We are living in a time where the most iconic bands of the past era have already called it a day and some are on their last tour ever. Over the past few months I had the privilege to experience Black Sabbath on their ‘The End’ tour. David Gilmour would be the closest I would have ever gotten to watching a Pink Floyd show. While most are now but a memory, one awoke in the form of the legendary Guns & Roses announcing a reunion tour. Yes, it was after twenty-three years that the world would finally see Slash and Axl Rose on the same stage rocking out. Guns & Roses are currently on tour in North America after which they travel to the South.
The one thing obvious about the event was that it was going to be huge. Hence the picturesque AT&T Park in downtown San Francisco being the apt venue to handle the 40,000 odd who were present to witness the event. The traffic around the area was nuts and people clad in black walked in hordes towards the venue. The whole place felt like we were back in the 90’s as numerable denim and leather jackets were seen with the classic Guns & Roses patch. It was very emotional. There was excitement, nostalgia, happiness, Sadness for all reasons of their own. Unfortunately because of work and traffic, I had to miss the performance by the opening act The Struts from UK. However, I was just in time for GnFnR (as they call themselves).
The moment of which I honestly had never anticipated was here. “It’s So Easy” was how they began the night. The sight was simply beautiful. Dusk falling on the Pacific in the backdrop, a colorfully lit up stage, the music and tens of thousands of people. It was a perfect chilly evening for some hard rock. “Welcome To The Jungle” was one of the many favorites, which had the crowd go crazy. Even after a decade, the band was tight and lived up to its name. Slash, the guitar god was the star of every song played that night. Be it “Speak Softly Love”, the Godfather theme or the Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here” cover. Literally any of the twenty-four songs, he absolutely nailed every riff, every solo. He is still rated as the best ever for a reason. Dusting aside rumors, Axl Rose as a singer / front man did an outstanding job. Being still able to run around on stage is not an easy thing to do. And not to mention the good work he did on vocals. There were some issues seen with his lower vocal ranges though, which at times was not audible, and few times just did not seem right. A couple of songs also saw issues with live sound mixing. I believe those were the only negatives about the event.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “November Rain”, “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” were absolute crowd favorites. You could listen to everyone singing in unison on these classics. Some amazing fireworks, too, were seen at the beginning and end of the set. The set closed with one of their most iconic songs “Paradise City”.
Guns & Roses definitely look older and wiser on this tour. The sheer brilliance with which they executed the set, I would say – Yes, they still have got it. The two-hour set brought back beautiful memories of when first I first heard them as a school kid. Memories of this night will be rooted as just another of my dreams come true
Set List:
It’s So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle
Double Talkin’ Jive
Estranged
Live and Let Die
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory/Attitude
This I Love
Civil War
Coma
Slash solo – Speak Softly Love (Love Theme From The Godfather/Andy Williams)
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Better
Out Ta Get Me
Jam (“Wish You Were Here/Layla”)
November Rain
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Nightrain
Encore:
Jam/Patience
The Seeker
Paradise City