2016.07.19 - Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA, USA

Foxboro gets tough on Guns N' Roses

t looks like Guns N' Roses will have to rethink any plans it might have for extended encores when it plays in Foxboro next month.

Selectmen approved an application for concerts by the iconic hard rock band July 19 and 20 at Gillette Stadium, but turned down the band's request to perform after the 11:15 p.m. town curfew.

Jess Enos, the director of external affairs and business development for Gillette Stadium, noted that there hadn't been any significant behavioral or public safety issues with the tour in its previous stops so far. She also noted that an older crowd is expected.

However, Selectwoman Ginny Coppola objected to the concerts' ending times of 11:40 p.m., a full 25 minutes past the curfew.

"This is on a Tuesday and a Wednesday," Coppola said. "If this was a weekend, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But it's a work night."

"This isn't going to be an acoustic evening. It's going to be loud."

Selectman Chris Mitchell requested that the band could be asked to finish earlier, and Enos indicated that her organization would work toward that, but that they still felt they should ask for the 11:40 time.

Resident Tracy Vasile noted the loudness of a Guns N' Roses concert, speaking after Coppola asked for comments from the audience.

"A curfew should mean something," said Vasile, who also noted the issue of having the shows on weekdays. (July 19-20 are Tuesday and Wednesday).

It was noted that Taylor Swift was granted an 11:40 p.m. end time for her concerts at Gillette Stadium last year, although those were on weekend nights.

George Bell, of the stadium advisory committee, said that it had recommended approval of 11:40 p.m. end times. He also said that the venue can turn down the volume of a concert if there is a noise complaint, which has been done in the past.

Mitchell threw out the idea of an 11:30 p.m. ending time.

However, both Selectman Jim DeVellis and selectmen Chairman David Feldman expressed concern about the concerts being held on weeknights, just as Coppola had.

In the end, the board voted unanimously to license the shows to have an 11:15 p.m. end time.

Rocker Lenny Kravitz will open for Guns N' Roses both nights