Download Festival - June 11th

[jimmythegent]

why were people throwing things? Because no Slash/hired musicians?

sounds a bit rocky

[Onikeus]

The United States already hates him.

No, the US doesn't hate him. The US hates rehash.

Are you kidding. The biggest US tours are always rehash these days: 20-30 year old bands playing a couple of songs from an irrelevant new album and a whole
load of greatest hits. The US loves nostalgia.

 Actually the reason why Guns N' Roses didn't have a successful 2002 tour was for a number of reasons. It wasn't just that it was a rehash tour. Axl's voice was shit, the new guys looked like tools and some of the guitar playing was horrible. Guns N' Roses fans have always been ruthless, expecting only the best out of the band, because in the past, the band gave their best. GNR fans hold Guns at a much higher level because of what they represented in the past. The important thing is that this 2006 tour is going MUCH better than 2002. Axl has returned to form, he handled the piss bottles like a man and the band is tight. What more can you ask?

 To those that complain about too many solos; its something that will be fixed eventually. Axl's older and he's been off the road for awhile. With more experience there will be fewer breaks inbetween songs. Besides, ANYONE that has watched many of the old boots know that breaks between songs are common in GNR (be it Axl's ten minute rants, Slash's improv solos, or Matt Sorum's shitty solos). This isn't something new. I'm surprised more people aren't happy that GNR are better than they have been in years. I'm a Metallica fan but I think that ever since Cliff Burton died the band has gone downhill. People should criticize James Hetfield instead, he sounds like a bitch when he sings (especially For Whom the Bells Toll for instance). I think it all stems from the fact that people regard GNR so highly. Plus Izzy joining for a few songs is the bomb shit.

[Tomorrows]

The United States already hates him.

No, the US doesn't hate him. The US hates rehash.

Are you kidding. The biggest US tours are always rehash these days: 20-30 year old bands playing a couple of songs from an irrelevant new album and a whole
load of greatest hits. The US loves nostalgia.

 Actually the reason why Guns N' Roses didn't have a successful 2002 tour was for a number of reasons. It wasn't just that it was a rehash tour. Axl's voice was shit, the new guys looked like tools and some of the guitar playing was horrible. Guns N' Roses fans have always been ruthless, expecting only the best out of the band, because in the past, the band gave their best. GNR fans hold Guns at a much higher level because of what they represented in the past. The important thing is that this 2006 tour is going MUCH better than 2002. Axl has returned to form, he handled the piss bottles like a man and the band is tight. What more can you ask?

 To those that complain about too many solos; its something that will be fixed eventually. Axl's older and he's been off the road for awhile. With more experience there will be fewer breaks inbetween songs. Besides, ANYONE that has watched many of the old boots know that breaks between songs are common in GNR (be it Axl's ten minute rants, Slash's improv solos, or Matt Sorum's shitty solos). This isn't something new. I'm surprised more people aren't happy that GNR are better than they have been in years. I'm a Metallica fan but I think that ever since Cliff Burton died the band has gone downhill. People should criticize James Hetfield instead, he sounds like a bitch when he sings (especially For Whom the Bells Toll for instance). I think it all stems from the fact that people regard GNR so highly. Plus Izzy joining for a few songs is the bomb shit.

Can people please not respond to this.

OLD V NEW debates have fucked up pretty much every concert thread (let alone when they are about other bands).

[Madagascar88]

lol. metal sludge is using my post on the download forums as news:

http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1328&Itemid=1

when in reality I was just copying and pasting from this forum.

[SLCPUNK]

The United States already hates him.

No, the US doesn't hate him. The US hates rehash.

Are you kidding. The biggest US tours are always rehash these days: 20-30 year old bands playing a couple of songs from an irrelevant new album and a whole
load of greatest hits. The US loves nostalgia.

 Actually the reason why Guns N' Roses didn't have a successful 2002 tour was for a number of reasons. It wasn't just that it was a rehash tour. Axl's voice was shit, the new guys looked like tools and some of the guitar playing was horrible. Guns N' Roses fans have always been ruthless, expecting only the best out of the band, because in the past, the band gave their best. GNR fans hold Guns at a much higher level because of what they represented in the past. The important thing is that this 2006 tour is going MUCH better than 2002. Axl has returned to form, he handled the piss bottles like a man and the band is tight. What more can you ask?

 To those that complain about too many solos; its something that will be fixed eventually. Axl's older and he's been off the road for awhile. With more experience there will be fewer breaks inbetween songs. Besides, ANYONE that has watched many of the old boots know that breaks between songs are common in GNR (be it Axl's ten minute rants, Slash's improv solos, or Matt Sorum's shitty solos). This isn't something new. I'm surprised more people aren't happy that GNR are better than they have been in years. I'm a Metallica fan but I think that ever since Cliff Burton died the band has gone downhill. People should criticize James Hetfield instead, he sounds like a bitch when he sings (especially For Whom the Bells Toll for instance). I think it all stems from the fact that people regard GNR so highly. Plus Izzy joining for a few songs is the bomb shit.

[Tomorrows]

lol. metal sludge is using my post on the download forums as news:

http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1328&Itemid=1

when in reality I was just copying and pasting from this forum.

LOL, Metal Sludge are retarded - would it really hurt them to wait like two hours so they can get a bit of confirmation before touting something as shocking news?

Speaking of, was it really that bad?

[Dr. Blutarsky]

lol. metal sludge is using my post on the download forums as news:

http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1328&Itemid=1

when in reality I was just copying and pasting from this forum.

Metal Sludge is also using a 12+  year old pic of Axl. Sloppy journalism!

[RichardNixon]

lol. metal sludge is using my post on the download forums as news:

http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1328&Itemid=1

when in reality I was just copying and pasting from this forum.

LOL, Metal Sludge are retarded - would it really hurt them to wait like two hours so they can get a bit of confirmation before touting something as shocking news?

Speaking of, was it really that bad?

Nice boys don't play rock and roll


12-06-2006
Guns N' Roses play download
This was a strange gig!!!

For the second time in a row, gnr started on time (even 5 min. to early). The beginning was kinda rough, seeing as the english folks are weird and started trowing bottles on the stage! So the show got interupted a few times and Tommy even said that they would leave if the shit didn't stop!

But Axl seemed determined to give a fantastic performance, and they changed the setlist from previous shows.
Izzy came on stage and played a few songs (including I used to love her), Baz came out to do My Michelle with Axl again too (no kid rock though).

At kerrang radio, the presenter said that Axl sounded great and he seemed to be suprised about it.

Anywayz, the setlist:

Welcome To The Jungle
Its So Easy
Mr Brownstone
Knockin On Heavens Door
Sweet Child O Mine
Ron Thal guitar solo (Dont Cry)
You Could Be Mine
Robin Finck & Richard Fortus guitar solo (Beautiful)
Better
Think About You (with Izzy Stradlin)
November Rain
My Michelle (with Sebastian Bach)
Smoke On The Water (intro)
Patience (with Izzy Stradlin)
Nightrain (with Izzy Stradlin)
Madagascar
Rocket Queen
IRS
Chinese Democracy
Used To Love Her (with Izzy Stradlin)
Paradise City (with Izzy Stradlin)

http://www.bloggen.be/gnrblog/

[TrueRock&Roll]

So i've heard all sorts of bad things.  Was it just shitty fans today?  I imagine the band was great right?  Just stupid ass people in the audience?

[Z]

They played Think About You ??

Is that a first for the new lineup??

[HoldenCaulfield]

I knew this show was a bad idea. I've said it from day one, GNR isn't a good band for these metal shows. They absolutely do not fit in. I was afraid something like this would happen. Now that this show's outta the way, we just gotta worry about those Parisians starting a riot...

[Tomorrows]

They played Think About You ??

Is that a first for the new lineup??

Nah. In fact, it was played at their first concert 01.01.01.

But its been an on and off song for the new band, sometimes they play it.

[Chief]

yep im pretty sure you nailed it.  dumbasses in the crowd.. i guess you can't really get away from them!!

So i've heard all sorts of bad things.  Was it just shitty fans today?  I imagine the band was great right?  Just stupid ass people in the audience?

[LittleFly]

They played Think About You ??

Is that a first for the new lineup??

Did you mean Used to Love Her?  I'm sure that one was a first for this line up

[Mattattack]

Does anybody else get the sense that Axl is on some kind of probation? I think he is just behaving so clear channel will let him do another North American Tour. Axl let Tommy be the one to tell the crowd off, that just doesn't jive right.

[SLCPUNK]

yep im pretty sure you nailed it.  dumbasses in the crowd.. i guess you can't really get away from them!!

So i've heard all sorts of bad things.  Was it just shitty fans today?  I imagine the band was great right?  Just stupid ass people in the audience?

Poopy people.

[SLCPUNK]

Does anybody else get the sense that Axl is on some kind of probation?

uh.......no.

[adam_kelley2003]

Well it was my first and long awaited GnR gig. It was certainly most eventful, and it started off reasonably with WTTJ, Easy, Mr. B and LALD which were normal/well recieved.

Then the first of the solos started, and being as this wasn't a specific GnR gig there was a percentage of people who were either just watching it for the sake of it/moneys worth, were reasonable GnR fans back in the day or are casual GnR fans. I would say this counted for 20% of the people watching, and most of them started the typical slash chants and didn't take to the new band particularly well, either because of lack of knowledge due to no publicity (which there hasn't been over here. unless you look for it) or they think GnR died long ago.

This is when the solos especially were booed by some and bottles were thrown towrds stage. Bumblefoot especially took it in a light hearted manner, but some other didn't. There was still the majority of the crowd applauding after each solo though.

And with the tech difficulties during You Could Be Mine it was down to the guitarists to amuse the crowd, so they ended up taking the flak from those in the crowd less patient. By the time it had resumed to it's normal format Tommy announced that it's not on after being hit with a bottle of piss and that if it happened again he would leave, but if not then everyone can have a good time.

Axl soon introduced Izzy for Think About You, and the gig picked up with some meaningful perfomances of the more powerful songs which all went without a hitch or crowd trouble with everyone enjoying themselves.

At one stage Axl climbed down from the stage in front of the crowd and ran up and down letting people "touch" him. He also at one point joked "did you know that's the samew moon they had in Belfast" too which 1 of the other band members replied "You shittin?" then Axl said "I know cause my manager told me"

Axl who had always appeared cheerful and calm throughout, seemed to pick up even more by the time the encore came around saying that he "doesn't want to go home, which couldn't be said an hour ago" as he played a large encore. And after IRS which was very well recieved he said, "maybe we should think about recording that one, what with technology these days i'm sure we could find a way to actually get a recording of that" to which everyone laughed and cheered. At one point Axl also joked? by saying "i thouhgt u left the band" to Izzy
+

Come the end of an explosive PC everyone had enjoyed it. Even the 20% who were sceptical and critical at 1st. Which i overheard some saying "wow it was actually quite good in the end" and the non GnR fans who seen it for the sake of it, typically tried to avoid defeat by saying stuff like "well they weren't as good as Metallica" as opposed to "get off the stage" and "wheres Slash" that was shouted previously. So by the end GnR had won everyone round, what was really a good performance without any noteable errors, apart from technical difficulties.

So the only real reason for the hostility i think, is due to a minority of cynicle people who, while being happy to watch GnR were almost always going to slag em off and the unfamiliarity with the rest of the band, who were targetted during solos was pretty much the only reason they had to be negative about. But they were won round in the end, and with some actual main stream publicity and some longevity from the current line up they have the potential to be as big as before and shutting up even the ever critical rock/metal fans once more.

[Z]

They played Think About You ??

Is that a first for the new lineup??

Did you mean Used to Love Her?? I'm sure that one was a first for this line up

Yes, well that was an obvious first ?

But Think About You was played during the 2002 but I hadn't noticed it being played yet on this tour.

All that's left from the current setlist to be played is Rhiad.

They did play Used To Love Her during the acoustic set at that club in NYC..........The Plum??

[Bill 213]

They played Think About You ??

Is that a first for the new lineup??

Did you mean Used to Love Her?? I'm sure that one was a first for this line up

Yes, well that was an obvious first ?

But Think About You was played during the 2002 but I hadn't noticed it being played yet on this tour.

All that's left from the current setlist to be played is Rhiad.

They did play Used To Love Her during the acoustic set at that club in NYC..........The Plum??

The last show in NYC featured Think About You last month, with mr. Stradlin playing along.