Guns N' Roses in Bethlehem, PA - May 13th, 2014

[sandman]

So many awesome moments to share from last night.
First of all, fuck the haters...seriously, they're delusional.  The band was REALLY good last night.
Axl sounded great.
My absolute favorite moment of the night was Mr. DJ Ashba's class.
Me and my bro-in-law were close to the stage (left side facing the stage)...and to our left in the front row of the elevated seating area section there was a physically handicapped chick in a wheelchair.  She had to be there pretty early, was obviously into the show...and fucking DJ just really gave her extra special attention.  Early in the show he went over to her and that was cool.  Then later, even cooler he kind of got behind her and let her have the guitar in front of her.  I'm not explaining it well, but it was a CLASSY fucking thing to do.  

Other show highlights:
This I Love (my fav off of CD) was awesome.
Nightrain was great.  DJ got right into the audience.  My bro-in-law was pattin' him on the back as he was playing.
Axl was moving like a man possessed during "Seeker" towards the end.  Very cool tune that Axl and the band nailed.
Funny moment, Ron acknowledged his mom was in the audience...proceeded to dedicate the next tune to her...and proceeded to start screaming a song that included lyrics that included "fucking bitch."  I couldn't understand most of the lyrics, but we definitely got a kick out of that.  
I loved DJ's solo La Bella Vita? name?  I just really dig his solos.  Tommy and Richard were doing a bit of clowning during DJ's solo if I am recalling correctly.
On some of the tunes Axl did some of those really long-held notes.  Love that shit.

My bro-in-law won $50 bfore the show at the casino.
We got to say hi to and shake hands with Tommy before the show at one of the restaurants.
I'm pretty sure Pittman was there too.

Just a great night all around.      

great summary of the show! you captured alot of cool moments very well. glad you had a good time.

[Axl4Prez2004]

So many awesome moments to share from last night.
First of all, fuck the haters...seriously, they're delusional.  The band was REALLY good last night.
Axl sounded great.
My absolute favorite moment of the night was Mr. DJ Ashba's class.
Me and my bro-in-law were close to the stage (left side facing the stage)...and to our left in the front row of the elevated seating area section there was a physically handicapped chick in a wheelchair.  She had to be there pretty early, was obviously into the show...and fucking DJ just really gave her extra special attention.  Early in the show he went over to her and that was cool.  Then later, even cooler he kind of got behind her and let her have the guitar in front of her.  I'm not explaining it well, but it was a CLASSY fucking thing to do.  

Other show highlights:
This I Love (my fav off of CD) was awesome.
Nightrain was great.  DJ got right into the audience.  My bro-in-law was pattin' him on the back as he was playing.
Axl was moving like a man possessed during "Seeker" towards the end.  Very cool tune that Axl and the band nailed.
Funny moment, Ron acknowledged his mom was in the audience...proceeded to dedicate the next tune to her...and proceeded to start screaming a song that included lyrics that included "fucking bitch."  I couldn't understand most of the lyrics, but we definitely got a kick out of that.  
I loved DJ's solo La Bella Vita? name?  I just really dig his solos.  Tommy and Richard were doing a bit of clowning during DJ's solo if I am recalling correctly.
On some of the tunes Axl did some of those really long-held notes.  Love that shit.

My bro-in-law won $50 bfore the show at the casino.
We got to say hi to and shake hands with Tommy before the show at one of the restaurants.
I'm pretty sure Pittman was there too.

Just a great night all around.      

great summary of the show! you captured alot of cool moments very well. glad you had a good time.

Thanks man.  It was so freakin great.  What a great show.
The whole early start really surprised me.  It actually worked out great as we got back home by 4:15.
God damn!  Just an incredible night.
 

[dolphins]

i literally came in my pants with this show. axl is amazing and fuck who needs slash? ashba is better than all the old and new ones. get on beta board or fuck off the haters!!!

Haha sounds like you had an "Axlgasm"    

[MNGS717]

I don't have much to add that was not already said positive about the show. Yes the MIC was thrown.  I was close to the whistle but I missed it and I almost knocked some poor lady over.  I felt bad.  It was a few feet further than I thought when I made a move for it.     I guess I was still buzzed at that point

I was about 10 - 15 people deep right of center and the sound was perfect for me. Everyone kicked ass.   I have no complaints about the show.  It was awesome. I have been to plenty Guns shows from 91 till now and I will say without a doubt this show was one of the best shows for me.  I hope some day they come back to Sands.

Who (Was it Del) that kept flinging picks at DJ from side stage. It was funny, it went on forever.

I saw the review from the Lehigh Live News as well, I was going to email that ass wipe. Obviously he don't know shit and he must of left early. No way he had that review typed up and ready to go that quick by 1:52 am.  I think he took the boiler plate negative comment BS and ran with it.

My only complaint was the sands staff wanting to hurry the crowd away.  I have been to other shows while they start to break down the stage and the road crew hands out picks and drum sticks.  This time you could not even begin to get close enough to ask.  The Sands staff was quick to order you away.

I wish I had the funds to go to Vegas.

Don't know how I missed seeing the mic thrown but everything happened so fast and it definitely didn't end up on my side!  The guy next to me was friendly but often blocking my view with his stupid mini tablet hoisted in the air but I can't complain!  I asked him if he had a Youtube channel and he said NO...where do all these videos go...Facebook?  Told him to email me some photos. 

Anyway I saw Tom Mayhue flinging some picks WAY out into the crowd but I was on the other side!  I'll agree that Lehigh news guys sucks.  He wrote a dumb pre-show article where it was like the band might not even show up!  Maybe years and years ago but everyone should know by now that GN'R rarely cancels a show and if they do it's because of a serious problem.  Axl was even sick with flu during some of the UCAP shows and he still gave the best show he could. 

Wish I could go to at least one Vegas show too but I rarely ever get a break from everything.  At least long enough to go for a couple days.

[cotis]

Who (Was it Del) that kept flinging picks at DJ from side stage. It was funny, it went on forever.

Mr Tom Mayhue.

very talented, wears a pretty cool hat too.

[Eclipsed107]

Bethelehm was a great show.  I thought Axl was on most of the night but he definitley had his struggles.  Jungle, Better, YCBM, TIL, some lines from Heaven's Door.. he just can't seem to hit the high notes any more.

I went with two women who never saw Gn'R before, and aren't too familure with CD or the new band.  They cringed a few times when Axl was trying to hit those high notes (such as the metal breakdown in Better), but overall enjoyed the show. 

The solos killed it for them though, they had a good time but solo after solo just killed the momentum.  Maybe the hardcore fans enjoy it but I'm sure the casual goers feel more like the two ladies I was with did.  I expect a lot of people to leave at RotR during those long solos during the middle of the set this year.

I'll skip a review because so much has been said but it was a great time for me, Gn'R were real good and it was just an all around great night.  I didn't enjoy myself as much as I did in Camden a few years ago but any Gn'R show is going to be a good time.  I just wish the set was varied a little more (but don't we all..?).  Can't wait til next time.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Bethelehm was a great show.  I thought Axl was on most of the night but he definitley had his struggles.  Jungle, Better, YCBM, TIL, some lines from Heaven's Door.. he just can't seem to hit the high notes any more.

I went with two women who never saw Gn'R before, and aren't too familure with CD or the new band.  They cringed a few times when Axl was trying to hit those high notes (such as the metal breakdown in Better), but overall enjoyed the show. 

The solos killed it for them though, they had a good time but solo after solo just killed the momentum.  Maybe the hardcore fans enjoy it but I'm sure the casual goers feel more like the two ladies I was with did.  I expect a lot of people to leave at RotR during those long solos during the middle of the set this year.

I'll skip a review because so much has been said but it was a great time for me, Gn'R were real good and it was just an all around great night.  I didn't enjoy myself as much as I did in Camden a few years ago but any Gn'R show is going to be a good time.  I just wish the set was varied a little more (but don't we all..?).  Can't wait til next time.

I too was at Camden a few years ago as well as the Bethlehem show.
For me, the only difference in my experience was the atmosphere created by the venue.  Bethlehem was like going to a rock show in Utah (if they even have them)...no tail-gating allowed, security seemed to be on ultra-high alert.  A bit on the unnecessary level in my opinion, but whatever.  Camden was like...well...Camden!  You go to a recent murder capital of the U.S., and you get what you expect.  A homeless dude coming up to our truck asking for money was our welcome to THAT jungle for real!      I missed a few songs that show tending to my bro-in-law who was drunk and being tended to at the make-shift medical table.  What a night though.
Both shows were excellent in my opinion, and like I mentioned in my earlier post, at Bethlehem CD and WTTJ were really loud and Axl was a little low in the mix for where we were standing (front far left facing stage).
I heard a beautiful TIL.  And if high notes were what ya wanted, The Seeker featured several of them, all nailed (sometimes as a fanatical GNR fan, it feels like we're Olympic judges.  Axl nailing the many levels of the "goodbyyyyyyyyyye" of TIL at the end without having to take more than one breath is akin to an Olympic skater nailing a quadruple axel!)     Might I also add, Axl aced Patience and Don't Cry.  The long-held note at the end of Patience was another quadruple axel.    It's So Easy's "FUCK OFF!" was a quadruple Axl. 

Did anybody else catch DJ's awesome act of respect for the girl in the wheelchair?  We were literally 5 to 10' away from it, and it was just so fucking awesome.  He MADE that girl's night (maybe year) and I'll be honest, I got a bit teary-eyed. 

[Siamese Democracy]

There were moments during Patience were I swore Axl sounded similar to the recording on Lies.  I was surprised how into the Seeker the crowd was.   Axl does appear to be in good shape.   It was one of those nights where a lot of things went right.  Bottom line is I had a great time.  The next time I see Axl, it will be on Vegas time 

[Axl4Prez2004]

There were moments during Patience were I swore Axl sounded similar to the recording on Lies.  I was surprised how into the Seeker the crowd was.   Axl does appear to be in good shape.   It was one of those nights where a lot of things went right.  Bottom line is I had a great time.  The next time I see Axl, it will be on Vegas time 

Listen, I'll be honest, I had never heard The Seeker before in my life.  I believe the crowd had (obviously) but I loved it because a) vocally, he nailed it, and b) he was SO fucking into it.  Kind of like back when I saw them in Camden, one of my highlights was a fucking kick-ass enegetic Axl doing Whole Lotta Rosie.   You can tell when a performer feels something in the lyrics of a song.  For The Seeker he was moving faster, making demonstrative gestures, pounding his chest, etc.   Great shit.

[SkeletorSerpent]

I thought Axl sounded the most natural. His vocals were loose and airy, much more organic and not forced, stiff, and pinched sounding. This is the most raspy and soulful I've heard him in awhile.
Perhaps he was "saving his voice for the studio recordings." It seemed like Axl's voice goes in predictable patterns if one thinks back to the Chinese Democracy release date.
It is as if Axl is "saving his vocals" just before he records his studio tracks. There just seems to be something very deliberate about Axl's singing voice . . .  as if he is guarding it at times. Perhaps he is doing more recording than we realize.

Nicholas Cage's words of endearment and reverence gave Axl his moxie back-- a good confidence boost for a genius who has always struggled with his self-esteem and public perception. Axl, due to his traumatized youth, is sometime victim to his PTSD-- he has classic moments of freeze, flight, and fight. He has done them all, so it i clear that on night's where his confidence is lacking, he freezes and becomes stiff, or he is very late. Other nights the "fight" in him takes off and you never know if he will throw his mike, go on a rant, or sucker punch someone. And then there is the flight  . . . those moments where he just leaves and says fuck it.
He seems to have "loosened up" a bit. He feels the rhythm and has his old swagger and vibe going on again. When he is on fire he can sway and slither across the stage. He feels the "blues' in the rock n roll and the jive . . . 

[RnT]

WOW AXL WAS PERFECT!

http://whiplash.net/materias/news_815/203533-gunsnroses.html

[gunsbetterthanever]

http://whiplash.net/materias/news_815/203533-gunsnroses.html

I really am amazed at how awesome he sounds!!!!  Great Power and his best show in a long time.  Anyone agree?

[Boromir]

There were moments during Patience were I swore Axl sounded similar to the recording on Lies.  I was surprised how into the Seeker the crowd was.   Axl does appear to be in good shape.   It was one of those nights where a lot of things went right.  Bottom line is I had a great time.  The next time I see Axl, it will be on Vegas time 

Listen, I'll be honest, I had never heard The Seeker before in my life.  I believe the crowd had (obviously) but I loved it because a) vocally, he nailed it, and b) he was SO fucking into it.  Kind of like back when I saw them in Camden, one of my highlights was a fucking kick-ass enegetic Axl doing Whole Lotta Rosie.   You can tell when a performer feels something in the lyrics of a song.  For The Seeker he was moving faster, making demonstrative gestures, pounding his chest, etc.   Great shit.

He nails it because he doesn't actually singing, he's 'talking'. It's easier. U know what i mean?

Its similar to Down on the farm.

That way he rests his voice and delivers a great performance.

[WAR41]

i literally came in my pants with this show. axl is amazing and fuck who needs slash? ashba is better than all the old and new ones. get on beta board or fuck off the haters!!!

Between these recent shows and the huge news announcements regarding GNR, you must have been busy with a TONof laundry lately