Welcome to The Jungle: Guns 2 Roses were back!

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Friday 3 September: Guns 2 Roses/Surreal Panther and Mirko Fadda

Concorde 2 – Black Rabbit Productions.

Guns 2 Roses

“THE MOST NOTORIOUS GUNS N ROSES TRIBUTE IN HISTORY EST 2002 – THE ONLY G’N’R TRIBUTE TO PLAY LIVE WITH 4 DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF GUNS N ROSES! WE PLAY ALL THE TOP VENUES AND FESTIVALS IN THE UK – EUROPE – DUBAI – INDIA & USA!!! GUNS 2 ROSES ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING, CLOSEST LOOKING AND MOST INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED G’N’R TRIBUTE IN THE WORLD!!!”

Concorde 2 was busy tonight. I had a good feeling about tonight. It was hot and clammy outside and very warm inside! The crowd had been well warmed up by Steel Panther tribute, Surreal Panther and solo rock guitarist Mirko Fadda. Scroll down to read all about them! Guns 2 Roses were the well deserved headliners tonight. Concorde 2 was pretty rammed tonight and the heat outside was matched inside the venue, no respite in the shade for anyone tonight and, hell yeah, it was only going to get hotter.

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Now, I imagine most people in their time have owned a copy of Guns N Roses debut album Appetite For Destruction – what an album, but that was really as far as it went for me apart from the few single releases. Never saw them live, and after seeing these guys a couple of years ago, I was anticipating a great set from Guns 2 Roses.

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Live and Let Die

For a tribute band it was great to see no hesitant crowd members staying towards the back of the venue. The opening riffs of Easy signalled a change in the set list from the last time the guys played here and we saw Axl leap onto the stage, and from that straight into Brownstone. This lit the fuse for the musical display we were about to watch and join in with, the large crowd surged forward. That’s how you do it ladies and gents! A real attention grabber from the get go.

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The instantly recognisable Wings Bond them Live and Let Die followed. Their rendition of Live and Let Die was pure unadulterated rock and roll energy as the band jumped around the stage, swapping places and avoiding collisions, no mean feat considering the space they had up there. Did I mention the hair, there was so much of it! I have to say I prefer the G’N’R version, and these guys did it justice. We were well shaken after that! The bodies in the crowd danced, bumped and sang, you could only get a sense of what was to come!

: Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

: Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

(Click on photos to enlarge)

I have to say, and confirm once again, not only do Guns 2 Roses sound exactly like the band they’re paying homage to, but over the time they have spent together playing, they have finely tuned, or indeed crafted, their show to give you an experience of a Guns N’ Roses gig. This was confirmed whilst chatting to some fans of Guns and Roses who had seen the original band play. A brief lull in the ear shattering goodness came in the shape of Knocking On Heavens Door, and again the mighty Brighton choir made a suitable effort in joining in, as “Slash” laid down some super fretwork for that one!

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

What an atmosphere

The set seemed to have been broken into chunks, which was a great idea and yep, the opening barrage of Welcome To The jungle, was pitched at us note and scream perfect. And as the drums and bass kicked in the crowd was riled up again with much air guitar playing and fist pumping! Think About You was next – superb stuff! You Could Be Mine and the tasty Slither came at us in quick succession leading Slash into a guitar solo break and Axl left the stage briefly.

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Again that riff started up as Sweet Child Of Mine was played and Axl bounded back to the stage. Used to Love and Rocket Queen were next, giving the crowd some time to catch their breath!, with some lovely bass lines in Rocket.

Oh my, “Do you want some AC/DC?” we were asked, a massive roar from the crowd kicked off Whole Lotta Rosie. The band were turning it on, maximum power. I thought Slash had fallen of the stage, but he had climbed down to mix it up with the crowd. Brilliant! One fan headbanging the guitar! What an atmosphere had been created by Guns 2 Roses tonight.

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Paradise

Damn, that set went quickly, the sweat was dripping onto the floor after that one. Nighttrain from Appetite For Destruction heralded the beginning of the end of the set. The last song was announced to a roof lifting cheer from the crowd, it was that song… Paradise City. The crowd went wild for this one as Axl blew that whistle, I don’t think one person was standing still and a few hundred voices singing along to every word. A superb end to a brilliant night.

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Axl has absolutely perfected the voice, the hand gestures, mannerisms and dance moves used by err, Axl. The sound, the band, the musicianship all comes together and will put it into a whole experience for anyone going to see them and will give them a night to remember. The band love what they do (they are good at it), they love and clearly appreciate their fans and for a ticket price seriously less than the real guys you are in for one helluva rush. These guys are well worth the ticket price. You will not be disappointed if you go see them play.

Well played, some incredible renditions played by Guns 2 Roses, the walls came crashing in, we had some singing tonight. And after the pandemic I think we all need that! And dear reader, it just did not stop until the final guitar chord, the final bass string plucked, the final whistle blow and the final hit of the drum was reached at the end of the gig. Well done to Gavin and the guys, heres to the next time!

Guns 2 Roses: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Guns 2 Roses are on the web here – visit the website to keep up to date.