After about half an hour of waiting, on came Sebastian Bach who absolutely rocked. I've never experienced much of the guy before but he was on top form last night and really set the tone for things that were to follow. He was on stage for around 45mins and played everything you would expect him to, finishing on Youth Gone Wild. I was absolutely blown away by the guy. His voice was very impressive and he really got the crowd going. I just hoped he'd return later in the night for My Michelle...
Then after another 20mins or so, on came Bullet For My Valentine. Now, I'm not a fan of theirs and this performance only cemented that. In my opinion they were totally the wrong support act for GnR and I found myself really quite bored all the way through their set. They played for about half an hour and played all their 'hits' to a very mixed response from the audience. But they once they left the atmosphere just intensified as everyone prepared for what was to come next....

In typical GnR fashion they made us wait and arrived on stage an hour and a half late with the crowd chants alternating between 'Guns N' Roses! Guns N' Roses!' to 'Where The Fuck Is Axl? Where The Fuck Is Axl?'. The heat was really getting to people by this point with people collapsing near the front and being helped out by security... it really was survival of the fittest. But after what seemed like a life-time, out went the lights.. on came the intro and before we knew it out played the famous chords and the words 'DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE!?!?!' Everybody went wild.. and stayed wild for the entire set.
I can't remember the full setlist in order but they played;

Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Live And Let Die
Knocking On Heavens Door
Robin Finck solo into Sweet Child O'Mine
Richard and Robin solo "Beautiful"
Dizzy Solo
The Blues
Ron Thal solo (Don't Cry)
You Could Be Mine
November Rain
Out Ta Get Me
Think About You
My Michelle (with Sebastian Bach)
You Have To Move (Blues Cover with Izzy)
Patience
Nightrain

NO ENCORE


Everything was played to perfection with Axl in awesome voice, sounding better then ever while the guitar trio nailed every riff, rhythm and solo. Brain still wasn't around but the replacement did an awesome job and had I not known what Brain looked like - I probably wouldn't have known the difference.
They put on an awesome show with pyro at regular intervals (Live and Let Die, You Could Be Mine, My Michelle). Axl once again shouted 'So You Can BITE Me' at the end of Out To Get Me. Finck wore his Slash-esque hat and jacket for the 1st few songs before ditching them for Live and Let Die.
Izzy got a great reception when he came on stage

Although the majority of the crowd took to the new band like a fish to water, there were still some hecklers chanting 'We Want Slash' and 'Lame Ass Solo' after Ron Thal's display of dexterity - (they obviously weren't guitarists!) and 'Just play a fucking song!!' while the band jammed for a while - but most of the crowd just went with it and loved it. I overheard quite a few people discussing 'who is the superior guitarist, Slash or Finck?' after the gig which I was pleased to hear.. these guys deserve alot of credit because as much as I loved the old band, the performances the new band are putting out would be hard to top by anyone.

My highlight was November Rain which was just beautiful from start to finish with the climax at the end filling the entire arena and evoking a rapturous response from the crowd. Axl wore his green shades throughout the song which he explained was because 'Elton wished me a good show tonight'.

The only downside to the performance was during Nightrain when some dude thought it would be a good idea to throw a £1 coin at Axl. Axl ranted for a short while before prompting the band to stop and then walking off the stage while a chorus of boo's came from the audience. Axl's voice was then heard over the speakers saying something along the lines of 'I thought we were all having fun.. now if you want, we can try this again - but it's hard to entertain 11,000 people when some cunt is throwing shit at you'. They all returned to the stage to restart Nightrain which would turn out to be their finale due to the fact that they started an hour and a half late and as punishment for the projectile. So they closed their set at 00:15 with no Paradise City and only one new song in 'The Blues' (despite Bach telling Axl he had to play IRS)... but all in all the best gig i've ever been to.. and probably ever will. These guys are amazing and there are no two ways about it. If you're still longing for the days of Slash and Duff, check out the new band - I guarantee they'll make you think twice!

Phil Adele, UK

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