Guns n’ Roses are notoriously late for their own shows. I remember going to Donnington one year and the joke doing the rounds was that the promotor had told the band their ‘take to the stage time’ was several hours earlier than they were due to go on, to try and minimise the complaints.
Main doors were 1530 hours yesterday, but for a yet-to-be-disclosed reason, fans were still locked out at 1730 hours. Talk of sound issues has been mooted on social media, but surely that wouldn’t have prevented letting people in to take their seats, eat drink, and buy merch?
As per this fan cam clip, Axel Rose was forced to stop the show (twice) because the sound was a mess.
Michael Monroe’s entire set was pulled, which will have been a kick in the teeth for ageing Hanoi Rocks heads such as my good self. Also, the Guns’ set list was cut to 22 songs, which was less metal than headbangers overseas got for their price of admission. The full repercussions will ultimately only begin on Monday, as many fans walked out, fatigued with the whole experience.
Whoever/whatever was to blame, the venue will need to ensure that things improve dramatically because the ultimate responsibility lies with the venue. If the venue doesn’t step up to the plate, then people will go and watch artists perform in places that can open their doors on time and can make sure that the billed artists actually play, and that the sound is fit for purpose.
🎼 It’s so easy…