When the newly reunited Guns N’ Roses headlined Coachella in 2016, it felt inconceivable.
When they returned to the Empire Polo Club seven years later to shut the primary evening of Power Trip, it felt inevitable.
Like Iron Maiden proper earlier than them, Guns N’ Roses included no surprises of their Friday evening efficiency. But that’s to not say they didn’t kick up an exquisite racket throughout their three-hour set, delivering a vigorous, exhausting mixture of hits, deep cuts, covers and new tunes.
You can see the total set listing under.
Deep Cuts Ruled the Day
Highlights of GN’R’s 2023 set listing embrace classic deep cuts “Bad Obsession,” “Pretty Tied Up” and “Anything Goes,” again for the primary time in many years. All three supplied thrills at Power Trip, notably the primary two, which arrived early within the set and allowed Axl Rose to flex his still-powerful chest voice.
The frontman additionally sounded fired up on the band’s cowl of Wings’ “Live and Let Die” and the Chinese Democracy minimize “Better,” and his banshee wail on “Reckless Life” was practically transportive. That inimitable sandpaper rasp that after made Rose essentially the most harmful frontman on the earth solely reveals up about half the time on a great evening now — however in the event you can dwell with these odds, you’re in for a hell of a great time.
READ MORE: Guns N’ Roses Live Surprises: Debuts and Rarities From 2023 Tour
That’s as a result of, even when they’re exhibiting their age, Guns N’ Roses don’t cellphone it in. Rose stomped and strutted his approach throughout the Power Trip stage all evening, eyes nonetheless filled with fiery dedication and satisfaction when he landed a great scream. Slash dazzled throughout a frenetic, improvisational solo at the tip of “Double Talkin’ Jive,” the notes virtually flying out of his fingers like mini lightning bolts. Duff McKagan, an image of self-preservation, delivered rock-solid backing vocals alongside keyboardist Melissa Reese and proved his personal frontman mettle with a canopy of the Stooges’ “T.V. Eye.”
Guns N’ Roses Played Long — Maybe Too Long
It was every thing you could possibly need from a Guns N’ Roses set — and then some. The band delivered most bang for buck, but in addition loads of bloat. “Rocket Queen,” as soon as one in every of their most menacing songs, acquired a hammy, Vegas-style makeover with dueling guitar solos, piano and auxiliary percussion. A gentle throng of followers within the basic admission part flocked to the exits all through the second half of the set, which included back-to-back covers of Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
Suspend your cynicism although, and Guns N’ Roses nonetheless delivered a gargantuan rock present, warts and all, that reminded viewers why they belong on the Power Trip lineup. They won’t be the identical wildly unpredictable band of yesteryear, however the truth that they’re right here at all is value celebrating.
Guns N’ Roses, 10/6/23, Power Trip, Indio
1. “It’s So Easy”
2. “Bad Obsession”
3. “Chinese Democracy”
4. “Slither” (Velvet Revolver cowl)
5. “Pretty Tied Up”
6. “Mr. Brownstone”
7. “Welcome to the Jungle”
8. “Hard Skool”
9. “Absurd”
10. “Double Talkin’ Jive”
11. Reckless Life”
12. “You Could Be Mine”
13. “Estranged”
14. “Live and Let Die” (Wings cover)
15. “Down on the Farm” (UK Subs cover)
16. “Rocket Queen”
17. “T.V. Eye” (Stooges cover, Duff McKagan on lead vocals)
18. “Better”
19. “Anything Goes”
20. “Civil War”
21. Slash guitar solo
22. “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
23. “November Rain”
24. “Wichita Lineman” (Glen Campbell cover)
25. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan cover)
26. “Patience”
27. “Coma”
28. “Nightrain”
29. “Paradise City”
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Few bands have impacted rock ‘n’ roll the way they have, and even fewer have weathered as many changes.
Gallery Credit: UCR Staff
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