Question on Your GNR Concert Experience

[ChristmasFnatic]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

[Un42nutzly]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

I get em right when the presale hits and the months of anxiously waiting (and i mean anxiously) is just great.

Best band i have ever seen! My wife and I have been to alot of shows and she started as a GNRGNR absolute hater. Now after seeing them with me 4 times she ranks em with the best!

Kansas City, we left midnight in Dallas and drove all the way right to the stadium first in line,at 8:00 am and waited then (notgonnamentionname) came in and somehow cut right in front of us getting front and center. One of those know it all egos.. actually sucked cuz they showed up at like noon. Alwell waiting in line in 30 degree weather with high winds was all worth it when they hit that stage! I have never seen a band so interactive, DJ actually brough my wife on stage during PC and jammed out with. BBF laughs and gets on his knees saying" i love you!" Because she had a sign for him.

Then after that surreal experience, Fernando walks up and gives us both aftershow passes. Great great night. And morning lol.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

I get em right when the presale hits and the months of anxiously waiting (and i mean anxiously) is just great.

Best band i have ever seen! My wife and I have been to alot of shows and she started as a GNRGNR absolute hater. Now after seeing them with me 4 times she ranks em with the best!

Kansas City, we left midnight in Dallas and drove all the way right to the stadium first in line,at 8:00 am and waited then (notgonnamentionname) came in and somehow cut right in front of us getting front and center. One of those know it all egos.. actually sucked cuz they showed up at like noon. Alwell waiting in line in 30 degree weather with high winds was all worth it when they hit that stage! I have never seen a band so interactive, DJ actually brough my wife on stage during PC and jammed out with. BBF laughs and gets on his knees saying" i love you!" Because she had a sign for him.

Then after that surreal experience, Fernando walks up and gives us both aftershow passes. Great great night. And morning lol.

Know the feeling of waiting. So exciting, counting the days!!!

Cut right in front of you?! You didnt punch the living Beejezus?! So no sleep since the night before?! What did you do to pass time? WOW!!!

[Kitty Softpaws]

I've only seen them once and I was lucky to as well. There was next to no advertising, I just happened to see an ad on The Discovery Channel of all places and by then, general admission tickets had long since sold out so I had to settle for seats. Based on other concerts I've been to though, I'll line up about three hours before the doors open. It is worth it though, being right at the barricade makes the experience so much better.

[sturginho]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

I get em right when the presale hits and the months of anxiously waiting (and i mean anxiously) is just great.

Best band i have ever seen! My wife and I have been to alot of shows and she started as a GNRGNR absolute hater. Now after seeing them with me 4 times she ranks em with the best!

Kansas City, we left midnight in Dallas and drove all the way right to the stadium first in line,at 8:00 am and waited then (notgonnamentionname) came in and somehow cut right in front of us getting front and center. One of those know it all egos.. actually sucked cuz they showed up at like noon. Alwell waiting in line in 30 degree weather with high winds was all worth it when they hit that stage! I have never seen a band so interactive, DJ actually brough my wife on stage during PC and jammed out with. BBF laughs and gets on his knees saying" i love you!" Because she had a sign for him.

Then after that surreal experience, Fernando walks up and gives us both aftershow passes. Great great night. And morning lol.

Know the feeling of waiting. So exciting, counting the days!!!

Cut right in front of you?! You didnt punch the living Beejezus?! So no sleep since the night before?! What did you do to pass time? WOW!!!

He was there with his mrs, what do you think they did?

[nightrain86]

So far my only concert experience was in Sydney for the 2010 show, I'll never forget that night, brilliant show.

The tickets were easy enough to get, they came packaged with the V8 supercar ticket if i recall correctly. Can't believe i was right at the front though second row behind the bars.

Heading out to the Bisbane show next Wednesday, can't wait!

[AndreCC]

I went to see PG13 GNR in 2010 in Portugal. The show didn't sold out. I bought the 2 tickets for me and my wife 2 months before at 35 euros each for the floor. (tickets in Portugal are really cheap comparing to other countries).

For the best interaction with the guys in the band, i saw everyone was seating just outside the stadium because they wanted to be front row. I wasn't really worried about it as i always find my way in to the front rows during the shows, usually during the first bands. (in this case Baz)

So instead i went to the back part of the stadium (which is all outdoors), where the band buses were. Saw every member of the band and Baz spoke with all of them except for Dizzy, Richard and Tommy who were in a hurry.

Then after like 20 minutes, the kids who were seating waiting for the stadium doors to open, saw me and another guy talkin with Sebastian... and they start to run in our direction like if they were hunting a bear or something, and Baz saw them coming in our direction, and says "Oh Shit" and starts to run back to the buses LOL (That was really funny! I wish i had that on film).

Conclusion if you want to meet the band, it's pretty easy, you just have to wait for them at the buses, either on the start or end of the show... to find Axl... now that's dificult! He doesn't usually come in until the opening band is playing, and when he comes you're already inside! So the only way to meet Axl, i'm guessing it would be to wait for him after the show, to see if he comes out to say hello...with Axl it's a luck thing!

[hellobeatle]

Worcester 2011: Bought tickets around 2 or 3 weeks before the show. We still had pretty good seats next to the stage. Show was unbelievable, despite us missing the first few songs. Band was super tight, Axl sounded great, the solo spots fit seamlessly into the set, and my entire opinion of DJ changed. Altered my entire view of this band - I readily accept them as a live band as it's clearly their niche and I don't expect any studio output, which I'm fine with.

Toronto 2006: Bought tickets day of sale. Had pretty shitty seats - probably because we tried to get too many seats together. Axl didn't show until 11:30 and they stopped serving beer at 10, so everyone was getting burnt out. Saw Robin Finck live with NIN multiple times and he was great, but he just didn't fit with GNR - his solos were boring. Also, no one knew the ChiDem songs and he did too many in a row, so people got bored. Overall, a pretty shitty show.

Hamilton 1993: Bought tickets day of and got 3rd row. I was pretty young and with a relative. There was this real gritty vibe about the whole scene, as if they were bringing some sleazy Hollywood strip club to the venue - but it worked. The vibe was just totally different back then with Slash and Duff, plus they were just absolutely HUGE and still relevant so there was lots of excitement in the area. The main thing I still remember was just that strong vibe of recklessness or unpredictability - can't put my finger on it. You didn't know if Slash would pass out, if Axl would jump of stage and punch you out, if someone would through a brick on stage, etc.. They were late and Axl walked off stage during the encore cause someone threw something at him - Duff sang Paradise City. Totally different from today's gigs.

[alfierose]

Worcester 2011: Bought tickets around 2 or 3 weeks before the show. We still had pretty good seats next to the stage. Show was unbelievable, despite us missing the first few songs. Band was super tight, Axl sounded great, the solo spots fit seamlessly into the set, and my entire opinion of DJ changed. Altered my entire view of this band - I readily accept them as a live band as it's clearly their niche and I don't expect any studio output, which I'm fine with.

Toronto 2006: Bought tickets day of sale. Had pretty shitty seats - probably because we tried to get too many seats together. Axl didn't show until 11:30 and they stopped serving beer at 10, so everyone was getting burnt out. Saw Robin Finck live with NIN multiple times and he was great, but he just didn't fit with GNR - his solos were boring. Also, no one knew the ChiDem songs and he did too many in a row, so people got bored. Overall, a pretty shitty show.

Hamilton 1993: Bought tickets day of and got 3rd row. I was pretty young and with a relative. There was this real gritty vibe about the whole scene, as if they were bringing some sleazy Hollywood strip club to the venue - but it worked. The vibe was just totally different back then with Slash and Duff, plus they were just absolutely HUGE and still relevant so there was lots of excitement in the area. The main thing I still remember was just that strong vibe of recklessness or unpredictability - can't put my finger on it. You didn't know if Slash would pass out, if Axl would jump of stage and punch you out, if someone would through a brick on stage, etc.. They were late and Axl walked off stage during the encore cause someone threw something at him - Duff sang Paradise City. Totally different from today's gigs.

This is a really interesting review of the different era's. Axl can't win really in a lot of people's eyes, they complain that the essence of what was GNR is gone but if he was to recreate the unpredictability of 93 on current tours he would be called out for being crazy and unprofessional. Axl can't be a young man anymore so instead he gives solid live shows that people enjoy attending, albeit enjoyment in a different way from 20 years ago (with only the occasional flash of young Axl). All the ex Guns do the same, there is none of the 'will they pass out or punch the guy in the front row left' they are all older and more professional now. It's what you would realistically except of middle aged men who managed not to die the first time round. Edited March 15, 2013 by alfierose

[hellobeatle]

Worcester 2011: Bought tickets around 2 or 3 weeks before the show. We still had pretty good seats next to the stage. Show was unbelievable, despite us missing the first few songs. Band was super tight, Axl sounded great, the solo spots fit seamlessly into the set, and my entire opinion of DJ changed. Altered my entire view of this band - I readily accept them as a live band as it's clearly their niche and I don't expect any studio output, which I'm fine with.

Toronto 2006: Bought tickets day of sale. Had pretty shitty seats - probably because we tried to get too many seats together. Axl didn't show until 11:30 and they stopped serving beer at 10, so everyone was getting burnt out. Saw Robin Finck live with NIN multiple times and he was great, but he just didn't fit with GNR - his solos were boring. Also, no one knew the ChiDem songs and he did too many in a row, so people got bored. Overall, a pretty shitty show.

Hamilton 1993: Bought tickets day of and got 3rd row. I was pretty young and with a relative. There was this real gritty vibe about the whole scene, as if they were bringing some sleazy Hollywood strip club to the venue - but it worked. The vibe was just totally different back then with Slash and Duff, plus they were just absolutely HUGE and still relevant so there was lots of excitement in the area. The main thing I still remember was just that strong vibe of recklessness or unpredictability - can't put my finger on it. You didn't know if Slash would pass out, if Axl would jump of stage and punch you out, if someone would through a brick on stage, etc.. They were late and Axl walked off stage during the encore cause someone threw something at him - Duff sang Paradise City. Totally different from today's gigs.

This is a really interesting review of the different era's. Axl can't win really in a lot of people's eyes, they complain that the essence of what was GNR is gone but if he was to recreate the unpredictability of 93 on current tours he would be called out for being crazy and unprofessional. Axl can't be a young man anymore so instead he gives solid live shows that people enjoy attending, albeit enjoyment in a different way from 20 years ago (with only the occasional flash of young Axl). All the ex Guns do the same, there is none of the 'will they pass out or punch the guy in the front row left' they are all older and more professional now. It's what you would realistically except of middle aged men who managed not to die the first time round.

True. I think the big difference in my mind from 1993 to 2013 is the popularity of the band. Even in 1993, when grunge was big, GN'R were still huge. Remember a few things:

- GN'R were still in heavy rotation on radio and not just Nov. Rain and WTTJ. Even non-single promos like The Garden and Pretty Tied Up were routinely played.

- MTV was still the indicator for what was big and GNR owned the station. Again, not just Nov. Rain (even tho it was huge), but I remember stuff like Garden Of Eden and Dead Horse in regular rotation and in the Weekly Top 10s - *remember* this is before the internet.

- GNR were always front page of the Entertainment sections of newspapers, plus on the cover of stuff like RIP, Kerrang, SPIN, Metal Edge - those mags were huge in the 80s and early 90s - *again* before the internet and this was how you got your info on the music scene.

- GNR were also regularly reported on regular evening news and front page of the local newspapers whenever they played that city.

- Stuff like Montreal riot was only a few months prior, St. Louis happened on that same tour, plus regular articles about punching photographers, Axl storming off stage, rumors about random cancellations (was it drugs, arrests, etc?).

- The band was still cutting edge, it seems mainstay now but GN'R were the first mainstream band that used "fuck" all the time and were very obvious with their drug use, sleazy sex, etc..

All of these things contributed to the general vibe of those UYI concerts and brought them to a different level. New fans have no idea why the fans of the original band think the success of ChiDem and the routine nature of the current shows are so bland.

[James Bond]

Toronto 2006: Bought tickets day of sale. Had pretty shitty seats - probably because we tried to get too many seats together. Axl didn't show until 11:30 and they stopped serving beer at 10, so everyone was getting burnt out. Saw Robin Finck live with NIN multiple times and he was great, but he just didn't fit with GNR - his solos were boring. Also, no one knew the ChiDem songs and he did too many in a row, so people got bored. Overall, a pretty shitty show.

Agreed, not a very good show. At the time I was 14 and it was my first time seeing Guns so I was pumped and thought it was amazing. In retrospect, it was the weakest of the three times I've seen them. The set list was great and Axl sounded fine, but he seemed pissed off and out of it. The solos killed what little momentum was left in the crowd after the late start and it was disappointing to see people leave only an hour into the show to catch the last train. Sometimes the overall atmosphere of a crowd can make or break a show for me.

Hamilton 2010 was amazing. I find that Hamilton's crowd is usually livelier than Toronto's anyways, but the decent start time definitely helped (before 10:30). The crowd in my section seemed to know Chinese Democracy pretty well, or at least well enough to not be bored by those songs, and we even got There Was A Time. The band was tighter, more energetic, and the set list was good. Axl was in a really good mood too.

Hamilton 2011 was a bit better I think but it's pretty close. I had a really good time at this show and it's one my favorites that I've seen. Axl wasn't as strong as 2010 of course but it didn't hinder my enjoyment. Seeing Estranged live was worth the ticket price alone. Another decent start time, great crowd, and a three hour show.

[hellobeatle]

Toronto 2006: Bought tickets day of sale. Had pretty shitty seats - probably because we tried to get too many seats together. Axl didn't show until 11:30 and they stopped serving beer at 10, so everyone was getting burnt out. Saw Robin Finck live with NIN multiple times and he was great, but he just didn't fit with GNR - his solos were boring. Also, no one knew the ChiDem songs and he did too many in a row, so people got bored. Overall, a pretty shitty show.

Agreed, not a very good show. At the time I was 14 and it was my first time seeing Guns so I was pumped and thought it was amazing. In retrospect, it was the weakest of the three times I've seen them. The set list was great and Axl sounded fine, but he seemed pissed off and out of it. The solos killed what little momentum was left in the crowd after the late start and it was disappointing to see people leave only an hour into the show to catch the last train. Sometimes the overall atmosphere of a crowd can make or break a show for me.

If I remember correctly, the band came on strong for the first few songs then went downhill fast. They did that incredibly slow version of KOHD, a Dizzy Reed solo and that ridiculous version of Christina Agulara's Beautiful (like, wtf!?), plus Street of Dreams and Better which nobody knew. On top of that it was like 12:30am and everyone was burnt out cause the bar closed 2.5 hours earlier. Anyways, people in the stands started sitting down cause the show was lacking energy and Axl ended up telling off the crowd or saying something like "Bumble play a solo for this crowd so they can fall asleep".... Bubbles from TPB came out tho.

EDIT: the setlist on SetList.fm is incorrect.. I distinctly remember Bubbles being there. Also, the order in the middle is wrong. For some reason it was taken down from that GNR On Tour website...

Edited March 15, 2013 by hellobeatle

[alfierose]

I can see why fans who saw the band then think they are bland now but I don't see it being any different if they had managed to stay together. People grow up, age and mellow, unfortunately you can't bottle youthful energy. Old GNR was a zeitgeist thing, a brief moment in history that can't be manufactured or recreated. Even if they had a reunion people would be disappointed. Might as well try and enjoy what is left.

[JimMorrison4]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

LOL @ people expecting Slash.

Anyway, are nosebleed seats even worth it in concerts?

[Powerage5]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

Wilkes-Barre is my second least favorite GNR show I've seen, least favorite was Terminal 5. It wasn't a bad show, just a really bland setlist. Still though, it was my first time seeing Estranged live. But seriously, no Better?!? My favorite moment of the night was then Baz stopped a song to get a guy kicked out, guess he was hitting a woman or something?

[JimMorrison4]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

LOL @ people expecting Slash.

Anyway, are nosebleed seats even worth it in concerts?

The nosebleeds, and the whole trip to Toronto, were a Christmas present from my gf that year. So I can't complain! lol. If you're up front, it kinda feels like you're part of the show. When you're far away, you see the whole show... if that makes any sense.

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

Wilkes-Barre is my second least favorite GNR show I've seen, least favorite was Terminal 5. It wasn't a bad show, just a really bland setlist. Still though, it was my first time seeing Estranged live. But seriously, no Better?!? My favorite moment of the night was then Baz stopped a song to get a guy kicked out, guess he was hitting a woman or something?

The girl actually hit the guy first lol. Then, like a tool, he hit her back. Before GNR, the crowd was pretty tense.

The setlist was pretty bland. I think the small, quiet crowd had alot to do with that. Although we did get Estranged. My first time hearing it live too. I think you were right in front of me in line... Iron Maiden shirt, right?

[The Linguini Occurrence]

Worcester 2011: Bought tickets around 2 or 3 weeks before the show. We still had pretty good seats next to the stage. Show was unbelievable, despite us missing the first few songs. Band was super tight, Axl sounded great, the solo spots fit seamlessly into the set, and my entire opinion of DJ changed. Altered my entire view of this band - I readily accept them as a live band as it's clearly their niche and I don't expect any studio output, which I'm fine with.

Can you share with us your footage of Scraped since it was the only time ever performed in the states.

[hellobeatle]

Worcester 2011: Bought tickets around 2 or 3 weeks before the show. We still had pretty good seats next to the stage. Show was unbelievable, despite us missing the first few songs. Band was super tight, Axl sounded great, the solo spots fit seamlessly into the set, and my entire opinion of DJ changed. Altered my entire view of this band - I readily accept them as a live band as it's clearly their niche and I don't expect any studio output, which I'm fine with.

Can you share with us your footage of Scraped since it was the only time ever performed in the states.

I remember the drums at the beginning, then the vocals kicked in. I actually remember telling the girl I was with that it's a new song and that they never play it - she was like "ummm.. ok??" as she was a fan of the original band and didn't even know ChiDem - we then bought beer... Sorry...

[The Linguini Occurrence]

Worcester 2011: Bought tickets around 2 or 3 weeks before the show. We still had pretty good seats next to the stage. Show was unbelievable, despite us missing the first few songs. Band was super tight, Axl sounded great, the solo spots fit seamlessly into the set, and my entire opinion of DJ changed. Altered my entire view of this band - I readily accept them as a live band as it's clearly their niche and I don't expect any studio output, which I'm fine with.

Can you share with us your footage of Scraped since it was the only time ever performed in the states.

I remember the drums at the beginning, then the vocals kicked in. I actually remember telling the girl I was with that it's a new song and that they never play it - she was like "ummm.. ok??" as she was a fan of the original band and didn't even know ChiDem - we then bought beer... Sorry...

No problem, there has yet to be anybody in attendance who has come up with video of it. I'm just as guilty, I was there front row on the side next to DJ's rail.

Three things I remember about that show:

1) TPR was great no matter what anybody says.

2) GNR took the stage at an obscenely early time, like 10:15 PM ??

3) The topless girl that caught Bumble's attention.

[axlslash]

UCAP in Philly, they only announced the show a week before. Tickets were on presale immediately, and got mine then. I got in line about 10am to get in, doors opened at 10pm, Last Vegas went on at 10:30 and player until 11:15 or so, and the lights went out around 11:45 for GNR. I was front and center, and the band was really interactive, especially Dj and Bumble. I had a sign that said "Bumble Beard in Training" with an arrow pointing to my goatee that I held up durring his solo, and he saw it and laughed and stroked his beard. Dj tossed me his pick after the Sorry solo and was just generally really good at engaging the front area. At the end of the show, after the bows, Tommy and Dizzy were fucking with us, picking up confetti off the stage and throwing it on us. Definitely worth killing the day to be right there.

[denitza]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

I've been twice on GNR concert - 2010 Zagreb, 2012 Sofia. Both times I bought tickets immediately after putting them on sale. I went to shows 3-4 hours earlier. In Zagreb Axl sang magnificently, Bumblefoot had his birthday then. In Sofia there were problems with Axl`s voice, but it was a great show. Both times were memorable for me.

Edited March 15, 2013 by denitza

[ChristmasFnatic]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

I've been twice on GNR concert - 2010 Zagreb, 2012 Sofia. Both times I bought tickets immediately after putting them on sale. I went to shows 3-4 hours earlier. In Zagreb Axl sang magnificently, Bumblefoot had his birthday then. In Sofia there were problems with Axl`s voice, but it was a great show. Both times were memorable for me.

Where did you end up with 3-4 hours early? Were there many fans ahead of you already?

[Powerage5]

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

LOL @ people expecting Slash.

Anyway, are nosebleed seats even worth it in concerts?

The nosebleeds, and the whole trip to Toronto, were a Christmas present from my gf that year. So I can't complain! lol. If you're up front, it kinda feels like you're part of the show. When you're far away, you see the whole show... if that makes any sense.

>>

Esp. New GNR. How early do you buy tickets? As soon as it is up for purchase, wait for a price drop, scalpers?

Are they a blast to see live over and over again?

How early do you line up to get the best spot? Worth lining up for hours?

Do they interact with fans? Are most fans in attendance hardcore fans or just casuals?

Just love reading concert experiences, esp. since they havent been to my country yet.

Pittsburgh, PA 2002: 2nd row standing behind one of the guys from Jackass. Missed CKY because we got there late (the irony...). Mixmaster Mike played for over an hour. Kept saying Axl would be out in 20 min. Show started around 12:30am. There was talk of rushing the stage. The show, to me at the time, was amazing. First time seeing GNR. Melon Arena was about 1/2 full. No one knew the new songs. The show had a strange vibe to it. Robin looking like an alien. Buckethead looking like Buckethead. No one knew what to expect. People were expecting Slash.

Huntington, WV 2006: Front row. Close to sold-out. First time seeing Baz. He was great. Became a fan of Papa Roach that night and shook hands with Jacoby (who I'd end up meeting 2 years later and have a long conversation about this show). Security was telling people after the show that Axl was demanding a chiropractor or he would leave, and to prepare for a riot. Axl sounded great. The crowd was really into it, which Axl mentioned a couple times. They played Down on the Farm that night.

Toronto 2010: Way up in the nosebleeds. GNR came on 90 minutes after Baz. The crowd was getting restless and started booing. A few people left. When they finally came on (Axl in the wheelchair), it was the best I've ever heard a singer sound live.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 2011: Front row. Lined up very early. Drank a bottle of Jack while waiting in line. That's a mistake if you're not planning on using the restroom for the next 8 hours, btw. It was the worst concert crowd I've ever been a part of. It was a smaller venue anyway and it was maybe half full. Lots of fights and people getting thrown out before GNR even came on. Axl told a weird story about Charles Manson unthreading his underwear and making them into spiders. After the show, I yelled up to Bumblefoot that he was awesome. He bent down and shook hands with me. Pretty cool. Loved the show. It went on for around 3 hours.

Youngstown, OH 2011: Higher up on the right side of the stage. Almost sold out. I was nearly deaf after Black Label Society. The crowd was great and Axl sounded good. Basically the same show as Wilkes-Barre, but they played a couple more songs.

Wilkes-Barre is my second least favorite GNR show I've seen, least favorite was Terminal 5. It wasn't a bad show, just a really bland setlist. Still though, it was my first time seeing Estranged live. But seriously, no Better?!? My favorite moment of the night was then Baz stopped a song to get a guy kicked out, guess he was hitting a woman or something?

The girl actually hit the guy first lol. Then, like a tool, he hit her back. Before GNR, the crowd was pretty tense.

The setlist was pretty bland. I think the small, quiet crowd had alot to do with that. Although we did get Estranged. My first time hearing it live too. I think you were right in front of me in line... Iron Maiden shirt, right?

Actually, no Always wear a GN'R shirt to GN'R gigs - that day I had on the black shirt with the red CD-era logo printed off-center, my roommate and I were hanging out with Black Sabbath and his girlfriend, we were queued up at like 3:30, so if you were there early enough I'm sure you saw us I felt really bad for my roommate, the only 2 times he's seen GN'R have been the Wilkes-Barre show and the Terminal 5 show a couple months later, and they were identical setlists other than the swapping of Riff Raff for Better and swapping of My Generation for Motivation. He really wanted to hear Shackler's which they skipped at both, and Civil War - which T5 was the only gig until these Aussie shows where they'd skipped it since it got added back in. Figures, he goes with me twice to see GN'R, and they were the 2 worst GN'R gigs I've seen He loved both though, says they're the 2 best concerts he's ever been to!

[gnrkoncerti]

1992 Budapest.My first Gnr show.I was with my mother and had only 13.Attendance was about 80000.Very big show.GNR were the biggest band in the world.I remembered we cam with ten buses from Serbia.Whole city was in GNR that day.

1993 Athens.Another big show by the biggest band in the world.But crowd were fuckin nuts.They trowed shits on the stage.When the show starde 60000 people startes to jumping and singing.Never seen so pasionate crowd.

2006 Budapest arena.Amazing show and performance in front of 12000 people.There were no Smell in the air like in 1992 but show was amazing.GNR were huge (not like in 1992) but there were different show.

2010 Belgrade arena.7 days before the onradio organizators said hat they sold only 5000 tickets.In Serbian press Gnr got very bad info.I have never read so bad previews.But two days before the show they said that they sold 13000 and interest are huge. Fully packed arena with 15000+ hardcore fans.For me the best GNR gig I attended.Axl was in great mood as other band members.DJ stealed the show.Reviews from the show were amazing.The best show which happened in Serbia.

Sofia 2012.Stadion Vasil Levsky.Attendance were about 32000.Another amazing show and first from fan pit.Crowd were amazing.

Except GNR I watched acc,bon kovi,iron maiden,metallica...I can said on gnr show in Belgrade were 15000 people and 14000 singing all song...On ACdc show were 3000 but only 2000 singing all songs...GNR have had more hardcore fans than acdc,metallica and bon jovi.