Guns N' Roses @ Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
Sunday, January 24, 2010
By: Allan Robertson
Guns N Roses touched down in Hamilton halfway through the Canadian portion of the Chinese Democracy Tour. Featuring a similar line-up as back in 2006 but now introducing DJ Ashba along with Richard Fortus, and Ron Bumblefoot Thal on guitars. Bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Frank Ferrer, and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman completed the line-up.
The house lights went out at 10:30pm after an hour-long break following Sebastian Bachs set. Intro music played in the dark, then a spotlight shined on DJ Ashba who was standing on an elevated lift at the back of the stage as he launched into the opening riff of Chinese Democracy." The massive stage featured three (3) runways, a large drum riser with a wrap around staircase, numerous video screens and moving light trusses. Axl emerged wearing a black hat, sunglasses, bandanna, a half buttoned up white shirt, a large silver crucifix and regular blue jeans. Gone are the dreads, but instead he is showing off a rather unique mustache. Welcome To The Jungle was the second song in and was followed by two more songs off the first album, making the strongest part of the set in my opinion. A piano hovered out from hiding under the drum riser for Street Of Dreams, November Rain and This I Love and also showcased solos from Dizzy and Axl. During Rocket Queen Axl was without a hat or bandanna and he really looked naked without it, but quickly returned to his regular look.The show contained pyro, fireworks, percussion bombs and various video footage playing on the screens behind the band. The most impressive pyro happened during November Rain when it was just a wall of sparks behind the drums and all along the staircase. Axl was in great spirits joking around with his band mates, some limited banter throughout and he did disappear from time to time backstage for numerous wardrobe changes and whatnot. The band played a 2 hour and 40 minute set to a crowd of about 5,000 people. The entire upper level was empty. Sebastian Bach himself was on the side of the stage watching the show along with some of his band members. The set list was really heavy on the newer material featuring ten cuts off the latest 'Chinese Democracy' and seven off of 'Appetite For Destruction' with a few others thrown in. DJ Ashba stole the show, in my opinion, and is a great addition to the line-up; he has a great look and some wicked custom-made guitars. Both he and Axl were running all over the stage and utilizing every available space, including the piano itself that Axl stood on top of at one point. Bumblefoot played double necked guitars several times throughout the show and Richard was entertaining to watch with his aggressive strumming.
At one point, a fan threw a beer that hit the stage and luckily Axl was on the other side and it was quickly cleaned up by the stage hands without incident. Axl even got personal with some fans as he shook hands stage right during a song. All three guitarists had their own time to showcase their skills. The last song of the main set was Nightrain as Axl blew a whistle to start things off and then it ended up in the crowd. For the encore, the band returned for three (3) songs and closed with Paradise City as red confetti and streamers were floating around. Axl then threw his mic out into the crowd at the end, which would be the ultimate souvenir for a lucky fan! The band took a bow, some shooter girls came out to the front of the stage and Axl personally handed out shots to some fans.
Cameras were strictly prohibited for this performance as even Ticketmaster called customers directly to relay this info. Apparently texting was not allowed as I saw someone get stopped during the show and couldnt believe it.
Setlist:
Intro
Chinese Democracy
Welcome To The Jungle
Its So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Sorry
Better
Richard Fortus Guitar Solo
Live And Let Die
If The World
Shackler's Revenge
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo
Street Of Dreams
There Was A Time
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
DJ Ashba Guitar Solo
Sweet Child O Mine
Instrumental Jam (Another Brick In The Wall snippet)
Axl Rose Piano Solo (Someone Saved My Life Tonight)
November Rain
Bumblefoot Guitar Solo (Pink Panther)
Scraped
Knockin On Heavens Door
Nightrain
Encore:
Madagascar
This I Love
Paradise City
Photos by: Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal for hooking Backstageaxxess.com to shoot and cover the show. Check out the Guns N' Roses site here: www.gunsnroses.com/ for your most current info on the band.
