Chicago show

[Annie]

crowd was loud and into it..but i can tell you that starting a show after 11:30 PM on a Monday night kills it for even someone like me who LOVES this band, i was tired as hell by the end, and most people there aren't as die hard as me..

I was a little tired too, but I still had a great time. I met a guy on the way out who had attended the same Barbara Streisanc concert as me, and we joked that we were home and in bed after her concert before Axl hits the stage! He asked me who i liked better and I said AXL OFCOURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still think that Axl has the best butt of any rockstar!

[PrObLy]

Just got back as well.

Showed up just in time for the Suicide Girls....they were pretty hot but I would have had a band play. Oh well 

Bach:  Surprised the hell out of me.  I've read a lot about his energy...but this was just fucking awesome.  He was so pumped and showed a ton of love for Chicago, making numerous comments about getting a start at the Rosemont Horizon.  Great performance!

GNR:  I'm not sure where everyone else was located, but the crowd around me was on their feet for the whole show; yelling, cheering, and just rockin' the fuck out. 
This did start to die down after Robin's solo and then it seemed that most of the crowd was confused when they heard "Better"; however, it got a pretty good applause afterwards.  Something was fucked up with the sound where Robin plays the intro, and subsequently every time he played that riff thereafter in the song. 
Perhaps they thought it was too harsh of a tone, I'm really not sure.

Shortly thereafter I noticed someone in GA holding up a large sign that read "AXL.... PLAY TWAT", which was then confiscated by security.

The vocal mix was Dr. Jeckyl and Mr Hyde throughout the night.  During the heavy breakdown of "Better" Axl sounded absolutely fan-fucking-tastic but then his voice would suddenly blend in with the music only to pop back out several minutes later.  This was what happened throughout the night, crystal clear one second, WTF the next.

During part of November Rain it sounded like something was wrong with Axl's voice, like he's battling a nasty cold or something...but it started to clear up throughout the song.

The high note of the show for me was "The Blues", Axl and the band sounded spot-on...and the vocal mix was kept at a good level throughout.  Those "whoooooa oh ohhh ohh ohhhhhhhh" sent chills down my spine...and it's been quite a while since that's happened at a concert for me.

Something I think you guys will get a kick out of happened when Baz came out to sing "My Michelle".  The conversation is (loosely) as follows:

Axl: Nice Shirt
Baz (wearing an EODM shirt):  Thanks....The Pigeons of Shit Metal
::laughter::
Axl: Yeah....the Cockatiels of Crapola


Anyways, I had a blast at the concert.  Even though he didn't stop to speak to the crowd a single time during the main concert, after PC the whole band took center staged and bowed many times.  Axl then said something along the lines of "I've been reading that some people don't think my thank-you's are sincere....well, this is.  Thank you all soo much for being here. Thank you, Chicago." He clearly thanked us from the bottom of his heart with a big smile on his face 

In summary, though the sound throughout the concert was hit or miss, Guns N' Roses rocked so hard that they turned my brain to shit.

Thank you.


*edited because accidentally put in 'apologies' instead of 'thank-you's' at the end

[killingvector]

"I've been reading that some people don't think my apologies are sincere....well, this is.  Thank you all soo much for being here. Thank you, Chicago."

I thought the end of MSG was Axl at his most sincere.

I really wish he could then tell us the news we are dying to hear.

[Mexican Gunner]

This is my opinion, if you don't like it, feel free to expres your opinions in a CIVILIZED manner, or else don't bother...just go to hell


So with anticipation i was awaiting to see my favorite band of my short 19 year old life...I had Floor tickets, and I was only 1 or two people from the front, which was surprisingly close to the stage, only about 4 feet...needless to say I was close.

I mention that this might be somewhat biased, as I went into it htinking that htis was gonna be the greatest thing I had seen...which not only reached my expectations, but surpassed it. Whether it is that i just did not notice the bad, I don't care...I enjoyed the hell outta the show and simply wish to express my feelings to all who coulnt make it.

So it was a hard wait before the concert started. Parking opened at 6pm, and I stood inline for about an hour. My back and legs bothered my a little bit but nothing to complain about specially since I knew that soon i'de be able to see the greatest band around. At about 7 we finally were allowed in, after getting my wristband me and the two people i was with made our way to the front, where we were amazed at how close it was. While waiitng for another hour, my back and legs finally started to bother me. As I started to try to bend my knees..it began to hurt but I knew that soon I would forget about all this.

First band was decent. The name escapes me, as it was only mentioned one or two times and I have never heard/seen them. After about 30 mins, and after the set was changed, the suicide girls came on. Now let me tell you, this was a great idea to have them by whoever scheduals the bands. Hot chicks dancing on stage rubbing syrup and splashing water on each other...count me on. Not to mention that the songs playing in the background were pretty nice...it helped us, at the very least, to pass another 30 mins or so before GnR.

Finally, sebastian came on. Now, I am not one that knows anything about skyd row or sebastian bach, except that he and axl are friends and that he was in that show superband or whatever. I did not know any of the songs, however i thought he did a real good job. I enjoyed his performance and the only reason why I wanted them to get off was because I wanted to see GnR.

Finally, my back and legs were aching. I had not hard anything to drink for hours, as I did not want to have to go to the bathroom and loose my spot, and so I began to grow thirsty and very hot. As the set changed, people around me were only hoping that they were going to play and that they were there. This part I don't get. Yes, GnR has had a reputation of canceling shows ,but havnt they only canceled two this tour? INCLUDING europe? And werent those both canceled before a note was played? Oh well I also hoped they would show up.

As the set was changed my anticipation grew. We began to see guitars, and most importantly, the infamous red mike and stand that axl uses. Finally, after only about 30 minutes or so, the lights dim and the whole place EXPLODED!

As they held the notes for welcome to the jungle, I felt we were being teased, making us wait a couple of seconds further was torture, but finally those sweet sweet words asking if we knew where we were came through the darkness...and seconds later...axl and company were finally there in front of me. Needless to say the whole place exploded and everyone began to jump with excitement and began to sing. Do not ask me the set list hoewver, as I forget what was played, except I can tell you that there were no surprises...only new songs that were played were Better, The blues, IRS, Maddy, and Chinese Democracy.

The show went off withought a single hitch. THere was no messing with the sound guy, everything sounding exacly as it should. Axl and company had energy, and just as you thought you coulnt keep going, their energy came to ya and helped you yell out the next words and jump to the tune.  I fount it funny but not surprising how many of the people there do not know the new(er) songs. Seemed at times that only me and my friend were singing the words to better, maddy, chinese dem, the blues or IRS. Also sometimes it was only us that cheered when they first cmae on, as many did not realize what song it was. With that said, EVERYONE around me seemed to be enjoying the hell outta these songs, as great as they are, withought knowing the lyrics.

There is only one complaint that I can say I had with the band and axl himself...and that was that he did not talk to thecrowd as much as he usually does. I guess that is good thou, because there were no rants or anything negative coming out of his mouth. Sound was exact, no one was saying shit to him, and no one threw stupid shit at them. It was exacly as Axl would have planed it out. They went out there, they rocked the hell outta the songs and the people, and enjoyed themselves, and it frikin rocked.

I gotta say that the duo with Sebastion on My michelle is simply amazing. Althou having heard it before throu the net (rock in rio and other webcasts), it is something different being there. These two guys are freinds, and they transmit that onstage, and it absoulutley takes the song to a different level. Extremely happy with it. A funny comment that me and my friend foutn (not many people got it) was when sebastian came out for my michelle he was wearing a GnR shirt. When Axl told him it was a nice shirt, he said thanks, and then axl said something ot the effect of "I thought u were wearing a pidgeons of shit shirt" and sebastion said "I coulnt find one". It was something like that..but i fount it funny how they were still bagging on that band.

The final moments were amazing. Closing with Chi. Dem., Maddy and Paradise city for the encore brought a new wave of energy into the arena where everyone started to rock out, specially for PC. Axl, as usual, threw out his whistle that he uses in PC and after the red mike, which about 30 people went after, and I am sure someone got punched and/or stomped on. Lucky asshole whoever ended with it however, and hopefully we wont see it on EBay.After the bow of the band members, axl thanked the crows and said how great we had been. Whether or not he does it everywhere, I think it had a slight bit of more meaning tonight as ther were absolutley no disturbances.

The only thing I can find negative about the even in general were the stupid guys who either got totally wasted BEFORE the concert and expected to stay, or the ones who thought they could stroll in at the time GnR played and push their way to the front. Even before anything started, there was a guy near me who was with his girlfriend who waws totally wasted. Almost falling at times, he was finally sent for some air by the security, only to discover moment s later that he had peed on himself and now there was a big stain of piss. Thankfully someone came with a mop and cleaned it up. However, the idiot tried to come to the front after about 30 minutes again, where he was finally kicked out and his wristband got ripped up. Why even get wasted before a concert? How can you enjoy it when you are so wasted you pee on yourself?

Finally, to the people who think they can push their way to the front...dont be assholes. If you want to be at the front, come in early and suffer with the rest..otherwise stay in the back. A few people tried to get up front...trying to say all kinds of shit to be let through...and (one specially) getting elbowed everywhere. Thankfully security took care fo them quick and sent them to the back.

It was an amazing show, and well worth the pain that I had to go through. To those who will come on here saying GnR is nothign without slash...well let me tell you this. The current members may not be as good as slash...but combined...they can sure as hell rock the hell out of the songs that make them unforgetable. The solo's were excelent, and now after attending, i see why they are necessary. Not only does it help the band...but we actually need them to catch our breath and build up energy for the next songs. After the first back to back 4 or 5 songs, I was worn out. Thankfully, a solo came which was both enjoyable and rejuvinating.

And finally to those who may say that axl's voice is not the same and it does not sound good, to you I have this to tell ya. First, it is only natural. After all, we cannot expect athletes to stay at the same level as they get older after they have reached their peak. Their bodies can simply not handle it. It is the same with someone like axl, his body can not simply make those high high notes at will over and over. Having said that, he still sounds fucking amazing and has reworked some of the songs to a way in which his current voice is better suited. And whether or not he soudns worse now, who the hell cares...hes got toushands of fands in the arenas singing their hearts out helping axl, lending him their voice to make a fantastic show.

It is not the same until you see them live...and it has been the greatest thing I have seen in my life, wehtehr or not Chi. Dem. comes out this year or ever, they are still #1 in my book.

[JeDr]

Great review!! Good to read a positive one after some negative postings. Rather strange that the sounds keeps on bugging this band and people have different opinions about it.
I saw them in Holland this year and only comment on the sound was it was a bit too soft. Never had any problems hearing Axl and I stood at the back of the crowd.

So ROCK On!   

[Dead N' Bloated]

What the fuck is wrong with everyone that gets a floor ticket? Getting to the front is part of the pit. The last few reviews I have read have alot of complaints about the pit area. Have you not been in a mosh before? I get fucked up in nearly every pit im in, and im a big bloke. I dont look for it or agrevate it, it just happens. When I was 16 I saw Pantera, and a girl behind me had really long, wet braids. She whipped the fuck outta my back with those thigs. Then 3 years ago I saw Metallica, when it started I was about 3 metres from Het. I got absoultely fucked up from the few thousand kids behind me trying to get to the front. It sucked but I delt with it and it was an awesome night.

Stop complaining and have a great time.


 

[freedom78]

Wow...lots of complaining after what I felt was a fantastic show. 

1.) If you thought the sound was bad, you have no idea how good you had it.  I saw the Crue last February, and they played so fucking loudly, that you couldn't distinguish anything.  This was MUCH better than that.  There were times where it was tough to hear Axl.  But, on a lot of their old stuff it didn't matter because people were singing along and on the new stuff, it was all pretty clear.  I enjoyed comparing, in my mind, tonight's "Madagascar" with the one from VMA 2002...SOOOO much better!

2.) No crowd interaction?  If you mean that there wasn't a rant because no one in the front was acting enough like a jackass to warrant it, then thank God!  IMO, a show has energy or it doesn't, and I'm not paying to chit-chat w/ Axl, and once they hit the stage at midnight, gettin' down to business is important. 

3.) I do agree that the chunk from Dizzy's piano solo through the Fortus solo hurt crowd energy.  I post on boards, so obviously I'm aware of and generally like the new GNR and their new material...but four solos/new songs in a row wasn't a good idea for MOST fans, which is a shame, because I really enjoyed this part of the show.  Dizzy can really tickle the ivories, and IRS came off really well, I thought.

4.) Baz was better than I expected, though he went a touch long. 

[JimBobJoeJackJr]

"Cockatiels of Crapola"  Damn that's good stuff!

[doooodickiebr]

great review

[fixintodie]

When I was 16 I saw Pantera, and a girl behind me had really long, wet braids. She whipped the fuck outta my back with those thigs.

Sounds like a pretty good night to me.

Glad you had fun in Chicago, MG.

[tonkatoy]

I've seen GNR in the early 90's, 2002, and recently in Detroit, good old days are gone blah blah blah, I like GNR with Slash and like GNR now.....  Things change, a bunch of people have to stop pissing and moaning about how things aren't just the same.  Stop sounding like a 30 year old who is still bitching that his parents got divorced back when he was 12 and it's just not fair!!!  I don't post often, and yes I guess in your eyes I?m a noob.... sorry I guess I wouldn?t' be a noob if I posted 100000 times in threads like, did you like axl's hair thread or what was your first GNR tune you jerked off to, but never the less life is too short and be thankful for what we have.  A TOURING BAND THAT WE LIKE and for where's the CD; I want it as much as anyone, we just have to ride it out and see?..

[savedsol]

The show was great but today's announcement about his sickness makes a lot of sense. He was spot on vocally but you could tell he wasn't right. I do think anyone or a combo of three things would've made this an amazing show
-The album was out already. Face it 80% of the crowd thought they were going to see Slash and have never heard of "Better"
-Axl interacted with the crowd more. At one point after the fourth or fifth song he said in a low voice "hello boys and girls" and the place exploded. Never said a thing after that with the exception of introducing Baz.
-Stopped the show at midnight to say "it's Tues Nov 28 - Chinese Democracy is for sale"

I had a great time. Yes it was late and there was a lot of yawning going around (and some sleeping) but heck we saw GN'R.

Lastly - Frank f'n rocked! The dude kept energy and his contributions to the solos helped to keep them from killing too much energy (they did kill it folks - that's a fact).

[GNFNRAXL]

Glad you enjoyed your show man.     I too saw them last week and it was better than I expected. 

[beerman]

I totally agree with you, the show was great! I have seen Guns a bunch of times in the past 20 years and I thought they were spot on last night. Axl sounded great and that was being sick with an ear infection and sore throat, amazing.

[14 years of silence]

Stopped the show at midnight to say "it's Tues Nov 28 - Chinese Democracy is for sale.

Did he really say this SAVEDSOL?

[jarmo]

Stopped the show at midnight to say "it's Tues Nov 28 - Chinese Democracy is for sale.

Did he really say this?

No.


Yet people wonder why we delete bullshit posts.... 


/jarmo

[savedsol]

Amen

[bigbri]

Stopped the show at midnight to say "it's Tues Nov 28 - Chinese Democracy is for sale.

Did he really say this?

No.


Yet people wonder why we delete bullshit posts....?


/jarmo

I see your point jarmo, but if anyone really believes crap like that, they've got more to deal with than being a misguided GNR fan.

[Leddy]

Stopped the show at midnight to say "it's Tues Nov 28 - Chinese Democracy is for sale.

Did he really say this?

No.


Yet people wonder why we delete bullshit posts.... 


/jarmo

I see your point jarmo, but if anyone really believes crap like that, they've got more to deal with than being a misguided GNR fan.

Nothing wrong with the post, just people don't bother/aren't bright enough to read posts properly.  He clearly says;

I do think anyone or a combo of three things would've made this an amazing show

before;

-Stopped the show at midnight to say "it's Tues Nov 28 - Chinese Democracy is for sale"

[doooodickiebr]

thanks for the great review....wish i coulda been there!!!!