Review by: Ilya Mirman
Photographer: Ilya Mirman
Venue: Rocklahoma
More Show Photos: HERE
Closing out the first night of Rocklahoma 2013, the epic 3-day hard rock festival held on Memorial Day weekend (in Pryor, OK), Guns N’ Roses played an amazing, satisfying set that had something for everyone.
GNR is a big reason I was so looking forward to Rocklahoma. I’ve been a huge fan since first hearing Appetite For Destruction in 1987, and have seen Guns live half a dozen times since 1988. And I’m happy to report that Axl and Company blew us all away with a nearly 3-hour show that spanned everything from Appetite For Destruction, to Use Your Illusions and Chinese Democracy, to classic rock covers. And as a special treat, every band member had an opportunity to showcase their talents in solos and band jams.
Opening with the title track from their latest album, Chinese Democracy, the band sounded amazing – tight, energetic, cohesive – and all great showmen. With every song, every growl, every whisper, Axl showed die-hard fans that he’s still at the top of his game. Following a string of five GNR classics including Welcome To The Jungle and Mr. Brownstone, guitarist Richard Fortus took the stage for some very cool solo work. The band then launched into Live And Let Die, a Wings cover that’s been a staple of GNR sets for decades; followed by This I Love from Chinese Democracy.
Dizzy Reed then took the spotlight with a piano solo covering Led Zeppelin’s No Quarter. After alternating hits old (You Could Be Mine) and new (Catcher In The Rye), it was guitarist DJ Ashba’s turn at bat. His solo – Mi Amor – was a soulful, mesmerizing performance, that built to a spectacular crescendo when the band joined in – and transitioned into a fabulous rendition of Sweet Child O’ Mine.
Before the night was over, we saw Axl cover Pink Floyd on piano; Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal perform guitar and lead vocals duty on his song Objectify; and the band cover Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door and The Who’s The Seeker.
Wrapping up the night was a rousing rendition of Paradise City that ended with the most powerful confetti cannons I’ve ever seen showering us for what seemed like a (super fun!) eternity. The show was a killer way to end the festival’s first day – and set a VERY high bar for the next two days’ headliners!!
Set list
1. Chinese Democracy
2. Welcome to the Jungle
3. It’s So Easy
4. Mr. Brownstone
5. Estranged
6. Rocket Queen
7. Richard Fortus Guitar Solo (The Blacklight Jesus of Transylvania)
8. Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
9. This I Love
10. Dizzy Reed Piano Solo (No Quarter)
11. Catcher in the Rye
12. You Could Be Mine
13. DJ Ashba Guitar Solo (Mi Amor)
14. Sweet Child O’ Mine
15. Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 (Pink Floyd cover) (with Axl on piano)
16. November Rain
17. Objectify (Bumblefoot cover) (Bumblefoot on lead vocals)
18. Don’t Cry
19. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
20. Jam
21. Nightrain
Encore:
22. Jam
23. Patience
24. The Seeker (The Who cover)
25. Jam
26. Paradise City