No sooner than right after the first post goes live, it happens again. So much for the “odd cosmic coincidence happening in threes” theory.
This time, it was at Dublin, Ireland’s O2 Arena. Guns N’ Roses had arrived three hours late (translated to GN’R time: right on schedule) to play a show there. Part way into their most famous song, “Welcome To The Jungle”, an errant bottle flies toward the stage. (Whether or not it hit Axl or anyone else is unknown.) Axl Rose stops the song and tells the crowd, “Here’s the deal - one more bottle and we go home. It’s up to you. We would like to stay - do you want us to stay? We want to stay. We want to have fun. If you don’t want to have fun, all you gotta do is let us know. We’ve got no problem; we’ll be on our way.” Despite a chorus of boos, the band restarted the song - only this time the response is hundreds of plastic bottles being hurled.
Guns N’ Roses, instead of living up to Axl’s word, stuck it out for another 20 minutes. After the continuous volley wouldn’t stop, Axl Rose walked off the stage with the rest of the band. The promoters take to the stage, explained that they are having “technical difficulties” (read: a problem with keeping stuff from being launched at the stage and desperately trying to talk the band in to going back out) and asked the crowd to refrain from throwing anything at the performers. After half an hour of no show - during which many people left - the band took the stage again and played another 90 minutes (to, by that point, an almost half-empty arena).
The promoters spoke to the press after the debacle, saying that, "Despite his continued appeals, having tried to continue performing for 22 minutes, people continued throwing unknown substances leaving the artist with no choice but to leave the stage." The fact that Guns N’ Roses had a "long history for being late on stage" was acknowledged, but the promoters also added, "NO artist should be subjected to missiles and unknown substances being thrown at them."
It’s already been established that, in that respect, they’re 100% right. And, no matter how late he was or how terrible Rose’s performance was (which seems to be the other factor in the bottle barrage), that attack wasn’t even called for, much less earned. All the credit in the world should be given to Rose and the band (who tried valiantly to salvage the show despite the crowd’s - and Rose’s - best efforts) for carrying on in the face of a full-on revolt that could have gotten dangerously out-of-hand.
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Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Here's footage in 720p.
3 hours late?! F*ck That!! After 30-60 min I would've located a staff member & strongly requested a refund. You're right, this isn't 1991. Not only should that douche be on time, but, after 18 years that album should have sounded brilliant. Hell, give me the money he spent along with only one years time and I could release better shit than that...
2 - karl murray
i was there and we couldnt even here axl sing worst gig ever fuck axl
3 - dexter
3 hours late.. huh? GN'R was due on stage at 9:45 (30min after Danko went off), but they came on at 10:25. Seems more like 40min late to me...
4 - Laine
yes, it seems everyone likes to blow the time out of proportion, i heard it was 40 min. sounds to me like the people cant hold their liquor and get a bit stupid...the two GNR shows I went to this year were both entertaining and professional.
5 - krystale
I attended the show in Hamilton Canada, this was by FAR the best concert i've ever seen, very professional, non-stop entertainment!! Axl is still on top of his game. Why dont all these haters find another hobby? They sure spend a lot of time following GnR and Axl all over the net just to write some ignorant BS that they know nothing about.
6 - DANIEL
It is no secret, Axl Rose has many times said he wants to give the fans a great performance and has to get in the right state of mind to perform how ever long this may be he is and will always be A Great Artist and deserves that respect. Knowing this why do you whiners buy tickets in the first place I guess you also think it is 1991. Chinese Democracy is Brilliant Fans Real FANS USE TO WAIT FOR NIGHTS OUTSIDE A STORE JUST TO BUY TICKETS FROM THEIR FAVORITE BAND AND YOU ASSHOLES CAN'T WAIT AN HOUR NEXT TIME BUY BRITNEY SPEARS TICKETS
7 - Bryllupsfotograf Forevigt
I saw GNR twice and no matter what they do, just as long as they play the hits, Im there. It just reminds me of som great times in my life!
8 - DANIEL
AXL ROSE represents true rock n roll when it was about rebellion,attitude,and not givinng a f??k
9 - E
I feel like Axl Rose is a really cool name, and I have heard of Guns and Roses and Axl Rose for many years. I have not paid much attention to their music, because I do not listen to that type of music a lot, but I always thought that as a band they sounded like the type of band who is known for being crazy, but that is what makes them unique and that is what characterizes them. If I could, I would love to see them perform, and I would never throw anything at them. They sound like a really great band to me! I went to a Whitney Houston concert a long time ago, and she was about an hour late, and I was so frustrated, but when I saw her perform, she made me so happy! I would not be surprised to hear that Axl was late even though it is not a good habit. Take care Axl! God bless you!