2016.08.09 - AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA, USA

Alyssa Pereira wrote:Guns N' Roses reunion show at AT&T Park revives classic Slash-Axl Rose dynamic

Guns N' Roses are not the people they once were, even if on Tuesday night at AT&T Park in San Francisco, its founding band members, singer and pianist Axl Rose, guitarist Slash, and bassist Duff McKagan, played like it.

Now joined by their longtime keyboardist Dizzy Reed, new keys player Melissa Reese, guitarist Richard Fortus, and drummer Frank Ferrer, the band is a new incarnation, wiser and more mature than they've ever been, while they still maintain the group's original dexterity, attitude, and propensity to integrate as many neat hats into their set as possible.

In 2008, it may have seemed unlikely that a concert (let alone another tour) would ever happen again with the Guns N' Roses' first members. Future prospects for the band seemed very dire, when the then-lineup led by Rose released "Chinese Democracy." The album, with a budget that reportedly climbed to an absurdly high $13 million, didn't sell as much as expected, and soon after, Rose and his former bandmate, guitarist Slash, had a public falling out. For many fans of what was once one of the greatest rock bands ever, Guns N' Roses might as well have been completely retired. Apart from Rose, this group of musicians, as far as many were concerned, was quite literally not the band behind GNR's debut album, 1987's "Appetite for Destruction."

That, however, was back then. In 2015, when Rose and Slash made peace, it was an accord that precipitated the excitement surrounding the possibility of an onstage reconciliation; it was, troubles aside, a glimpse of redemption. The following year, those hopes were cautiously redeemed with the announcement of a string of reunion shows, more than 20 years after the original lineup performed on the tumultuous "Use Your Illusion Tour" in the early '90s. It was to be cheekily titled the "Not in this Lifetime Tour," after an answer Rose once gave to a reporter asking whether the founding members would ever perform together again.

For Slash, Rose, and McKagan, that time spent apart proved irrelevant for the rockers, save for a newfound professionalism and an apparently eager punctuality.

The first riffs of set opener "It's So Easy" carried outside of the ballpark 15 minutes before the band's allotted set time, where hundreds of concertgoers were still trying to get inside of the venue. Men and women in bandannas, ripped T-shirts, and studded leather jackets screamed the lyrics while hustling into their seats as beer tumbled out of their cups. They moved fast — by the time Guns N' Roses played their fourth song, "Welcome to the Jungle," the stadium appeared to be sold out, with no one caring to sit still any longer.

Guns N' Roses, perhaps riled by a few bad (and to be honest, unfair) reviews of their Coachella sets earlier this year, played with fervor. But what marked this set was not so much the energy behind it — though there was plenty of that — it was the dynamic between Slash's restraint and Rose's zeal.

Slash is a masterful guitarist, and he proves so in his eloquence. His solos, most notably the extended turn he took on "Speak Softly Love," a cover of the intro from "The Godfather," affirmed his rock hero claim without utilizing overwrought or melodramatic improvisations. (His long curls, softly windswept by the wafting Bay breezes, certainly didn't undermine that icon status either.)

McKagan and Fortus appeared equally on point, with the latter dueling every so often with Slash on an interlude.

Rose, still very much the hype man for the group, has a voice that has certainly weathered — he is, after all, not 25 anymore — but he's hitting the notes a rock star ought to, and impressively so. He also made frequent costume changes throughout the roughly two-hour set (he has a superb collection of fun leather jackets), and he frequently pivoted back and forth, darting across the stage every few moments to sing to a crowd on either end.

And as Rose and Slash finally play the same stage again, it's hard to imagine that Guns N' Roses ever existed without the interplay between the two. At AT&T Park, there was an inimitable balance onstage; there, the musicians' natures seemed so complementary, with Rose exuding boundless gusto and flamboyance (he at one point wore a graphic printed shirt with a woman's bare breasts on it) as Slash plays ardent, but necessarily calculated solos.

As the band rounded out their set, a man in front of me, seemingly excited by "Sweet Child O' Mine," tussled with the folding chair in front of him, collapsing it. Ten seconds later, perhaps driven by feeling some inherent obligation to return order, he leaned over to pick it up and set it straight again, despite that no one was sitting there anyway.

When the band closed with "Paradise City," I thought about that moment. Like their fans, Guns N' Roses have inadvertently grown up. Maybe this reunion tour is purely an instance of professionals just working together — Tuesday's set proved this band is at least capable of that much — but with hope, perhaps, this is a matter of the greats restoring order (and more hats) to their own rock universe.

Azucenna Rasilla wrote:Review: Guns N’ Roses rock royalty in San Francisco

If you were one of the lucky, dare I say punctual people who arrived at AT&T Park long before 6 pm, well, it sure paid off. In what was an unorthodox and non-rock & roll fashion, the Guns N’ Roses Not In This Lifetime show started on time. For many who decided to do some pre-drinking festivities, or whose work schedule did not allow them to get to the venue earlier, their dreams of seeing this Guns N’ Roses long-awaited reunion tour from the beginning were shattered.

By 7 pm, the lines at AT&T Park were wrapped all around the stadium, and despite the multiple metal detectors and screeners on hand, it simply was not sufficient to quickly allow the influx of attendees to the event, calculated at over 39,000. English band The Struts, which recently had a successful sting at Bottlerock, were set as the openers, although it is unknown as to how many people got to see their set scheduled for 6:30 pm. For those who managed to make it inside on time to get to their assigned seats, the sight was pulled straight out of 1993. A sea of 90’s fashion inundated the stadium.

At exactly 8:07 pm (earlier than the original allotted time), Guns N’ Roses, with Axl Rose, Duff McKagan (bass), Slash (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitar), Frank Ferrer (drums), and Melissa Reese (keyboard) exploded onto the stage to a screaming herd of fans who waited for this glorious rock & roll moment to make its triumphant return. Also, while last night was not in the same realm as when the Use Your Illusion tour was in full force, there is no denying that seeing Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan together on stage was worth the two-decade wait. All and any animosity, name-calling, or anger were left behind. What everyone witnessed Tuesdaynight is the reason why Guns N’ Roses are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and why they undoubtedly remain music royalty.

The band opened the show with “It’s So Easy” from 1987’s Appetite For Destruction. People rushed to their seats bumping, spilling drinks, running, you name it. Many could not fathom that the show had started and that they were missing out the first minutes of what was going to be a glorious night.

What we witnessed is the beginning of a new Guns N’ Roses: gone are the young men in their 20’s, the temper tantrums, and erratic antics. The GNR that was on stage was a group of legendary rock stars proving that no matter how many years have passed since their iconic “November Rain” was released, are still capable of selling out stadiums around the country, and possibly the world.


The setlist, which comprised over 20 songs, dived into their impressive and extensive award-winning discography, from Appetite For Destruction, Use Your Illusion, and even Chinese Democracy. There were six outfit changes for Axl Rose, which included ripped jeans, plaid shirts, his memorable bandanas, an exquisite collection of leather jackets, and even an interesting collection of hats. “I’m a man of many hats,” Rose told the crowd.

Halfway through the magnificent two and a half hour set, Slash, a virtuoso on the guitar, enchanted the crowd with a guitar solo playing “Speak Softly Love” (Love Theme From The Godfather.)

“Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “November Rain” were fan favorites. The screams, applauses, cheers, and sing-alongs were louder than when the On The Run Tour took place back in 2014.

Also, just when you thought the show was over, here came the three songs encore and an explosion of stellar fireworks which complemented this chilly night of music.

Is the Not In This Lifetime tour a sign that Guns N’ Roses are back to reclaim their throne? It is yet to be seen, but if the reviews from the tour so far are any indication, then it looks like this older, wiser and improved 21st-century version of Guns N’ Roses is here to stay.

Review: Guns N’ Roses shows appetite for … professionalism?

By Tony Hicks

I walked into AT&T Park 10 minutes before Guns N’ Roses was supposed to hit the stage Tuesday night, wondering why the band was playing its own recorded music before the show.

Then it hit me. The show had started. Early.

You want evidence something is strangely right about singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash, and bassist Duff McKagan’s reunion after more than two decades, there it is. For a band that had become infamous for late starts, it was like they couldn’t wait to get going.

More so, there were no tantrums, no quitting early, no throat problems — Rose sounded better than I’ve ever heard him — and no angry interactions with the crowd. Guns N’ Roses was as professional as a band could be Tuesday in San Francisco.

Another “P”-word comes to mind when describing the band’s effort: powerful. The musicians weren’t up on stage to show people they’re buddies again after more than 20 years. They weren’t up there just collecting a paycheck. They were up there to blow fans out of the stadium with a reminder of why a band that essentially made three-and-a-half records is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Starting strong with “It’s So Easy,” and rolling right into “Mr. Brownstone,” GNR made it look easy. Slash is still one of the most natural guitarists on the planet, both in how he plays and looks. Nothing is where it’s not supposed to be. Overlaying his warm yet biting sound to songs he didn’t record with GNR and Rose, like “Chinese Democracy,” made the tracks better. It makes you wonder what these two could have accomplished during all those wasted years when they were apart.

Rose went back to 1987 by furiously screaming his way through an intense “Welcome to the Jungle” the momentum of which carried the crowd through “Double Talkin’ Jive” and a so-so “Estranged,” before uncorking some serious adrenaline with “Live and Let Die,” the always underrated “Rocket Queen,” and “You Could be Mine.”

Things then got a little bouncy. The sonically and visually epic “Civil War” was sandwiched around unnecessary material, like the screechy “This I Love” from “Chinese Democracy,” and “Coma” from “Use Your Illusion.” I guess even Rose understands fans need a break to hit the restroom. But some material sounded forced, as if Rose needed to remind fans it exists. The set list was mixed with surprises. Some worked (a beautiful instrumental version of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” led by Slash and second guitarist Richard Fortus), some didn’t (a hurried version of the musical section of “Layla” sounded like it was being recorded for a commercial). Covering The Who’s “The Seeker” — which, to be fair, the band was doing before Slash came back — still sounded like an odd choice, especially coming during an encore.

It barely mattered, because every time things slowed down, or took a slightly wrong turn, Slash was there to get the show back on track. This is a band that has always managed stadiums well — when it wasn’t causing riots — and looked properly unimpressed by the chaos of massive video screens and special effects exploding around them. And it goes without saying McKagan is still one of the all-time cool bassists to stand on a stage).

A follow-up Slash solo showed both sides of his virtuosity — breakneck, furious picking and noisemaking, followed by a gorgeous transition into the “Love Theme from the Godfather.” Which slid nicely right into “Sweet Child o’ Mine.”

Rose’s voice was surprisingly strong and mostly held up well during the 25-song set. And an encore version of “Patience” became a fantastic summer moment, especially once the sold-out crowd’s singing drowned out the music.

Once GNR steamrollered through “Paradise City,” the fireworks exploded and one of the summer concert season’s best shows was in the books. Now that we know Guns N’ Roses can still bring it, what comes next? Hopefully an album and some more touring, but that remains to be seen. Only unpredictably is predictable with Axl Rose.