Guns N' Roses

All of those people who were snickering and betting in early 2016 that the then upcoming Guns N' Roses reunion tour was going to implode after a few concert dates, are looking pretty bad about now. Not only are the band currently on their second leg of US dates, but the tour has been drama free, with no major incidents reported (a much different result than the "Use Your Illusion" tour in the early 90's, when bad blood between band mates, and even concert goers, could get ugly.) Also, the current "Not In This Lifetime" tour presently ranks as the 6th highest-grossing concert tour of all-time.

In the midst of all this good will and maturation, Guns N' Roses, which toured stadiums in 2016, are presently doing the hockey area route and returned to the TD BankNorth Garden, in Boston, Massachusetts (on October 22, 2017) for the first time since 1993 (that is, the first time in Boston since sporting the current three out of five original member lineup of, Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagen).

Sans an opening act, the ensemble took the stage promptly at 7:33PM. Looking remarkably fresh for a group that has been pretty much on the road since 2016, they opened with the standard one-two punch of "It's So Easy" and "Mr. Brownstone." The title cut from "Chinese Democracy" was then politely acknowledged, and then Slash nearly blew the roof off the Garden when he first teased, and then finally, tore into the iconic opening to "Welcome To The Jungle"

While the set as a whole has been pretty standard during the tour, some notable differences were a tribute to the recently deceased Glen Campbell, with a touching cover of "Wichata Lineman" (which was penned by Jimmy Webb). Also, an atmospheric take on Soundgardens "Black Hole Sun" was moving and a nice nod to the bands late vocalist, Chris Cornell (Soundgarden was one of the opening acts for Guns N' Roses back in 1991).

Also unearthed was the acoustic heavy and black comedic, "Used To Love Her," only one of two songs played during the night from 1988's "G N' R Lies" LP.

As standard, McKagen manned the lead vocalist spot for a cover of horror punkers The Misfits, "Attitude" (which included an opening snippet of Johnny Thunders' You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory"). As McKagen was sporting a sleeveless t-shirt which read No F---s Given," "Attitude" was certainly an appropriate tune for him to belt put.

Most impressive, the band looked great and seemingly were more energetic then when they last came through this area 15 months ago (when the group played 2 nights at Foxboro Stadium in July 2016). Axl was more mobile (of course he was coming off a foot injury last time) and Slash did a few jumps off the stairs to the drum riser, as if he was a man half his age.

A generous six song encore was highlighted by "Patience," "Madagascar" (from "Chinese Democracy"), a blistering cover of The Who's "The Seeker," and the bombastic show closing "Paradise City, " complete with a cannon like blast of confetti.

Sadly, there were no guest spots from original GNR drummer Steven Adler (which he has done during the tour). And Izzy Stradlin, whom all hardcore fans are still hoping will show up at some point during the tour, is still MIA.

While the tour continues to amaze beyond anyone's expectations, fans are clamoring for a reunion of the groups original 5 members, and they deserve one. With some luck, here's hoping that the (possible) next tour (or even a final tour) sees the "Appetite For Destruction" lineup get together for one final jaunt.