I not sure of the logic behind starting a show at midnight, but quite frankly I think is too much time to wait, and I don't care who you are.
Never been a big Sebastian Bach fan, but we came in about 1/2 way through his show and he did a decent job, and his voice is still pretty good. That was followed by "The Eagles of Death Metal.' This band was, without a doubt, the worst band I have ever seen. They were literally booed off of the stage. How someone actually chose these guys to open on the same card as GnR is beyond me. Axl even came out and apologized to the crowd, asked "what did you think about the Pigeons of Death Crap?" And they have "played there last show with us on tour." Kudos to him, but these losers didn't belong there in the 1st place.
Suicide girls then came on for a 2nd time, and the crowd began to get restless. Finally, at 12:05, the lights go down, spotlights around the arena and, the intro to Welcome to the Jungle! Axl & the band came with a huge amount of energy and, despite numerous microphone problems, they sounded awesome. Axl's voice sounded better than I anticipated, nailed all of the high notes, and sang with total commitment. The solos by Reed, Finck, & co. were solid. Reed's solo centered around a cool interpretation of the Stones', "Angie." This solo, of course paved the way for The Blues. Axl grew increasingly frustrated with the soundman's inability to get his ear peice dialed in correctly, and to keep his mic from cutting in and out. At one point, he said "I am really trying hard out here, but it's pretty tough when all you can hear in my ear piece is what sounds like a garbage disposal....I am going to have to use a little of what is described in this next song to get me through".....then Patience began.
They played for 2 hours straight, and played hard. The set list was pretty much the same as has remained for much of the tour. The only thing I would change is to keep one opening act, and get the band going by 10pm. No need to drag it out. People came to see Guns, not Bach, a 3rd rate punk band, or a burlesque show.
All in all, a tremendous show! Here is the set list (may not be in the exact order).
Welcome to the Jungle
Live & Let Die
Mr. Brownstone
Sweet Child
Out to Get Me
Nightrain
The Blues
It's so Easy
Patience
IRS
You Could Be Mine
My Michelle
Better
November Rain
Down on the Farm
Encore:
Chinese Democracy
Madagascar
Paradise City
Thanks,
John W.
