Guns N’ Roses

words by niall roeder

Guns N’ Roses are doing Wellington. The group that bought us rapid-fire sha na na na’s and sing-along anthems like Paradise City and November Rain will be raising the goblet of rock at Westpac Stadium, February 2.

…We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy.

横浜素晴らしい That was something, Yokohama #GnFnR #NotInThisLifetime Tour 2017

A post shared by Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) on Jan 25, 2017 at 7:35pm PST

Born on the Sunset Strip in the late 80’s, the now Rock N Roll hall of famers hit the scene during the reign of bands like Bon Jovi and Whitesnake. They carved their own sound that wasn’t glam, wasn’t metal, but a type of rock that could span acoustic ballads to grandiose stadium head-bangers. The group has had its ups and downs, plenty of things going sideways and a fair share of wtf moments. There’s been record breaking sales and sold-out world tours, as well as more band fights and break ups than you could poke a drumstick at. And then there’s Chinese Democracy, the most recent “Guns N’ Roses” album – which took the formidable and inevitably loco ginger frontman, Axl Rose, 10 years and $13 million to record.

The band regrouped in 2016 and is currently in the middle of a world tour. The Not In This Lifetime tour will see Rose reunited with the enigmatic Slash and bass player Duff McKagan, both of which are original members of the band. Although McKagan is a very welcome addition, the fact that his Slashness is touring with Rose is massive. They’re a rock ‘n roll pair. The snake hips and the top hat, the banshee screeching and the face-melting solos – without getting too deep, there’s a recognisable connection between the two, like that of Jagger/Richards and Plant/Page. And let’s be honest, this could well be the last time we see them together.

Despite the craziness that is Guns N’ Roses, their talent and popularity is undeniable. You’d also be pushed to find someone that doesn’t know a chorus to at least one of their songs. And how many weddings have you been to that didn’t feature a drunken dance floor Sweet Child o’ Mine?

Guns N’ Roses perform at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium February 2.

We miss you Latin America… #GnFnR #NotInThisLifetime Tour

A post shared by Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) on Dec 19, 2016 at 10:02am PST