Guns N' Roses vs ... well, Guns N' Roses.

Guns N' Roses vs Guns N' Roses.

So, there's the 1987 line up, and there's the 1998 onwards, and rotating line up, and for the time since 1998, there's been the comparisons. Well I, for one, am sick of the comparisons, and think people need to get used to the idea that the GN'R of now, is all we're going to get.

I mean, everyone knows that the 1987 line up was the most successful, and the better known, but I think that's where the comparisons need to end. Yes, I love the 1987 line up for the chemistry those 5 members had, and I think they current line up lacks that somehow, but they are still a good band in their own right, and deserve the respect of the old school fans.

Axl himself is a bit of a twat yes, simply because he thinks the world revolves around him and he didn't really consider everyone else in the later stages of GN'R 1987-1998, but even if you dislike him, it needs to be noticed that he is a musical genius. His voice is the best of the era, and is instantly recognisable... who nowadays can claim that?

The one thing I'd love more than anything is for the original 5 members to at least talk to each other, and consider a tour for their 25th anniversary, but thanks to various arguments, and name calling, it's never going to happen. It would be mind blowing, the most anticipated reunion ever, and anything else you can think to call it, I haven't got the words to describe how happy it would make me personally. 

That said, I'm looking forward to seeing the current GN'R touring the UK next year, and will most definitely be at one of two shows, thinking quietly to myself how DJ Ashba is an awesome guitarist, and is even playing the well known solos note for note, which pleases me. Having watched videos from tehir recent Japanese tour, Guns N' Roses are on top form, so it should be an amazing time to see them!

So I've kinda gone off topic a bit, but I tend to do that when it comes to this topic. Either way, I still think people need to get over the comparisons and take both versions as a separate band, and enjoy the music from both era's.

Done =)

Green Day - Manchester MEN 31st October 2009

Green Day - Manchester Evening News Arena

31st October 2009

Support for this show came from US band, Prima Donna, who to be quite honest, aren't really worth reviewing. They weren't great, or terrible.

There was also a surprise appearance from Foxboro Hot Tubs, which was amazing. They played a three show set, as a treat for Halloween, which was as explosive as expected.

Green Day setlist:

1. Song of the Century 
2. 21st Century Breakdown
3. Know Your Enemy 
4. East Jesus Nowhere 
5. Holiday 
6. The Static Age
7. Give Me Novacaine
8. Are We The Waiting
9. St. Jimmy 
10. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
11. Hitchin' A Ride
12. Welcome To Paradise
13. Going to Pasalacqua 
14. Iron Man/Eruption/Purple Haze
15. Brain Stew
16. Jaded
17. Knowledge (Operation Ivy cover)
18. Basket Case
19. She
20. King For A Day
21. Yakety Sax/Monster Mash/Shout!/Champagne Supernova/Ever Fallen In Love/Teenage Kicks/Hey Jude
22. 21 Guns
23. American Eulogy 

 Encore 1 ends after Minority and then Encore 2:

24. American Idiot 
25. Jesus Of Suburbia
26. Minority
27. Last Night on Earth
28. Wake Me Up When September Ends 
29. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

 From the moment Green Day came on stage, you just knew you were in for one of the best shows of your life. Billie Joe, Mike and Tre were as energetic as they were when they were 20, never mind in their mid 30's, and gave the performance everything they had. I won't analyse the show song by song, as it's one of those shows you need to experience to know how it was, but I an say, it was one of the best shows I've ever been to.

I know a lot of people disliked the parts where they got the children/teens on stage, but even as a fan who's liked them for over 8 years, and at 20 years old, I'd have loved to have been one of those children. They had children stage-diving, squirting water pistols, and even 3 teens/young adults playing their instruments at one point. Now that's crowd interaction.


Not once, did I hear a mistake in their set, not one note out of tune, not one bar of music out of time or anything, which makes them one of the best live bands around right now.
The inclusion of some really old school songs such as Going To Pasquala was a welcome inclusion for the old school fans, as the set was 21st Century Breakdown and American Idiot heavy, but all those songs worked perfectly.


Their light show, pyrotechnics and backdrop all added to the atmosphere and visuals of the show, although I stand by my comment that the show would have still been as awesome if it was performed in someone's garage with a lamp, it was that good.


10/10.