Guns "n" Roses Forever
Guns "n" Roses Forever
Yeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guns and Roses Forever. COOL!!!On the grounds waiting in anticipation for the group with fixed eyes to the stage.The Guns and roses mania was brewing in a potion of excitement and joy. The show was supposed to start at 4 pm , but nothing happened and just the stage was set up and nothing was to be seen, nobody was to be seen and we came in prepared and ready, only to expect a blank stage. no Artists, no technicians, just a blank stage with the instruments and the mechanics,staring at us. Starting with security hustling us around at the gates, standing in the row of tickets to verify our identity and finally getting into the arena, right in front of the stage. It was expected, anyway. The show was at 4 in the afternoon and the rockshows in India, never start till 7 pm. So it was evident that this group was going to start out late. I guess its a marketing trick to get more crowds to the arena, because from 4 to 6:45 the stadium had started filling up and people were coming in. During this time, there was good music playing in the background to keep us entertained. Thew crowd had settled down by that time, and peolpe were relaxing during that time, buying the snacks and drinks. at the time, just to while our time, there was an Indian rock group introduced called " Godess Gagged ". They started playing, they did their part. when the singer announced he was going to play the last song, the audience clapped. That was that!!! the end.Period!!!
The Concert, as management was completely different from other concerts.there were different lines for tickets - Platinum,Gold and silver. I went to the Silver line, and thankfully there was no line. as I was early, there wasn't much crowd at the time and I just walked into the stadium. The Gold line was ahead, and the platinum line had the royal class treatment, sitting in the best seats, with all comforts available.but a thought did pass - its a rockshow. people come here to be in the crowd,in the stuggle,because that is the real joy of the rockshow, you cant get the experience sitting in a posh seat.
At that time, the technicians had started clearing up the Stage, and the instruments of godess gagged were cleared off the stage, the lights started coming on at places and the stars were introduced. From the minute they started, there was energy and continous energy,that was the key feature that was seen in the show. Starting with some high - octane music, the first song I remember was " It's so easy " , the thrill of seeing them was just too much, and the crowd being all charged up. after all this wait, we saw the guy we had actually come to see - Axl rose. The strong influence of our younger years, the showstopper of our generation- he defined the "90"s for rock . His music we heard all through that time- at home, in the bars, with friends at the college campus and the show happened in the same place where I lived this part of my beautiful life - In Bandra. There he was - singing in his screeeching voice, and wooing the audiences.
The energy continued - show business is good business. There is a difference in listening to a live rock band, especially a band like Guns "n" Roses. The minute the show started - it was the first time in my life when I was introduced to a True Rock Show. The American are in a true sense of the word, what you call "Proffessional". The show was set up so beautifully, the visuals were added to keep attention, unlike earlier.The stage which was looking so plain had come to life, with lights changing and technicians running around making changes. Everything was setup to capture your attention. The colours of the costumes were also designed to create a visual harmony. Normally rock groups have a dominant colour - black. But guns and roses have a visual outburstof colours. Black, though remains a subtle theme.
Axl sang his way through Chinese Democracy, introducing his players one after the other. The live shows give more exposure not only to the group as whole, but also explores the talents of the indiviual members. There were performances by Richard Fortus, as he wanged on his guitar. Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal was actually promoted with Axl , in the print ads and gave an impressive performance. There was a very special performance of one of the founding members - Dizzy reed. The person who gave Guns "n" roses their truly unique sound from the keyboards was playing live before us .... and he was good,so good, so fine. after you heard his performance, you know how the background music of November rain, and estranged got their classic touch. Axl had got the audience involved while singing estranged, was his
first connect with the audience. at first, Mr . Rose appeared to be pissed off with the audience, at least during the first two songs, but as the songs carried forward he seemed to be enjoying himself. Though he was not as active as before, he had changed physically and his voice stopped at times, though he did a good job and was confident, as usual and commanded authority.Even through his singing , while he was
screaming, he seemed to be passing some serious messages through his voice. However, there was no odd behaviour from him as we had heard about, which was good.
Then there was the DJ .... DJ Ashba , the new guy in the band, introduced by the man himself, Axl. he played two instrumentals - ballad of death and Mi amor - sensational stuff. Mi amor especially, its a tune I keep on hearing everyday, and its a tune that gets enhanced with the stage colours, and visuals. There is a part in Mi amor where the audience can participate and clap their hands which the makes the tune very powerful.People say he,s a clown, a slash imitation, ... but hes still very good. an outstanding performer!!!
The energy continued, the crowd enjoyed every number, and this same energy continued for three and a half hours, considering the earlier did a "sham" performance for 30 minutes.the crowd was milking every moment of guns "n" roses in different emotions. The guitarists kept on moving around drawing the
audiences attention. the visuals wer continously changing, keeping you glued to the stage. The crowd was jumping and hopping in joy. the mock guitarists among the crowds played their imaginary instruments. Songs like Nighttrain, sweet child of mine, Paradise city and november rain were bombed on the audience and they happily blew up into pieces, after a mild dose of chinese Democracy. "Appetite for Destruction" has become a recent favourite and was highly enjoyed by me ? At times, I do think that how could a bunch of rockers who dont give any impression of being top notch at all get this adoration and fame, to move from staying in a room sharing their life to moving to such super heights of glory? The fact of the matter is that they are talented, ..... and hardworking as well. Slash, in one of his interviews said that he practised for 17 hours to perfect his art. Axl has a certified high IQ, Duff is an equal genius and every member of the group is talented. Axl, when he played november rain had such control over the keyboards that it appeared as if his hands were going like butter on the keyboards. He was not playing simple tunes,but complex tunes with such ease.he was free!!!
There was a thought I had at the start of the show
The show finally was coming to a close, and all good times come to an end... but, I'll still be playing guns and roses at home. Finally, Axl spoke to the audience and told them that he had been trying to get to India for 27 years, but was not able to schedule an event and after thanking everyone, thanked Freddie mercury, another firebrand performer. So I know where his inspiration for perfection comes from. Finally , it was goodbye, and the audience started moving out to the stadium, as a classic started playing
on.
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