2003.11.07 - Press Release - Guns N' Roses Announce Record Setting Third Appearance At Rock In Rio

GUNS N’ ROSES ANNOUNCE RECORD SETTING THIRD APPEARANCE AT ROCK IN RIO

The Rock in Rio-Lisbon Festival proudly announces the appearance of Guns N’ Roses as headliners for the second night of the 5 day event. The GNR performance will take place on May 30, 2004.

Considered one of the greatest rock front men of all time, Axl Rose has a long relationship with Rock in Rio, having performed at both the 1991 and 2001 Festivals.

In 2001, over 200,000 music fans cheered the return of Guns N’ Roses, hailing their performance as the best the Festival offered. After being away from the concert stage for 7 years, Axl took the opportunity to introduce the new line up of Guns N’ Roses and gave the audience a memorable performance that lasted well over 2 hours. After the mesmerizing show, MTV’s Kurt Loder claimed it to be “…the return of Rock & Roll”.

With their daring attitude, irreverent style and powerful stage presence, Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses are once again ready to amaze the Festival audience. The Guns N’ Roses show promises to be the MUST SEE event of the Rock in Rio - Lisbon Festival.

For Roberto Medina, founder of Rock in Rio, Axl’s “strength and energy” are so unique, and a “fundamental” addition to the Rock in Rio stage. Mr. Medina acknowledges that Guns N’ Roses support of the Event, and ability give the audience an astonishing concert performance time and time again is what Rock in Rio is all about. Mr. Medina has the utmost respect for the band and couldn’t be happier that they are once again participating.

Rock In Rio takes place in Lisbon one week before the Euro 2004 Football Championships. One of Brazil’s greatest footballers, Ronaldinho, had the following to say:

"I am glad to hear GNR has confirmed their participation at the Rock In Rio Lisbon. Axl's powerful performance during Rock in Rio 2001 was amazing. I saw him perform and energize an audience of more than 200,000 people; running on the stage from one side to the other and right into the middle of the crowd that was singing along with him, was unforgettable. Definitively one of my favorites acts of the Festival. Huge show" - Ronaldo Nazario de Lima

And when the music is over… Guns N’ Roses will still be making a difference as the band will be sponsoring a child through the CHILDREACH PLAN , the designated charity of the ROCK IN RIO -LISBON FESTIVAL 2004..

As Rock in Rio – Lisbon and Guns N’ Roses prove, music can help make a better world….

Related short article in MTV News, Nov. 7, 2003:

For The Record: Quick News On Disturbed, O-Town, Guns N' Roses, Madonna, Simple Plan, Jack Johnson & More

[...]

A gutsy promoter has booked Guns N' Roses as a headlining act for the Rock in Rio-Lisbon festival, which begins May 29 and runs for five nights in Lisbon, Portugal. If they actually appear, GN'R will be playing the second night of the event. It will be the first time the band would take the stage since its tour last year was canceled after the group failed to show up to gigs in Vancouver and Philadelphia, sparking riots in both cities. ...

https://web.archive.org/web/20050206232255/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480282/20031107/story.jhtml

Another related article in NME, November 10, 2003:

GUNNING FOR LISBON!

Maybe this time there will be a new album out beforehand. Maybe...

Guns N’ Roses have been confirmed as headliners for next May’s ROCK IN RIO – LISBON festival and marks the first time the band will have stepped on stage since they dramatically pulled out of last year’s US tour.

The band will play the second night (May 30) of the five-day event taking place in Lisbon – it will be the third time the Guns N’ Roses have appeared at the festival.

Axl Rose and co will also celebrate the event by sponsoring a child through the Childreach Plan – the designated charity of the Rock In Rio – Lisbon festival.

Guns N’ Roses‘s performance at the event in 2001 hailed the return of the band after a commercial silence of seven years and allowed Axl to introduce the new line-up to a crowd of 200,000.

The rock legends were due to play a 32-date North American tour last year in support of the forthcoming and constantly delayed ‘Chinese Democracy’ album, though the jaunt was plagued with problems.

A release date for the album is yet to be confirmed.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-326-1378504