Guns N’ Roses
Copps Coliseum
Hamilton, Ontario
Monday November 28, 2011
By Joseph Suto
The latest version of Guns N’ Roses invaded the Copps Coliseum Monday evening. This marked the band’s second appearance at Copps, their first since January 2010. Despite a chilly, damp night, the faithful Hamilton crowd had a pretty hefty walk-up and the building filled in comfortably by the time Axl Rose and Company hit the stage. Flanked by the three guitar assault of DJ Ashba, Richard Fortus and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, the band also included bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardists Chris Pitman and Dizzy Reed. Reed being the only member that goes back to the Use Your Illusion era.
Approximately forty minutes after opening band The Pretty Reckless finished their set, the band took the stage precisely at 10:45 PM, a little on the late side in this day and age considering most arena shows end around that time. The band then proceeded to play for a solid two hours and forty-five minutes, giving those in attendance more than their money’s worth. They began with the title cut from “Chinese Democracy” before giving way to a spirited “Welcome To The Jungle”. “Live and Let Die”, the Paul McCartney cover featured a full blast of pyro that really made the song come alive. The band did a great job mixing in newer tracks with older ones throughout the show. An effervescent version of “You Could Be Mine” made one wonder, why didn’t they open with this song, it seemed to be the perfect choice.
The guitarists all took turns performing solos, Bumblefoot delivered a gem during his which was sandwiched between the Pink Panther theme amidst the stage being flooded with pink lights. This latest version of Guns N’ Roses may very well be the best line-up Axl has put together, perhaps even giving the original classic lineup a run for their money.
One of the highlights featured an exquisite “November Rain” that fit the weather outside to a “T”. One downside to the show was the inclusion of “Knocking On Heaven’s Door”. While GNR has the best cover version of the song in popular music, there are just too many bands out on the touring circuit playing this song to death. Whatever steam that may have been lost was quickly made up by a intensified rendition of “Nightrain”, which closed the show. The band came out for an encore segment that featured some instrumental jams enveloped around “Madagascar” and “Better” two cuts
extracted from the latest release “Chinese Democracy”. As the show wound down the band closed with “Patience” and “Paradise City”!
There have been many detractors and naysayers who continue to not give any non-classic GNR lineup a chance. After witnessing this show first hand I can honestly say to anyone who has any doubts, go see this band if they make it anywhere near your backyard. You will surely not be disappointed.
Special Thanks to Kymm Britton for her help in making this review possible.
Guns N’ Roses
Chinese Democracy
Welcome To The Jungle
It’s So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Sorry
Shackler’s Revenge
Estranged
Rocket Queen
Richard Fortus guitar solo
Live And Let Die
This I Love
Sonic Reducer (Tommy Stinson vocals)
Dizzy Reed solo/Street Of Dreams
You Could Be Mine
DJ Ashba Solo
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Axle Piano Solo/November Rain
Bumblefoot guitar solo
Don’t Cry
Riff Raff
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Nightrain
Encore
Madagascar
Better
Patience
Paradise City
The Pretty Reckless
Since You’re Gone
Light Me Up
Miss Nothing
Zombie
Just Tonight
Goin’ Down
My Medicine
Like A Stone
Seven Nation Army
Nothing Left To Lose
Make Me Wanna Die
Factory Girl
