10/30/17 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre

[FuriousStyles]

To lighten the mood....

- Night 1

 

Night 2

 

Edited November 1, 2017 by FuriousStyles

[downzy]

Just now, Gibbo said:

What's ya best GNR show of all time?

These two would be up there.  Really tough to say.  I'm not sure I could give an objective answer.  

If I had to give you top five, and in no particular order, I would say:

- London, ON (2002) - Great show, had probably the best seats of any concert I've ever attended (it was assigned seating, but scored front row, centre through ticketmaster at face value - $90 a seat).  Had a fun interaction with Axl as he caught me singing along to The Blues and gave me a funny look.  Plus Buckethead was something else to see play.  I love Slash, but Buckethead took Nightrain to another level.

- NYC, NY (Hammerstein, 2006) - Amazing show and experience - never thought I'd get to see and hear Axl in a small theatre-sized venued; first time hearing many of the "big guns" from Chinese Democracy performed live; Axl sounded great, bringing back that wailing rasp that was missing in 2002; shocked when Izzy joined the band for the first time since the early 90s; really crazy night.

- Toronto, ON (2010) - strictly for Axl's vocals, as this was the best show for him vocally (IMO) until I saw him with AC/DC in Philly last year.  He sounded like early 90s Axl, I could close my eyes and tell myself it was 1991.  Plus it was great to hear Catcher and other songs from CD that had not yet been played (or all that much).

- And finally the two shows I just watched the last two nights - 3 and a half hour performances; Estranged and Coma played in the same set (who would have ever thought that would happen only a few years ago); Axl sounded as great on many songs as he did back in 2010.  Slash was a beast both nights.  Whereas Slash seemed to be finding his way through some of the CD stuff in previous shows I saw (Detroit '16, Toronto '16, Buffalo '17), his performances on TIL and other CD songs were masterful.  Interaction/chemistry between Slash and Richard was excellent.  

Those would be my top five favourite GNR concerts over the last 15 years.  

That's not to say I didn't love and enjoy all the other shows (from seeing them in Paris in 2006 to being in the pit in Buffalo of this year to magical MSG show in 2002).  

[Ace Spade]

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, downzy said:

Honestly, I couldn't really tell you.  For Sunday's show I was front row, upper bowl with an empty seat besides me.  With no jostling and an unobstructed view I could focus on all aspects of the show.  But from that distance (even though the seats weren't that far from the stage, relative to stadium shows), you're still "watching" the show. 

Monday night I was a few rows from the stage on the floor, so it's less about watching and instead being apart of the show.  Completely different experience.  It becomes less about the music and songs played and more about the theatrics and the energy of the stage.  

I suppose Monday was the better show if you're simply counting the number of songs or if you prefer TWAT over Prostitute.  I thought Axl sounded better on certain songs Sunday and then better on other songs on Monday.  I guess the band felt tighter Sunday as they had Friday and Saturday off.  But all in all, it's really difficult to compare the two.  I think if you went to either you were treated to a great show.  

I was in the second row, upper bowl, perhaps I was sitting behind you and I had no idea that I was in the presence of the illustrious mygnrforum admin?

I've seen all the shows going back to 2002 and this was definitely the best performance I've ever seen. It's a completely different animal with Slash back in the lineup, and I was a fan of the old band.

You really do need to be there in person to actually experience the energy of it for yourself for you to actually "get it". It makes the nitpicking over the internet look kind of ridiculous after being there live. That's not a knock on anyone, I was guilty of that myself.You just simply don't notice little bullshit things that people point out online, when you're actually having the live experience.

I would have gone to both shows as I've done in the past, but even my fandom has a limit with these ticket prices. No cash left behind in this lifetime!

[Ace Spade]

16 minutes ago, downzy said:

- London, ON (2002)

Fuck that was a crazy ass snowstorm that night! I remember it took me until almost dawn to get home. I was amazed to even make it back. All I could think about was "Cars are crashing every night" and " Never to return"

Edited November 1, 2017 by Ace Spade

[downzy]

48 minutes ago, Ace Spade said:

I was in the second row, upper bowl, perhaps I was sitting behind you and I had no idea that I was in the presence of the illustrious mygnrforum admin?

I've seen all the shows going back to 2002 and this was definitely the best performance I've ever seen. It's a completely different animal with Slash back in the lineup, and I was a fan of the old band.

You really do need to be there in person to actually experience the energy of it for yourself for you to actually "get it". It makes the nitpicking over the internet look kind of ridiculous after being there live. That's not a knock on anyone, I was guilty of that myself.You just simply don't notice little bullshit things that people point out online, when you're actually having the live experience.

I would have gone to both shows as I've done in the past, but even my fandom has a limit with these ticket prices. No cash left behind in this lifetime!

The difference between watching a show on a stream/youtube and being there is akin to watching porn and having sex.  

I completely agree with your sentiments about being there versus watching an internet stream of a show.  

The auditory and visual power of being there just can't be replicated online.  It takes masterful recording and mixing to capture a fraction of the vibe and feel of a live performance; expecting the cheap mic used in someone's phone to capture the tonal range present in a live show is absurd.   That's not say that we can't evaluate, say, Axl's vocal form or whether Frank is missing beats.  Everyone has bad days on the job and even with the limitations of cell-phone recordings we can still determine whether a musician is on or off that night.   

And I do agree that with current ticket prices for these arena shows, it's really tough to afford both nights.  I was very fortunate to have some help getting a ticket for Monday's show.  Without it, I don't think I would have been able to swing it as my wife and I are expecting our first child in four weeks and dropping $300-$450 for one ticket feels a bit irresponsible all things considered (especially since I spent over $400 for tickets the previous night as I took my brother as a birthday present).  I am happy that I got to see them Monday for a variety of reasons (great show, picked up the second half of the Toronto litho, can say that I've seen GNR play every single performance at the ACC, etc.), but I would have accepted not seeing it if I had to dole out the face value of my ticket for Monday.  I completely get where you're coming from.   

 

[ZoSoRose]

18 minutes ago, downzy said:

These two would be up there.  Really tough to say.  I'm not sure I could give an objective answer.  

If I had to give you top five, and in no particular order, I would say:

- London, ON (2002) - Great show, had probably the best seats of any concert I've ever attended (it was assigned seating, but scored front row, centre through ticketmaster at face value - $90 a seat).  Had a fun interaction with Axl as he caught me singing along to The Blues and gave me a funny look.  Plus Buckethead was something else to see play.  I love Slash, but Buckethead took Nightrain to another level.

- NYC, NY (Hammerstein, 2006) - Amazing show and experience - never thought I'd get to see and hear Axl in a small theatre-sized venued; first time hearing many of the "big guns" from Chinese Democracy performed live; Axl sounded great, bringing back that wailing rasp that was missing in 2002; shocked when Izzy joined the band for the first time since the early 90s; really crazy night.

- Toronto, ON (2010) - strictly for Axl's vocals, as this was the best show for him vocally (IMO) until I saw him with AC/DC in Philly last year.  He sounded like early 90s Axl, I could close my eyes and tell myself it was 1991.  Plus it was great to hear Catcher and other songs from CD that had not yet been played (or all that much).

- And finally the two shows I just watched the last two nights - 3 and a half hour performances; Estranged and Coma played in the same set (who would have ever thought that would happen only a few years ago); Axl sounded as great on many songs as he did back in 2010.  Slash was a beast both nights.  Whereas Slash seemed to be finding his way through some of the CD stuff in previous shows I saw (Detroit '16, Toronto '16, Buffalo '17), his performances on TIL and other CD songs were masterful.  Interaction/chemistry between Slash and Richard was excellent.  

Those would be my top five favourite GNR concerts over the last 15 years.  

That's not to say I didn't love and enjoy all the other shows (from seeing them in Paris in 2006 to being in the pit in Buffalo of this year to magical MSG show in 2002).  

You were at London 2010 amd Detroit 2016 right?

 

Those were some of my favorites 

[downzy]

2 minutes ago, Ace Spade said:

Fuck that was a crazy ass snowstorm that night! I remember it took me until almost dawn to get home. I was amazed to even make it back. All I could think about was "Cars are crashing every night" and " Never to return"

Yeah, that's right!  It took my friend and I four hours to get back to Toronto that night.  I don't think we got home until around 5am the next day.  We got stuck behind plows on the 401 heading east.  Perhaps for the best considering it made driving conditions much safer and I was exhausted from the show.   

[downzy]

1 minute ago, ZoSoRose said:

You were at London 2010 amd Detroit 2016 right?

 

Those were some of my favorites 

Yeah, I would say those are up there as well, particularly Detroit 2016 as it was the first time for me seeing Axl and Slash on stage together.  Very surreal moment and something I never thought I'd ever get a chance to see.  And it was a great show at that.  Only thing that brought me down that night was I was struggling with my health and wasn't feeling all that great.  

[Ace Spade]

18 minutes ago, downzy said:

The difference between watching a show on a stream/youtube and being there is akin to watching porn and having sex

HAHA! This is the perfect analogy! You should pin this in the top of every concert thread.

[downzy]

Here are a couple of videos I shot from the show Monday.

I don't usually like to spend much of my time recording or taking pictures.  Prefer to actually watch the entire show with my eyes rather than looking through a screen, but I'll pick a few spots to capture my view.

Welcome to the Jungle (Intro)

Welcome to the Jungle (Outro)

Godfather Solo; beginning of SCOM

I've got a few clips from November Rain and Paradise City, but I'll post those later.  

[k12]

2 hours ago, downzy said:

And you know this because?

If Slash was Axl's bitch, please explain the 7:30pm - 8:00pm starts?

Since Slash learned CD material without being asked by Axl, why do you assume he doesn't want to play them?  

Moreover, last time I checked Slash didn't write Double Talking Jive, November Rain, You Could Be Mine, Don't Cry, Patience, Yesterdays, Live and Let Die, Knocking On Heaven's Door, New Rose, Attitude, Wichita Lineman, Black Hole Sun, Wish You Were Here, Layla, and The Seeker.  All songs played last night.  

Sorry mate, but absolute nonsense.  

7:30-8PM starts, because this tour has been 1 money grab, and hearing about late starts in the reviews would have surely hurt the sales.  Slash learning the CD songs? again he is trying to appease Axl, and I explained why he does not want to play them, because GNR was part of his baby and to hear Axl recording music without him under the GNR name with a replacement for him to which he is now having to perform in concert is an insult to him,  and a big difference playing songs written by former bandmates when he was in the band than replacements for him when he was out of it.

[WhazUp]

5 minutes ago, k12 said:

7:30-8PM starts, because this tour has been 1 money grab, and hearing about late starts in the reviews would have surely hurt the sales.  Slash learning the CD songs? again he is trying to appease Axl, and I explained why he does not want to play them, because GNR was part of his baby and to hear Axl recording music without him under the GNR name with a replacement for him to which he is now having to perform in concert is an insult to him,  and a big difference playing songs written by former bandmates when he was in the band than replacements for him when he was out of it.

No you explained why YOU think he does not want to play them.  None of us know what is going on behind the scenes

Let's chill on the armchair psychology of GNR members

Edited November 1, 2017 by WhazUp

[downzy]

36 minutes ago, k12 said:

7:30-8PM starts, because this tour has been 1 money grab, and hearing about late starts in the reviews would have surely hurt the sales.  Slash learning the CD songs? again he is trying to appease Axl, and I explained why he does not want to play them, because GNR was part of his baby and to hear Axl recording music without him under the GNR name with a replacement for him to which he is now having to perform in concert is an insult to him,  and a big difference playing songs written by former bandmates when he was in the band than replacements for him when he was out of it.

Why would Slash need to appease Axl by learning material from CD?  Cochella and the first leg of the tour was already on the books before they even got a chance to rehearse.  I really don’t see a big difference between the two scenarios of playing material Slash didn’t write whether he was in the band or not.  What I think matters far more is whether he likes the material, something Slash has stated publicly he does with respect to songs from Chinese Democracy.

You’re attributing your own assumptions, motivations, and understandings onto someone I assume you have never met nor discussed these matters with personally. And yet you are certain.

This is why nobody takes what you say seriously and at this point this will be the end of this discussion within this thread. 

[swishtz]

48 minutes ago, k12 said:

7:30-8PM starts, because this tour has been 1 money grab, and hearing about late starts in the reviews would have surely hurt the sales.  Slash learning the CD songs? again he is trying to appease Axl, and I explained why he does not want to play them, because GNR was part of his baby and to hear Axl recording music without him under the GNR name with a replacement for him to which he is now having to perform in concert is an insult to him,  and a big difference playing songs written by former bandmates when he was in the band than replacements for him when he was out of it.

Muppet, it's due to local curfews the start times

[Caedo]

What about this WTTJ ! Sorry if it's already been posted, I haven't been through the whole thread, but Axl's finally nailed the first line for the first time in ages: 

 

Edited November 1, 2017 by Caedo

[Torontonian]

First post on this forum, love it!  Thanks for having me.  Video from Sec 118 ACC Sunday show... man that was fun!

 

Edited November 1, 2017 by Torontonian

[nikosgnr]

11 hours ago, IncitingChaos said:

Axl was very clear that it was Duff and Slash’s idea to learn the CD material. He had no idea until he showed up to rehearsals for the first time. I think it was a touching gesture to Axl and something that may have helped move this reunion thing in a positive direction. Basically Slash and Duff saying “we are here for you too”. 

Could there be better songs to replace the cd ones? Of course

i just wouldn’t be so quick to say this is an Axl thing. 

We know he’s doing Coma for Slash..who knows if there were other songs added for Slash or Duff, but regardless they are making millions, Axl is happy, Slash is happy, Duff is happy. Just let it be

Totally agree and desperately waitin' for Shackler's and Street of Dreams with Axl climbin' on Dizzy's piano.

And then I woke up..

[downzy]

OP updated and now includes setlist.  

[axlweave]

It cracks me up when I hear people on hear say well slash doesnt want to play the chinese democracy stuff, How do you know? I think he is doing a fine job on it an all the songs. My God quit complaining and enjoy this, who would have thought a few years ago that Axl and Slash would ever be on stage together again. All i hear is about the CD songs and it isnt GnR without Izzy and Steven, bullshit this is GnR and i am happy I have seen them twice in the past 2 years and have been a hardcore fan since 87.

[MattleyCrue]

Maybe Slash likes to play the Chinese stuff since it's something new and different!

[Tom-Ass]

13 hours ago, AxlRoseCDII said:

They wouldn't be playing 6 CD songs a night because Axl said- Slash and Duff would definitely say something if they were against it. I have no issue with people hating the album but you can't argue that Axl is forcing Slash and Duff to learn all these songs.

They all suck for doing it... Axl probably isn't forcing anything.. More likely they are just trying to appease him...

12 hours ago, IncitingChaos said:

Axl is happy, Slash is happy, Duff is happy. Just let it be

There are fans paying $300 a ticket that aren't happy...

[Tom-Ass]

12 hours ago, IncitingChaos said:

I hope that in the future when Slash is back on stage with Myles that they stop a show and bring Axl out to sing one of their songs...I think that would be cool haha 

Or Guns actually play a couple VR or Slash tunes.. There were several that were far more well known than any CD song.... Split them up.. 2 and 2 or something.. But 6 fucking CD songs?

[Tom-Ass]

12 hours ago, gunsguy said:

Here is a picture of Slash clearly not wanting to play or enjoying playing CD song... *rollseyes*

Toronto October 30th 2017...

 

 

 

Is that one of his staged jumps that he does every show at the same point of certain songs? 

[Tom-Ass]

12 hours ago, AxlRoseCDII said:

Do you guys think everyone in the audience would dance and sing along if Breakdown or Locomotive were played?

No but more die hards would be into that the CD songs... Fuck the casual fans...

[Coma16]

12 minutes ago, Tom-Ass said:

They all suck for doing it... Axl probably isn't forcing anything.. More likely they are just trying to appease him...

There are fans paying $300 a ticket that aren't happy...

The shows are over an hour longer than most bands. They play all the hits and add in CD material as well. Win-win for everyone! Except people who like to complain, complain, complain...