Gig Review: Guns n Roses

triplew.me sent our resident #1 Guns N Roses fan to Abu Dhabi to see their concert at Yas Island. Read his review of Axl Rose and Co's performance, and if you were there - tell us about it...

So it came.

Finally.

Landed upon us unexpectedly.

Ten years in the making. So many have come close, but never really managed it.

A gig.

The gig.

The gig that lived up to the hype, exceeded expectations and delivered on the goods. Check this for success criteria: Taxi drop off to venue entrance: 5 mins power walk. Ticket scan, bag check and in, 30 secs. Sound awesome. Stage imposing. A/V great. I wanted a drink. Naturally. Queue time 3 mins. Drink: cold and fizzy. Payment: cash. Discount for multiples. Thank you very much. Accumulation of drinks precipitating release. Relief in 3 mins, no queuing.

There’s no way Flash Media and partners could have put on the Guns N’ Roses show on the cheap.  I mean they could have tried, like we see all the time everywhere else. Pushed it, cut back on staff, installed another ridiculous vouchers for F&B system. Not bothered to actually plan for the real-life dynamics of crowds and queuing. But they didn’t. As far as I could see, they did everything right.

I would love to know if the made money or broke even from the evening. Global act/brand, great venue and an awesome experience. Whether they did or didn’t, they have acquired a new fan; and I will definitely be interested to see who they can land next. “Please let it be Metallica… please let it be Metallica…”

There was a crowd, 15,000 capacity. Axl reckoned 25,000 from the stage (although, judging by his pupils during video screen close ups, probably not the best placed person there on the night to conduct an accurate head count.) I don’t have a clue how many myself; but what I do know, is that I was in the middle of thousands of partiers who just seemed to be loving the night. Hats off in no small way to Flash.

I mean, over the years, don’t get me wrong, I have been blown away by events in the UAE; never ever for the right reasons, but nonetheless I have been blown away. This time though, straight outta the top drawer.

So, the nitty gritty. The band. Guns N’ Roses. I almost didn’t go. No Slash, no G N’R. I know I wasn’t alone. But I am so happy. So happy I did.

He is a Godly figure in my eyes. And has been ever since I first heard the clean ‘G’ intro to Paradise City. But you know. He’s moved on, top hat and glowing cancer stick. In the right direction. Slash’s Snakepit was a great vehicle to further showcase his rock n’roller credentials. Velvet Revolver were getting up to stadium-sized sell-outs and his latest work is pure perfection (if you haven’t bothered track it down on youtube, slash+nothing to say). However, end of day he was only ever one half of duo. Cassidy’s Sundance, Simon’s Garfunkel, Axl’s guitarist.

“Axl has no voice.”

BS.

He sang hard and fast and as angrily as I ever remember. Admittedly, he looks odd. Ginger handlebar and wide-starry-eyes, he was a dead ringer for a Koi Carp. And thank everything holy that his spandex briefs and cropped NFL uniforms have been charity-binned. He’s not the Axl of the Use Your Illusion Tour, we all know that, I think, even he knows that. But he is still Axl; and Axl rocks. Period.

What a show. Brooklyn on drums brought the thunder. And lightning and then the apocalypse, just to be on the safe side. Three guitarists. Couldn’t name one of them, but they be good. Scratch that. They be awesome. Noodly film anthems, still punctuating the show. Funny, non? A sly dig or respectful hat-tipping to the Godfather.

A full set, as full as anyone could ever hope for. Appetite was almost played in its entirety and a few new Chinese Democracy tracks didn’t shame themselves alongside the greats. They stood out as expertly crafted sing along anthems. More so, than they ever did through their commercial release.

Well done Flash, well done G N’R and well done to all those who travelled down and made jus’ another Thursday in the sandpit, just a little bit better than usual. It was a fair trade-off on this occasion. Flash for Slash. Great event, be proud.

Only negative. Next day my ears weren’t ringing. That’s not right. Volume up to 11 next show please.