For the first time since the partial reunion of the classic band, GN'R is playing France. The gig struggled to sell out unfortunately, I think Guns are reaping what they sowed during all those decades of trying people's patience (that's right). Changing people's perception will be an uphill battle.
And that's a shame, too because they are now a professional, well-oiled machine. Axl no longer goes on ranting tirades, and mostly seems to be keeping his cool (one incident with a security guard almost blew up but was then diffused by Axl himself... unthinkable even two years ago!).
They played even longer than when I saw them last year in San Diego, and they have now included Black Hole Sun as a tribute to the recently departed Chris Cornell. It's a marathon show, and if Axl's voice is a little weaker than last year it's still holding out really well on the more aggressive songs.
Slash and Duff of course are some of the baddest mofos in rock, and seeing the three main guys from the original group play together warms my cold black heart. There is still very little interaction between Axl and Slash, but this isn't a love fest. This is a rock show. And the show is glorious.
By now it's evident that this reunion will last beyond the dates originally scheduled, and a new chapter of the Guns story is being written.. One that ties it all together. One in which they reclaim the title they have so pathetically pissed away all those years ago. One that plays out a bit like the end of Rocket Queen, an uplifting coda after the bile and acrimony of the previous verses.
