Axl Rose Rocks YAS ARENA To Mostly Chinese Democracy

Last night, Axl Rose, along with the new line up of Guns N' Roses performed for the first time in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Arena. The show was attended by over 20,000 fans coming from all over the UAE, and other countries.

The show featured music mostly off of the band's latest release Chinese Democracy, which certainly disappointed many. (don't worry they still performed November Rain)

A Reddiff.com reader submitted a short review, where he mentions:

"Axl Rose, in his signature attire, sporting a moustache gave the audience a two-hour plus concert, which went on till past midnight. A touch of disppointment could be felt from the crowd since a majority of the tracks were from the new album Chinese Democracy.

This could be judged by the audience response to tracks from the new album (not so new now, since its release in 2008) as against the thunderous response which rose at the first chords of the older songs like Welcome to the Jungle, Live and Let Die and November Rain.

Slash was surely missed, though there was Richard Fortus, DJ Ashba and Ron 'Bummblefoot' Thal, who sort of made up for it. The solos from each one of them were outstanding which included themes of James Bond [ Images ] and The Pink Panther. DJ Ashba eased into Sweet Child of Mine, straight after his solo. Ron worked his magic on the Double Neck Guitar and gave The Pink Panther theme a Rock soul.

Guns N' Roses were huge in the late 1980s and early 1990s and going by the 25,000 strong crowd who gathered at the Yas Marina on Thursday night, there is no doubt that they still have their 'Yesterdays'. "

Gulf News apparently got a chance to interview Axl Rose before the show (which could be his first interview in 14 years), where he states:

"I'm so excited to be playing in front of such a multi-cultural crowd".

Gulf News also mentioned that "his manager expressed surprise that the red-haired singer was willing to give an interview, telling Gulf News, "I don't know what you've done, but you did something right!"


While, Thenational.ae raved the show and Axl's performance, stating:

"Thousands of rock fans shook the Yas Island Arena in celebration last night as the rock band Guns N' Roses took to the stage.

The US rockers opened with the title track from their latest album, Chinese Democracy, with a flurry of fireworks before the stage was bathed in a red glow. The frontman and lead singer, Axl Rose, then delighted the crowd by playing one of the group's biggest hits, Welcome to the Jungle."

You can watch fan filmed clips from the event using the player below:



The night's set-list included:

• Chinese Democracy
• Welcome To The Jungle
• It's So Easy
• Mr. Brownstone
• Sorry
• Richard Fortus Guitar Solo [James Bond Theme]
• Live And Let Die [Paul McCartney Cover]
• This I Love
• Better
• Rocket Queen
• Instrumental Jam
• Dizzy Reed Piano Solo
• Street Of Dreams
• You Could Be Mine
• DJ Ashba Guitar Solo [Ballad of Death]
• Sweet Child O' Mine
• Instrumental Jam [Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2]
• Axl Rose Piano Solo [Goodbye Yellow Brick Road/Someone Saved My Life Tonight]
• November Rain
• Bumblefoot Guitar Solo [Pink Panther Theme]
• Knockin' On Heaven's Door [Bob Dylan Cover]
• Whole Lotta Rosie [AC/DC ]
• Instrumental Jam
• Nightrain
• Don't Cry
• Patience
• Instrumental Jam
• Madagascar
• Instrumental Jam
• Paradise City

[Ed note: Opening act was a 30 minute set from local rockers Juliana Down]

You can check out photos from the event by clicking here.

Feel free to share photos, videos or your personal experience of the show in the comments section below.