Guns N' Roses delivered their Because What You Want and What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things in São Paulo last Saturday night, the 25th, at Allianz Parque. The band continues with shows in Curitiba (28), Cuiabá (31) and Brasília (November 2nd).
The night began with Raimundos opening . Despite the controversies and various criticisms , the Brazilian band was chosen to open all of Guns N' Roses' shows in Brazil – a somewhat strange choice, given the divergence in political ideas between Digão , who has declared his support for former president Jair Bolsonaro and adopts a pro-Israel discourse, and Axl Rose, who staged a moment of political activism by raising a Palestinian flag on stage at the show in Bogotá.
In a quick show with 11 songs, the band led by Digão energized the early-arriving crowd. With hits everyone knows, Raimundos maintains a sharp and sarcastic humor – which, if released today, would easily be canceled. In fact, they only played the famous songs, which is what keeps them active. But the energetic show and the power to get the audience going are undeniable. For those unfamiliar with the band, but who saw the entire stadium singing along to “Me Lambe,” “Mulher de Fases,” or “Eu Quero Ver o Oco,” it's hard to believe they are surrounded by criticism , especially Digão, who once kicked a fan out of a show after shouts of “no amnesty” and sparked outrage by mocking the death of Juliana Marins , a young Brazilian woman who died during a hike on Mount Rinjani in Indonesia.
Guns N' Roses: Punctual and energetic
Finally, the main band took the stage punctually, dispelling the reputation of vocalist Axl Rose for always being late to performances. It's a 3-hour show – imagine the chaos of getting home if you're late. With members of the classic lineup led by Axl Rose , Slash , and Duff McKagan , the group is touring Latin America, presenting an extensive repertoire that combines classics from the 80s and 90s with more recent tracks.
What cannot be denied is that Guns N' Roses delivers everything a fan wants – this explains the sold-out shows. A show with a simple visual style, without special effects, focusing solely on the music, something very old-school rock'n'roll. The band proved absolute stage presence and interaction with the fans, right from the first song, the famous "Welcome to the Jungle," which brought the stadium down. But there were also less requested tracks like "Chinese Democracy," the title track from their last album in 2008, where the reception was more lukewarm.
At first glance, more than 3 hours of shows sounds like something tiring. But for those who were present (even those who aren't big fans), the time passed quickly, thanks to the band's performance, which is usually heavily criticized. To be fair, Messrs. Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan know how to deliver a straightforward rock show with an experience true to what is expected.
A consistent and emotionally rich repertoire.
The setlist changed almost entirely since the last show in Florianópolis. It was a mix that greatly pleased the fans, but of course, disappointed those who were expecting to hear hit after hit. The most emotional moment, without a doubt, was the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne . With the Black Sabbath cover that the band has been playing, "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath ," Axl dedicated it to Ozzy and thanked him: "Thank You Ozzy." And, to our surprise, he followed it up with another Sabbath cover: "Never Say Die"—both played at Black Sabbath's farewell show.
The weight of nostalgia that marks four decades on the road is undeniable. Especially when we heard the entire stadium singing along to the slower songs like "Live and Let Die," "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," and "November Rain" in a collective chorus that lasted through almost every track. As well as the classic rock song "Sweet Child o' Mine," which was the sentimental high point of the night and the song sung by practically the entire stadium. And, "Paradise City"—the track that closed the show.
Axl's vocal performance has been the focus of the media for years, and nothing changes. Axl has had worse days and tried very hard that night, although he couldn't reach some notes as well – which is normal. But, alongside his band, he delivers a long and energetic rock show with a consistent setlist. Despite the criticism and tantrums, Guns N' Roses' shows have reaffirmed the band's strength as one of the most enduring names in rock.
READ ALSO: Guns N' Roses explains Axl Rose's behavior when throwing a microphone during a show.