Here Today... Gone To Hell!

One of my favorite things about all the GNR concerts I have seen since 2001 is the very beginning. It's late, after MN. There is a small part of you that wonders if he is really  going to show up. You start to wonder, Is there going to be a riot, and Am I going to die? Then you hear the first strains of music and Uncle Axl belts out, " DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE F*** YOU ARE?" and all is right with the world. Should he continue starting with WTTJ or should he start with CHINESE DEMOCRACY to usher in a new era. I am undecided at this time.

As much as I love Chinese Democracy, I also love tradition. Gotta stick with Jungle. I did think CD was the perfect first encore though.

Well I've never thought i was going to die at a gnr concert maybe wondered if they were gonna show but never feared for my life. But i'd rather him open up different everynight. that's what was cool about past tours uyl was a different setup everynight. I don't like planned setlists.

That's because you are not a tiny blonde. Don't get me wrong, it's part of the thrill. :hihi:

chi. dem.

altho I'd love to hear cd opening the show, I'd rather see the band decide between the two according to the mood.

Since the moment I heard the new CD intro on the first night at Hammerstein I've thought it should be the show opener.

i remember at wembley 91 they opened with perfect crime and played jungle 4th........

i think jungle is now the trademark Guns opener and it should stay that way....

the tension in the crowd when everyone is waiting and then the first few chords blast through the amps and the whole crowd erupts :headbanger:

im open to change and try something different but i dont think it would be same.......maybe they can try democracy out this year and then decide  :smoking:

I agree, they're both good songs to start the show. Some changes in the setlist during the tour sure wouldn't hurt.

I really wish they'd start with ChiDem but I somehow highly doubt they will...

Riad!! :headbanger:

But if it's betwen WTTJ and CD, I think WTTJ would be the better opener. Though CD is a cool song and would make a good opener but I think it would sound fine in the middle of the setlist. Or as a first encore as has been mentioned.

ChinDem. new era, new setlist.

Personally I can't wait to hear the Chinese gong rend the darkness.

Why would they have to start the same way every night? I think you could alternate the two throughout the tour.

My thoughts exactly

This is exactly...exactly what is cool about opening with WTTJ. I remember in 2006, waiting...waiting...waiting. Doubt starts to creep into my mind, then the lights go down and the Exorcist theme is playing...those spotlights are shooting around the arena then those first few notes teased me for what felt like 15 years, I heard Axl belt out the "DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE?!!!!"
My adrenaline started pumping so hard, I really thought I was going to pass out...really. I can't think of many moments that were better than that for me. Democracy is a cool song, but the way they work with jungle, I think it's gotta stay the opener.

Isnt her a "opnening act" tread already??

This isnt about an opening act.

Don't be rude.

I would like them to alternate between the two...I'd appreciate the unpredictablility of not knowing which one they'd start with.  Of course whichever one they decide NOT to start with they can always do at the beginning of the encore.  Kind of the best of both worlds I suppose.   ;D

don't you mean Should GNR start this tour off by Playing WTTJ or CD?  ;)


I'd probably want to hear the do you know where the fuck you are scream as the first thing i hear.. CD can start off the encore

I think it would be cool if they mix it up and alternate between the two

I would love for them to open with Chi Dem. The opening chords to that song make just as good of an opener as Jungle.

it's so easy, brownstone, reckless life, and you could b mine would all be great opening songs sometimes too

a rocker as opener, no matter which one. changing the openers brings back the unexpected "dangerous" part a little.

it'll be the same setlist as 2001-2006-2007.

Exactly! But the opening rift of CHINESE DEMOCRACY is also powerful.

As much as I love the WTTJ > ISE kickoff, I think GNR should start their concerts with the same 3 tracks, in order, from Chinese Democracy

1) Chinese Democracy
2) Shackler's Revenge
3) Better
and THEN
4) Jungle

some ambulances will be needed after such an outstanding start, but it will be worth  :beer:

WTTJ

alrighty mister future man

I think Riad and the Bedoins would be the best opener.

Imagine it being dark and then you here the opening effects and then it explodes into OOOOOOO OOOOOO OOOOOO, OOOOOO OOOOOO O O O,


I've seen CD live many times now and its just not that powerful live. 

Nothing kicks a show off like WTTJ, but CD would be cool

just an image explains it better than a thousand words:  :drool:

I think it would be cool to rotate openers

Didn't they use to open with Nightrain?


I would probably expect sort of the same set list as past tours only some of Appetite taking out to put in new songs.

I'd like to hear CD followed by WTTJ, Nightrain and then a string of 4 songs from CD including Better, TWAT, The Blues and Sorry.

WTTJ

I think opening with Chinese with the awesome video intro and then straight into Axl inteoducig Jungle would be a straight two punch knockout...

I'm all for WTTJ.  It's just too perfect as an opener.

Chinese Democracy !

I think they should put Jungle as the opener for the encore and then a new song then PC


Open with CD: full video, the intro all that.

Change it up!

Cool video's followed by the appropriate pyrotechnic blasts.

CD would be a killer opener. 

Scraped would be awesome as well.  Picture the video/creepy music intro or whatever, and there is a big fireball and the band bursts into the song.

Or having the video intro segue into Riad.

The possibilities are endless.

jungle...we need huge emotions on the begining

Id love to see more emphasis on the CD stuff to be honest and maybe throw in a few new UYI songs and lose KOHD and LALD

CD would be a great opener in concert I think.

D, They did used to open with Nightrain years ago.

Yeah during the Illusion Tour.

As of the new Guns Era they've been doing WTTJ. It's a great opener that just gets everyone out of their seats and kicks everyone's asses.

As much as I love it and get a thrill out the first notes... and hopefully still done by Robin... I would have to go with ChiDem, it makes sense and it's the official start of something new.

Either way I don't care... they could kick off the show with If the World... as long as they are on the fucking stage right??

I like a lot the start with WTTJ, more than Nightrain, but now, I would like to start with Chinese Democracy, I want something new to open the concert.

Chinese Democracy!!!

Chinese Democracy
Shacklers Revenge
Better

Shacklers Revenge would be a good opener. Or how bout It's So Easy or Nightrain? Jungle is a great opener, But i'd like to see it later on the set. So axl can talk about it and ask everyone if they know where they are. lol

OH definitely WTTJ!....dont get me wrong...CD is a great great song and I would want to hear it for sure, but there is just something about WTTJ...when you hear those first notes it almost like your heart starts beating in time with the music...the adrenaline starts pulsing through the body...sweat breaks out across your forehead...your legs start bouncing up and down, and next thing you know...you are ROCKING!!...and it never lets up from there!

I'd like to see both. Mix it up a bit. Maybe even a third song in there as an option (like Night Train) or something else that we haven't heard as an opener before to surprise fans. I like it when bands (i.e., Pearl Jam) change it up so if you see multiple shows on a tour you could possibly get something different.

Mine thing is, U can throw Jungle in at any time in the set and get that huge response.


CD would really benefit greatly from being the opener and having the intro video and the entire song intro and it does well at building anticipation.

Lights go off, A CD video starts, u got the Chinese talking stuff and the intro

they then do the intro guitar riff a few times pausing in between for the crowd to roar

and then Axl pops up out of nowhere and starts with the vocal



CD I always felt was best serves as an OPENER.  so I think either open with it, or let it be the first encore song but that song really gets elevated being the opener with all the extra hoopla.


I think CD also would very smoothly transition into its so easy



Imagine GNR playing the final song of the setlist, close the first set with Nightrain......... GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!


bands leaves stage


crowd chanting Guns n roses, guns n roses...................


Then u hear the WTTJ intro to kick off the encore


Jungle into There was A Time followed last but not least by PC

Cmon now, thats a threesome anyone would love to have

You know, before I saw this last tour, I would have agreed with you on LALD, but seeing it live, with those AWESOME, AWESOME pyros, I changed my tune real quick. It was one of the better songs at the show, all things considered. And I just don't think you can ditch KOHD, especially if they do start to sell a bunch of tickets in stadiums!!! Can you imagine being part of 30-60 thousand people singing along with Axl on that tune! Whew!

Chinese Democracy.

WTTJ in the middle of the concert to make thje crowd go crazy for the second time.

Chinese Democracy and then move into WTTJ

Chinese Democracy

I always though that WTTJ was such a classic n' a big moment in the gig for being the first song. I loved RNDTH, Perfect Crime o Nightrain as openers ... Althought think that must be early in the set... maybe as fourth song.

CD
Shackler's Revenge (just like in the album)
Mr. Brownstone (a little stop)
WTTJ

Welcome to the jungle !!!
Just because of the intro...
and than the fireworks...bam...
saw it 2 times and it was an amazing start of the show... : ok:

Greetings from Belgium

It's funny. I was just thinking about this exact same thing a little while ago.

Both songs make for a perfect opener. What makes "WTTJ" so cool is hearing those opening guitar chords and then Axl's voice cutting through: "DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE!!?!?!? YOU'RE IN THE JUNGLE, BABY!!! TIME TO DIEEEEEEEEEE!!!" That's one of the coolest fucking things ever.

However, "Chinese Democracy" would also be a great opening track. I mean, it's the "WTTJ" of the new album anyway. It has that slow build-up; you hear the Chinese voices and the sounds in the background; that thumping sound like bombs going off; then that kick-ass guitar starts, along with Axl's patented scream. Man, I still get goosebumps when I hear it. IMO, that intro MAKES the song (that's why I was so pissed off when radio stations would leave it out), and I think it'd be cool as hell to have that as the opening song at a concert.

"WTTJ" is the old GNR. "Chinese Democracy" is the start of a new era. Might as well kick off the new shows with it. "WTTJ" will still be played somewhere in the set, and Axl can still do the same old "DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE" line.

I agree that "WTTJ" would work great as the first song of the encore. Have "WTTJ" start it, "PC" end it, and throw in a Chinese Democracy track in the middle. Man, how fucking amazing would that be?

Great post. Thankyou to everyone for sharing their opinions. :beer:

welcome to the jungle because it just won #1 spot.on the vh1 show best hard rock song.yay i seen it this weekend on vh1.

I think it should start with a 'We Love Horsey' chant....


...but seriously I think Chinese Democracy.

I think Jungle into C.D. would be great!!!!

I think the best openers from CD would be CD and Shackler's Revenge.
It would be nice for GNR to throw some variation to their set with WTTJ opening up, Its So Easy, Nightrain, or bring back a UYI opening piece like Perfect Crime or Pretty Tied Up.

WTTJ > CD > ISE and go from there....

Although CD would be a good start, you have to take into account that the majority of fans won't get fired up by it.

Just put it in the middle between 2 classic songs and you have a great start! : ok:

As far as the encores go, go with nightrain>twat>PC and you have a winner :drool:

Rhiad!!  : ok:

I disagree. If it's the first song, fans will be fired up by it. Hell, Axl could come out and sing a Barry Manilow song and it'd still get the crowd fired up.

I mean, after all that time just standing there, wondering if/when the show will start, fans would be pretty excited to hear that intro kick in, regardless of whether or not they're familiar with "Chinese Democracy."

Which Barry manilow song? Are you a fanilow?

Chi Dem all the way.

it's all marshmallow to me, haha.

Either WTTJ or CD will do. a good appetite is the best sauce, Chinese or whatever.

How about Scraped - would be great to start off with 'Don't you try to stop us now'

I liked it also when they would start off with a real crazy fast one like Perfect Crime or Right Next Door To Hell - Axl would just sprint on and all hell would break loose

no apludes , just throw money lol.love the horsey chant though, it would be funny.

I think "Chinese Democracy" will supplant "WTTJ" as the opening song for this and all future tours.


"WTTJ" could be moved to anywhere in the set, really. It wasn't always the band's opening song, especially in the early days of the Appetite tour in '87 and '88.

"DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE!?!?!?!?!? YOU'RE AT THE . . . COPACABANA, BABY!!!!!!"

 :hihi:

I think it depends on the show.  If it was a smaller show with more hardcore fans like the Hammerstein shows, CD would be a great opener.  But when they're playing big arenas the majority of the place isn't packed with people who are there because of CD (the album), they wanna hear the classics so in that case WTTJ pleases the largest amount of people.  If the Van Halen tour happened they'd almost have to open with WTTJ because it'd dilute the more knowledgeable fans even more.

On the new tour, will they keep It's So Easy and Mr. Brownstone? I can see both of those being replaced.

no way!!!  i disagree!!  these 2 songs have been part of gnrs set since the biginning.  there will always be a place set aside for these 2 songs!  i for one can't imagine not hearing both of these at the show

If its gonna be CD, then the scream needs to be extended and there has to somehow be a few seconds before vocals start to let Axl catch his breath...

Maybe a drum beat then 'It dont really matter'

Thoughts?

I've been sayin that an air piercing chinese gong will do.

Where du you see the rude bit?
Mixed it up a bit
(I just mean to have seen this topic elsewhere)

I meant the very first song of the very first concert of the new tour. WTTJ seems to have been the tradition since 2001. WTTJ is my all time fav song and I love it when the show starts!

Chinese Democracy with the use of Kodo drums as an intro to the song.

That would be cool! :D

what are kodo drums?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpBAD4Arlg0&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpBAD4Arlg0&feature=related)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dark883eH3s&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dark883eH3s&feature=related)

that say japanese...

chinese gongs would be more suited. the bands like queen zep pink floyed used them according to wiki.

I can picture the coolest lightshow to Chinese Democracy...

Fisrt, the entire crowed is speeking at that point so it would be like the album version.  The venue would start out pitch black then you can see a faint blue beam shooting at the top of the roof as the sitar goes off, then it becomes slightley bigger until it gets loud and a huge fireball goes off with blue and green light going crazy.  The place turns purple as Axl kneels on the side of the stadium and gives every high-fives with a presensts that says "Do you know who the **** I am!?  I am legend!  I am in the flesh, and I am not afraid to wear a dress.  Now you know for sure that I am ****ing here!"  The purple lights flicker and start to flick faster until the end of the song (they especially start to pick up during Ron's solo).  During the songs final word, the lights turn red and the room fades to black again, until Axl says "Do you know where the **** you are!?"  The energy of the crowed comes back higher than ever, and it turns into madness....

Basically, play CD, then go into WTTJ
this too.

opening with chinese dem would show the whole new gnr off 2 every1.... this is wat gnr is now.... throw the classics in but we want guns n roses right??? guns n roses as in new music??

to some there is no difference between guns then and now. Some line up changes , but it's all guns.


would like to see them mix up the set though.

open one night with Wttj , the next cd and then maybe the next with Nightrain.

new era, new band, new music.....CD