In a perfect world, what would the ideal situation be?

[D-GenerationX]

I do get his point that once you become "a Vegas act", you are often saying you are just a nostalgia act.  That's legit.

But that's sort of outdated thinking.  There are artists that play extended stays there that aren't just a greatest hits act.

[EmilyGNR]

How many freaking threads are we going to talk about one person's hatred for Las vegas?

I just don't get it. 

Its a super fun town.  I go every year.  Last year, went twice.

Its basically impossible to not have fun there.

Agreed. Going next week for "holiday" as my Euro friends would say.

But his dislike for Axl playing there is in every freaking thread.

I agree wholeheartedly, it is beyond redundant.

Wonder if the Las Vegas hater has actually been to Vegas lately- or ever.

[draguns]

For example....   Would you have a problem if Axl did a 20 show engagment in London?

They've more or less done that, with both the theater mini-tour in and around NYC and the Hammerstein shows (which, honestly, were pretty much an NYC residency...no?)

I'd LOVE to see them do another one on the east coast....and if they were doing the same thing in L.A. or NYC or Miami or Boston or...well, you get the picture...I doubt we'd hear a peep.

Actually...we probably would, from someone.  Because there are people who are always gonna bitch, who are always going to be looking for something, ANYTHING, to complain about....no matter what happens.  It's true of pretty much any topic on the interwebz.

I wouldn't say that the Hammerstein Ballroom was a residency. Something like what Billy Joel is currently doing at Madison Square Garden is. I would like to see Axl doing something similar.

[D-GenerationX]

Axl could never do a residency in a venue of that size without a reunion.

[TheBaconman]

Axl could never do a residency in a venue of that size without a reunion.

I don't agree with this

I would think in the current situation it would be very tough for guns to to do what you are asking

But

There is no need for the reunion.   

If guns managed to release new music and also managed to get a new hit single and followed that up proper marketing and promotion.  I garantee they would be able to do a resedecy in a large venue

[GNR4L]

I love Las Vegas ! I go pretty much twice a year.  Went to the last two residencies and had a blast.  Got to meet & chat with some of the band who were awesome and were very nice.  I'm chomping at the bit for Guns to do another residency in Vegas.

[D-GenerationX]

Axl could never do a residency in a venue of that size without a reunion.

I don't agree with this

I would think in the current situation it would be very tough for guns to to do what you are asking

But

There is no need for the reunion.   

If guns managed to release new music and also managed to get a new hit single and followed that up proper marketing and promotion.  I garantee they would be able to do a resedecy in a large venue

Well, I guess its fitting this is a thread titled "in a perfect world".  Are you kidding? 

You are talking about legwork and a foundation that needed to be laid YEARS ago.  The time for what you are talking about is long gone.  That window was missed.

The time for what you are talking about needed to be in the lead up to the eventual release, and then how things were handled after the release.  And they fucked it all up.  Worse, they never really tried.

I just don't see how in 2016 or later, you think you can get that all done now.  Its akin to starting your summer reading 3 days before the school year starts.

[14 Yrs Of Silence]

There's not a lot of room in today's market, on the radio or other media, for a rock n' roll band of their age to have a hit single.  So anyone that is going to measure success by that standard will most likely be let down. 

[D-GenerationX]

There's not a lot of room in today's market, on the radio or other media, for a rock n' roll band of their age to have a hit single.  So anyone that is going to measure success by that standard will most likely be let down. 

I agree that the days of them having a hit are over.  But the days of them being relevant should not be.

Has Pearl Jam had a hit since 'Last Kiss', which isn't even their song?  That was 17 years ago now.  But no one doubts their viability.  Nine Inch Nails isn't exactly burning up the Billboard Hot 100.  No one doubts their viability either.

[LongGoneDay]

In Mort?s defense, Vegas will always be associated with sweaty, bloated era Elvis.
It has the reputation of being where fading superstars go to take a bow.
Britney Spears may be there now.

I?ve been to Vegas a few times. Cool experience but don?t think I?ll ever feel the need to return.
I think you can see just about all you need to see in a day or two.

Went earlier this year, and drove from Vegas to Utah. Thought it made the trip more interesting to see the stark contrast between over the top Vegas and God country.

Whereas Guns only took up residency for a month or so in the middle of longer tours, I don?t view it as them being put out to pasture.
It doesn?t help in that regard, but probably the least of their worries.

[D-GenerationX]

Whereas Guns only took up residency for a month or so in the middle of longer tours, I don?t view it as them being put out to pasture.
It doesn?t help in that regard, but probably the least of their worries.

I think the next tour of the U.S. will tell the tale.

If its another Vegas residency, coupled with a random festival in Ohio and a one off in Pennsylvania casino, that's probably all they can swing.

If its another "up close and personal" tour <wink, wink>, that's probably all they can swing.

[sky dog]

Axl's Orchestra is a theatre band in the US....which is fine with me as the sound is always better in more intimate venues.

[LongGoneDay]

Axl's Orchestra is a theatre band in the US....which is fine with me as the sound is always better in more intimate venues.

Axl?s Orchestra has a nice ring to it.
I?m with you, I?d much prefer to catch a theatre show.

[D-GenerationX]

I certainly don't discount the benefits of a playing smaller places.

I just hope we don't go too overboard with how its being done out of the goodness of their hearts.

[Spirit]

If its another "up close and personal" tour <wink, wink>, that's probably all they can swing.

I don't think that's necessarily true. I'm pretty sure they can sell out arenas in the biggest markets in the US. If they played a smaller tour including Florida (one city), New York, Chicago, Texas (one city) and Los Angeles, I'm sure they could sell out big arenas in all those places. It will harder for them to sell out arenas if they play 20-30 cities in the US, you'll lose a lot of people traveling in to the bigger cities then.

New York would probably be one of the few places where they still could sell out a big arena as part of a bigger US tour.

[sky dog]

It is what it is...they can do arenas in certain cities but for the most part I think they are better off booking large theatres...classic venues that hold anywhere from 3000-5000 people.

A reunion tour would be large arenas in the US...likely stadiums outside the US.

[D-GenerationX]

I don't think that's necessarily true. I'm pretty sure they can sell out arenas in the biggest markets in the US. If they played a smaller tour including Florida (one city), New York, Chicago, Texas (one city) and Los Angeles, I'm sure they could sell out big arenas in all those places. It will harder for them to sell out arenas if they play 20-30 cities in the US, you'll lose a lot of people traveling in to the bigger cities then.

But if they could, why haven't they been?

[Spirit]

I don't think that's necessarily true. I'm pretty sure they can sell out arenas in the biggest markets in the US. If they played a smaller tour including Florida (one city), New York, Chicago, Texas (one city) and Los Angeles, I'm sure they could sell out big arenas in all those places. It will harder for them to sell out arenas if they play 20-30 cities in the US, you'll lose a lot of people traveling in to the bigger cities then.

But if they could, why haven't they been?

Their income might have been close to the same while playing a lot more (smaller) venues. I think it fares better with the fans if you play more shows, even if the shows are smaller. Less people have to travel far in order to see them.

[pilferk]

I wouldn't say that the Hammerstein Ballroom was a residency. Something like what Billy Joel is currently doing at Madison Square Garden is. I would like to see Axl doing something similar.

Mini-residency?

I mean, they set up shop and did a ration of shows over a couple weeks, at the EXACT same venue. It wasn't as long as their Vegas stints have been, no.  It was prep for the tour, to be sure.  And, I guess, they're not technically LIVING at the Hammerstein, like they mostly do at the Hard Rock.  But it's a pretty fine line of distinction, to be honest.

Point being:  We've heard no complaints about "those" types of things before.  I doubt we would if they happened again (PLEASE DO ANOTHER BATCH OF THEATER SHOWS IN NYC!!!).

[pilferk]

Axl could never do a residency in a venue of that size without a reunion.

The Hammerstein Ballroom?

Not that big, man.   Capacity's only about 2500 peeps for a concert setup.

MSG?

Hmmmm....IDK. They draw really, really, really well in NYC.  They sell out MSG pretty quick, the past couple times they've played there.

If that was their ONLY tour stop, east coast, and they did a a month of weekend shows (Fri - Sun)?  I think they might be able to pull it off.  It's no sure thing, I grant you.

Move it out to LA....I think they manage it with no problems.