Axl Rose declares ‘war’

Mon 30th Aug, 2010 in Local News

After arriving on stage an hour late, making five costume changes and attempting to play past curfew Axl Rose has demanded that the Reading/Leeds festival organisers make a public apology to fans for the shortened Guns N’ Roses set.

The festival’s organisers were forced to cut the sound as Guns N’ Roses went over curfew and though the band attempted to play an acoustic version of Paradise City only the drums could be heard, leading the band members to stage a brief sit in protest.

Posting on Twitter Axl Rose commented that: “In regard to Reading we feel at the very least the fans deserve an apology from those responsible for the nonsense. We’d also like to thank the fans for being so great, singing along n’ not tearing the place apart!!”

Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba also voiced his anger on Twitter making several lengthy posts to note that “Nobody will ever realize the amount of bullshit that Axl gets thrown at him on a daily basis. If you only knew the half of it, you would understand. Trust me I don’t know anyone out there that could deal with what he has to, to keep a monster like Guns N’ Roses rolling and still get on stage and perform like he does… He is one of the few living legends of our time. He is the real deal, like it or not, he stands for what he believes and wears his heart on his sleeve. He is all about his fans, we all are….thats why we give 200% every concert we do.”

Ashba also launched an attack on the festival’s promoters claiming that “the promoter has had a personal grudge with GN’R stemming from 8 years ago… This was clearly not a curfew thing because after cutting our power like a selfish money grubbing prick, he allowed music blasting through out the venue till the early morning. The promoter was already being a cocky f$#k in the press before we arrived, so yes we went on a little late, and for this we apologies. However, our fans payed to see a show, and that’s why we showed up, too give them just that. Sad that this promoter’s music festival has little too do with the fans or the love for music. Last night was insane! They pulled the power, but failed to kill the connection as 90,000 people sang Paradise City. Much love to you all!!!”

Fellow Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus echoed the support for Axl: “I don’t think there is another band out right now that has the balls to do what we did last night. Axl insists on doing things his way and not playing by the fucking rules. You can love him or hate him for it, but the fact of the matter is…. he’s the real fucking deal. skin, blood and soul. Deal with it or not, but it won’t ever change.”

Though Guns N’ Roses threatened to boycott the Leeds festival the following night, the band did play the headline set, again creating issues by arriving on stage half an hour late.

The NME reports that “Rose made several costume changes throughout, switching from a silver jacket to a black one, a purple one, a red checked jacket with a cowboy hat, then a gaudy white jacket, and finally a white sleeveless top” and ended the set with a bow and the declaration “”We would like to play a few more songs for you tonight, but someone is telling us the show’s over. This war ain’t over yet. Be safe getting out of here. And for the problems with the promoters, fuck you.”

Reading and Leeds Festivals organiser Melvin Benn told NME the sound was only cut at Reading to comply with the event’s licence and that he had “absolutely no idea at all” why the band did not begin their sets on time. Benn also denied the alligation that he holds a grudge against the band: “Why would I have a grudge against the band? They’re one of the greatest bands in the world and they’re playing one of the greatest festivals in the world.”

Guns N’ Roses Leeds setlist:

Chinese Democracy
Welcome To The Jungle
It’s So Easy
Mr Brownstone
Sorry
Richard Fortus Guitar Solo
Live And Let Die
This I Love
Rocket Queen
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo
Street Of Dreams
You Could Be Mine
DJ Ashba Guitar Solo
Sweet Child O Mine
Instrumental Jam
Axl Rose Piano Solo
November Rain
Bumblefoot Guitar Solo
Knockin On Heaven’s Door
Nightrain
Paradise City