2023.08.11 - Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA, USA

Guns N’ Roses concert recap: 11 most metal moments at the Hershey rock show

By Sean Adams

Heavy metal group Guns N’ Roses has come back to the United States on this leg of their 2003 world tour, not long after their appearance in 2021. That concert was one of the first big shows back at the venue after the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time, I wrote “Who knows when you might have a chance to see them perform in Hershey again?” Thankfully, it wasn’t much of a wait at all. Though it’s worth noting once again that this was the band that briefly shut down the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts’ summer music series in 1991, with a concert so loud and profane that residents of Derry Township complained.

Not that much has changed since 2021, or since 1991. Guns N’ Roses is still loud and still profane. And the fans still love them.

As befits a group sometimes referred to as “most dangerous band in the world,” here’s a look at the most metal moments of their Aug. 11 concert.

1. The fans showed up ready to rock.

It was a hot day, but a little heat would never stop Guns N’ Roses fans from tailgating in big numbers before the show. Nor would it stop them from showing up in all black, which was the most common color I spotted on the walk in to the stadium. Respect.

The crowd was all about the spirit of rock and roll as we waited to cross Hersheypark Drive, making jokes about “they can’t stop us all” and jumping the fence to risk playing Frogger with the oncoming vehicles. These folks were excited to see a rock show. (Shout-out to the guy who yelled, “When does Michael Buble go on?” which got a good laugh.)

2. The Pretenders started out the night with a strong opening set.

Opening act The Pretenders had started by the time I arrived, and the people in the crowd walking up to the stadium were singing along with the “ohhhhhs” in “Back On The Chain Gang” as I approached. Much like Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose (more on him in a bit), The Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde is still doing great vocal work with her signature lilting vocals.

The Pretenders songs such as “Don’t Get Me Wrong” or “Junkie Walk” might not be the most metal songs per se, but it’s not every band that introduces a song by saying, “this one is for all the junkies out there.” And when it comes to “I’ll Stand By You,” it doesn’t get more sentimental - or should I say sentimetal?

Because we were such a good audience, Hynde said, she played one more song than planned, gifting us all with a rendition of “Brass In Pocket” where she really took the opportunity to strut her stuff.

3. Guns N’ Roses performed for three hours.

Around 7:45, the main event had begun. The last few concerts I attended at the Hersheypark Stadium had smaller crowds and briefer sets for the headlining act. That was not the case for Guns N’ Roses, to the fans’ delight.

“We’ve got good weather,” Rose said mid-show. “It’s good to be here. It’s good to see you - it’s great to see you!” At one point, much later in the evening, Rose checked in to see if it was okay if they kept playing, saying “I don’t want to keep you if there’s something you’ve got to do. Far be it for me to stand in your way.” And while I appreciate you checking in, Axl, I’m glad you didn’t cut things short there. I’ll get to my concert recap whenever you’re done, don’t wrap up early on my account!

4. Axl Rose flipped the bird within the first two minutes.

The Guns N’ Roses set started with “It’s So Easy,” and it was only moments into the song when the first F bomb was dropped. Rose, known for his huge range as a singer, is still wielding his voice with great effect, nailing those high falsetto wails that are synonymous with some of the group’s greatest hits. And he’s also not afraid to get a little profane.

Whether he was asking “do you know where the [expletive] you are?” before the start of “Welcome to the Jungle” or commanding “listen, mother [expletive]” during “Absurd,” it was always with the proper rock energy.

“Who says we can’t play things a little on the softer side?” he asked.

5. They’re keeping it iconic.

Axl Rose’ falsetto (and strutting across the stage) aren’t the only iconic Guns N’ Roses elements. Slash is still rocking the giant top hat and going absolutely ham on guitar solos. Duff McKagan is still shredding on the bass, and Dizzy Reed is still fire on the drums and, occasionally, piano. (Richard Fortus on guitar, Frank Ferrer on drums and Melissa Reese on synth and keyboard, and all are also contributing to backing vocals.

I think most people know a lot of the group’s biggest hits, but it was nice to be reminded just how good songs like “Mr. Brownstone” and “You Will Be Mine” are. And can you imagine how cool it would be to ride the nearby Wildcat’s Revenge in Hersheypark while you can hear Guns N’ Roses playing “Welcome to the Jungle” just next door?

6. The first note of “Welcome to the Jungle”

Speaking of, just the intro for this song is worth a special mention. Slash hitting the whammy bar on his guitar with that first note is all we need to let it sink in.

7. Their covers rock.

I said it last time: I think their version of Wings’ “Live and Let Die” is the better version. And while it might not be better than Bob Dylan’s, their version of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is easily a comparable classic, just for the unique delivery. Their version of “Wichita Lineman” isn’t my favorite rendition, but it’s still really cool to hear. Overall, a big fan of their covers.

8. “Rocket Queen”

My pick for best song of the night, with Slash utterly demolishing with a few solos interspersed throughout and Rose taking a moment to spin a bra around over his head while he sang. An excellent performance all around.

9. Axl Rose spinning a bra around over his head while he sang.

It’s worth repeating.

10. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” into “November Rain”

Two of the band’s biggest hits came back-to-back towards the end of the night, and it was a great one-two punch.

11. Fully committing to the idea of the encore.

For most bands at venues such as the Hersheypark Stadium, we know there’s usually going to be an encore. The whole thing where a band pretends they’re done with another 30 minutes left to go, and without playing their (arguably) most popular song is a ritual we all go along with.

That’s why I dig it when Guns N’ Roses committed to it, and came back with an acoustic instrumental set, followed by a few more numbers and concluding with “Paradise City.” All in all, the show was the best all-around rock concert we’ve had so far this year, and it’s because of that kind of attention to detail. That, and a series of really good rock performances over the course of an evening.