Updates: July 31st, 2021 Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium

[PermissionToLand]

Seems there was one dude at the show that wanted to get on stage - he was kicked off the train :-D

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBGQs6DE-U/

WTF? I don't know what happened before the video but he wasn't even beyond the barrier. Seems like overkill to put him in a headlock.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with his voice. I was up front in the PIT. His mic was cutting out randomly throughout the songs. A good example was during Better. I heard him hammering the lyrics but they didn't come out over the sound system. The "gasp of air" people are referring to is him not choosing to sing those lyrics because they were vocally intense. OR the mic was cutting out. He used those moments to communicate with the sound guys. You can see him by the drums looking to the side stage,  talking into the mic, pointing around, and like he's explaining things to some one. It seemed like he was talking to the sound people more than singing.

He gave up the vocally intense lyrics after Better. Just YouTube Jungle. He didn't even attempt the opening scream and did the ending using very clean and safe vocals.

I hope they get things fixed for the next show so he can give 100%.

Well hey, that's actually a very good sign because he always used to just push himself even harder in those scenarios and that's what damaged his voice. He definitely looked thinner so I think he's been taking care of himself and the year of rest couldn't have hurt his voice.

Maybe Axl wouldn’t have these technical issues if he participated in the soundcheck.

I know he at least soundchecked Jungle because I saw the video. Probably did a few others too but singing isn't like an instrument, your voice wears out.

[Ali]

Seems there was one dude at the show that wanted to get on stage - he was kicked off the train :-D

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBGQs6DE-U/

WTF? I don't know what happened before the video but he wasn't even beyond the barrier. Seems like overkill to put him in a headlock.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with his voice. I was up front in the PIT. His mic was cutting out randomly throughout the songs. A good example was during Better. I heard him hammering the lyrics but they didn't come out over the sound system. The "gasp of air" people are referring to is him not choosing to sing those lyrics because they were vocally intense. OR the mic was cutting out. He used those moments to communicate with the sound guys. You can see him by the drums looking to the side stage,  talking into the mic, pointing around, and like he's explaining things to some one. It seemed like he was talking to the sound people more than singing.

He gave up the vocally intense lyrics after Better. Just YouTube Jungle. He didn't even attempt the opening scream and did the ending using very clean and safe vocals.

I hope they get things fixed for the next show so he can give 100%.

Well hey, that's actually a very good sign because he always used to just push himself even harder in those scenarios and that's what damaged his voice. He definitely looked thinner so I think he's been taking care of himself and the year of rest couldn't have hurt his voice.

Maybe Axl wouldn’t have these technical issues if he participated in the soundcheck.

I know he at least soundchecked Jungle because I saw the video. Probably did a few others too but singing isn't like an instrument, your voice wears out.

Bingo. Pushing his voice to be able to hear himself when his monitor system wasn't working is exactly what caused him vocal damage on the Metallica tour. It was why he walked off stage in Montreal.

Ali

[(t)]

Just watched Dead Horse on youtube. Just a weird performance. Axl was clearly uncomfortable, looking a bit lost, and the band didn't seem all that amped to be playing such a cool deep cut.

[cineater]

Just watched Dead Horse on youtube. Just a weird performance. Axl was clearly uncomfortable, looking a bit lost, and the band didn't seem all that amped to be playing such a cool deep cut.

They did seem a little freaked. Kind of a weird start but they are back on the road.    Everybody lived through the pandemic and we're still here.  Better shows to come and oh, the possibilities.

[Ginger King]

It sounds like, at best, you can chalk this up to it being the first show, and they always struggle at the start (it baffles me how Axl seems to consistently have mike problems or monitor issues). The setlist (and order) make this NITL 2.0, despite this being touted as an all-new show. It's literally just the same (which is fine, I've enjoyed the multiple NITL shows I've seen) but just speaks to the larger issue of this band pretending to be (or holding out hope that they are) something they're not. Putting Hardschool in the setlist (which they didn't even do) isn't going to change things.

[russkwtx]

I was not at the Hershey show but I watched a few clips on Youtube which is admittedly a poor second but it is what it is.

My thoughts:
1. I liked the jam at the beginning of the show that segued into Jungle. That was different and I think it worked.
2. I am not a fan of Axl and short hair. It accentuates his age (he'll be 60 next year!) and is not very rock n' roll IMO.
3. For the past few tours Axl's voice has started out weakly in the beginning but picks up strength as the tour progresses. We'll see what happens but to me it's like a football (US) analogy. Players say that they are in shape but they are not in football shape until they start playing actual games.
4. The available clips varied in quality but I think the band was tight. Seemed though, that similar to a lot of US shows, the crowd just stands there. People are much more energetic in Europe and Latin America.

[russkwtx]

Seems there was one dude at the show that wanted to get on stage - he was kicked off the train :-D

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBGQs6DE-U/

WTF? I don't know what happened before the video but he wasn't even beyond the barrier. Seems like overkill to put him in a headlock.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with his voice. I was up front in the PIT. His mic was cutting out randomly throughout the songs. A good example was during Better. I heard him hammering the lyrics but they didn't come out over the sound system. The "gasp of air" people are referring to is him not choosing to sing those lyrics because they were vocally intense. OR the mic was cutting out. He used those moments to communicate with the sound guys. You can see him by the drums looking to the side stage,  talking into the mic, pointing around, and like he's explaining things to some one. It seemed like he was talking to the sound people more than singing.

He gave up the vocally intense lyrics after Better. Just YouTube Jungle. He didn't even attempt the opening scream and did the ending using very clean and safe vocals.

I hope they get things fixed for the next show so he can give 100%.

Well hey, that's actually a very good sign because he always used to just push himself even harder in those scenarios and that's what damaged his voice. He definitely looked thinner so I think he's been taking care of himself and the year of rest couldn't have hurt his voice.

Maybe Axl wouldn’t have these technical issues if he participated in the soundcheck.

I know he at least soundchecked Jungle because I saw the video. Probably did a few others too but singing isn't like an instrument, your voice wears out.

Bingo. Pushing his voice to be able to hear himself when his monitor system wasn't working is exactly what caused him vocal damage on the Metallica tour. It was why he walked off stage in Montreal.

Ali

That was a long time ago, almost 30 years.

[jarmo]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSDHyOGt1Jp/





/jarmo

[cineater]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSDHyOGt1Jp/





/jarmo

Did she enjoy the land of chocolate?

[D-GenerationX]

To be honest I like the setlist and at this point in my life (career, child, family, etc) I am good with a solid concise show. I’ve been to the near 3 hour shows multiple times now. That being said with Covid concerns and the steep price of a ticket for a show that hasn’t changed in years I’ll be sitting this tour out.

Enjoy that GNR is touring and still delivering the goods folks. It’s no different than seeing the Stones and the celebration that happens when they play a deep cut. They deliver solid shows and around the hour and a half mark too.

This is where I'm at.  Where I've been at since 2016, really.

This is a legacy band.  With that comes a few things.

- stadium shows
- monster ticket prices

This means people paying several hundred dollars are there to hear what they know.  They aren't going to be as charged up to hear 'Locomotive' as we all are.

The Stones comparison is a good one.  Other than the order of the songs, their closing salvo of 5-6 songs has not changed in decades.  And no one complains.  Everyone knows the deal. 

[johnreed3344]

Seen all the gossip here and some videos. I hope it was first show problems but we have to accept that he just doesnt hit those notes anymore. Philly in 2016 was probably the best I heard him since reunion maybe MSG shows 2017 too. That being said rolling to METLIFE in RV with a CREW! Can't wait to just go rock out.

[D-GenerationX]

Seen all the gossip here and some videos. I hope it was first show problems but we have to accept that he just doesnt hit those notes anymore. Philly in 2016 was probably the best I heard him since reunion maybe MSG shows 2017 too. That being said rolling to METLIFE in RV with a CREW! Can't wait to just go rock out.

He was really strong that night in Philly.  And as you recall, it was still 90 plus degrees at 9:30 or whenever the hell they went on.  Was a rough night.

He was not as sharp at the October show in Wells Fargo in October 2017.  But it was still a great show.

[rizzo160]

Wonder if they will play Hard School at Fenway park or if it will be the same 25 songs? Hopefully get some new music and better vocals from AXL.

[cineater]

Wonder if they will play Hard School at Fenway park or if it will be the same 25 songs? Hopefully get some new music and better vocals from AXL.

I know folks keep asking for it but I don't really care for Hard School.  It's a kind of a throw back to another era song.  I don't think it shows any growth in the band's sound.  I haven't paid much attention to it, when was it written?

[COMAMOTIVE]

My 2 cents after watching a half dozen videos on youtube -

His voice now does not co-operate with all of the running around he does and the condition he is in.

It's a bad salad.

The guitars seemed way too low but that could be entirely the video quality I viewed.

As for new music - could care less if they played something new as much as I would've liked to hear something / anything from them at least hinting they are working on something new.

Oh well, same old same old

[rizzo160]

Not sure when it was written, best guess is 94-96. Would love to hear new music whether it's Hard School, the general or unknown song.

[PermissionToLand]

Wonder if they will play Hard School at Fenway park or if it will be the same 25 songs? Hopefully get some new music and better vocals from AXL.

I know folks keep asking for it but I don't really care for Hard School.  It's a kind of a throw back to another era song.  I don't think it shows any growth in the band's sound.  I haven't paid much attention to it, when was it written?

Agreed, it's a forgettable song that gets attention because it was leaked. I'd say it was written around '97-98. Clearly not the style of writing Slash and Duff do. And if it were, why would Axl have the '98 lineup record it?

Well I just bit the bullet for tickets at Metlife. Got a good deal on them by holding out, at least.

Wonder if they will play Hard School at Fenway park or if it will be the same 25 songs? Hopefully get some new music and better vocals from AXL.

I think they will. The Hershey setlist was CLEARLY shortened significantly. A one song encore is very unusual for them. Axl was having mic issues and there was a curfew.

[draguns]

My opinion is that Hard School might get  played either tonight or Thursday at MetLife. It would be a good way to play the first new GNR song in a big city.

[Ali]

Seems there was one dude at the show that wanted to get on stage - he was kicked off the train :-D

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBGQs6DE-U/

WTF? I don't know what happened before the video but he wasn't even beyond the barrier. Seems like overkill to put him in a headlock.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with his voice. I was up front in the PIT. His mic was cutting out randomly throughout the songs. A good example was during Better. I heard him hammering the lyrics but they didn't come out over the sound system. The "gasp of air" people are referring to is him not choosing to sing those lyrics because they were vocally intense. OR the mic was cutting out. He used those moments to communicate with the sound guys. You can see him by the drums looking to the side stage,  talking into the mic, pointing around, and like he's explaining things to some one. It seemed like he was talking to the sound people more than singing.

He gave up the vocally intense lyrics after Better. Just YouTube Jungle. He didn't even attempt the opening scream and did the ending using very clean and safe vocals.

I hope they get things fixed for the next show so he can give 100%.

Well hey, that's actually a very good sign because he always used to just push himself even harder in those scenarios and that's what damaged his voice. He definitely looked thinner so I think he's been taking care of himself and the year of rest couldn't have hurt his voice.

Maybe Axl wouldn’t have these technical issues if he participated in the soundcheck.

I know he at least soundchecked Jungle because I saw the video. Probably did a few others too but singing isn't like an instrument, your voice wears out.

Bingo. Pushing his voice to be able to hear himself when his monitor system wasn't working is exactly what caused him vocal damage on the Metallica tour. It was why he walked off stage in Montreal.

Ali

That was a long time ago, almost 30 years.

You think that I don't know when a tour was that I went to?

Ali

[Ali]

Seen all the gossip here and some videos. I hope it was first show problems but we have to accept that he just doesnt hit those notes anymore. Philly in 2016 was probably the best I heard him since reunion maybe MSG shows 2017 too. That being said rolling to METLIFE in RV with a CREW! Can't wait to just go rock out.

He may have lost some of the top end of his range over the years. But, like I said, barring injury or illness affecting his voice, there's no reason at all why that would happen in any discernible way in 1.5 years with no touring. None.

Ali