madison Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 DATE: June 11, 2007SOURCE: gunsroses.comOPENING NIGHT IN AUSTRALIA A MAJOR SUCCESSBy Doug Miller/GunsNRoses.comOver 15,000 fans packed a sold-out Burswood Dome in Perth to see the first show of Guns N' Roses' 2007 run through Australia. Aussie fans showed their vocal appreciation of the massive production with deafening cheers and signs thanking the band for visiting Perth.Axl shared a tale of an all-night tequila marathon in Mexico that brought laughter and cheers from the fans. Also bringing laughter and cheers was a cameo by Bubbles from the Trailer Park Boys, who sang "Liquor and Whores" with GN'R. Openers Rose Tattoo and Sebastian Bach both performed stellar sets that went over incredibly well with the crowd. The next stop on the Aussie tour is this Wednesday night at the Adelaide Entertainment Center. Related forum discussion:http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?showtopic=96699 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madison Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share Posted June 11, 2007 Published reviews from the Perth show:DATE: June 10, 2007SOURCE: The Sunday TimesMore roses than gunsJay Hanna, STM music editorJune 10, 2007 10:00pmOLD rockers don't die, they just get more sincere. Axl Rose may be missing his original bandmates and his explosive energy, but he still knows how to have fun.Guns N' Roses Burswood Dome Sun, June 10 Review by Jay Hanna, STM Music Editor My, my Axl, how things have changed. It was almost bang on 11 o'clock when that familiar other-worldy wail came bouncing across the darkness. "Do you know where the f**k you are?". Well yes, but did Guns N' Roses know what time it was? With a reputation for being notoriously late, perhaps Axl Rose and his band of seven were trying to get off on the right foot as they kicked off the Australian leg of their Chinese Democracy World Tour. Flanked by a pair of guitarists that looked alarmingly like Rose's former band mates Slash and Izzy Stradlin, the corn-rowed rocker got the show underway with notorious party-starter "Welcome To The Jungle". As fire shot to the heavens the 45-year-old singer proved he still had those serpent-like moves slithering his hips and inviting the crowd to "feel my, my, my serpentine." A far cry from the bike pant-sporting, bandanna-wearing firecracker that shook the rock world to it's foundations in the 80s and early 90s, Axl Rose circa 2007 is a far more low-key character. His once explosive energy has subsided somewhat and the stage set-up has been stripped back accordingly. Gone are the huge ramps and abundance of space to run around. The wardrobe has changed too with Rose sporting some stylishly cut jeans, a black leather jacket and dark sunglasses. His once slender frame, now a hell of a lot more burly. Still Rose's desire to entertain hasn't changed and he certainly seemed to be having fun as the band reeled of a list of classics, "It's So Easy", "Mr Brownstone" and "Live And Let Die". Four songs in Rose breathlessly addressed the sea of black t-shirts. "You sure know how to make people feel welcome," he drawled. That was it? No abuse. No swearing. No tantrums. It was almost hard to imagine that this genial figure was the same temperamental rock star who is famed for both his on-stage and off-stage tantrums. It was Rose minus attitude. It wasn't as if Rose didn't have reason to vent a little anger. As usual the sound quality at Burswood Dome was beyond appalling. Teamed with an abominable sound mix it ruined many moments. In particular "You Could Be Mine" and new songs like "Better" sounded muddy, with the vocals barely audible over the wash of guitars and floor-pounding drums. It was hard to tell just how good Rose sounds these days. He certainly doesn't have the range he once had and at times his high notes sounded almost comical. Racing around the stage certainly didn't help matters and Rose delivered a far better vocal performance when sitting at his piano for "November Rain". While Rose did his best, there was no doubt many were unfavourably comparing the show to the sensational prospect of seeing Guns N' Roses at their peak. In particular the absence of charismatic guitar legend Slash was sorely felt and the most competent replacement, Richard Fortus, had to share those killer guitar riffs with far two far inferior guitarists. At one stage Rose stalked on stage ahead of the rest of the band and jokingly asked "where did my band go?". Unfortunately they left a long time ago.... There were plenty that left early, but when you consider the show spanned more than two hours wrapping up a little after 1am, that is too be expected. Still it cost them two of the night's highlights "Nightrain" and show stopper "Paradise City". As ticket tape shot into the air, Rose and his band stepped on stage for a bow. Taking the microphone Rose acknowledged that people questioned his sincerity "for doing this" but as he earnestly thanked the crowd for their reception he sounded 100 per cent genuine. Debate began raging as soon as we were spat out of the Dome with one unhappy punter claiming the sensation of being forcefully blown from the building was: "the best part of the night". No doubt there will be many mixed opinions and debate will continue for years to come, but while Guns N' Roses are no longer the band they once were, musically or physically, there is no denying that in his hey day Axl Rose was one of the best rock frontmen ever. Therefore to see him live is to see a living legend in action. It's just a shame that things have to change.http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21...5005368,00.html--------------------------DATE: June 11, 2007SOURCE: thewest.comGunners rock for Bon Scott11th June 2007, 13:45 WSTThe dedication of Guns ‘N Roses gig last night to former AC/DC singer and Fremantle’s favourite son Bon Scott added just a little more enthusiasm to a pot which was already well and truly bubbling with anticipation. Perth played host to the opening show of the Gunners’ first Australian tour in almost 15 years and for most fans it would have been their first live look at the band.Old mates Rose Tattoo and former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach took the stage first and did what they do best – rock. When he finally took to the stage, Axl Rose showed that although he might not be so thin and these days sports cornrows, there is still something totally charismatic and even enigmatic about the 45-year-old Guns N’ Roses singer. This really was his show and from the first song he prowled, he danced and held the crowd in his hand all night.GNR roared through Appetite for Destruction including the rock sentinels Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child of Mine, two songs with the most teasing guitar riffs of all time. Axl was let down by the mix, which left his vocals only just audible in places. But when the music was finally turned down for songs like Patience, November Rain (featuring Axl on piano) and the cover-made-his-own, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door you could actually hear his voice. It was a spirited show, but I couldn’t help but wish I’d seen Guns N’ Roses in their original line-up heyday in some seedy LA dive. It would have been chaotic magic. ARA JANSENhttp://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?Men...ContentID=31073----------------------Related forum discussion:http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?showtopic=96650&st=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.