Chicago show

[Krispy Kreme]

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.

Nice review, thanks for taking the time.

[Annie]

I forgot to mention that I thought the sound was near perfect tonight!

[Carol Rose]

Awesome reviews, guys! Thanx for that!! I'm quite jealous that I couldn't be there as well... however... are there any pics of the show available?

[P014r]

i went to the show, was really fun for first half hour of the concert especially.  took a couple friends with me and we all we trying not to sleep thru the like 3 or 4 solos.  i guess they turned down axl because he was sick because we could barely hear him thru much of the show and he's the only reason we drove up. when we did hear him tho we got happy

it was pretty much the same show we saw in vegas and chicago a couple years back but no buckethead/nunchucks and  maybe a couple bootlegs none of my friends knew, i just wish they'd turn axl up.  thought it was a good show overall, better than other concerts i've seen recently, but only because i love the gnr songs bettter than most bands

cant wait for a new album and a new tour to see, love gnr^^

[BeefyD]

Had a good time at the show last night, although it did seem like during certain songs Axl was almost completely drowned out by the guitars. 

[dodger girl]

why aren't Robin and Richard playing Beautiful anymore?

[gandra]

great review,was arena full??

[1badapple]

I literally just walked in the door from coming home. This show kicked some serious ass. I couldn't hear Axl too well during "Better", but other than that it sounded good to me.

The first band, Moderndayzero, I'd just like to know how the fuck they get these kick ass gigs. I've seen them open for Velvet Revolver, Buckcherry, a festival called Pointfest, and now GNR.

Sebastian rocked, and played atleast like 14 songs. He refused to refer to the place as Allstate Arena. He said Allstate insurance has nothing to do with the history of the Rosemont Horizon, and said anyone there from Allstate insurance could suck his dick. When he came out for "My Michelle" he was sporting a GNR shirt, Axl said "nice shirt" to which Baz replied "I couldn't find a pigeons of shit metal shirt", the Axl called them the "Cockatiels of crapola"- pretty funny.

I noticed alot of people were not happy at all about the amount of solos. I also noticed that alot of people started to leave towards the last few songs. I enjoyed the solos, but I do see how they kind of slow down the momentum.



I'll probably get seats next time because i've found that i no longer have much tolerance for assholes down on the floor.

[freedom78]

The first band, Moderndayzero, I'd just like to know how the fuck they get these kick ass gigs. I've seen them open for Velvet Revolver, Buckcherry, a festival called Pointfest, and now GNR.

Yeah, I'd never heard of the opening band, but they were pretty good, IMO.  Any time a song is introduced as "here's one about my ex-girlfriend, who fucked the guitar player, over there," you know they're probably not gonna play anything too "pop." 

On another random note, I wanted to say that Frank Ferrer was great!   

[nate76]

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.


 

It's not about getting pushed around on the floor from people moshing/dancing.  I was about 10 ft. off the center stage. got there around 7:30 and stood for 4 hours waiting for GnR to go on.   What is annoying is the drunk asses that show up to the show at an hour before GnR start and push there way to the front like it is their right to do so.  Me and my friends got into a few altercations from drunk asses trying to cut right in front of us.  We held our ground until my sister almost got smashed by some fat dumbass trying to make his way up at the last minute and we just went to the back of the pit.  If you want to be up front, pay your dues standing like the rest us.  If they were true diehards, they would have gotten there early. 

[nateinthehon]

a few things quickly....

Anyone who says the crowd was lame or anything like that ....is FUCKING INSANE. That place was jacked from get to gat, even as some filed out late...the remainding crowd was loud as fuck, the new songs got cheers afterwards, not much response during.

Axl sounded the best I ever heard him out of 4 shows(Joint 01,Chi 02, NY 06 also) I was shcoked to hear he was sick

The Band was "on" like a mofo...but nobody lays down solos like Slash. The new trio just aint Slash, they are great, but not Slash

The Solos need to go. The only enjoyable one was While My Guitar Gently Weeps by Dizzy. I like the little jams in between piano exhanges and whenever there is a moment of downtime, but the 3-5 min solo spots just plain suck

At the end Axl said how great Chicago was to them and hopes to see us soon

I also liked Bach say that he is tired of hearing whining about having to be up for work..fuck work, there hear to party. Very True!

[sexkitten]

Well, this was my 8th gnr show of 2006 and it was nothing short of spectacular! Each show has been a different experience, but this one was great because I got to go with 2 great friends from college, the same girls I use to road trip with back in the day to see gnr. ?

I was literally in Chicago for 21 hours and it was a trip I won't forget.

Got to the pre-party at 6:30 and by 6:35 did my first jaiger-bomb! ?Off to a great start! ? We went to the arena grabbed beer and got to our seats about 10 minutes before Baz started (double fisted, of course)! ?The arena holds 16,500 and almost every seat was filled before Baz hit the stage! ?Great crowd! ?When Baz started cranking out "Slave To The Grind," the place went insane for him. ?I have to say that my favorite thing about Baz is that he full-on head bangs with that long mane in his full fucking glory! ?And there was Crazy Cheryl and I, like Beavis and Butthead, following our fearless leader, Baz, headbanging right along with him with a beer in one hand and metal sign on the other! This continued until he ended just after 11. Love Baz and love Metal Mike!

Then....the lights go down and you hear those dark snarls teasing us over and over again!!!! ?Then the bigger tease...beginning guitar riff...it starts and stops and starts and stops. ?The foreplay build-up was driving everyone to insanity! The light panned the crowd and all I saw was a sea of metal hands! Then finally the opening guiar riff starts, and to borrow a line from a fellow board member, THE PLACE GOES FUCKING MENTAL!!!!!!!! God, this is my absolute favorite part of the show! ?I get so excited, like it's my first time!

Well, you guys know the rest....even though the GNR Gods didn't answer my prayer to hear Civil War....the show absolutely ROCKED! ?
The crowd was really awesome....most people stood the whole time....even the upper levels. ?

A couple of funny tidbits...
 : ok:Dude holding up the sign that said "Gimme some Twat" or something like that.
 : ok:Crazy Cheryl put paraphenalia in her bra and crotched a flasked! All without a hitch!
 

[freedom78]

Anyone know if the "Axl for President" sign shown on the video screens was from THIS show, or just live footage from another time?  I had a feeling it was from the Chicago show, but I'm not sure.

[sofine11]

Anyone know if the "Axl for President" sign shown on the video screens was from THIS show, or just live footage from another time?? I had a feeling it was from the Chicago show, but I'm not sure.

It was.  I was right next to it.

[freedom78]

The crowd was really awesome....most people stood the whole time....even the upper levels. 

I agree that the crowd was pretty good.  I didn't THINK of sitting, though no one in front of me (in my section) stood during the 4 song solos/new material period.  I was just waiting for the sit-down guys behind me to say something, so I could snap back about them sitting during a Guns N' Roses show...but it didn't happen.

The few things that annoyed me about the crowd:

The idiot behind me who placed a cell phone call during all new songs (oh...and during SWEET CHILD O' MINE!). 

The woman in front of me who STOOD ON HER SEAT (yeah, that won't block my view or anything...thanks for being so considerate!).  Fortunately, the seat next to me was vacant, so I just shifted left!

On the plus side, I heard ONE GUY boo ONE TIME, during the whole show, so they seemed to accept the new Guns. 

[freedom78]

Anyone know if the "Axl for President" sign shown on the video screens was from THIS show, or just live footage from another time?  I had a feeling it was from the Chicago show, but I'm not sure.

It was.  I was right next to it.

Cool...I had hoped so.  In Chicago, it's "vote early, vote often," so I'm sure Axl could at least win alderman or something.

[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.


 

It's not about getting pushed around on the floor from people moshing/dancing.? I was about 10 ft. off the center stage. got there around 7:30 and stood for 4 hours waiting for GnR to go on.? ?What is annoying is the drunk asses that show up to the show at an hour before GnR start and push there way to the front like it is their right to do so.? Me and my friends got into a few altercations from drunk asses trying to cut right in front of us.? We held our ground until my sister almost got smashed by some fat dumbass trying to make his way up at the last minute and we just went to the back of the pit.? If you want to be up front, pay your dues standing like the rest us.? If they were true diehards, they would have gotten there early.?

Thats what your sposda do. But all I'm saying is that everyone that gets pit tix has to expect fuckwits there to. You cant buy floor tix and expect it to be peaceful. Thats why its called a pit. I've never heard of any sort of pit (not just mosh pit) that wasnt evil. Remember that one from Jedi?


 

[Mexican Gunner]

A couple of funny tidbits...
 : ok:Dude holding up the sign that said "Gimme some Twat" or something like that.
 : ok:Crazy Cheryl put paraphenalia in her bra and crotched a flasked! All without a hitch!
 

That was actually my friend's cousin. He was stuck in the back, and was going to try to get it to us all the way in the front in front of Axl, but couln't. The sign actuall said "Axl Please Play TWAT". It was great..but unfortunatley i doubt Axl saw it or even if he did I don't think he woulda played.

There was a sign that said "Axl for President" that got some time in the big screen.

[crazycheryl]

I posted most of my review at the concert thread not knowing someone started a new one. Got to tell you guys about the most awesome t-shirt I now own, made by sex kitten herself. The girl is a genius with clothes. The front says - I love Axl with a pic of him in a squad car hand cuffed being arrested and the back says loaded like a freight train! It rocks so hard, I might frame it! I was actually worried about spilling beer on it!

I am so psyched, still can't quit thinking about the concert, sad that it is over and almost tempted to go to Milwaukee until I heard the news
I'm sorry Axl is sick but he is missing a serious metal crowd in Wisconsin. Actually, midwest is a great place to see a metal show cause most people are metal fans who grew up in mostly small towns fantasizing about being a rock star. Lots of long hair and serious rockers!

Jarmo - you seriously must consider sex kitten as a good will ambassador for your site! She rocks! Although we only got to meet one person with a HTGTH t-shirt! Couldn't really identify anyone else from here.

I want to quit my job and follow the band, man... that's how awesome this show was! If only...

[brock]

The arena holds 16,500 and almost every seat was filled before Baz hit the stage! ?Great crowd! ?

Just to clarify..i was there too and the upper deck corner sections were nearly EMPTY, so the place was not sold out...lets not mislead people