Review: Guns N’ Roses @ Webster Hall

Guns N’ Roses @ Webster Hall: February 15th

Words: Gregory McLoughlin
Images: Jeremy Gordon

There was a time I was very skeptical of seeing a band called “Guns N’ Roses” that didn’t include  any original members besides Axl Rose, especially since the other five original members are still alive and making music. I’d seen a few shows at the height of their popularity, and it was sad to see the band fade in the years that followed the Use Your Illusion tours. My life was wrapped up in following Phish during that period, but recollections of the shows I had seen in high school, and knowing that the original band split up on bad terms, was disappointing.

On a whim, I attended their 2002 comeback show at Madison Square Garden. I went in with absolutely no expectations, but more of a quenching desire to hear the songs I loved so much again. Expecting a train wreck, I was actually impressed and had an amazing time. It was clear this GN’R was Axl and a bunch of hired guns, but musically it was intense and dynamic, helping me forget that fact for a few hours.  Unfortunately, the next day the band was supposed to play in Philly, and Axl didn’t show up. A riot ensued, and it was Groundhog Day all over again as the great legacy faded back into darkness. The 2002 show made me hungry for more, and I was patiently rewarded with more comeback shows in 2006 that were enjoyable, and finally we even got the long overdue Chinese Democracy LP in 2008. But it wasn’t until more recently that an ever-changing lineup settled and the band started to click.

Fast forward to four years later at 11:52 PM this past Wednesday night. The lights went down and a spotlight shined down on axeman DJ Ashba at the top of the stage as he played the opening chords to Chinese Democracy’s hard-driving, self-titled opening track.  But five minutes later, 25 years after Axl’s howl woke up the music world, the scream “You know where you are???” came out, and Welcome to the Jungle set the roof of Webster Hall on fire. To even describe the energy to someone who wasn’t there is near impossible, it was absolutely explosive.

The newer songs, especially the ballads, were delivered with conviction and clarity. With rare exception, the energy level didn’t drop when recent material was started. Street of Dreams was especially strong, as that song’s quality stands up to the best of the earlier epic material and Estranged and Civil War, each brought the house down as well. The band also covered AC/DC’s Riff Raff in head-exploding fashion, fitting the dirty raucous vibe of the venue.  Just as dirty was the groove Tommy Stinson held down on the classic You’re Crazy. Singing along to this song, I inadvertently shouted “You’re F*#king Crazy” in another fan’s face as he was walking past. Afterward I realized this was the only place on the planet where I could shout that at a stranger and generate a laughing response.

Axl’s commanding presence, combined with his flawless vocal performance, made their version of Knocking on Heaven’s Door, which I scoffed at in my younger years, one of the most powerful songs of the night. That groove at the end is just plain hot, and it was a perfect opportunity for Axl to sing like he had something to prove. When the guitarists went acoustic for Patience, they traded in their chops for grace and beauty.  The only thing missing from that song was the smashing of the neon phone at the end.  Minutes later, we were singing Paradise City in joyous revelry and a sea of confetti. It was 3:10 AM and they took us home.

It’s common knowledge that Axl Rose replaced the original members of Guns N’ Roses with studio musicians, a move other band leaders have made and received far less grief about.  On previous tours, it was proven that other musicians could deliver the music flawlessly. But the current lineup has something that wasn’t there on previous tours…Chemistry.  Call this band whatever you will and while I have full respect for anyone who says that this isn’t “Guns N’ Roses,” it is a pointless argument.  This is a true band.

In a small venue you can see that they love playing together, respect one another and have natural chemistry that goes way beyond the fact that they are all incredible musicians and performers. The other thing that the current incarnation of Guns N Roses has is a great sideman. Guitarist DJ Ashba has the stage presence and attitude in a lead guitarist that this band desperately needed.  He looks nothing like Slash, but has his own persona and stage personality that is just as intriguing, and just as much rock n roll.

As far as Axl Rose, the difference between now and the old days is that he seems sincerely grateful for the band and the audience they have earned.  Together, the current GN’R members embrace Axl’s vision, rather than fight against it, and the fans that see past the absence of Slash and Duff are being rewarded with one of the best live attractions to take any stage. The quality of future studio material may decide whether or not this lineup of Guns N Roses reaches the heights of popularity enjoyed in their early years.  But as long as Axl Rose’s voice stays as strong, the audiences will keep on growing.

Set: Chinese Democracy, Welcome to the Jungle, It’s So Easy, Mr. Brownstone, Sorry, Shackler’s Revenge, Estranged, Rocket Queen, Richard Fortus Guitar Solo (James Bond Theme), Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney & Wings cover), You’re Crazy (First time played since 2010), This I Love, Motivation (Tommy Stinson song) (Tommy Stinson on lead vocals, with band introductions), Dizzy Reed Piano Solo (Baba O’ Riley), Street of Dreams, You Could Be Mine, DJ Ashba Guitar Solo (Mi Amor), Sweet Child O’ Mine, Riff Raff (AC/DC cover), Instrumental Jam (Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2), Axl Rose Piano Solo (Gran Torino/Goodbye Yellow … more), November Rain, Bumblefoot Guitar Solo (Pink Panther Theme), Don’t Cry, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover), Civil War, Used to Love Her (First time played since 2010), Nightrain

Encore: Instrumental Jam, Madagascar, Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover) (Tease), Better, My Michelle (First time played since 2010), Instrumental Jam, Patience, Instrumental Jam, Paradise City

[via Setlist.fm]

Greg McLoughlin is the bassist for BuzzUniverse, who just released Living Breathing Magic.

Related Content

3 Responses

  1. As said the chemistry between this band now. GN’R is more Powerful than ever. There passion to play together as a group is enormous.The way they all connect you can tell this is one band that wants to make all the fans filled with intense vibes of there playing Rock N Roll..Axl is still strong as ever and can’t wait for the next album to hit the music stores. GN’R was great back then with the original members, but even more greater now with the members cause of there passion to be a No.1 Group and to keep there fans Happy! Great shows Guys you are Awesome!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter