2017.05.27 - Slane Castle, Slane, Ireland

Mountcharles not fearing ‘typhoon of chaos’ as Guns N’Roses head for Slane

Castle owner recalls worries over riot in 1992 with Axl Rose still in Dublin hotel as fans grew restless

By Ronan McGreevy

Fans travelling to the Guns N’Roses concert at Slane Castle on May 27th have been advised to come especially early.

It is advice that was once wasted on the band’s notoriously tardy singer Axl Rose, who was still in his hotel room in Dublin when he was supposed to have been on stage the last time the band played the Co Meath venue in 1992.

His late arrival on stage at the then O2 in 2010 so riled the crowd that the concert ended up being cut short.

A much more sober and punctual Guns N’ Roses can be expected to turn up on time for next Saturday week’s concert and, accordingly, fans are asked to be at the venue by 5pm with the prospect of the band being on stage as early as 7pm.

Guns N’Roses have a mammoth 25 song set to get through and a spell with AC/DC as lead singer appears to have cured Rose of his much famed tardiness.

The concert sold out all 80,000 tickets in less than a day.

Lord Henry Mountcharles confessed to feeling a degree of anxiety the last time Guns N'Roses played Slane given their notorious reputation and the self-confessed "typhoon of chaos" which surrounded the band's Use Your Illusions tour.
Human pyramids

At Slane in 1992, a restive crowd started making human pyramids and threw beer on stage as they wiled away the long hours while they waited for the band.

“At one stage I had to admit that I was concerned that there might almost be a riot,” he said. “My oldest son and I went to Slash and told him that the band had to go on stage.

“We discovered that Axl Rose wasn’t even on site. He was still in his hotel suite in Dublin. Their manager was backstage fishing. Axl got into a chopper and I got him down here as fast as we could...Credit where credit is due. When they went on stage, they really turned it on, but there was a lot of stuff going on in the background.”

The Slane concert is the first date of the Guns N’Roses European tour entitled Not In Our Lifetime, a reference to the band’s reunion once being remote prospect given the previous emnity between Rose and guitarist Slash. The pair did not speak for nearly 20 years after Slash quit the band in 1996.

The opening act on the bill, Otherkin, a garage rock act from Dublin, have been afforded the biggest stage of their lives to date. It will be a special moment for lead singer and guitarist Luke Reilly a native of Slane.

He describes the prospect of playing on the same bill as Guns N’ Roses in his home village as a “surreal” prospect. He admits his chosen genre, guitar music, is having an “existential crisis at the moment.

“Its not on the charts. It is not the cultural force that it used to be, but we’re out there,” he said. “We’re trying to get people turned on to our music. I think guitar music is on an upswing at the moment in terms of its popularity. We’re hoping to ride that wave.”

Lord Henry Mountcharles looks forward to 'great thrill' of Guns N' Roses concert at Slane

Lord Henry Mountcharles is excited and in upbeat mood about the sold out 83,000 capacity show

By Trevor Quinn

THE rebirth of Slane is how Lord Henry Mountcharles remembered Guns N’ Roses last concert at Slane as he looked forward to “the great thrill” of an even better show in 2017.

Speaking on the week of the 25th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses’ last gig at the iconic venue, he was in an excited and in upbeat mood about the sold out 83,000 capacity show.

Lord Henry was joined by Justin Green and Eamon Fox from MCD and Garda Supt Michael Devine as they held a press briefing outlining the security, safety and travel plan arrangements.

There were smiles as Lord Henry unveiled a cartoon style image of Guns N’ Roses that appeared in a national paper in the weeks before that famous 1992 gig which he credited as being the ‘rebirth’ of the country’s most renowned music outdoor amphitheatre after the 1991 fire.

He said: “This was usefully coloured in by my wife. “And then you have Axel and Slash looking quite horrified at [having] completely disintegrated the castle saying, ‘Sound check seems okay’.

“That was literally straight after the fire in 1991 and it was in a sense the rebirth of Slane. This Castle was being built on rock n’ roll.

“So to be here 25 years later still able to do this stuff is a great thrill for us as a family. Justin kicked off his experience with Slane 25 years ago and Supt Mick Devine had been involved in these for over a decade so this is an extended family affair.

“And I’ll never forget the first show and I’m sure as hell not going to forget the second.”



The concert will be the first leg of Guns N’ Roses European tour and Lord Henry said the reviews have been “amazing” and he expects fans are in for a real treat.

Justin Green of MCD said: “I suppose the emphasis is to get here early and use public transport. Gates open at 2 o’clock but we’re encouraging people to be here on site by 5pm.

“In addition to that when you have that number of people there will be traffic delays leaving and then coming to the event.

“So what we’re asking people to do is to plan and give yourself lots of extra time. Our recommendation is in addition to the travel time you’d need to expect to get here that you’d add a further two hours onto that.

Security Efforts Stepped Up For Guns N' Roses Concert In Ireland

Over 400 gardai (Irish police) will be on duty at this weekend's Guns N' Roses concert in Meath, Ireland. There will also be an additional 1,200 private security personnel in attendance, as well as a full medical team of doctors, an on-site hospital and five first aid posts.

Guns N' Roses is scheduled to play at Slane Castle on Saturday, May 27, marking the 25th anniversary of the band performing at the venue in 1992. The sold-out show is expected to be attended by 83,000 fans.

A garda statement said: "An Garda Síochána will have over 400 members on duty, including specialist units, who will be supported by an additional 1,200 Security/Stewards provided by licensed security companies together with a full complement of doctors and medical teams, including an on-site hospital along with five first aid posts.

"The Event Control Management Team overseeing this event have over 25 years experience within their fields of expertise.

"We request that all fans attending the concert are fully aware of the Public Information Notice (in particular the Do and Do Not lists) published on www.garda.ie .

"Please co-operate fully with Gardaí and stewards and follow any loudspeaker announcements as this will help ensure the safety and enjoyment for all concerned."

Gates will open at 2 p.m. and supporting Guns N' Roses on the day will be Royal Blood, Mark Lanegan and local act Otherkin.

A number of countries are considering tightening security for major events after the suicide bomb blast at the end of a concert by singer Ariana Grande in Manchester, England on Monday.

Lord Mountcharles to miss first Slane concert as Guns N’ Roses take stage

Slane Castle owner says he will be ‘there in spirit’ as 80,000 fans descend on Saturday

It has been confirmed that for the first time ever Lord Henry Mountcharles will miss a Slane concert.

The Slane Castle owner will be in hospital on the order of his doctors after developing a chest infection last week.

Through a spokesperson he said: “I am obviously extremely disappointed that I can’t be there and my wish is for all of the fans to enjoy the day.

“I will be there in spirit.”

On Saturday 80,000 fans will see Guns ‘N’ Roses headline at the natural amphitheatre that rests beside the Boyne river and Slane Castle.

It will be their second time appearing there; the last time was 25 years ago when at one point Lord Mountcharles feared things could get out of hand as the crowd got restless waiting for them to perform.

That will not be a factor this year with the advice being that they will go on stage, possibly by 7pm, to ensure they get to play their full set.

Gates will open at 2pm, with first support act Otherkin kicking off the show at 3.30pm followed by Mark Lanegan and Royal Blood.

The current heatwave which has seen the country bask in the hottest temperatures of the year this week will begin to ease slightly on Saturday.

Temperatures are due to drop to between 15 and 20 degrees with heavy, thundery rain for most of the morning.

Saturday night will be generally dry with clear spells and temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 degrees.

There will be over 400 gardaí on duty on the day, as well as an additional 1,200 stewards and security workers.

There will also be a large team of doctors and medical workers, including an on-site hospital along with five first aid posts.

Gardaí have also warned about pick pockets saying, “Keep your belongings safe - especially tickets, phone and cash.”

Marathon Coach will also be running a return service from Custom House Quay every half hour from 11am to 5pm. Tickets are €30 .

If you’re planning on driving, allow a minimum of two hours additional travel time. On Saturday, Slane village will be completely closed and a comprehensive traffic plan will be in operation.

Follow the signs and garda directions to the parking areas. All car parks are operated independently of MCD and a parking charge will apply.

Missing lord says that Guns N’ Roses show must go on

He has insisted the show must go on and it will, but Lord Henry Mountcharles will miss the Guns N’ Roses concert at Slane Castle for the first time since the venue started hosting bands 36 years ago.

The concert organiser is battling a severe chest infection in hospital. He will remain there over the weekend so will not be able to watch the return of the band, who originally played in 1992.

“I am obviously extremely disappointed that I can’t be there and my wish is for all of the fans to enjoy the day. I will be there in spirit,” Lord Henry said.

The illness is thought to have developed quickly as Lord Henry, 65, was present at the castle’s press briefing last week. He revealed last year that he had developed lung cancer for the second time, having had a cancerous lobe removed from his right lung in 2014.

“I’ve had a bit of a rough time of late, but thanks to a wonderful medical team in St James’s I’m alive and kicking,” he said last April.

“You have to be philosophical about these things to say the least, but I’m now on a new drug and it appears to be working its magic.”

There will be 83,000 music fans making their way to Slane today to watch Guns N’Roses take to the stage. The band arrived in Dublin yesterday afternoon and are expected to arrive at the venue via helicopter. They will make their way through a set list consisting of 25 of their greatest hits including November Rain, Sweet Child O’ Mine and Welcome to the Jungle

The staging includes two large staircases which lead up to the drum kit and a large catwalk which will extend into the crowd.
Their Not In This Lifetime reunion tour features original members Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan, marking the first time that the three have performed together since 1993.

It has been reported that the band’s demands have changed considerably in that time. Their last performance at Slane required organisers to stock cases of Jack Daniels and vodka but this year the group have said that backstage will be an alcohol-free zone. They have also requested a space to practice Bikram yoga.

The band, which featured only Axl Rose from the original line-up, was bottled off stage at the O2 in Dublin in 2010 when they began their set over an hour late.

The gates at Slane Castle will open at 2pm. Guns N’ Roses will be supported by Royal Blood, Mark Lanegan and Otherkin, the Irish group. MCD, the promoters, said yesterday that “extensive arrangements” were being put in place regarding security and traffic management.

In the wake of the Manchester bombing this week 400 gardaí will be on duty with an additional 1,200 security personnel and stewards on site. Patrons have been advised to use public transport where possible.

The MCD statement also appealed for people attending the concert to co-operate with the experienced gardaí and stewards on site.

At previous concerts severe traffic delays were experienced as crowds left the venue.

This year, however, a colour-coded car parking facility will be in operation and traffic will not be allowed to travel through Slane village.

Other big names to perform at venues throughout Ireland this summer are Walking on Cars, Arcade Fire, Robbie Williams, The Coronas and U2.

Five classic gigs at the castle

Thin Lizzy, 1981: The original and arguably best Slane concert was headlined by Phil Lynott’s Thin Lizzy in 1981. The gig featured a young U2 and Lynott sang Happy Birthday to the Edge’s wife, Aislinn.

Rolling Stones, 1982: Fans paid £12 to see Mick Jagger and co rock Slane in 1982. The day was blessed with brilliant sunshine and stewards sprayed fans with water hoses throughout the concert. Jagger, however, didn’t seem to know where he was. “It’s great to be back in Dublin,” he told the Co Meath crowd.

Bruce Springsteen, 1985: This was Springsteen’s biggest concert to date and was attended by Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend and Elvis Costello. Michael D Higgins was also there, sporting a denim shirt open to his navel.

Queen, 1986: A crowd of 95,000 gathered in what would be Queen’s final tour with Freddie Mercury. A fight that broke out in the audience caused the band to stop playing for a short time. Brian May, the guitarist, was hit on the head with a beer can and nearly refused to do an encore.

U2, 2001: Few of the crowd will forget Bono’s emotional performance four days after the death of his father, to whom he dedicated his performance of the song Kite. He later joked about the band’s previous Slane gig, when they supported Thin Lizzy, admitting: “We were crap.”

'Guns N' Roses are putting a lot of effort into this gig,' says heir to Slane Castle

By Claire Murphy

The notoriously late Guns n Roses frontman will be on stage at 7pm sharp, the heir of Slane Castle has pledged.

Alex Conyngham, son of Lord Henry Mount Charles said that the band are pumped to perform at the Meath venue this evening.

"Guns n Roses were here 25 years ago, I was 17. I was speaking to them yesterday, they were here during rehearsals and they are putting a lot of effort into this gig as it's the first one of the European tour," he said.

"The last time we had a bit of a wait for Axl to come on stage but this time they will be on fairly promptly at 7pm.

"So get ready to loosen those muscles and do some moshing."

Alex, speaking inside the castle, said that his father is feeling much better, but has been ordered by doctors to stay away as he is recovering from a chest infection.

"Dad sadly is not here today as he's in hospital but he's getting better," he told independent.ie. " It's the first gig he's ever missed but he's here in spirit...but these guys (my children) are making up for it."

The first gig held at Slane was in 1981 with Thin Lizzy headlining as Lord Henry looked for ways to fund the upkeep of the castle.

The family have now moved into whiskey production with Slane Irish Whiskey distillery open to the public in August. They anticipate having 1.2m litres of alcohol output per year.

"Whiskey and rock n roll are a good fit for us," Alex said.

"So rock n roll saved this place and whiskey is it's future."

Guns N' Roses Performs Cover Of Soundgarden's 'Black Hole Sun' For Chris Cornell In Ireland

Guns N' Roses paid tribute to Chris Cornell earlier tonight by performing a cover version of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" at the opening concert of GN'R's European tour at Slane Castle in Meath, Ireland. Fan-filmed video footage of the rendition can be seen below.

"This one's to you, Chris. 'Black Hole Sun' live from Slane Castle," GN'R wrote in a Twitter message shortly after the performance of the "Superunknown" classic.

Guns N' Roses at Slane review: They look and play so well it's like they never went away

By Eamon Sweeney

After facing three security checks, 83,000 people patiently queued for beer and burgers in a slightly muddy but far from devastated Slane hill.

Despite the challenging conditions, the crowds flowed into the venue from the bus drop off in well under an hour.

The most recently formed acts to have headlined Slane in the last decade are Oasis and Eminem, which says it all in terms of the paucity of suitable bands to pull off Ireland's biggest show.

Securing a top name capable of selling out this iconic natural amphitheatre is not easy. There were no Slane concerts in 2010, 2012, 2014 or 2016.

Just like U2 and the Rolling Stones before them, Guns N' Roses have been round this Boyne side block before.

A quarter of a century since their first Slane appearance in 1992, core members Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan have buried their respective hatchets.

This was until quite recently considered such an unlikely event the tour is named 'Not in This Lifetime', which echoes the Eagles' 'Hell Freezes Over' global jaunt, referring to how Don Henley responded to a query on whether his estranged band would ever reform.

In 1992, good humoured fans built human pyramids while waiting for Guns N' Roses to take to the stage. Axl Rose was renowned for a lack of punctuality, which also surfaced at a concert in the 3Arena in 2010. In 2017, everything runs like clockwork, despite the inclement weather earlier in the day.

After raucous performances from Irish noiseniks Otherkin, Brighton duo Royal Blood and American cult hero Mark Lanegan, Guns N' Roses preface their set with the cartoon theme tune to 'Looney Tunes' and the Harry Gregson-Williams song 'The Equalizer'.

They blast out of the traps with 'It's So Easy' from 'Appetite for Destruction'; an expletive strewn rock song about when they had no money, but an army of hangers on.

Now, they're on roughly $5.5 million per show. Their music might be big, bloated and debauched alpha male cock-rock, but it's undeniably effective and entertaining.

The sight of Axl Rose and Slash performing side by side is powerful and reaffirming. One of the most iconic singer and guitarist pairings in musical history are finally back in the ring.

Alongside McKagan, they look and play so well it's like they never went away.

They perform a stunning version of 'Black Hole Sun' in tribute to the late Chris Cornell. Like the sadly departed Cornell, Rose has one of the most raw voices in rock history.

For Guns N'Roses and their massive Irish audience, the last twenty five years went by in the blink of the eye.

Slane 2017: 80,000 fans brave mud, sweat and beers for epic Guns N’ Roses gig

Fans of the band travelled from all over to see their idols play on the grounds of the iconic Meath castle

By Sharon McGowan

Not even the heavy rain could dampen the spirits of Guns N’ Roses fans at today's epic gig in Slane.

While one of their greatest hits is November Rain, fans were drenched by May showers as they braved the wet and mucky conditions.

More than 80,000 people flocked to the sold-out concert with crowds already gathering more than seven hours before the band were scheduled to take to the stage.

Fans of the band travelled as far away as Germany and the US to see their idols play on the grounds of the iconic Meath castle as part of their Not In This Lifetime tour.

Celebrities among the crowd included Daithi O’Se, Kian Egan and Kathryn Thomas as well as Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh.

The hitmakers arrived on stage at 7.30pm, kicking off their three-hour concert with It’s So Easy, shortly followed by their famous single Welcome To The Jungle.

Along with newer material and covers of songs by other acts, the band also wowed crowds with their smash hits Sweet Child O’ Mine, Civil War, Paradise City and November Rain. The show finished up shortly before the 10.45pm curfew, with the group playing Bob Dylan’s Knocking On Heaven’s Door and their song Nightrain.

They were supported by Otherkin, the Mark Lanegan Band and Royal Blood.

This isn’t the first time Axl Rose and his band mates have performed in Slane – the Welcome To The Jungle rockers first rocked the venue back in 1992.

Fans of the group revealed their excitement ahead of the show.

Kildare man John Lyster said that he was delighted when he found out Guns N’ Roses would be playing Slane after being at there last gig here 25 years ago.

He said: “I’m very happy to be here, we came down from Rathangan. I was here in 1992 as well, I used to be a massive fan back then and even though I haven’t listened to them much lately when it came up I said I definitely had to be here.

“At the last gig it was lovely and sunny – I actually got sunburnt. I was only 16 back then.”

Rob Walton and Vincent Vought were among the punters and revealed the show had a special signifiance for them.

Vince said: “It’s been 10 years since we’ve been to a gig together so this is a reunion for us.

“I live in Kinnegad but he’s come over from Reading for the show. He’s my best mate. The rain doesn’t put a dampener on it at all. Well it does, but only because my wife was right. I should have listened to her when she said it was going to rain.”

Waterford girl Lauren Keane said she was a life-long fan of Guns N’ Roses and couldn’t wait to see them in concert for the first time.

She said: “I’ve been a massive fan even since I was a little baby. I’m so excited to see them today.

“I can’t wait until they perform Paradise City. I sang it at a talent show when I was six so it’s always been my favourite song.

“They rain doesn’t bother me. I’ve been to plenty of gigs when it’s been lashing but it doesn’t make a difference.”

Bernie O’Sullivan and Joyce Thompson travelled from Ballymena to see the show

Bernie said: “I’m very excited for today. I’m a big Slash fan – I’ve seen him live before but never the full band together.”

Joyce added: “It’s quite scary to think of but I seen them 25 years ago in Castle Donington. If someone told me then I’d be here watching them again I’d say no way.”

Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mountcharles missed the show due to a chest infection.

This is the first ever gig he has missed in the history of Slane concerts.

Speaking through a spokesman, he said: “I am obviously extremely disappointed that I can’t be there and my wish is for all of the fans to enjoy the day. I will be there in spirit.”

Axl Rose paid tribute to him on stage before the band performed Night Train.

In the wake of the Manchester terrorist attack more than 400 Garda patrolled the event and strict security measures were put in place.