2002.07.16 - NME - Roses Return!

Guns N' Roses Confirm London Show In August

Guns N' Roses have finally nailed down a long-rumored London date for Aug. 26 at the London Arena, according to a spokesperson for the venue.

Tickets for the show, priced at approximately $43, go on sale Wednesday (July 17) through Ticketmaster U.K. The show marks the fifth confirmed date for the band this summer, including headlining spots at Japan's Summer Sonic festival in Tokyo and Osaka on Aug. 17-18, the Leeds Carling Weekend in Leeds, England, on Aug. 23, and the Pukkelpop Festival in Hasselt, Belgium, on Aug. 24.

Guns N' Roses last live shows were Dec. 29 and Dec. 31, 2001 in Las Vegas. Despite the flurry of live activity, however, there was still no word at press time as to a release date for Chinese Democracy, the band's long-awaited new album.

-- Kevin Raub

GUNS N' ROSES RETURN TO THE UK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1993!

Guns N' Roses originally exploded onto the music scene in 1985 with their own ferocious brand of rock n' roll. They were riding a wave of frenzied musical energy, extreme behaviour, and thrilling live performances led by the sheer force of nature that was, is and continues to be the legendary W. Axl Rose. In the process they have sold more than 40 million records. And now, they return to the UK for their first shows on these shores since 1993!

London's Dockland's Arena - Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August 2002 will be the setting for the World Premier of GN' R's full-bang, high-octane production. Fans will witness the sonic assault of the 'Guns N' Roses experience', that will feature a mixture of classic GN'R songs and new material from the forthcoming album.

Nearly nine years have passed since Guns N' Roses embarked on their last world tour. Fortunately, the most important piece is still in place and for people wondering where Axl Rose has been, he's been busy writing and recording a new album, "Chinese Democracy", that promises to surpass all of his previous efforts. Keyboard player Dizzy Reed has been in GN'R since 1991 and along with Axl is the holdover from the band's previous line-up. New to the fold are three guitarists: Robin Finck, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, guitar phenomenom Buckethead, and Richard Fortus. Rounding out the allstar line-up is bassist Tommy Stinson from The Replacements, a second keyboard player Chris Pitman, and Brian "Brain" Mantia of Primus on drums. While this new line-up only has a handful of live shows under their belt, critics world-wide are singing their praises and saying that this version of Guns N' Roses is a must see!!

Tickets priced £27.50 for Docklands Arena are on sale NOW and are available from the venue Box Office Tel.: +44 (0)8705 121212. Tickets can be purchased in person at Stargreen and all usual outlets (subject to booking fee). Credit cards Tel.: + 44 (0)870 400 0688 (24hrs). Tickets can also be bought online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk