Axl won’t try our Patience this time
»»Rockers return after late shows anger fans »»Ex-guitarist claims band out to make amends
AROUND 80,000 Guns N’ Roses fans will descend on Slane Castle today for what is set to be the concert of the summer.
And the legendary rockers will be setting out to redeem themselves in the eyes of many Irish fans as they perform at the famous venue for the second time. Their first appearance was 25 years ago when at one point Lord Henry Mountcharles feared things could get out of hand as the crowd grew restless waiting for them to perform. And while it’s five years since the November Rain stars last played in Ireland, many fans also remember their 2010 gig at the 02 for all the wrong reasons. They were bottled off stage that night by a booing crowd left far from impressed with the prima donna antics of eccentric singer Axl Rose who turned up ridiculously late. Mayhem ensued and the frontman stormed off after only four songs – and it then took more than an hour of negotiations to get him back on to finish the gig. But the band’s former lead guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal believes that tonight they will try to win back the hearts of those Irish fans still left with a bad taste in their mouth. Remembering the show as being “volatile”, he said: “We were very late – people threw things. “The show was held off for a while but then we went back on and we did finish the whole show. I thank everybody for their patience for sticking around for the whole show and seeing it through with us. “That was very cool that as much of the audience stuck around and stayed for the whole show.” Bumblefoot, who quit the band in 2015 after eight years of touring and 325 live dates, remembers how they bravely went back on to the same stage in Dublin in 2012 with a steely determination to win over disgruntled Irish fans. He added: “We made it up the next time out there.” Bumblefoot reckons Guns N’ Roses are still at the peak of their powers when it comes to playing live and he believes the Slane Castle show will be hailed as one of their best gigs here. He added: “That’ll be a great show. We had some great shows in Ireland.” He also told how some of his fondest memories of Ireland are mingling with the fans outside venues after gigs and sharing a “curry” with them. He actually struck up a friendship with a Finglas man named Stephen Browne after one gig and they are now Facebook buddies. And in 2012 the rocker invited his pal to join the band after the gig – they hit Dublin’s Gypsy Rose bar and then nipped into Lillies before going back to party at their hotel. Stephen said: “I had the band singing John Spillane’s version of Oro, Se Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile on the tour bus to town after the gig. “They were giddy after the show and asked for a
traditional Irish song to sing along with.” Bumblefoot doesn’t drink and has never taken drugs – but he always insists on a wee taste of the black stuff when visiting this country. He added: “If I’m in Ireland I will inhale some Guinness for sure. It’s almost an out-of-respect thing.” The band, who are playing Slane as part their Not In This Lifetime world tour, are expected to hit the stage at the Co Meath venue by around 7pm to make sure they get to play their full set of 20 songs this time. Concertgoers are advised to be in place before 5pm. Gates are open at 2pm with support from local act Otherkin, Mark Lanegan and Royal Blood. There will be more than 400 gardai on duty at the event supported by 1,200 stewards. Officers “strongly advised” giggoers to use bus transport. A spokesman said: “There is a shuttle bus operating from the Market Square in Navan to Slane starting at 1.30pm and running up to 7pm. “There is also a shuttle service from the bus depot in Drogheda starting at 12.30pm and running up to 6pm. Return services will operate immediately after the end of the concert. “If you’re coming by car, allow for traffic delays, remember what car park you are in (Red – Navan Road, Blue – Collon Road and Pink – Drogheda Road). “No cars will be allowed to approach on the N2 from the Ashbourne side – this route is reserved for buses.”