Hell has frozen over, and it was no April Fool’s joke: most of the original Guns N’ Roses lineup performed together in a 17-song set at the place they cut their teeth so many years ago: the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. Fans slept overnight on the sidewalk for the chance to score tickets to the show, dubbed #notinthislifetime, which were sold on a one-per-customer basis for a nearly unthinkable $10.
Iconic figures Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan alongside keyboardist Dizzy Reed – missing original members Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler – took to the stage with GNR v. 2.0 guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank Ferrer. A second keyboardist named Melissa Reese also joined the group, the band’s first female member. The last time Axl, Slash and Duff were on the same stage together was on July 17, 1993 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The newly configured band opened their set with “It’s So Easy” and “Mr. Brownstone” and rolled on through hits “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “Live and Let Die,” before closing out the show with “Paradise City.”
Curveballs came in plentitude. For the first time ever, Slash played on “Chinese Democracy” and “Better” live, songs off the 2008 album Chinese Democracy which Rose orchestrated at great length after the original lineup disbanded. The encore also saw a cover of The Who’s “The Seeker”.
There was a strict no phones/no cameras policy at the venue, but naturally, iPhones will be iPhones:
Read an exhilarating full review of the show from our friends at mxdwn.
Guns N’ Roses at the Troubadour April 1 Setlist:
1. “It’s So Easy”
2. “Mr. Brownstone”
3. “Chinese Democracy” (first time with Slash)
4. “Welcome to the Jungle”
5. “Double Talkin’ Jive”
6. “Live and Let Die” (Wings cover)
7. “Rocket Queen”
8. “You Could Be Mine”
9. “Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from ‘The Godfather’)”
10. “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
11. “New Rose” (The Damned cover)
12. “Better” (first time with Slash)
13. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan cover)
14. “My Michelle”
15. “Nightrain”
Encore:
16. “The Seeker” (The Who cover)
17. “Paradise City”
The reunion show kicks off a string of April shows for the iconic group, including a pair of headlining sets at Coachella and dates in Las Vegas and Mexico City. Their 21-stop reunion tour is also on the horizon.
