Going to a new (to me) venue for the first time is always a fun experience because you really aren’t sure what to expect. How’s the traffic getting there, the parking situation, etc. and for as many shows that I’ve gone to, the Pasadena Rose Bowl is one that I’ve never been to. That is until Saturday September 6, 2026 when I got a text from my friend Brian from Audioeclectica saying “let’s do something fun.” To which I said “Guns ‘N Roses are playing tonight.” “Great let’s go” and well here we are. Let’s take a look….
If you want to go to LA and not have to deal with the craziness of Downtown or West Hollywood, then Pasadena is a nice little getaway. That said, I’ve seen tour announcements for shows at the Rose Bowl several times. I always like going to Pasadena and I must say the Rose Bowl is a pretty cool spot and would absolutely love to see more shows there. Also getting back home from there is a lot easier than having to deal with crazy LA traffic.
Now for the opening act……would we get a classic rock band like The Black Crows that were advertised on the poster?? Perhaps the band Barbarians Of California?? Or some unannounced band specifically for the LA show?? What do we get?? Ice Cube. Freaking Ice Cube!! Now rap is a genre of music that I don’t really delve into that much and while I get that Ice Cube is an icon and a legacy act, this really felt out of place. There’s the saying “know your audience” and this definitely applies. However, he was fine and now I can say that I’ve seen Ice Cube but seriously Black Crowes would’ve been an absolutely perfect fit. I am almost certain that if a band like that opened, more people would’ve shown up early. I know I would’ve. Time for the main event……..
The last time I saw Guns N’ Roses was back in 2021 on the Not In This Lifetime Tour and I actually thought they were pretty good. I say that because the internet is full of trolls saying that Axl can’t sing anymore but then and now, he sounded great. Can he hit the same notes that he could in the 80’s and 90’s?? No he can’t but to say that is unfair and he can still sing well enough to put on a fantastic performance. And for being around as long as he has, he moves around the stage and gets the crowd going.
Of course it isn’t Guns N’ Roses without Slash, Duff, and the rest of the band who were on fire the entire time. Guys like Slash and Duff are considered legends for a reason and this show definitely proves why. One thing I did notice this time around is that second guitar player Richard Fortus really compliments Slash’s guitar playing and I think he’s quite overlooked. He’s got such a great stage presence and really fits the band. Of course you have longtime keyboard member Dizzy Reed who definitely adds a great element to the band. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention new drummer Isaac Carpenter who’s played in bands like Awolnation as well as Duff’s other band Loaded. His drumming reminded me a lot of original drummer Steven Adler. He’s just got that hard hitting snap and kick that you heard on Appetite For Destruction and Lies. He is the perfect replacement.
Once that opening for “Welcome To The Jungle” starts, the crowds starts cheering, and the band goes into it, for the next 2 1/2-3 hours, it’s on!! Once “Welcome To The Jungle” ended, they immediately went right into “Bad Obsession” from Use Your Illusion I and “It’s So Easy” off Appetite For Destruction. Of course they had to play the other hits and classics like “Mr. Brownstone” and “Rocket Queen” and while those songs are great and classics for a reason, it’s really the deep cuts that made the show even better. I was hoping they would play the song “Estranged” off Use Your Illusion II and not only did they play it, but it was so damn good. Definitely one of the highlights of the night.
I will say for as great as they were, I do wish that they would have played more songs off of Chinese Democracy. If you can get past the whole production and the many musicians that played on it, it’s actually a really good album and the songs on it are great. However, they did play the title track so I suppose it’s better than not playing anything off it at all. Of course they did play a handful of covers such as “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” “Live And Let Die,” and “Slither (although I’m glad they played it as I am a big fan of Velvet Revolver).” But seriously maybe play one or two less covers and play something off Chinese Democracy.
This was a day of, last minute decision to go and I’m really glad I did because Guns N’ Roses are still a great band to see live. After all these years, they still have it and absolutely are miles above some of their peers (*Motley Crue cough cough) and while I do wish that they played more songs from certain albums (seriously seven freaking cover songs?!?! That’s a bit excessive) as a whole, it was a great time and I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday night. I mean the fact that they’re still going and can still sell out stadiums says a lot. The audience was great, the sound at the venue was great, and it was just a fun night of rock music.
Final Grade: A
Guns N’ Roses are:
Axl Rose: Voice
Slash: Guitar
Duff McKagen: Bass/Backing Voice
Richard Fortus: Guitar
Dizzy Reed: Keys/Piano
Isaac Carpenter: Drums
Guns N’ Roses played:
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Bad Obsession
- It’s So Easy
- Mr. Brownstone
- Slither
(Velvet Revolver cover) - Chinese Democracy
- Live and Let Die
(Wings cover) - Nice Boys
(Rose Tattoo cover) (dedicated to Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo) - Yesterdays
- Shadow of Your Love
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Hard Skool
- Estranged
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
(Bob Dylan cover) - You Could Be Mine
- Nothin’
- Junior’s Eyes
(Black Sabbath cover) - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
(Black Sabbath cover) - Rocket Queen
- Don’t Cry
- New Rose
(The Damned cover) (Duff McKagan on vocals) - Think About You
- Atlas
- Civil War
(with Jimi Hendrix’ “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” outro) - Slash Guitar Solo
- Sweet Child o’ Mine
- November Rain
- Nightrain
- Paradise City
