Review: Guns N’ Roses Plays to a Soggy Rock In Rio 2011

Guns N’ Roses played to a soggy but massive audience this evening/morning at Rock in Rio as a kick off for their 2011 tour. Guns N’ Roses was nearly at top form for the most of the concert. Due to the rain and possible audio issues (at least on my end), there were small delays in between songs. Sometimes during the delays a quick instrumental would be played between band members while something was possibly fixed or adjusted. When the band played they were tight and, frankly, amazing. Axl first came out in what I thought was a yellow raincoat but by the third song, it was taken off.  He did wear hats and various forms of rain gear throughout the show.  Axl mentioned in the beginning that they would be playing it safe so they wouldn’t “fall on their asses.” He laughed, “I’ll concentrate on singing instead of running around like an idiot, but I’m better at being an idiot.”  It was at this time I saw people with brooms pushing the water off the stage creating a waterfall at times. Yeah, lots of water.
With the torrential rain throughout the 2 ½ hour show, it was amazing that the band played as well as they did, but by the end of the concert it seemed they were getting tired and going through the motions. Overall that didn’t detract from the concert itself. Axl was in top form and his singing actually surprised me with strong his voice is. During songs like “Sorry”
he sung it with a passion that really made me pay attention to his performance.  There were only two negatives that I saw in the concert: as mentioned above, the delays that kept breaking the flow of the concert. You’re all into the song and bam, delay. Get going again, bam! Delay. That got a little old after a while. However, this was likely due to water issues since at times I did see crew members on stage while they were performing and in between the songs. Axl changed into fresh clothes a couple times during solos. The second thing was that after Rocket Queen the tempo slowed down for too long and a few times I was looking at my watch.
Over all, the concert was great to see, especially at the Rock in Rio festival and well worth the wait. You know this band is going to get stronger as the tour progresses, as most bands do when they tour, and when that happens, watch out. This could be one hell of tour this fall. See them if you can.
Below is the set list:
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle
It’s So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Sorry
There Was A Time
Live and Let Die
Rocket Queen
This I love
Sweet Child of Mine
Estranged
Better
Street of Dreams
You Could Be Mine
November Rain
Knockin’ On Heavens Door
Night Train
Encore:
Patience
Paradise City
Photo Courtesy: YouTube/Rock in Rio