06-15-06 | Poland Warsaw 2006 Review 3
by Mateusz

(Pneu)Mateusz

15.06 is a big Catholic holiday in a mainly Catholic Poland, but this 15.06 was a Rock N Roll Holiday for all of us. The concert agency claimed it has had 25 000-30 000 tickets for sale. The tickets could have sell better. Some people decided that the present GNR isn't “true” without the original lineup, some preferred to go out of the city for holidays, some were put off by an old rumor from the 90's that Axl once said he hated Poles and didn't want to play for them. As a consequence those who came (about 10 000) were almost only hardcore GNR fanatics.


Most waited for this concert for 15, some for 20 years, so the excitement was driving people mad. Gates opened at 15. I waited there since about 12 and was able to run the hell to the front of the stage, where Izzy was supposed to show up.

Bands started playing about 16

650 North - Were very nervous (they had reasons), young (high school?) kids. Although it was the weakest link of the show, plus they had some tech difficulties they got a pretty good reception from the crowd.

Kobranocka - One of my favorite Polish rock bands. Simple, rootsy punk n roll with lots of humor

Oddzial Zamkniety - Although good rock musicians and a frontman with a great conduct of the audience their songs have to o much "nanana", "o o o" in the lyrics for my taste ;) Good performance though.

Sebastian Bach - I am not a great fan of his music but you have to give it to him. This guy is one of the most charismatic frontmans of all time. Interesting thing, Bach's guitar player was born in Warsaw and it was his first visit in something like 20-30 years, so you could see how important this gig was for him. He tried to speak in his poor Polish to the crowd which was hilarious but very warmly applauded.

GUN N FUCKIN ROSES ! - After Bach I prepared myself for a long wait. I was wrong, the band came in about 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. I must say, Welcome To The Jungle is one of the best (if not THE best show starters ever! Together with the string intro it gives instant chills to the 10 000 present at the stadium. Crowds gets immediately insane. For the first 3 songs it is hard hear the band through the roar and chanting. People throw roses on the stage, Axl takes one puts in his teeth and smile. He gives comments about the crowd very often. Before Madagascar a girl in a front row get an epileptic attack which looks severe. Medical squads come to rescue, Axl watches for a second but doesn't interfere in any way. They start Better. Only during the new songs (Madagascar, Blues, Chinese Democracy, Better, IRS) the crowd quiets down for a moment, but only cause most people don't know the lyrics of the new songs. Although people are more quiet during the songs the new tracs are very well received. During Knocking on Heavens Door crowds chants the “old” version of the song , the one with “ay, ay, ayay, yeah” after each line. Robin's solo before SCOM is a bit clumsy and I thing not really necessary for this otherwise great guitarist. Fortunately with the beginning of SCOM people quickly forget about it (and everything else for that matter). The Blues is probably the best received new song in the set (along with Chinese). You Could be Mine is a blast. I didn't expect Axl to pull that one off with such a skill but he made it. He proved that his vocal condition is best in many, many years. November Rain is a classic you can see people with tears in their eyes, beautiful.

After Out Ta Get Me Axl says he wants to invite an old friend of his on stage. People start screaming “IZZY!” but Axl introduces Sebastian Bach with whom he gives an incredible version of My Michelle. After My Michelle he says he wants to invite another old firnd, now there is no mistake possible. Izzy comes to the stage accompanied by a thunderous applause. They perform Think About You, Patience and Nightrain. Izzy is more relaxed and cooler than during his later years in “original” GNR. You could compare his stage presence to the one he had in the 80. You can see he really enjoys himself, interacts with the crowd, moves on the stage. Izzy played a sparkling solo during TAY (which i didn't know he does). During Patience a fan threw a Polish flag with GNR logo and a “Welcome to Poland” sign. Axl took it and wrapped himself in it for the song.

After Nightain crowd applauds for something like 5 minutes non stop, screaming, clapping and chanting. They come on stage and perform cool versions of Madagascar and IRS. Paradise City starts with a great solo by Ron. Izzy come back on stage and fire off (literally) great performance aided by wonderful fireworks. Another flag lands on stage and is taken by Axl, this time with a sign “Axl take us down to the Paradise City”. After PC band (including Izzy) comes back on stage to give a bow.

Over 2 hours of pure GNR Rock N Roll. I used to be very skeptic about the band when it started touring in 2002. Since then they have become a real band with a great chemistry. This show only ensured me that Axl deserves to go under the GUNS N ROSES name. You can clearly see the continuation of what GNR once was and you don't really need Slash to enjoy the show.

Niech zyje ROCK N ROLL !

Niech zyje GUNS N ROSES !

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