2017.08.16 - New Era Field, Buffalo, NY, USA

Tim O'Shei wrote:Guns N' Roses songs go down easy at New Era Field

The rose-colored lenses seem fitting: A circa 1980s band. One with a fluctuating lineup that, until just recently, was devoid of a key member. The one that is emulated by curly-wig-wearing, black-top-hat-donning, sunglassed fans throughout the crowd. The band with vocals that scratch the high end of the heavy-rock range.

When you are Guns N' Roses, you get something of a pass. Or at least a head start. It's the well-earned benefit of recording music that dominates the soundtrack of the young (and not-so-young) adulthood of so many people.

That's most certainly true for the thousands who filed into New Era Field Wednesday night, wearing their black GnR tees, cargo shorts, bandanas, hoop earrings and, yes, the more-than-occasional Slash outfit, complete with shades.

The question of whether frontman Axl Rose, at 55, can still hit his screechy vocals has been asked and answered so often that we can dispense with it easily here: He can, though not quite with the elasticity he had when he was closer on the timeline to his early days performing at The Roxy on L.A.'s Sunset Strip.

The greater question today: Can Rose, recently reunited with guitarist Slash and bass guitarist Duff McKagan, front a band that feels like the GnR we knew even back in the '80s?

Or would we be looking at GnR through rose-colored lenses, conveniently blurring the chips and cracks in their performance?

After a solid opening set by the rock band Live, highlighted by "Lightning Crashes," we found out.

Fittingly enough, Rose took the stage wearing crimson lenses beneath a black hat, along with ripped rocker jeans, a camouflage jacket and silver cross chains dangling around his neck.

He pounded through a half-dozen songs with fellow original members Slash and McKagan, plus Dizzy Reed on keyboard, Richard Fortus on guitar, Frank Ferrer on drums and Melissa Reese on keyboards and synthesizer.

The highlight, predictably, was "Welcome to the Jungle," built on a Slash guitar solo that's become a key riff in rock lore.

But a song like that is a prime example of where the nostalgic, rosy view of Guns N' Roses comes into play: It can be incredible, it can be good, it can be, well, just simply there, and people will react the same: Horns up, phones lit, beers spilled, bellowing for rock in the same spirit as pop fans screech for boy bands.

That song will always work. If you want to get to the core of GnR version 2017, you've got to take off the rose-colored glasses.

Helpfully, Rose did. And we in the crowd could see his eyes, creases and all, we got a clearer view of the man and the band he's leading.

On "Estranged," Rose's voice - screechy and melodious, the type that'll tear up your vocal chords if you dare imitate it too much - popped out while Reed's piano solo played off Slash's guitar.

He pulled in the full crowd on "Sweet Child O' Mine," not only for the requisite mobile phone recordings but for a full-throated, unprompted singalong, the type befitting a rock composition that is so universally embraced that it's even been used as a father-daughter wedding dance song.

Rose took to the piano for a pair of songs. He talked to the crowd, but minimally. Mostly he kept it to the music, with an emphasis on throbbing knockout vocals, especially on "Nightrain."

The return of Slash provided an unmistakable surge of energy to the three-hour show, largely for his guitar playing itself but just as significantly for his hulking presence.

Rose's voice. Slash's silhouette.

The Guns N' Roses music came easy, and went down easiest when the rosy glasses came off.

Guns N' Roses returns to Buffalo after 25 years

By Sarah Blazonis Orchard Park

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Guns N' Roses' Not In This Lifetime Tour rolled into Western New York three days ago and after playing cities across the globe for more than a year, New Era Field will again host rock royalty.

"I did Use Your Illusion, and then, after that in '93, we were done. We didn't know if we'd ever do it again, and we're all happy to do it again," said Dale Skjerseth, the band's production manager.

A 100-person strong crew worked to turn 30 trucks of equipment into the stage the band will perform on. The last time GNR played then-Rich Stadium was in 1992.

Skjerseth says fans are in for more than three hours of classic Guns N' Roses.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office and the Buffalo Bills stress that fans who attend must follow the NFL's bag policy, which means clear bags that are equal to or smaller than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches are allowed. Large purses and backpacks are not permitted, but small clutch bags the size of a hand are allowed. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and lighters, are not permitted at the event.

Expect game-day traffic patterns and restrictions, as Abbott Road will close at 2 p.m. to through traffic between both sides of the stadium. Following the concert, Big Tree Road will close to westbound traffic. Parking lots open at 3 p.m., stadium gates open at 5, and the show is scheduled to begin at 6:30.

Guns N’ Roses @ New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY 8-16-17

by Joseph Saccomanno

Last year was a big year for Axl Rose. Slash and Duff McKagan returned to the Guns N ‘ Roses lineup for a worldwide stadium tour and he also took on the lead front man duties of his childhood heroes with AC/DC. Its been over 25 years since Guns N’ Roses has played this stadium (what was formerly called Rich Stadium now named New Era Stadium) when at that time they were on a double bill with Metallica. Shortly thereafter that tour ended the following year the band split. Rose kept the band going with various musicians but it was never the same until 3/5ths of the original lineup announced that they would be touring again. Joining them would be longtime keyboardist Dizzy Reed, drummer Frank Ferrer, rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus and on synthesizer Melissa Reese.

Gone are the days of the fans waiting and wondering when Rose would take the stage. A 7:30 start time was modestly pushed to 7:50 pm. In seeing the band perform last year and by other recounts, Rose has been very prompt and with the amount of money involved he needs to be. After looney tunes played the band entered as they kicked into “Its So Easy.” Slash with his trusty Gibson Les Paul and Axl slithering across the stage gave the long waiting fans of Western New York what they have been waiting for. It was a triumphant appearance from one of the baddest bands on the planet. The weather was perfect and everyone seemed to be in a mood to deliver the goods. Rose was all over the stage as was Slash. McKagen also made a few jaunts back and forth as well.

Rose voice was for the most part solid. He hit all the high notes but at times it wasn’t where it should have been on the more melodic parts. Slash was Slash. One of the most underappreciated guitarist of all time. He played with precision and even let Fortus share in the spotlight on the dual solo “Wish You were Here.” McKagen and Ferrer held that solid rhythm section and McKagen also provided all the background vocals as well. The band not only played their songs but really hit it hard on the covers. A tribute to Chris Cornell with “Black Hole Sun” and a snippet of “Melissa’ was played in honor of Greg Allman from the Allman Brothers.

I wasn’t sure on the energy from the crowd. Lots of people I spoke to after the show were very disappointed on their fellow attendees lack of enthusiasm. The show itself took 3 hours and 10 minutes. Not sure if the length of the show sucked the energy out of the crowd. Hits like “Sweet Child of Mine” and “Nightrain” were met with the same piss and vinegar the crowd had at the start of the show. Irregardless of this, I thought the gunners were what Buffalo was lacking for a long time. A great hard rock show in a Stadium type of setting. They delivered in a big way!

We would like to thank Ashley Ball from Livenation with her assistance in helping obtain the credentials to review the show.

Guns n’ Roses – New Era Field, Orchard Park, NY – Aug 16, 2017

Review / photos by Thomas S. Orwat Jr

Orchard Park, NY – The highly anticapated, Guns n’ Roses – ‘Not in this Lifetime’ tour- made it’s way to the home of the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday evening. Guns n’ Roses, with Axl W. Rose- vocals, has been touring regularly over the last few years. This tour, however, was monumental, in that two of the original members: Slash – guitar, and Duff McKagan, joined Axl in the band after over two decades of being apart. Although ticket sales for this show were slow at first, when Guns n’ Roses hit the stage, 30,000 enthusiastic, rock music-loving fans filled the massive stadium and enjoyed an epic, three hour-plus concert of a lifetime.

Guns n’ Roses hit the stage at promptly 7:40 pm, while the late evening sun was still blazing on. Axl W. Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, were joined by hired musicians of the previous Guns n’ Roses line-up: Richard Fortus – guitar, Dizzy Reed – Keyboards, Frank Ferrer – drums, and new comer, Melissa Reese -keyboards. They kicked into their set with an intense version of “It’s So Easy.”

Throughout the evening, Axl, Slash, Duff, and band were 100% spot on. Sound-wise, the mix was flawless, which was rather impressive, considering the size of the stadium. Although Axl really didn’t address the crowd too often, he did live up to his reputation as one of music’s best frontmen, with a great vocal and high energy performance.

After Axl introduced the band midway through the show, Slash took center stage for a stunning 10-minute guitar solo. He has really taken his guitar playing to another level over the last few years. Starting off with a slow blues jam, it segued into, “Johnny B Goode,” “Speak Softly Love” and the (Love Theme From The Godfather). Then Slash started the opening riff to the massive breakout song that took Guns n’ Roses out of the gutter and into the arenas, “Sweet Child of Mine.” The band then joined in, and blew the audience away.

Slash’s partner in guitar, Richard Fortus, had his share of the spotlight as well. Even though some of the die-hard GNR fans would like to see original guitarist, Izzy Stratlin, back in the lineup, Fortus proved he was more than worthy of the gig with his finger picking solo during, “Rocket Queen,” and his guitar duet with Slash on the Pink Floyd cover of, “Wish You Were Here.”

Although there were many highlights on this evening, the performance of, “November Rain,” will likely resonate as one of the most memorable concert moments for many in attendance. With Axl seated at the piano at center stage, his and the band’s brilliant performance, coupled with incredible special effects that included a simulated rain storm at the finale, was jaw-dropping.

Guns n’ Roses followed this up with an emotional and powerful rendition of the Soundgarden hit, “Black Hole Sun,” as a tribute to the late singer, Chris Cornell.

The band’s three-plus hour performance ended with a three song encore that included: “Patience,” a Who cover, “The Seeker,” and then ended the evening with an all assault on, “Paradise City.”

Overall, it was great to see a rock show at the stadium again. Many legendary acts have played here over the years: The Rolling Stones, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, and Guns n’ Roses/Metallica in 1992. But, this performance was worthy of being at the very top of that list. Welcome back, Guns n’ Roses!!! This may very well the best American band in music today.

Guns N’ Roses Make It Look So Easy At New Era Field

Concert Review
Guns ‘N’ Roses
New Era Field
Orchard Park, NY
Wednesday August 16, 2017

Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

You really couldn’t have asked for better weather yesterday. It was absolutely perfect for an outdoor stadium show. Guns N’ Roses Not IN This Lifetime tour landed at New Era Field to the delight of many diehard fans. The show marked the band’s first Buffalo appearance with Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan since their noteworthy show with Metallica in 1992 when the venue was known as Rich Stadium. Rose did bring another version of the band to the Outer Harbor in 2013.

Rose notoriously known in the past for showing up late or not at all, did not hit the stage until almost twenty-five minutes from their scheduled start time of 7:30. As the “Looney Tunes Theme” blared through the stadium, I was beginning to wonder if I was about to watch a cartoon. The band more than made up for the short delay with an energized performance right from the start with “It’s So Easy”. “Mr. Brownstone” was next as the band seemed in mid concert form right from the start.

Live kicked off the event. The occasion marked the return of the original line-up for their first tour since 2009. The band kicked off right out of the gate with perennial opener “All Over You”. The show seemed to slow down a bit until the band dug back into Throwing Copper with “Selling The Drama”. The show ended with a great version of “Lightning Crashes”. It was good to see singer Ed Kowalczyk back in the fold after an eight year hiatus from the band.

The three hour performance marked a triumphant return for Guns N’ Roses in western New York. This version of the band seems very strong at this point having toured now for over a full year playing nearly 100 shows. With drummer Frank Furrer, guitarist Richard Fortus, as well as newest member keyboardist Melissa Reese, joining Rose, Slash, McKagan alongside keyboardist Dizzy Reed made for a solid stable (at least for now) lineup. Definitely a must see show for 2017.