Miller1254

Ok.  Back home, with plenty of time to digest last night’s show.  First opinion still stands: It Fucking Rocked.

**apologies for length.  I just sat down and typed and typed. 

This was my sixth reunion show, and first since Oct 2017.  I struggled with the decision to go for a long time but ultimately pulled the trigger when the stars aligned and was able to make it work a couple days before kids head back to school on a long weekend

I was in the pit.   Completely in front of Duff’s mic for entire show.  Only 1/1.5 ppl between me and the rail all night.

Pretenders - I dont know much about them.  Went in with little expectation, but perfectly aware the love some have for Chrissie Hynde and many in the pit.  IMO they set the tone perfectly for the night.  It was happy, fun, enjoyable.  Their hits were awesome, and all other songs were well received.  I feel a lighter opener (compared to AIC) and more rock (than OLP) was the perfect pairing for what kind of show GNR was about to put on.  This seemed like the most fun all members of the band had vs my prior shows.  Axl was ear to ear grinning through out, and more about others in a sec.  But again, pretenders did their job, didn't bore, didn't get ppl rocking out too hard before what was about to be a 3 10 show.

The band came out on fire.  Absolutely stunning first three songs.  Not sure I’ve heard Axl sound so strong since some of the ‘09 days.  After CD, I was on cloud 9.  Nothing was going to put a negative spin on my night.  Not song selection, not crowd, not potential slights in Axl’s voice, nothing.  Anything I say that is not positive, is not anything more than just my opinion on an epic night, and i wouldn’t change a damn thing!

Like so many have noted, there were so many songs I’ve never seen the band perform before.  BO, PTU Anything Goes and Down on the farm were great.  Perhaps was strong, and the band seemed to figure out how to perform it live.  When Maddy started, I was taken aback.  Never expected to be lucky to hear it again, and it was beautiful.  TWAT?!?!   Are you kidding me?  Complete highlight of the night for me.  How were we so lucky to get TWAT and with the kind of performance that Axl was able to deliver?  He was perfect for the entire second half of the song.  2016/2017 i was selfish.  Why did we get TWAT and not Catcher.  I wish they played Prostitute and not Sorry etc etc etc.  Last night was different, fresh and every song seemed like the perfect choice.   I loved Witchita Lineman, a song i was completely indifferent to in 17.  It was such a beautiful rendition.  KOHD and RQ were cut down nicely.  Loved both Slash and Fortus with these songs.  No piano solo before NR.  Just Axl delivering the vocals and piano to perfection and slash crushing the solos.   It seemed like there was no filler.  No time to get a drink or go to the washroom.  You could schedule your breaks in 2017.  Not last night.  Civil War may have been the most electric the pit as a whole rocked out.  So much fun belting out the words with so many people.  Estranged was an incredible surprise.  And as noted when Axl said at the 245 mark that there wouldn’t be an encore, figured PC was next.  Instead we still got Coma and NT before taken to the paradise city.  Coma - I have no idea if it was good or not.  I rocked out far to hard and sang far too loud to be able to hear the band.  I am going to just imagine it was a flawless performance, as it was in my head.

Just before the band took the stage an 8 year old ninja’d his way right up to the rail.  He was right in front of me and completely in Duff’s view straight ahead.  For the entire time the little rocker was upfront before his blatter got the best of him, he had Duff’s attention.  Throughout the show, Duff was interacting with the kid, with fist pumps, horns and jumping up and down mimicking the kids moves.  I’m sure it made the kids night, but it was also so incredible cool for us bystanders witnessing a rock n roll legend getting such a kick of interacting with the kid.  Duff has always been a delight to watch, but last night was special.  Between this kid, and his wife directly on his right dancing, rocking out, Duff seemed to be in the only place he was meant to be.

No notes re Slash.  Dude is so good, so cool and he delivered at every turn last night.

Axl, is a legend.  A superhero.  The greatest front man of all time.  And he gave it everything god damn ounce he had last night.  He seemed happy, jovial and absolutely dedicated to his band mates and what I assume 50K+ in the skydome.  Obviously, there were moments we have all seen when it came out weak etc, but last night it didn’t matter.  Not to me, not to anyone around me in the pit.  At some point I started catching myself in disbelief what I was actually witnessing.  2017 was a long time ago.  Their shows were good, if not great.  But I’ve monitored the tours and I struggled making decision to go.  Did I want my GNR experience/memory getting worse each time i saw them?  This may sound corny, but the comparison i kept thinking to myself was the film For the Love of the Game with Costner.  Axl did whatever was necessary to deliver the perfect night.  He just kept digging deeper and deeper.  TWAT, NT were so strong after already being on stage for 3 hours.

2016 and 2017 I was overjoyed of seeing my favourite band again and again, knowing it may be the last time due to combustible nature of the band etc.  Last night I took in every moment like it would be my last show, marvelling how they were still able to deliver such a flawless night.  If there is anyone hesitating going this tour, please just pull the trigger.  Last night exceeded all expectations, a rejuvenated set list, fresher takes on some of the overbloated songs live.  Never know when this may come to an end.  But I can assure you, if i never see the most important band in my life again, I will be much happier and have fonder memories than had 2017 been my last show.  Last night will forever be special to me.

Truly impressive how many wardrobe changes Axl was able to do in just one song.