In Concert: Guns N’ Roses
Show Date: November 5, 2011
Venue: Gexa Energy Pavilion
Dallas, Texas
Attention citizens of Dallas and the surrounding cities: Don’t be alarmed. That sonic blast you heard from the vicinity of Fair Park last night is nothing to be concerned about (unless, of course, you are a Guns N’ Roses fan and you didn’t get tickets to the show). It was just those choir boys known as Guns N’ Roses putting on a bit of a show for the lucky 20,000 or so who managed to pick up tickets.
I haven’t gone back to the Gexa Energy Pavilion this morning to view the carnage but I suspect that structural engineers are combing over every inch of the venue to make sure there is no damage to the facilities.
If you’re not catching my drift, I’ll spell it out for you: Guns N’ Roses was in concert last night and, yes, it was incredibly loud – like rock and roll should be.
Axl Rose and the boys should hit the stage an hour and a half in a fashionably late sort of way but, if you’ve followed the band at all, you know that it’s to be expected. But, when they hit the stage, wow!
The show blasted off with video and DJ Ashbar’s power chord intro to Chinese Democracy which had the crowds on their feet. The band segued immediately into Welcome To The Jungle. A song or two later was the bone rattling Sorry accompanied by some disturbing but thought provoking video.
Richard Fortus did his James Bond themed solo which set the stage (pun kinda/sorta intended) for GNR’s explosive version of Live and Let Die with the crowd enthusiastically singing along with the band. The crowd also later sang along with the band as they cranked out Sweet Child O’ Mine.
Tommy Stinson did a punkish version of the Who’s My Generation that I have to think Pete Townshend would approve of. This set the stage – wait, I already used that line – This provided the perfect set up for Dizzy Reed (read the Boomerocity interview with Dizzy here) to perform the Who’s Baba O’Riley on the grand piano.
The ever-lovable Bumblefoot’s guitar work during the show was awesome but, then again, what would you expect from the guy? He’s the consummate guitarist. DJ Ashbar? Great! I know! I know! He ain’t Slash. Get over it. Slash is gone and isn’t likely ever to come back to GNR. Ashbar brings his own magic to the band. He faithfully delivers the licks to the tunes while putting his own distinguishable mark to them. If you can’t get over Slash not being in the band, then don’t waste your time showing up for the show. Be warned: by doing so, you’ll miss out on some phenomenal guitar work.
Having played all the fan favorites, Guns N’ Roses left the crowd exhausted but satisfied. You'll definitely want to catch GNR if they're playing anywhere near you.
