2010.12.01. - Townsville, Australia

Townsville, Australia newspaper Townsville Bulletin was inundated with calls and texts earlier today (Thursday, December 2) from residents near the town's Reid Park who were frustrated by the noise and late finish of the Guns N' Roses concert.

Hermit Park resident Mike Shearer told the paper he was forced to turn up his television as the band's music dominated his lounge room on Wednesday night.

"It was far too noisy and it went well outside the time it was meant to go," Shearer said.

"If that concert was being held in my neighbor's place, the police would have confiscated the hi-fi set, so why should they get away with it in Reid Park?"

A Townsville City Council spokesman told the Townsville Bulletin before the concert promoters were licensed to continue the show until 10:45 p.m. and council and Liquor Licensing would monitor noise levels.

"Guns N' Roses came on late and the concert ran late which is a concern to us and something we will talk to promoters about, as it is not fair for residents on a midweek event," Mayor Les Tyrell said.

"The remainder of the feedback has been positive, with most people generally happy with traffic management, amenities and the state of the venue."

Guns N' Roses took to the stage more than an hour late.

Guns N' Roses concert leaves fans fuming

Fans at a Guns N' Roses concert in Townsville, Australia this week say they were left disappointed and angry by the performance.

They’re calling for their money back after Axl Rose and his band came on two hours late and appeared to be miming.

“I think it’s an imitation band – it is absolutely terrible,” one concert goer said shortly after the concert began.

Audience members reportedly began leaving the event in droves as the sound problems continued.

“Tell Axl I said get stuffed!” one concert goer yelled at a TV camera as he left early.

“He sux, it sounds like shit,” exclaimed another.

Some fans did enjoy the performance and went to the airport to say goodbye to the rockers.

Concert promoters say there will be no refunds.

GNR win over restless fans

By BARBARA LYNCH

MORE than 16,000 fans were screaming for rock band Guns N' Roses' blood when they were a no-show more than an hour after they were meant to hit the Reid Park Stage last night.

Fans were chanting "bull****'' and "go back to America'' as they waited for the legendary rock band to front the crowd.

But all their frustrations melted away after the Gunners burst before them amid six massive screens and a pyrotechnic display.

Front man Axl Rose wore sunglasses and a leather jacket as he arrived on stage, oblivious to the crowd's boos and heckles moments before.

DJ Ashba teased the crowd with an electric guitar intro to fan favourite Welcome to the Jungle.

It's been 25 years since Axl first wowed audiences with his face-melting riffs, but last night's concert showed he has still got the rock star antics he is renowned for.

While fans looked like they were heading towards the exits before the Gunners experience hit the stage, it quickly became apparent they were only headed to the bar as the pyrotechnic display kept them enthralled throughout the entire night.

While a sea of fans in black Guns N' Roses shirts throbbed to the sound of the Gunners' classics, last night's concert wasn't just for the diehard fans.

Mikayla Finocchiaro, 20, from Kelso has listened to GNR for the past six years and jumped at the chance to see them live.

Welcome to the Jungle is her favourite song and said Townsville radio stations had played the band's music for the past few weeks, which got her excited about the concert.

Supports Shihad are her uncle's favourite, while her brother and his girlfriend like KoRn.

Fifty-seven-year old Len Phillips was supposed to go to the concert with his sister Suzie, who lives on the Sunshine Coast, but a family birthday meant she couldn't attend.

Len held up his phone for her to listen to her favourite song Sweet Child O Mine.

The Kirwan resident said he would watch more big concerts in North Queensland.

"I think were getting our fair share of acts in Townsville though,'' he said.

People were reliving their youth during last night's concert.

Whether they grew up with the Gunners, KoRn or New Zealand's Shihad, they all came together with a mutual appreciation for the music.

Paul Musgrove from The Strand and his girlfriend Ingrid only realised on Saturday they both loved GNR.

"It was a spur of the moment thing. We were watching a music special on Guns N' Roses and we decided to go to the concert,'' Mr Musgrove said. "To have Guns N' Roses here is something special.''

The pair travelled to Melbourne earlier this year to see AC/DC.