fill stadiums together, but not on their own. From a quick look, they played two stadium shows in the US in 1991, but all the other shows of that year were in arenas or amphitheaters.

To put things a little bit into perspective regarding playing stadiums, as big as GN'R were during the UYI era, they were not a stadium band in the US. They were playing stadiums in Europe and South America, but were playing arenas in the US. The only stadium shows they played then in the US were the ones with Metallica. In this regard, the NITL band has been a bigger touring act than the UYI band. So it wouldn't be a big deal if they went back to playing arenas in the US - few bands are able to fill stadiums there anyway, especially rock bands - and I think they still would be able to play stadiums in the other parts of the world. If they stop touring at one point, it won't be because they won't be able to sell stadiums or because of someone quitting. The only reason for that to happen would be Axl's voice.

More footage: https://fb.watch/nFmI6NQTPn/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyWX5OagokO/

This is not true at all. If you read a little bit of history and not just rely on what you see on TV, you'll find out that actually the opposite is true. Historically Jews found refuge in Muslim states when they were persecuted by Christian states. For example, when Jews were expelled from Spain in the late 15th century, they were welcomed in the (Muslim) Ottoman empire. There have been Jewish communities in Muslim countries for years. And going to the more recent history, you'll find out that at first the Palestinian liberation movement, as well as all the anti-imperialist movements in the Middle East were completely secular and not based on religion, but, despite of that, they were treated as terrorists, too. So then you may get an idea about the reasons why Muslim fundamendalism gradually gained popularity among desperate people. So you don't know anything about what has been happening in Gaza for decades? Is it because it hasn't been on TV or because you haven't paid any attention until now? I guess you didn't read the article I posted above.

In my view, as an outsider and someone who has been following, as much as I can, the events in the region for years, what has been happening in Gaza and the other occupied areas is the definition of de facto ethnic cleansing. All this has been building up for so long, and sadly there's little hope now. I feel for the victims and innocent people suffering on both sides. If you live there or have family there, I hope you all stay safe. Same for @Rovim and all forum users who live there on either side.

According to setlist.fm they were about 40 minutes late for their own show in Houston, besides the festivals. A forum member who was at the Houston show also mentioned that.

Did GN'R start on time? I've read they were 30-40 minutes late at the last few shows.

"Now"? I recommend that you read this: https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-10-09/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israel-cant-imprison-2-million-gazans-without-paying-a-cruel-price/0000018b-1476-d465-abbb-14f6262a0000

"JeRrYFaR" channel on yt has the full show.

Official pictures