 | « Back to article | Print this article |
PIX: Guns N' Roses' ROCKING Night in Mumbai
When a blonde woman shooting the long line of eager fans asked them how long they'd been waiting for the concert to begin, they screamed cheekily, "Over ten-fifteen years!"
That was the general mood at the Guns N' Roses (GNR) concert that took place at MMRDA grounds in Mumbai on December 9.
Hundreds of GNR fans turned up to experience the band's path-breaking music live and see the band's vocalist Axl Rose in action.
If they were a tad disappointed that Slash, the iconic lead guitarist of the original lineup was a no show, the GNR frontman more than made up for it with his enthusiasm.
Fans waited patiently as Mumbai-based metal band Goddess Gagged -- the opening act for the night -- played some of their compositions.
PIX: Guns N' Roses' ROCKING Night in Mumbai
While a few were amused that there was no alcohol at the venue, several others mistook iced teas in transparent glasses for beer and looked quizzically around.
Half an hour after Goddess Gagged finished its set, THE band -- with a new lineup, save for Axl Rose -- opened their act with Chinese democracy, the title track from their sixth studio album that released in 2008.
PIX: Guns N' Roses' ROCKING Night in Mumbai
Axl Rose's emerging on stage was met with thumping applause.
The frontman, a more sobered down version of his younger self, looked tired but made sure he kept his Indian fans entertained throughout his massive set that lasted three hours.
Dressed in ripped denims, a top hat, printed tee shirt and several jackets throughout the show, the singer was in the middle of November Rain at the piano when he popped an aspirin and said, "I'm having it so that I stay in a good mood for you guys."
All the three guitarists -- Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, DJ Ashba and Richard Fortus – played around five-minute solos each during the show.
PIX: Guns N' Roses' ROCKING Night in Mumbai
While Welcome to the Jungle, Rocket Queen and Another Brick in the Wall (cover of the popular Pink Floyd number) were well received, it was Sweet Child of Mine -- one of the most popular GNR songs -- that got roaring applause.
The relatively lesser known GNR songs -- It's so Easy, Mr Brownstone, etc were followed by more popular numbers like Estranged, Nighttrain, Patience and Civil War.
The band, quite remarkably, squeezed in their top ten songs of all time in their marathon set.
PIX: Guns N' Roses' ROCKING Night in Mumbai
Axl Rose, who was all over the stage trying his best to give Mumbaikars the quintessential GNR experience, was appreciative of his audience.
He said during the show, "I've been wanting to come to India for the last 27 years. It's finally happened. I'm so thankful to you guys for being here."
PIX: Guns N' Roses' ROCKING Night in Mumbai
Axl Rose dedicated the song to "India, Bombay and Freddy Mercury."
After Bangalore -- where they played on December 7 -- and Mumbai, Guns N' Roses are now headed for New Delhi for the last India concert on Wednesday, December 12.