Concert Review: Guns N Roses, Kansas City, Sept 23, 2023 – A Celebration Of Rock N Roll

*Picture of last night’s GnR show courtesy of the Rock Chick

I had the pleasure of attending the Guns N Roses show last night at Kauffman Stadium, where the KC Royals play and all I can say is… wow. First and foremost, this was my first show at a baseball stadium. I have to admit, I don’t love the venue. I know Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young played there – back when it was Royals Stadium – in 1974 on that ill fated tour, but since then concerts at “the K” have been somewhat rare. I know Billy Joel played there a few years back. I’d heard complaints about the sound at the stadium but I thought last night sounded great. I prefer when bands play at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs, because you can set up the stage in one end zone and you can get close if you’re on the floor. With the diamond being roped off last night it left a big open space between the stage – set up in center field – and the stands where I was. To the naked eye the guys in GnR – Axl Rose (vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Richard Fortus (guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Frank Ferrer (drums), and Melissa Reese (keyboards) were merely specs on the stage. But enough bitching about the venue…

It’s been 7 years since I last saw GnR in Kansas City. They’ve been on a seemingly endless tour. It began as the “Not In This Life Time” tour and now they’re calling it the “We’re F’n Back” tour. Last night was one of the best rock shows I’ve seen in a very long time. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen some great shows this year – Bush and then Bruce Springsteen – but nothing of the sheer hard rock muscle of GnR. I had the pleasure of watching with friend of the blog, RK, and he commented to me, “This is one of the best vibes I’ve ever had at a show.” It really was a celebration of rock n roll. GnR played for over 3 hours. They gave it all they had. Last time I saw them, they had tent set up on the right side of the stage and Axl kept ducking in there after every song. Probably for oxygen… Not so last night. Axl was all over the stage, like a man half his age. Duff McKagan plays bass so aggressively it’s almost a lead instrument – the man could give Flea a run for his money as “greatest bass player of his generation.” And then there’s Slash. “OMG” as the kids say. His solo’ing is otherworldly. It was like seeing Jeff Beck or Jimmy Page at their respective peaks. Slash simply put on a clinic.

With three hours to play GnR could hit most of their back catalog. They kicked off with a spirited version of “It’s So Easy” a classic Appetite For Destruction track. And from there it was off to the races. “Bad Obsession” has always been a personal favorite and it was the second song. It might have been the bourbon, but I have to admit, they lost me a little in the early stages of the show when they did “Chinese Democracy” and then a Velvet Revolver tune “Slither.” I just didn’t recognize the tunes. Try as I may to connect to Chinese Democracy, I just can’t. Just as I started to worry they hit me with one of my all time favorites “Pretty Tied Up.” Then it was on to “new” song “Hard Skool,” which I really dig. So many favorites last night! “Mr. Brownstone” led to an unhinged “Welcome To The Jungle” preceded by a little guitar homage to Link Wray from Slash. Then they hit the great new track “Perhaps.” I have to say, Axl Rose almost seemed… joyful.

The energy of last night’s show was so upbeat. It was like seeing a rejuvenated band. “Live And Let Die” slayed me. That led into “Civil War” with Axl sporting a Ukrainian flag on his T and on the big screen behind the band. They projected the concert on side screens and used cool graphics in the big middle screen… I felt like that was a bit of a lost opportunity for those of us up in the cheap seats…I was wishing they’d have had the band on that big middle screen but I’m splitting hairs. They did a Spaghetti Incident? song “Down On The Farm,” which I don’t love but they rocked it. “Rocket Queen” was epic. Duff sang the old Stooges track “T.V. Eye.” Slash’s guitar solo is enough to put him in the guitar player Hall of Fame…it was like seeing Eddie Van Halen play “Eruption” back in the day. Axl sat at the piano for a wonderful rendition of “November Rain.” They literally hit every tune you’d wanna hear. They even found time to do a cover of Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman.”

The main set ended with another personal favorite “Nightrain.” The encore was short but very sweet – just two songs. “Patience,” their best acoustic track which led into a rousing version of “Paradise City.” I staggered from my seat weary, bludgeoned and battered but in a good way. I couldn’t find a t-shirt vendor with my size T so get your shirts early folks. I can’t say enough good things about last night’s show. It was like the band itself, epic, larger than life, spectacular.

If Guns N’ Roses are coming to your town, do yourself a favor. Buy the ticket, see the show. Thank me later!

Cheers!