So GNR tears it up at Leeds, and the press deny it??

[Cockaroachsoup80]

Already reading reviews regarding the epic Leeds show saying: 1/2 the crowd left (when photos near the end of the show depict the place packed to the horizon), the band had no energy, and the crowd hated them. All reports from Leeds say the band sounded out of this world, the crowd was going nuts, and the crowd was huge. True fans of the band, casual fans, or those interested in the principle of accurate reporting need to post photos and video links (when they hit in the upcoming hours) in the comment sections of these articles to show those reading how full of shit some of these writers are. I don't know if they are being bribed(payola) or have massive animosity towards Axl and it causes them to spread lies--whatever the case its strange nonetheless. From all accounts, and casual fans who were posting Twitter messages during the show, the band was on fire! From a standpoint of accuracy, and principle alone, these writers should not be able to--even if they hate the band or hold grudges--slander a performance like this.

Example A: This guy has no clue who the band members are (if he is a reputable music journalist, he sure as hell should know who Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Richard Fortus, and DJ Ashba are). I have a feeling he was tired, and wrote from his car in the parking lot, without even seeing the show:

http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/news/8472/-/Gun-N-Roses-late-and-not-so-great-at-Leeds

Edited August 30, 2010 by Cockaroachsoup80

[Naupis]

Why have you been so heavy on the conspiracy theories lately? Is it not possible these people didn't like the show? There are bands I watch that I don't "get" that others would rave about, so maybe others feel that same way about GNR.

[RocketKing99]

The problem is that Reading and Leeds were mostly girly bands... so when something different like GN'R shows up they dislike it because it's something they are not used to.

[Cockaroachsoup80]

Why have you been so heavy on the conspiracy theories lately? Is it not possible these people didn't like the show? There are bands I watch that I don't "get" that others would rave about, so maybe others feel that same way about GNR.

This isn't a conspiracy theory. When a reporter states: "the crowd was leaving the venue in droves at the end of the set, and booing and chanting out against the band". One would think, that is the truth. When the video surfaced of Reading, the crowd was actually chanting "Fuck u Reading" and screaming for the band to continue to play. Then we see videos of the performances, and they were ace, and the crowd was jumping up and down in sure joy and having a blast, which totally contradicts the reviewers description of an audience "in disgust, dead, uninspired, booing, leaving, hating on the band, etc." That is not a conspiracy theory, that is questioning the integrity of the journalist. One has to wonder, why some of these outlets, which are very-closely aligned with the power-brokers of the industry, would slander the band so blatantly? You don't have to be a fan of the band, and this situation happens in other industries and situations--and typically there is an agenda which drives the slandering. I am just wondering, albeit aloud, what is the reason for the inaccurate reporting? One more note, most of these reviews barely mention the music, it is more of a general attack against the band and using fake evidence to trash them. Weird stuff..

[Naupis]

This guy has no clue who the band members are

I saw this comment posted elsewhere and it is entirely true.

If Axl isn't proud enough of his band to have promo material and professional band photos of the guys together, why should any journalist care about finding out whose in the band beside Axl when he makes clear though his actions that he is the only one who is important.

[RocketKing99]

This guy has no clue who the band members are

I saw this comment posted elsewhere and it is entirely true.

If Axl isn't proud enough of his band to have promo material and professional band photos of the guys together, why should any journalist care about finding out whose in the band beside Axl when he makes clear though his actions that he is the only one who is important.

How about the journalist going to the Wikipedia page and seeing who the band-members are?

It isn't that hard.

[tomc102968]

This guy has no clue who the band members are

I saw this comment posted elsewhere and it is entirely true.

If Axl isn't proud enough of his band to have promo material and professional band photos of the guys together, why should any journalist care about finding out whose in the band beside Axl when he makes clear though his actions that he is the only one who is important.

How about the journalist going to the Wikipedia page and seeing who the band-members are?

It isn't that hard.

[star]

Already reading reviews regarding the epic Leeds show saying: 1/2 the crowd left (when photos near the end of the show depict the place packed to the horizon), the band had no energy, and the crowd hated them. All reports from Leeds say the band sounded out of this world, the crowd was going nuts, and the crowd was huge. True fans of the band, casual fans, or those interested in the principle of accurate reporting need to post photos and video links (when they hit in the upcoming hours) in the comment sections of these articles to show those reading how full of shit some of these writers are. I don't know if they are being bribed(payola) or have massive animosity towards Axl and it causes them to spread lies--whatever the case its strange nonetheless. From all accounts, and casual fans who were posting Twitter messages during the show, the band was on fire! From a standpoint of accuracy, and principle alone, these writers should not be able to--even if they hate the band or hold grudges--slander a performance like this.

Example A: This guy has no clue who the band members are (if he is a reputable music journalist, he sure as hell should know who Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Richard Fortus, and DJ Ashba are). I have a feeling he was tired, and wrote from his car in the parking lot, without even seeing the show:

http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/news/8472/-/Gun-N-Roses-late-and-not-so-great-at-Leeds

There are those that have seen the original band perform amazing shows back in the day, and sounded so much better. This camp will always compare and be disappointed. There are those that havn't been to gig's before, and they lap it up. Then's there's the festival goers, who like some bands, not all bands, which is which is fair enough. This will always result in both positive and negative reviews. Vocally Axl appears to struggle on some songs, and sounds better on the slower songs like Novemer Rain.

[Axl Knows]

Nah, he's not struggling vocally. He's just out of breath on the faster songs because he's busy being the greatest frontman of all time. If he were to be more stationary ala Steve Tyler or Myles Kennedy he'd ace these tracks vocally. Just listen to the insane stuff he can pull off vocally in the studio.

Plus, todays band are better live.

[Azazel]

I consider myself a fairly critical reviewer, having seen a fair few gigs to compare each new one too (Metallica, Aerosmith, Queen, Velvet Revolver, Motorhead, Slash, U2 etc...).

Last night, there was more crowd for Guns than for any other performance during the day (I had predicted to a friend that QOTSA would get a larger crowd, due to the populist nature of the festival).

So, a few facts then

- Biggest Crowd of the Night

- Best performance by far, the indie-loving crowd were having a blast, the band had them in the palm of their hand.

- There were 'We Want More' and 'Axl' chants throughout the show, despite a 'We want slash' chant and some very minor booing before GN'R came on (probably not audible if it were recorded)

- A few left during the first couple of solos (Fortus/Dizzy), but id say only 50 people ish per solo

- Booing at the start (9.17 ish) was more of a nod to the booing a Reading if anything (its cool to boo now apparently). When Democracy came on, the crowd were behind the band completely, if not ecstatic until Jungle kicked in.

- Crowd were loving the band by the end of it, and this is a crowd made up of people who only knew Jungle, SCOM and PC

So yeah, they can write what the fuck they want. Thats an impartial judgement on my part, as best as it could be.

Will post a full review tonight in the Leeds thread.

[wasted]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

[Jackie Moon]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

i am 100% behind bucket n' braids but this 2010 incarnation is the best newgnr live show yet. no question

[Guest]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

Really? I haven't seen this version of the band yet live (seeing them in October) but judging by yesterday I'd say Axl sounded a lot better in 06. Was this just an off night for him? Admittedly in some parts he sounded awesome but overall thought he was weak and shaky.

[LesPaul_Player_91]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

Really? I haven't seen this version of the band yet live (seeing them in October) but judging by yesterday I'd say Axl sounded a lot better in 06. Was this just an off night for him? Admittedly in some parts he sounded awesome but overall thought he was weak and shaky.

I'd agree vocals wise he was better in '06 but the band as a whole is a lot better now. I think that's in part due to DJ replacing Finck. Now don't get me wrong I'm a huge Finck fan I loved the stuff he did on CD and played a major part in shaping how good it sounded. But, DJ has huge stage presence and can play the old GN'R stuff a lot better. I think someone said on another thread that Finck would be awsome if they played mainly new material with a couple of the old songs but the point is they don't. I agree with this and I'll take Ashba over Finck live any day. Also Ashba gels will the whole band. Putting Ashba in the band was the spark this band needed.

Edited August 30, 2010 by LesPaul_Player_91

[DocBrown]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

Really? I haven't seen this version of the band yet live (seeing them in October) but judging by yesterday I'd say Axl sounded a lot better in 06. Was this just an off night for him? Admittedly in some parts he sounded awesome but overall thought he was weak and shaky.

I'd agree vocals wise he was better in '06 but the band as a whole is a lot better now. I think that's in part due to DJ replacing Finck. Now don't get me wrong I'm a huge Finck fan I loved the stuff he did on CD and played a major part in shaping how good it sounded. But, DJ has huge stage presence and can play the old GN'R stuff a lot better. I think someone said on another thread that Finck would be awsome if they played mainly new material with a couple of the old songs but the point is they don't. I agree with this and I'll take Ashba over Finck live any day. Also Ashba gels will the whole band. Putting Ashba in the band was the spark this band needed.

Not even close! Axl in 06 was good, but Axl this tour is on a whole different level. 2006 Axl had his moments of power, but he is killing almost every song in 2010. The 2006 versions of You Could Be Mine and Paradise City weren't nearly as good as they are now, because he has brought the power back to the songs. I've seen stuff from almost every show in 2006(Saw them live 3 times) and 2009/2010, and without a doubt he is much better now.

Edited August 30, 2010 by DocBrown

[LesPaul_Player_91]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

Really? I haven't seen this version of the band yet live (seeing them in October) but judging by yesterday I'd say Axl sounded a lot better in 06. Was this just an off night for him? Admittedly in some parts he sounded awesome but overall thought he was weak and shaky.

I'd agree vocals wise he was better in '06 but the band as a whole is a lot better now. I think that's in part due to DJ replacing Finck. Now don't get me wrong I'm a huge Finck fan I loved the stuff he did on CD and played a major part in shaping how good it sounded. But, DJ has huge stage presence and can play the old GN'R stuff a lot better. I think someone said on another thread that Finck would be awsome if they played mainly new material with a couple of the old songs but the point is they don't. I agree with this and I'll take Ashba over Finck live any day. Also Ashba gels will the whole band. Putting Ashba in the band was the spark this band needed.

Not even close! Axl in 06 was good, but Axl this tour is on a whole different level. 2006 Axl had his moments of power, but he is killing almost every song in 2010. The 2006 versions of You Could Be Mine and Paradise City weren't nearly as good as they are now, because he has brought the power back to the songs. I've seen stuff from almost every show in 2006(Saw them live 3 times) and 2009/2010, and without a doubt he is much better now.

I'd say at Reading he was on fire and better than a lot of the '06 shows although the Rock AM Ring show from '06 I think is his best vocal performance. The thing with vocals is however that generally they're the hardest thing to get spot on live. If a guitar player has a cold/sore throat etc. it doesn't effect his playing greatly but for a singer it does, that's the thing with live performance.

[DocBrown]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

Really? I haven't seen this version of the band yet live (seeing them in October) but judging by yesterday I'd say Axl sounded a lot better in 06. Was this just an off night for him? Admittedly in some parts he sounded awesome but overall thought he was weak and shaky.

I'd agree vocals wise he was better in '06 but the band as a whole is a lot better now. I think that's in part due to DJ replacing Finck. Now don't get me wrong I'm a huge Finck fan I loved the stuff he did on CD and played a major part in shaping how good it sounded. But, DJ has huge stage presence and can play the old GN'R stuff a lot better. I think someone said on another thread that Finck would be awsome if they played mainly new material with a couple of the old songs but the point is they don't. I agree with this and I'll take Ashba over Finck live any day. Also Ashba gels will the whole band. Putting Ashba in the band was the spark this band needed.

Not even close! Axl in 06 was good, but Axl this tour is on a whole different level. 2006 Axl had his moments of power, but he is killing almost every song in 2010. The 2006 versions of You Could Be Mine and Paradise City weren't nearly as good as they are now, because he has brought the power back to the songs. I've seen stuff from almost every show in 2006(Saw them live 3 times) and 2009/2010, and without a doubt he is much better now.

I'd say at Reading he was on fire and better than a lot of the '06 shows although the Rock AM Ring show from '06 I think is his best vocal performance. The thing with vocals is however that generally they're the hardest thing to get spot on live. If a guitar player has a cold/sore throat etc. it doesn't effect his playing greatly but for a singer it does, that's the thing with live performance.

Don't get me wrong. I was pretty into the 2006 shows, especially seeing them live. I saw him in Vegas in 2006 and he was in pretty top form there. I just find that he's got his power and rasp almost fully back. To get back on that level at his current age is really impressive. He sings This I love to perfection live, and it completely kills the album version live in my opinion.

I think a lot of it has to do with when on the tour and how warmed up they are. Towards the end of the 2006 tour in Los Angeles they were really on fire. The South American tour this tour he was singing amazing. Hearing him sing parts of Don't Cry he was singing it like it was the 90's again. Sometimes it blows my mind seeing what he came from in 2001/2002 to what he is doing now.

I haven't seen one review yet by someone who obviously didn't have a vendetta against them though, so I guess it's not so bad. One critic even flat out said they Axl shit on him in his review, so I don't think you can take him too serious. These are the same kind of people who give rave reviews to bands who are friendly, and aren't nearly as good as GNR is live. Bands like AC/DC and Motley Crue. It's a total joke if you ask me.

[bumgum]

i think the reason why the press 'dislike' them so much is that fact it's not the original band.

that really fucking frustrates me to my wits end.

Radio 1 & the idiots on bbc three lap up shit like qotsa - well that's not the original band either (nick oliveri was a very integral part of the band), but they never ever mention it.

oasis are (were) another band that didn't keep all the original members......once again, never mentioned.

that list could go on & on.

i would like to read a proper, proper review from someone who was there commenting on the crowds reaction more than anything else.

[LesPaul_Player_91]

Some people will have made up their minds beforehand. 2010 looks way better than 02 in terms of the show

Really? I haven't seen this version of the band yet live (seeing them in October) but judging by yesterday I'd say Axl sounded a lot better in 06. Was this just an off night for him? Admittedly in some parts he sounded awesome but overall thought he was weak and shaky.

I'd agree vocals wise he was better in '06 but the band as a whole is a lot better now. I think that's in part due to DJ replacing Finck. Now don't get me wrong I'm a huge Finck fan I loved the stuff he did on CD and played a major part in shaping how good it sounded. But, DJ has huge stage presence and can play the old GN'R stuff a lot better. I think someone said on another thread that Finck would be awsome if they played mainly new material with a couple of the old songs but the point is they don't. I agree with this and I'll take Ashba over Finck live any day. Also Ashba gels will the whole band. Putting Ashba in the band was the spark this band needed.

Not even close! Axl in 06 was good, but Axl this tour is on a whole different level. 2006 Axl had his moments of power, but he is killing almost every song in 2010. The 2006 versions of You Could Be Mine and Paradise City weren't nearly as good as they are now, because he has brought the power back to the songs. I've seen stuff from almost every show in 2006(Saw them live 3 times) and 2009/2010, and without a doubt he is much better now.

I'd say at Reading he was on fire and better than a lot of the '06 shows although the Rock AM Ring show from '06 I think is his best vocal performance. The thing with vocals is however that generally they're the hardest thing to get spot on live. If a guitar player has a cold/sore throat etc. it doesn't effect his playing greatly but for a singer it does, that's the thing with live performance.

Don't get me wrong. I was pretty into the 2006 shows, especially seeing them live. I saw him in Vegas in 2006 and he was in pretty top form there. I just find that he's got his power and rasp almost fully back. To get back on that level at his current age is really impressive. He sings This I love to perfection live, and it completely kills the album version live in my opinion.

I think a lot of it has to do with when on the tour and how warmed up they are. Towards the end of the 2006 tour in Los Angeles they were really on fire. The South American tour this tour he was singing amazing. Hearing him sing parts of Don't Cry he was singing it like it was the 90's again. Sometimes it blows my mind seeing what he came from in 2001/2002 to what he is doing now.

I haven't seen one review yet by someone who obviously didn't have a vendetta against them though, so I guess it's not so bad. One critic even flat out said they Axl shit on him in his review, so I don't think you can take him too serious. These are the same kind of people who give rave reviews to bands who are friendly, and aren't nearly as good as GNR is live. Bands like AC/DC and Motley Crue. It's a total joke if you ask me.

+1

I think now that Michael Jackson is gone Axl has taken his place in terms of who the music press dislike the most. A lot of the press said MJ's performance in the This Is It film was terrible when in fact it was fantastic and all the people I know who saw the film say the same. Same with Axl at Reading/Leeds.

Edited August 30, 2010 by LesPaul_Player_91

[ChineseDemocracy2004]

I don't like reading reviews because the majority are negative. Folk at the show will have enjoyed themselves and that's all that matters.

[bangit]

Leeds was an awesome show, shame it couldn't have been a few songs longer but the 15 we got were brilliant. The crowd loved it, i cant understand the totally bullshit reviews i read sometimes.