Guns N' Roses to return to the road in 2025

[KeyserSoze]

9 hours ago, jamillos said:

Oh yeah, it’s too late for an Izzy/Appetite schtick. If they do that, I’d basically expect it to be the last chapter. Plus Izzy probably wouldn’t play the CD stuff, so they’d have to resort to just the old hits (unless they’d be able to whip up a bunch of new songs quickly, which I doubt). Nah, I don’t see Izzy being a part of this behemoth in the long run anymore. 
And yeah, the CD singles are just for us nutters. And in any case, releasing one per a year isn’t enough to justify yet another NITL leg, which is what I suspect is gonna happen soon nonetheless. 

2 hours ago, Tom2112 said:

I don't think they are touring the way they tour just for money though. They could all cut way back at this point and be more than comfortable,  we're assuming that music is the o ly thing that brings them money... these giys probably have investments in a lot of areas at this point. I think they enjoy it. 

Most likely scenario would be that if they stop touring they'd just hold up in residency gigs. I think that's still a ways away though. I think there's at least 1 more big world tour in them, they also seem like a band that would want to do the one last go around long goodbye

I'm curious... how much longer do you think we have? 

Because you say "the last chapter" like Izzy and Axl aren't 62 going on 63 years old. Steven is 59, but truly looks like he's going on 70. 

Do we really want a "new" album by this hybrid band that will go under the radar and possibly taint the legacy, then followed by an AFD 5 reunion when all of these guys are in their late 60's and 70's? Is Axl gunna be singing "Rocket Queen" in his 70's?! 

Why is it "too late" and not the perfect time? 

And, okay, if they did ONE last big world tour, would you not want it to be with the guys that made this thing famous????

 

3 hours ago, Spoon87 said:

Sure, in our little semi-autistic world here, Izzy or Steven (or Bucket ) are familiar names we'd like to see but to the general public? Hahaha, yeah right. 

You must not have been around for the impact AFD had on the world... i think it really would make a difference. 

 

4 hours ago, Tom2112 said:

Izzy would have basically no impact on ticket sales. For anybody that might care, they'd probably say "cool but Axl can't sing" and the rest probably don't realise Izzy isn't there. I love his contributions to gnr but he is bot a needle mover for live shows. Now if Izzy came back to the band and they returned to the studio? That's going to get some media attention for nostalgia... but again I don't think it'd have any great impact in ticket sales. Would be great to see him back at some eveb point if only temporarily like Steven

Also, every time i bring up Izzy doing the Sphere shows, or one destination event its gets somehow turned into Izzy coming back and being back for the long run, which I don't think would be the case. He would come back for those shows and then it would go from there. I think less people would care if Izzy was brought back into the fold to write and record... Have you listened to Izzy discography since he left GNR? It's so far from the Chi Dem leftovers that a new album written by just Izzy would sound like a folk album... 

Now if you announce 40 Sphere shows and the adverts for it include both izzy AND steven in them and THAT is reported, you'll probably sell wayyyyyyyy more tickets than you think. Think about it.

 

 

7 hours ago, kiwiguns said:

Of course they will tour and yes touring is justified. People don't buy records anymore, they buy tickets to see an artist play live and that's how the artist makes their money. All artists tour the world more and often these days album or no album. 

In New Zealand we have just had Pearl Jam play two shows at the same venue and Coldplay are doing a run of three shows over three nights at the same venue.. 

That's why Guns N Roses will tour as long as they like, as the money is in touring the world and playing live.. 

 

Both bands you mention, Coldplay and Pearl Jam, are touring behind new albums with new stage shows. The last time PJ played New Zealand was 10 years ago when Big Day Out was still a thing... The last time Coldplay was in NZ was 8 years ago, and they were touring behind ANOTHER album back then as well. 

Bands are doing multiple dates because they need to make back their initial investment of getting over there back to be in the green. They are basically playing 1 show for free and 1 show for profit. As lucky as you may feel to be having more shows, theres a money reason behind all of it. 

GNR have been to New Zealand twice since 2017. Do you really think if they came back so soon, they'd sell out multiple nights???? 

Sure, GNR can continue to tour forever, but i'm telling you right now it won't work in the US at this moment in time. 

 

 

[jamillos]

16 minutes ago, KeyserSoze said:

I'm curious... how much longer do you think we have? 

Because you say "the last chapter" like Izzy and Axl aren't 62 going on 63 years old. Steven is 59, but truly looks like he's going on 70. 

Do we really want a "new" album by this hybrid band that will go under the radar and possibly taint the legacy, then followed by an AFD 5 reunion when all of these guys are in their late 60's and 70's? Is Axl gunna be singing "Rocket Queen" in his 70's?! 

Why is it "too late" and not the perfect time? 

And, okay, if they did ONE last big world tour, would you not want it to be with the guys that made this thing famous????

 

 

I didn't use it as the main point, but above all - and I can't stress this enough - I've never been an advocate of AFD reunion. It belongs to certain times, which are long gone, the guys aren't 25 anymore, and the whole thing would be just a sad travesty. Maybe, maybe a one-off gig, but I'd rather not see even that. The comparisons, oh the inevitable comparisons... 

I just want them to stop milking the shit out of shit, release a new record, and function as a normal goddamn rock n' roll band for once, that's all. 

Edited November 13, 2024 by jamillos

[vloors]

8 hours ago, kiwiguns said:

Of course they will tour and yes touring is justified. People don't buy records anymore, they buy tickets to see an artist play live and that's how the artist makes their money. All artists tour the world more and often these days album or no album. 

In New Zealand we have just had Pearl Jam play two shows at the same venue and Coldplay are doing a run of three shows over three nights at the same venue.

The music industry has changed so much, that 10 years ago, bands doing more then one show in New Zealand was unheard of, as it was ever only one show and then off to Australia or Japan for the next leg of the tour. 

Eden Park is a rugby stadium with All Black rugby games selling out at a capacity of 50,000.

Eden Park is seeking consent from the local council to increase the number of concerts the venue can have per year. 

Coldplay have sold out each night at Eden Park at 60,000 per night.

Eden Park have realised there is money to be made in hosting concerts, more so than All Black rugby tests against England or South Africa. 

That's why Guns N Roses will tour as long as they like, as the money is in touring the world and playing live.. 

 

You did rattle off coldplay and pearl jam which are both touring brand new albums.

Love her or hate her but even people like taylor swift would not have any momentum on touring and fanfare without releasing new albums and songs and yes they sell in more ways then one. She only gets her current numbers because of her constantly adding hits to her catalogue. 

Guns n roses has nothing fresh to appetise fans to see them again. I for one wont be seeing them unless they do something substantial. Especially not if they want to charge $300+ again.

Last time they toured Australia they really struggled to fill 1 stadium let alone multiple. 

[DoMw94]

5 hours ago, allwaystired said:

It's actually been more varied than we give it credit for sometimes, but because the set follows the same structure (i.e. big songs in a familiar order) it feels it. Sure, they could move things around, but that's about it. 

Exactly. There's been some fairly big changes over the last eight years but because it always begins with It's So Easy and ends with Paradise City, everyone always says it's the same setlist. It hasn't been, for the most part.

  

29 minutes ago, vloors said:

She only gets her current numbers because of her constantly adding hits to her catalogue. 

I mean, sure, she's done more than GN'R, but four of her last six albums have been re-releases though. She's not quite as prolific as her numbers/hype would suggest – and most of that recent hype has been centred around those re-releases.

Edited November 13, 2024 by DoMw94

[KeyserSoze]

1 hour ago, jamillos said:

I didn't use it as the main point, but above all - and I can't stress this enough - I've never been an advocate of AFD reunion. It belongs to certain times, which are long gone, the guys aren't 25 anymore, and the whole thing would be just a sad travesty. Maybe, maybe a one-off gig, but I'd rather not see even that. The comparisons, oh the inevitable comparisons... 

I just want them to stop milking the shit out of shit, release a new record, and function as a normal goddamn rock n' roll band for once, that's all. 

I hear you. 

I felt like this during the CD days. I've also been super grateful for the 3-union and the shows I've been fortunate to see on it.

The thing is, over the last 8 or 9 years, I've come to realize that there probably is no album. Again, I'm grateful for what I've gotten, but it really does just get to a point where it's not hard to see the reality of the situation. 

I understand they aren't 25 anymore, but you're argument cannot be "it would be cringe because its not the same" while being a fan of a band that has literally played the same exact songs for almost 40 years now. 

Adler has proven time and time again since he messed up in 2017 that he can STILL not only play the songs, but tour successfully and not hurt himself in the process.

Take a guess at which songs Adler plays when he plays live. It's not Adler's Appetite's music, I can tell you that much. 

If this band is not going to release music, thats fine. Make your money, tour, sell merch, etc etc... 

But you're also in a position to reward the people who have held on for 40+ years before "time runs out"

The reality of the situation is the core 5 men who made an album that STILL goes down in history and is STILL played out to this day have not played on the same stage together in almost 36 years. 

And what do you think the comparisons would be? The last time Adler took the stage with the band in 2016 and 2017, the reviews were extremely favorable and generated quite a buzz. 

[DoMw94]

6 minutes ago, KeyserSoze said:

Adler has proven time and time again since he messed up in 2017 that he can STILL not only play the songs, but tour successfully and not hurt himself in the process.

Take a guess at which songs Adler plays when he plays live. It's not Adler's Appetite's music, I can tell you that much. 

The last time Adler took the stage with the band in 2016 and 2017, the reviews were extremely favorable and generated quite a buzz. 

But Adler doesn't play 100+ two-and-a-half/three hour shows on a tour. It's a whole different ball game and not at all comparable imo.

Of course, it would be easy to say "well don't play for as long then" off the back of that, but it's pretty clear that's not what the band is these days, and they're not going to change that for someone who isn't Axl or Slash

Edited November 13, 2024 by DoMw94

[KeyserSoze]

5 minutes ago, DoMw94 said:

But Adler doesn't play 100+ two-and-a-half/three hour shows on a tour. It's a whole different ball game and not at all comparable imo.

Of course, it would be easy to say "well don't play for as long then" off the back of that, but it's pretty clear that's not what the band is these days, and they're not going to change that for someone who isn't Axl or Slash

Again, I'm talking about potentially 40 shows at the Sphere at maybe 2 hours/2 and a half hours longs a night. Somehow that always gets lost in translation in my pedantic writings. 

People think Adler is gunna come back and the band will do some NITL-esque touring for it? No.

I'm talking about them all being in one place for a residency where they don't have to tour and can all stay at different hotels if they want.

Hell, if they happen to be there for longer than a month, Slash can set up a studio in another hotel room and probably write, record, and release a record in that time. 

Steven's normal show is about 1 hour and 15 minutes to sometimes 30 minutes if they stretch it out. I think he'd be fine to do an extra 30 minutes a night for a month of work and a million dollar paycheck. 

[DoMw94]

4 minutes ago, KeyserSoze said:

Again, I'm talking about potentially 40 shows at the Sphere at maybe 2 hours/2 and a half hours longs a night. Somehow that always gets lost in translation in my pedantic writings. 

People think Adler is gunna come back and the band will do some NITL-esque touring for it? No.

I'm talking about them all being in one place for a residency where they don't have to tour and can all stay at different hotels if they want.

Hell, if they happen to be there for longer than a month, Slash can set up a studio in another hotel room and probably write, record, and release a record in that time. 

Steven's normal show is about 1 hour and 15 minutes to sometimes 30 minutes if they stretch it out. I think he'd be fine to do an extra 30 minutes a night for a month of work and a million dollar paycheck. 

Even for a short residency, I doubt they'd change the band lineup temporarily. Even when Adler was supposed to be back for NITL, Frank was still going to be there to play the Illusions/Chinese stuff.

Even if it's for a short run, Frank would have to leave before they even consider that. Nostalgia or not, the band's made it pretty clear that the current lineup is the band. A full reunion will only ever happen if that's what the lineup is going to be going forwards, and I don't see Frank leaving for Steven or Richard leaving for Izzy

[Tom2112]

5 hours ago, KeyserSoze said:

I'm curious... how much longer do you think we have? 

Because you say "the last chapter" like Izzy and Axl aren't 62 going on 63 years old. Steven is 59, but truly looks like he's going on 70. 

Do we really want a "new" album by this hybrid band that will go under the radar and possibly taint the legacy, then followed by an AFD 5 reunion when all of these guys are in their late 60's and 70's? Is Axl gunna be singing "Rocket Queen" in his 70's?! 

Why is it "too late" and not the perfect time? 

And, okay, if they did ONE last big world tour, would you not want it to be with the guys that made this thing famous????

 

You must not have been around for the impact AFD had on the world... i think it really would make a difference. 

 

Also, every time i bring up Izzy doing the Sphere shows, or one destination event its gets somehow turned into Izzy coming back and being back for the long run, which I don't think would be the case. He would come back for those shows and then it would go from there. I think less people would care if Izzy was brought back into the fold to write and record... Have you listened to Izzy discography since he left GNR? It's so far from the Chi Dem leftovers that a new album written by just Izzy would sound like a folk album... 

Now if you announce 40 Sphere shows and the adverts for it include both izzy AND steven in them and THAT is reported, you'll probably sell wayyyyyyyy more tickets than you think. Think about it.

 

 

Both bands you mention, Coldplay and Pearl Jam, are touring behind new albums with new stage shows. The last time PJ played New Zealand was 10 years ago when Big Day Out was still a thing... The last time Coldplay was in NZ was 8 years ago, and they were touring behind ANOTHER album back then as well. 

Bands are doing multiple dates because they need to make back their initial investment of getting over there back to be in the green. They are basically playing 1 show for free and 1 show for profit. As lucky as you may feel to be having more shows, theres a money reason behind all of it. 

GNR have been to New Zealand twice since 2017. Do you really think if they came back so soon, they'd sell out multiple nights???? 

Sure, GNR can continue to tour forever, but i'm telling you right now it won't work in the US at this moment in time. 

 

 

Well the issue with Izzy and a hypothetical Sphere gig is the same issue as the 2016 negotiations, only now they have proven they didn't need him to have a successful reunion so he has even less leverage. 

As for playing with the guys that made the band famous one more time? I don't understand why peoplevare clamouring for this. It's not going to make Axl song any better and at the end of the day that's what they'll be judged whether the rest of the band sound exactly like 1987 or not. Leave well enough alone, we have the memories and videos. Truth is it would be a slight bump, but if they kept the current line up and advertised that they were playing the entire AFD album with that famous artwork being used that would sell. And that's given the fact that they already play the majority of the album every night.

As for gnr not being able to continue playing every year in America. That's true if you are taking about stadiums. If they chose arenas then they could happily do it and successfully.

[gunsnchalupas]

They should do a reality TV show where they drop the five of them into a LA crack house for three months, and whatever they write and record is the album. 

[JAxlMorrison]

I cannot overstate how little interest I have in this mythical AFD5 show everyone claims to want but will surely piss on anyways.

someone above said “grateful for what I’ve gotten” and I couldn’t agree more.

Guns, in any and all iterations, have been “my guys” no matter what era, touring format, set list since I was first lucky enough to see them at Hammerstein in 2006, after being at the ill fated Philly show in 2002. 

I’m anxiously awaiting the opportunity to see a couple more shows next year if it all shakes out. And if they bring along the “newer” tunes and maybe even one or two more, great. If it’s similar to 2023, that’s cool Too. That Hershey show was a blast and a half. 2021 AC was fantastic too, off the charts. The shows click. The idea of dragging Izzy and Steven up there to struggle through and hold the rest of the guys back, just to play the same hits we’ve heard other guys play much better, it’s kind of grotesque. You want it just cause you can’t have it. And if you got it, you’d hate it. And so would Axl, Slash, and Duff. Watch the old shows if you want, otherwise? Let it be.

With the lineup now, we know what to expect, with some off nights and some extraordinary ones. With an AFD5 attempt, it would be the shits, and worse, it would implode and destroy the progress that’s already been made. The path moves forward, not backward. 

[JAxlMorrison]

On 5/31/2024 at 2:52 PM, History2010 said:

No idea why anyone thought otherwise. 99% of the public are unaware of the lawsuit Axl is facing or they are aware but don't care and will buy tickets anyways.

And anyone aware of it, who really reads about it, realizes it’s BS. She wrote years ago she was down and she dug it. It’s a cash grab, snd a shameful attempt. 

[rocknroll41]

If it’s not true that the band is only touring international markets next year, and not the USA, then I think it’s safe to say that we won’t get new music next year.

The pattern has been this:

2021: Absurd came out at the start of the US leg and HardSkool came out at the end of the US leg.

2023: Perhaps came out at the start of the US leg (after being soundchecked a bunch in Europe) and The General came out at the end of the US leg.

Remember, the band toured non-US markets in 2022, and no new music came of it.

[gnfr20179]

3 minutes ago, rocknroll41 said:

If it’s not true that the band is only touring international markets next year, and not the USA, then I think it’s safe to say that we won’t get new music next year.

The pattern has been this:

2021: Absurd came out at the start of the US leg and HardSkool came out at the end of the US leg.

2023: Perhaps came out at the start of the US leg (after being soundchecked a bunch in Europe) and The General came out at the end of the US leg.

Remember, the band toured non-US markets in 2022, and no new music came of it.

I’m more inclined to think their plan is to release new songs every two years, so 2025 should see something. Couple that with Duff’s latest comments, but then again, who really knows… 

[JAxlMorrison]

23 hours ago, KeyserSoze said:

Everything you said is pretty much true, except that last part that I just highlighted. 

Journey has had to resort to a 3 band triple-co-headline bill of Def Leppard and Cheap Trick to remain relevant in 2024. GNR would never agree to something like that. I also remember a few years ago Journey was having to close some parts of venues off after they didn't sell enough tickets. Neil Schon has always been about making money, so it doesn't surprise me they will take a gig anywhere, even state fairs. 

Journey has also put out 2 albums, 1 live album, and a repackaged greatest hits since Chinese Democracy came out. So even if people are just going to see them for the hits, they've still given back to the die hard fans, no matter how much money they've taken from them..... 

Anyway, onto that last line that I highlighted. 

I seriously don't think this is the case anymore. Maybe in Europe. Maybe in South American. But industry trends in inflation riddled America are showing people are choosing not to buy concert tickets as frequently as they used to. 

Try to think like a "non-fan" right now. Whats the incentive to see Axl Rose and co right now if im not a diehard? Especially if I saw them from 2016-2023? Let me know when you have an answer, because I work in this industry AND this is my favorite band and I can't find one. 

GNR can be away for a "minute", but the longer they take, the older they will be. And the older they are, it's more than likely we're headed the way of the band having their final shows sooner rather than later. 

People have the same concerns every time, and Guns comes back and does their thing, and sell well, and from the ones I’ve been too, they’re full and it’s a party. People love it. Would a radio hit or a soundtrack song or something help? Maybe. But people will go just for the atmosphere and to sing along to SCOM And NR. And that’s been proven time and time again. 

[JAxlMorrison]

15 hours ago, jamillos said:

No shit, Mycroft. However, I was talking more about touring new stuff, having actual "all new shows" etc., you know? The bands you’re mentioning release a new album every 3 years or so...

If they toured under that label, with the promise of an all new show with newer material, it would flop. People are going to sing along to jungle etc. The brand, the past, the hits, nostalgia is what makes Guns an event. This is who they are now. 

[rocknroll41]

12 minutes ago, gnfr20179 said:

I’m more inclined to think their plan is to release new songs every two years, so 2025 should see something. Couple that with Duff’s latest comments, but then again, who really knows… 

Good points. I forgot that Duff and Slash both recently hinted at new GnR music soon.

[ZoSoRose]

Does anyone think the following tours (a few for example) were attended because they were behind a new record?

Rush- Snakes and Arrows, Clockwork Angels

AC/DC- Black Ice, Rock or Bust

Van Halen- A Different Kind of Truth

Black Sabbath- 13

The Rolling Stones- Hackney Diamonds

Etc, etc

I like pretty much all of those records, but those albums were just another tool of promotion to get the band name more publicity, and an album is not the only way to do that. All the surviving  dinosaur acts are filling seats because of their legacy hits , not new material. 

New GnR material is for the band (or Axl) or for the fans. That’s it: 

[jamillos]

1 hour ago, JAxlMorrison said:

If they toured under that label, with the promise of an all new show with newer material, it would flop. People are going to sing along to jungle etc. The brand, the past, the hits, nostalgia is what makes Guns an event. This is who they are now. 

Not immediately different, you have to change the playlist gradually ofc. As usual: other bands have done it and didn't flop, so could Guns. 

[Rovim]

Axl could barely stand Steven for a couple of tunes with the current lineup it seems. I don't see why Axl would want an AFD5 reunion and I don't want it either personally as a fan.

[jamillos]

1 hour ago, ZoSoRose said:

Does anyone think the following tours (a few for example) were attended because they were behind a new record?

Rush- Snakes and Arrows, Clockwork Angels

AC/DC- Black Ice, Rock or Bust

Van Halen- A Different Kind of Truth

Black Sabbath- 13

The Rolling Stones- Hackney Diamonds

Etc, etc

I like pretty much all of those records, but those albums were just another tool of promotion to get the band name more publicity, and an album is not the only way to do that. All the surviving  dinosaur acts are filling seats because of their legacy hits , not new material. 

New GnR material is for the band (or Axl) or for the fans. That’s it: 

Bands release new records and play new shows where they gradually introduce the new songs and implement them among the big hits. That's normal, but we're stuck in this "does not compute" loop, because we're not used to that with Guns and almost can't imagine it. Simple! 

[Gordon Comstock]

57 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said:

Does anyone think the following tours (a few for example) were attended because they were behind a new record?

Rush- Snakes and Arrows, Clockwork Angels

AC/DC- Black Ice, Rock or Bust

Van Halen- A Different Kind of Truth

Black Sabbath- 13

The Rolling Stones- Hackney Diamonds

Etc, etc

I like pretty much all of those records, but those albums were just another tool of promotion to get the band name more publicity, and an album is not the only way to do that. All the surviving  dinosaur acts are filling seats because of their legacy hits , not new material. 

New GnR material is for the band (or Axl) or for the fans. That’s it: 

 

The reason the shows were attended? Of course not. But I gotta say, when I saw the Stones earlier this year the new songs were definitely some of the highlights.

I still haven't listened to all of Sebastian Bach's newest album, but he played 4 new songs when I saw him last month and they were good. I can think of times I saw bands like the Chili Peppers, In Flames, Alice In Chains, etc where the new songs were absolutely highlights. I always like to see a band playing as much new stuff as possible.

But it is different for GNR... the new songs aren't really new, they're objectively mediocre, and don't resonate with the crowds. Some of the delusions on here are wild - new stuff is nice for us but doesn't move the needle at all. An AFD reunion is absolutely not the ace up their sleeve that some people are convinced it is. The brand and a few classic hits are what fills venues.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, jamillos said:

Not immediately different, you have to change the playlist gradually ofc. As usual: other bands have done it and didn't flop, so could Guns. 

Not overly interested in anymore shows but they could make things feel a bit fresher from simply dropping Easy as the first song. Also cut about 20 minutes out of KOHD so it's only half as long.

[Rovim]

1 minute ago, Gordon Comstock said:

But it is different for GNR... the new songs aren't really new, they're objectively mediocre

not really, it's just you that thinks they are. doesn't reflect what I think of the tunes for example. I quite like them and don't think they're mediocre. some of them are better than what came before imho.

[Gordon Comstock]

4 minutes ago, Rovim said:

not really, it's just you that thinks they are. doesn't reflect what I think of the tunes for example. I quite like them and don't think they're mediocre. some of them are better than what came before imho.

 

The songs made zero impact. They get no airplay, they get polite applause at shows, they're objectively mediocre songs in GNR's catalogue. Cool that you like them, the vast majority of crowds don't give a shit.